Island Hopping & City Walls Cruise with Food and Open Bar

Dubrovnik island time, without ferry stress. This 7-hour cruise is a smart way to sample the Elaphite Islands, then glide back through Dubrovnik for an Old Town stop and a sunset return, all while staying fed and hydrated. I like that lunch is included (fish, chicken, or vegetarian) and that wine is part of the onboard setup.

My other big win is how professional and friendly the crew feels, with an on-time departure and safety-minded vibes. The one drawback to plan around is that your main beach time on Lopud is about 2 hours, which can feel tight if you want to reach Šunj Beach and spend extra time getting there.

If you want an easy, well-paced introduction to island life, this is the kind of day that actually feels like a vacation, not a calendar math problem.

Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go

• Two hours on Lopud is the centerpiece, with your best chance to swim and wander, plus access toward Šunj Beach.
• A real lunch break, with choices, so you do not have to hunt for food between swims.
• Kolocep and Sipan are short, useful stops, perfect for a quick reset, coffee, and a dip.
• Wine is included, and the onboard drink setup keeps the day feeling relaxed.
• Safety and timing matter here, with a friendly crew and a smooth, organized flow.

Why This 7-Hour Island and Walls Cruise Fits Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is great, but it is also busy. This tour gives you a full island day without making you wait around for boats, guess timetables, or lose hours to transfers. You are on the water early enough to enjoy daylight, but not so early that you feel like you are sprinting out of bed.

You start at 10:45 am and the whole experience runs about 7 hours. That timing is a sweet spot, because it puts your main island block in the middle of the day when the water is best for swimming, then it finishes with time in Old Town and that classic sunset return feeling as you head back toward the port area.

Group size is capped at 120 travelers, which usually keeps things organized on a boat day. You also get a mobile ticket, so you skip the paper chase and move on to the part you actually paid for, the islands.

Kolocep Island Stop 1 for Swimming and a Quick Walk (45 Minutes)

Kolocep is a great “starter island.” You get in, you swim, you check out the coast at a slow pace, then you move on. With about 45 minutes, this is not an island where you try to see everything. It is an island where you get your feet wet, literally, and set the tone for the rest of the day.

What I like about this stop is how low-pressure it is. You can do any combo of quick swimming, grabbing a coffee if that’s your thing, or taking a short walk to stretch your legs. And because it is first, you are not tired yet, so even a short stroll feels satisfying.

Plan your gear with this in mind. If you want to swim, have your swimsuit ready and your towel easy to grab. Since snorkeling equipment is not included, stick to regular swimming. (If you did bring your own, this is a good moment to use it, since the stop is long enough to enjoy the water.)

The big consideration is simple: 45 minutes goes fast. If you want a long beach hang, Kolocep might feel more like a warm-up than a destination.

Sipan and Summer House Skočibuha With a Dip (About 40 Minutes)

Sipan is one of the larger islands in the Elaphite group, and this stop uses that scale in a practical way. You get a short visit tied to the summer house area (Skočibuha) and enough time to swim.

This is not the kind of stop where you run a full sightseeing checklist. Think of it as a scenic breather. You see a different side of the islands compared to Kolocep, and you get another shot at the water before your main island time.

Because the stop is around 40 minutes, you should keep expectations aligned. If you love beaches, prioritize swimming over trying to cover ground. If you enjoy atmosphere and views, take in the shoreline and the feel of the place, then jump back to the boat when it’s time.

Also note that the tour includes admission for this segment, so you are not stuck asking, what do I pay for and where do I go. That matters on a day like this.

Lopud Is the Main Island, and Šunj Beach Changes Your Time Budget

Lopud is where you spend most of the day. This is the stop that most people care about, because it offers the best chance for real beach time. You have about 2 hours here, which is long enough to swim, relax, and do a short wander.

Here is the practical trick: if you want to reach the famous Šunj Beach, you can walk to the other side. But you may also find it requires a small extra step, like hopping on a golf cart that costs money in cash each way. That can cut into your beach time, which is the thing you came for.

When time is tight, your priorities should be clear:

• If your top goal is swimming and a laid-back shoreline day, stay more local and enjoy the time you have.
• If your top goal is Šunj Beach specifically, plan for the extra time and cost to get there, and accept that you may have less than you hoped once you factor in travel.

The upside is that Lopud itself is popular for a reason. Even without chasing Šunj, you get a classic island feel. And because this is your longest stop, you can adjust on the fly based on how you feel in the moment.

This is where the main drawback lives. Two hours sounds like a lot until you try to do more than one thing. If you want a long full-beach day, you might feel rushed here. If you want a balanced island sampler with a beach hit, it works.

Old Town Stop and the Sunset Return From the Water

After the islands, you get a chance to enjoy Dubrovnik itself. The Old Town stop is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and it comes with the added bonus of a sunset ride back toward the port.

This is a good setup for people who want history and atmosphere, but also want a day that ends before you feel worn out. Old Town in daylight can be packed, and sometimes it is hard to enjoy it if you are running around all day. Here, you still get time to wander, but you also get to break the rhythm with sea air and swimming.

What I like about having Old Town near the end is that the day feels complete. You spend your midday on islands, then you shift back to Dubrovnik for the vibe and views. The sunset return helps you reset too, because it turns the travel segment into part of the experience rather than just the commute back.

