Elaphiti Islands by Catamaran with snacks and unlimited drinks from Dubrovnik

The best part of this outing is the easy escape from Dubrovnik to the Elaphiti Islands, where the day mixes open-water views, island walks, and time for swimming. I like the hotel transfer and the simple all-in-one setup: you reach Gruž Port without fuss, then spend the day with snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi included.

I also like the generous two-hour stops on Šipan and Lopud, especially if you prefer a relaxed pace over a rushed photo stop. The tradeoff is that a catamaran carrying up to 75 people can feel crowded, and the longer island visits may seem slow if you want more sailing or several short swim stops.

Key points to know

• Hotel pickup makes the early start easier: Transfers run during the morning pickup window before the 9:30 departure from Gruž Port.
• Šipan and Lopud get the most time: Expect roughly two hours at each island, with Lopud offering a sandy beach and a pleasant place to swim.
• This is a catamaran cruise, not a sailing-boat trip: The boat moves between islands, but do not book it expecting traditional sailing.
• Drinks and snacks are included: The onboard selection has been praised for generosity, but the unlimited-drink arrangement may not be explained clearly.
• Guiding can vary by language: Ivana received warm praise, while some departures had longer French commentary and shorter English explanations.
• Weather can change the plan: Swimming and parts of the route depend on wind, temperature, and sea conditions.

Leaving Dubrovnik from Gruž Port

Your morning begins with a hotel transfer, if you select or receive the pickup service. The stated pickup period runs from 8:00 to 9:30, while the meeting time is listed as 8:20 a.m., so I would confirm your exact pickup point and time with Gulliver Travel before the day of the trip.

The catamaran departs from Gruž Port at about 9:30. Gruž is Dubrovnik’s working harbor, not the Old Town waterfront, and that matters if you are arranging your own transport. The included transfer removes one small but real problem: finding the right port early in the morning.

At the port, look for the departure connected with the Elaphiti Islands excursion and keep your mobile ticket ready. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the supplier lists a bookings phone number for calls only: +385 0916035117. Do not rely on text messages for last-minute questions.

The boat carries up to 75 people. That is not an enormous vessel by ferry standards, but it is large enough that a full departure can feel busy. One practical tip is to board with your sun protection, water-safe footwear, swimsuit, and phone already easy to reach. Once underway, moving around with a loose bag or changing clothes can be awkward.

The first hour on the Adriatic

The ride out of Dubrovnik gives you a different view of the city. From the water, the harbor, shoreline, and nearby islands form the setting for the day. This early section is less about a formal attraction and more about settling into the rhythm of the boat.

The catamaran has onboard Wi-Fi, which is useful if you want to send a few photos or stay in touch. It should not be the reason you book, since connection quality at sea can vary, but it is a handy extra.

The word catamaran is important here. You are not booking a small sailboat, and the crew does not generally use sails on this trip. The vessel motors between stops. If your idea of a day at sea involves quiet sailing under canvas, choose carefully. If you want a stable boat with room for a group, a snack service, and a planned island route, the catamaran makes more sense.

A light snack or lunch service is included. The food described during the trip has included baguette-style rolls, fruit, and a light salad. That is enough to keep you going, but it is not a full Croatian meal, and it may not satisfy you if you expect a long lunch with local dishes. I would eat a modest breakfast before pickup and treat the onboard food as a useful midmorning or midday bite.

Drinks are also included, with a selection served onboard. The drink service has been praised as generous, though the unlimited arrangement has not always been made clear to everyone at the start. Ask the crew early what is included and when drinks are available. The wine may be ordinary rather than memorable, but beer, soft drinks, and other options make the package more practical.

Two hours on Šipan

The first main island stop is Šipan, reached at about 10:45. You have roughly two hours for sightseeing. That is a good amount of time if you want to walk without checking the clock every few minutes, take photos, and enjoy the feel of an island community at a slower pace.

The program gives you free time rather than a tightly structured guided visit. That suits you if you like choosing your own route. You can stroll, find a quiet view, or simply sit with a drink. It is less suited to anyone expecting a detailed guided tour of every major site.

This is also where the pace can become a matter of taste. Two hours feels generous when the weather is pleasant and you enjoy unhurried wandering. On a hot day, or if there is little open for you to see, it can feel too long. Some people would prefer this time to be used for another swim stop or more movement between islands.

That is the central weakness of this excursion: the itinerary gives you two substantial island visits, not a constant sequence of sights. You should book it as a relaxed day on the water, not as a fast island-hopping checklist.

Bring a hat and sunscreen. The tour includes free time for swimming, but the precise swim arrangements can change with wind and temperature. A compact towel, swimsuit, and spare dry clothes are sensible. The available information does not promise changing-room facilities, so dress in a way that keeps the transition easy.

Lopud and its sandy beach

At about 1:00 p.m., the catamaran continues to Lopud, where you again have close to two hours. Lopud is the strongest stop for many people because it combines a pleasant village setting with a sandy beach and the clearest opportunity to make the day feel like a proper island break.

You can walk around the island, stop for a swim, or use the free time to sit by the water. The sandy beach is a useful contrast to the rocky shorelines common along the Adriatic. If swimming is important to you, Lopud is likely to be the highlight.

The island stop also gives you a chance to slow down after the morning transfer and boat ride. I like that the plan does not force you back onboard after a short twenty-minute photo stop. You have time to enjoy the place at your own speed.

