Three islands in a single easy day.

This Elaphiti Islands full-day cruise packs Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud onto a smooth ride with the Regina Maris as your floating base. I like the comfort details onboard, especially the shaded decks and the relaxed lounge setup, and I really like that lunch comes with local drinks rather than turning into a pay-everything day.

The main catch: the first two island stops are short, so you have to move with purpose if you want beaches and photos.

Key Things I’d Plan Around

• Regina Maris is built for comfort, with lazy bags, shade on both decks, and 4 restrooms onboard.
• Lunch is included, with your choice of fish, chicken, or vegetarian plus local wine and rakija.
• Hotel pickup in Dubrovnik is included (with extra-fee pickup outside the city possible).
• Koločep and Šipan are quick hits; Lopud is where you’ll stretch your legs.
• The crew gives island tips before you land, which makes stops feel less random.
• Snorkeling gear and towels are not included, so bring what you need if you want to get in the water.

Meeting Regina Maris at Lapadska Obala 5

Your day starts at Lapadska obala 5. At the harbor, look for the large white boat, the Regina Maris—that’s your landmark and your ticket to the islands.

Start time is 10:00am, and the cruise runs about 8 hours. Hotel pickup can bring you right to the marina in Dubrovnik if you choose that option, which saves you the hassle of figuring out local transport right at the start of the day.

Price and Value: What Your $78.60 Actually Buys

At about $78.60 per person for a full-day outing, the value comes from what’s included, not from the boat ride alone. You get a proper lunch (fish, chicken, or vegetarian—your choice when you book) and you also get local wine and rakija with lunch. Add in still water from the fountain, a selection of soft drinks, and WiFi onboard, and the price starts to look like a package, not a bare-bones tour.

This also helps if you’re traveling with a group or family, because the basics are handled. You’re not constantly scanning menus for what costs extra—you can focus on swimming, walking the island waterfronts, and enjoying the sailing views.

Boat Basics: Restrooms, Shade, WiFi, and the Stuff You Pay For

On Regina Maris, comfort is handled in the small ways. There are 4 luxury restrooms onboard—2 for women and 2 for men—plus lazy bags for lounging. More importantly, both decks offer shade, so you’re not stuck in direct sun the whole trip. One review noted how comfortable the shaded decks felt during a hot, clear day, which matches what you’re likely to need in summer.

WiFi is included too. It won’t replace your offline wandering time, but it’s handy for messaging home and grabbing restaurant ideas for later in Dubrovnik.

What’s included versus extra:

• Included: still water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks (rakija and white wine) with lunch
• Not included: coffee/tea (available for purchase), extra alcohol (available for purchase), and snacks from island shops

And a practical note: towels and beachwear aren’t provided, and snorkeling equipment isn’t included. If snorkeling is part of your plan, bring your own gear or accept that you might just admire underwater life from the surface.

Koločep Stop: Pines, Coves, and a Realistic Time Budget

Koločep is where the day starts feeling like you left Dubrovnik behind. The island is known for dense pine forests and hidden caves, and the vibe is the simple one: shade, sea air, and quick adventures.

You can swim in the crystal-clear Adriatic, and if you brought snorkeling gear, this is a great moment to use it. You’ll also find small beach-side stalls where you can pick up local products, and you can keep things easy with photos around the shoreline.

The tradeoff is time. The cruise gives you about one hour on the first island stop, so plan for a focused routine: get off the boat, walk to a good view spot, swim if you want, then head back with enough buffer for departure. If you’re hoping for a big hike or a long wander inland, this stop won’t be that kind of day.

Šipan and Lunch: Dalmatian-Style Food and Suđurađ Strolls

Next comes Šipan. This is where the cruise shifts from island scenery to island comfort, especially because lunch happens here.

You’ll be served a Dalmatian-style lunch in the fish, chicken, or vegetarian format. One thing I appreciate about this setup is that lunch isn’t an afterthought or a boxed meal. It’s paired with drinks: rakija and great local white wine are included with lunch, and you’ll also have soft drinks and water available.

After lunch, you’ll spend time around Suđurađ. Here, you can find small stands offering local wine and olive oil, often set up near family homes or around the castle and bay area. You can treat this like a low-pressure tasting moment—buy a small souvenir if you want, or just sample and keep walking.

Then you’ve got options: stroll around the village with traditional architecture, or pause for coffee or gelato by the harbor. Timing can feel tighter than Lopud, so treat this as a nice walking + tasting stop, not a full-day exploration.

Lopud and Šunj Beach: Walk, Bike, Buggy, and Garden Time

Lopud is the payoff. It’s the island where you can slow down, because this stop typically feels longer and more flexible.