If you are trying to do Old Town at the same pace as your last trip to Dubrovnik, you might overdo it. Keep it simple: prioritize a couple of key sights or just a slow walk and some photos, then get back to the meeting point when the boat is ready.

Lunch, Wine, and What You Actually Get Onboard

One of the best parts of this tour is that it does not treat food like an afterthought. Lunch is included, and you can choose between fish, chicken, or vegetarian. You also get bottled water, plus onboard restroom access.

I also appreciate that lunch tends to be a real meal, not a tiny boxed thing. People mention bread refills and generous portions, including seconds on the main course. That might sound like a small detail, but on a boat day, it changes everything. It keeps your energy up so you actually enjoy the islands instead of feeling hungry and cranky.

Drinks are part of the experience too. The tour includes alcoholic beverages, specifically wine. On top of that, you may see a system for additional alcoholic drinks. In practice, some people have reported a setup where you pay for a cup to access unlimited pours and can get that money refunded later. I would treat this as an optional “how you want to drink” choice, not a surprise you want to be unprepared for. If you care about alcohol quantity, ask what is included and what costs extra when you board.

Two items to remember that are not included:

• Coffee and/or tea (so if you rely on caffeine, plan ahead)
• Snorkeling equipment (bring your own if you want it)

For seasickness, the day can be a bit bumpy out on the water. Some boats in this region run rougher than you expect, and there is reportedly Dramamine available onboard. If you know you get motion sick, do not gamble with it. Bring your own just in case.

The Pace, Crew, and Comfort on a 120-Person Boat Day

This is an organized, full-plate day, but it does not feel chaotic. The stops are spaced so you get movement and variety without turning the itinerary into a marathon. You get quick arrival windows, a lunch break, and enough island time to feel like you actually went somewhere.

The crew is a standout. People describe the staff as friendly and helpful, with a professional approach and safety consciousness. That is exactly what you want when you are spending a good chunk of the day on a moving boat.

Comfort-wise, the essentials are covered:

• Restroom on board
• Bottled water
• A flow that takes you from island to island without you figuring out the steps

Group size is capped at 120, which helps prevent it from becoming a total crush. Still, remember this is a boat with limited space. If you hate waiting around, aim to keep your “grab and go” items packed so you do not waste time.

Weather is another important factor. The tour requires good weather. On a day where conditions are not right, tours can be moved or canceled. That is normal here, but it is worth thinking about if you are visiting during a season with changeable skies.

Price, Value, and How This Compares to Doing It Yourself

At $84.66 per person for around 7 hours, this tour sits in the “worth it if you want convenience” category. You are paying for the structure: transportation by boat between islands, scheduled stops, lunch, and wine, not just the scenery.

Could you do something similar with local ferries? Maybe. One common alternative is DIY travel with ferries, which can cost only a few euros. The tradeoff is time and stress. It can be hard to connect between islands efficiently, and waiting for ferries can eat into the good part of your day, especially if weather or schedules shift.

Here, you get a plan that already works:

• You do not worry about ferry timing
• You get lunch options without hunting
• You have a clear endpoint back in the Dubrovnik area

If you are the type of traveler who likes to wander, swim, and take your day as it comes, that structure feels like value. If you prefer complete freedom and long stays on one island, you might feel the time pressure. That is less about price and more about which style of day you want.

Who Should Book This Cruise, and Who Might Not Love It

This tour is a strong fit for:

• First-timers to the Elaphite Islands who want a quick, organized introduction
• People who want swimming and beach time but do not want to manage ferry logistics
• Travelers who value a included meal and an easy drink setup
• Anyone staying around central Dubrovnik, since the tour meets near public transportation and can be convenient if you are based near a major hotel zone

You may want to skip or look for a different option if:

• You dream of spending half a day on one beach, like Šunj, without time math
• You are very sensitive to crowds or tight schedules
• You want snorkeling equipment provided (it is not included)

The best way to think about it: this is not a slow island retreat. It is a well-run “see a lot, do a lot, eat well” island day.

Should You Book Island Hopping With Lunch and Open Bar?

Yes, I would book it if your goal is a stress-free island sampler that still feels like a real experience. The tour’s biggest strength is practical value: lunch choices, wine, friendly crew, and a pace that keeps you from wasting your day waiting.

Just go in with the right expectations. Your time on Lopud is good, but not unlimited. If Šunj Beach is your number one priority, plan for the extra step to get there and keep your schedule flexible once you arrive. If you do that, you will finish the day tired in a good way, with island swims behind you and Dubrovnik’s Old Town vibe waiting at the end.

FAQ

What islands are included on this tour?

You stop at Kolocep Island, Sipan, Lopud, and you also get time in Old Town in Dubrovnik.

How long is the tour?

The experience runs about 7 hours.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 10:45 am.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and you can choose between fish, chicken, or vegetarian.

What drinks are included?

Wine and other alcoholic beverages are included, along with bottled water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No, snorkeling equipment is not included.

Is coffee or tea included?

No, coffee and/or tea are not included.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour has a maximum of 120 travelers.

Is restroom access available on board?

Yes, there is a restroom on board.