Still, the same two-hour issue applies. If you are not swimming and do not want a long walk, you may run out of things to do. The best way to use this stop is to decide in advance what kind of break you want: beach time, a walk through the village, or a quiet drink. Without a plan, the final part of the stop may drag.

Do not assume the swimming portion is guaranteed. Weather, wind, and temperatures can lead to changes, and the operator may alter the program if conditions are unsuitable. On a calm, warm day, swimming can make the schedule feel well balanced. On a cooler or windier day, the trip becomes more about sightseeing and boat travel.

What the onboard service is really worth

At $97.86 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Dubrovnik. The price becomes easier to justify when you use the included parts: hotel transfer, catamaran transport, snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and a full seven-hour schedule.

You are paying for convenience as much as for the islands. A self-arranged day would require transport to Gruž, a boat ticket, food, drinks, and decisions about how to move between islands. This tour puts those pieces together and removes some planning work.

The value is strongest for first-time Dubrovnik visitors who want a broad taste of the nearby islands without spending several days arranging ferries. It is also useful if you are staying in Dubrovnik and do not have a car. The transfer can save time and reduce the chance of arriving at the wrong port.

The value is weaker if you mainly want an intimate boat ride, a traditional meal, or a packed sightseeing schedule. A group of up to 75 people is a different experience from a small private cruise. You may have a friendly, social day, but you should not expect silence or personal attention at every moment.

Food is another area where expectations matter. Rolls, fruit, and salad are practical provisions, not a destination meal. The included drinks add more value than the snack food, especially on a warm day, but ask what is available rather than assuming every drink is served at every point.

Guide language and the group experience

The quality of commentary can depend on the departure. Ivana has been singled out as a strong guide, and friendly crew service is one of the more consistent positives associated with this experience. At the same time, some departures have included longer explanations in French and much shorter commentary in English.

If clear English guiding is important to you, ask the bookings department which language coverage is planned for your date. Do not assume that every departure uses the same guide or the same balance of languages. This is especially useful if you want background on the islands rather than simple transport between stops.

The crew service itself appears to be a strength, with friendly treatment and a good selection of drinks noted during the trip. The boat can feel crowded when large groups are onboard, including days when cruise-ship passengers join the excursion. That can affect seating, movement, and the general calm of the ride.

The experience also depends on your attitude toward free time. I would choose it if I enjoy having a loose plan and room to decide how to spend each island stop. I would hesitate if I need constant narration, a small group, or a tightly timed set of activities.

Timing, weather, and practical preparation

The total outing lasts about seven hours, with a return to Gruž at around 5:00 p.m. A return transfer to hotels follows. That makes this a substantial part of your Dubrovnik day, so avoid scheduling another fixed activity too close to the expected return.

The operator can change the route or swimming plans because of weather. This is not a minor note in the Adriatic. Wind affects comfort, boat movement, and the safety of stopping for a swim. If the excursion is canceled for poor weather, you can receive another date or a full refund.

The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you can be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund. For a full refund after booking, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Pack lightly, but bring the essentials:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Dry clothes for the ride back
• Comfortable shoes for island walking
• A phone charger or power bank
• Cash or a card for any personal purchases, since only the listed food and drinks are included

Most people can take part, and the tour is near public transportation. The experience is not described as a specialist excursion, so its appeal is its easy, general format rather than a demanding physical program.

Who should book this catamaran day?

I would recommend this tour to a first-time Dubrovnik visitor who wants to see Šipan and Lopud in one day without handling ferry schedules. It also suits couples, families, and small groups who value a planned route, included drinks, and time for swimming.

It is a good match if you like:

• A full day away from city streets
• Free time rather than a nonstop guided program
• A large, stable group boat
• Swimming when weather allows
• Simple snacks and drinks included in the price
• Hotel transfer from Dubrovnik

I would look for another option if you want a quiet sailing boat, a small private group, a full Croatian lunch, or several short island stops. The two-hour blocks can feel slow if you are not interested in walking or swimming, and the boat may feel crowded on a busy date.

Should you book it?

Book this Elaphiti Islands trip if you want the easiest broad introduction to the islands from Dubrovnik. The transfer, catamaran, drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, and two major island stops make the $97.86 price reasonable for a convenient full-day package.

Before paying, confirm the pickup time, language arrangements, and what the unlimited drinks service includes. Go with realistic expectations: this is a motorized group catamaran with relaxed island time, not a private sailing cruise. If that sounds right, Lopud’s beach, the open-water views, and the break from Dubrovnik can make this a worthwhile day.

FAQ

How long does the Elaphiti Islands tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. The catamaran leaves Gruž Port at about 9:30 a.m. and returns at around 5:00 p.m., followed by a return transfer to hotels.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Hotel transfer is offered, with morning pickup listed between about 8:00 and 9:30. The meeting time is also listed as 8:20 a.m., so confirm your exact pickup details before departure.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main scheduled stops are Šipan and Lopud. The route also includes sailing around the Elaphiti Islands, with Dubrovnik’s Gruž Port as the departure and return point.

Is this a sailing boat or a catamaran?

It is a catamaran tour. The boat motors between the islands, so you should not expect a traditional sailing-boat experience under sail.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks and drinks are included. Food may include rolls, fruit, or a light salad, and the onboard drinks selection has been described as generous. Ask the crew how the unlimited-drink service works when you board.

Is swimming included?

The excursion includes free time for swimming, but swimming plans can change with weather, wind, and water temperature. Bring a swimsuit and suitable equipment.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. The tour can also be changed or canceled if its minimum number of participants is not reached.