Your beach highlight is Šunj Beach, famous for golden sand and shallow, family-friendly waters. If you want a scenic way to get there, Šunj is about a 30-minute walk through the island. If you’d rather skip the hike, you can take a buggy car offered by local drivers. It’s located about 200 meters from the bay, and it’s an extra fee paid directly to the driver.

You can also explore Lopud by bike (rentals are available on the island). If you like mixing sea time with culture time, this is also where you’ll hear about the main landmarks: the Franciscan Monastery, the Sunlight Museum (open during high season), and the Botanical Garden, which offers free entry.

And when you’re ready for a breather, Lopud’s harbor village has the practical pleasures: shops, cafes, and ice cream stands. This is a good moment to recharge, because by now you’ve already done the quick-hit islands.

The Hidden Skills: How to Keep This Day Smooth

This tour works best when you respect timing. One strong theme: the boat leaves on time. If your departure from an island is listed as a specific time, treat that as real, not a suggestion. The cruise runs a tight rhythm across islands, and getting back late can mean missing the boat.

A tip that makes a difference: watch for the departure information posted onboard. You’ll see the planned departure times displayed so everyone can track when to return.

Also, match your expectations to the style of day. It’s a relaxing outing focused on sunbathing, swimming, and island wandering, not a tour packed with onboard games or big scheduled activities. If you want action all day, you might feel restless. If you want sea time plus enough walking to feel you visited three islands, it’s a great fit.

Lunch Details: Choosing Fish, Chicken, or Vegetarian

Lunch is one of the most praised parts of the experience, and it’s also one of the easiest to plan around. When you book, you choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian. The meals are served with cabbage slaw and cucumbers and come with wine or soda depending on what you prefer during lunch.

One vegetarian-related note from feedback: some people found the vegetarian lunch a bit light and wished they had brought an extra snack. That’s not a reason to avoid the option, but it is a smart planning step if you know you eat big when you’re in vacation mode. A simple backup snack can solve that.

Crew and On-Board Care: Why People Mention Attention

The crew tends to be the glue that holds the day together. People consistently describe the onboard team as friendly and accommodating, and they also mention receiving short briefings before each island stop—what to do, where to walk, and what to watch for.

There’s also a coordination touch worth knowing about. In at least one experience, the host named Elisa reached out in advance to confirm menu choices and pickup location. Even if you’re not thinking about it now, that kind of contact reduces stress the morning of the cruise.

And if you’re prone to feeling seasick on boat rides, you’ll be happy to know the route is generally calm-feeling for many people. You’ll still want to bring your common-sense motion-bloat prevention if you need it, but the sailing portion is not typically described as rough.

Should You Book It? Who This Cruise Is Best For

Book this tour if you want a stress-light way to see multiple Elaphiti Islands without sorting transport, timing ferries, or spending your day chasing schedules on your own. It’s especially good for:

• Couples who want a boat day plus beach breaks
• Families who want easy water time (Šunj Beach shines here)
• First-timers to Dubrovnik who want a day away from the Old Town vibe
• People who value included lunch and drinks rather than constant extras

You might skip it if:

• You expect long exploration on every stop. The early islands are quicker, and Lopud gets the most breathing room.
• You need lots of onboard programming. This is more about the islands and the sea than structured entertainment.

In short: this is a relaxing day with real island time—just don’t plan to see everything on all three islands like you’re hiking for days.

FAQ

What’s included in the lunch on the cruise?

Lunch is included and you choose in advance between fish, chicken, or vegetarian. Wine or soda accompanies the meal, and water is available onboard.

What drinks are included for free?

Still water is available from a fountain onboard, and there’s a selection of popular soft drinks. Alcoholic drinks included with lunch are local rakija and local white wine. Extra alcohol can be purchased onboard.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off from the City of Dubrovnik is included if you select that option. Pickup outside Dubrovnik can be arranged for an extra fee.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment or towels?

Snorkeling equipment and towels are not included, so you’ll want to bring your own if you plan to swim with gear. Beachwear is also not included.

Where do we meet, and when does the tour start?

You meet at Lapadska obala 5 and should look for the white boat Regina Maris. Start time is 10:00am.

What if the weather is bad or I cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

Final Call

If you want one day that feels like real island life—boats, beaches, and lunch handled for you—this cruise is a strong bet. I’d book it for the combination of included lunch + local wine, comfortable boat setup (shade and lounge space), and the fact that Lopud gives you the time to actually enjoy the island. Just go in knowing Koločep and Šipan are quick stops, and you’ll be thrilled with the balance.