Luxury Elaphite Islands half day Cruise with lunch Apreamare

Three islands, one generous day at sea. This private Elaphite Islands cruise gives you a pleasant way to leave Dubrovnik behind and spend time swimming, snorkeling, exploring villages, and eating lunch by the water. I especially like the mix of active stops and unhurried island time, plus the use of a private boat for your own group.

The crew receives especially warm praise for friendly service, with Elisa singled out several times for her energy and care. I also like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and a stand-up paddleboard are included. The main concern is price: at $889.37 per person, this is a major splurge, and the advertised schedule is not fully clear, since one section says 8 hours while the stated departure and return times run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat setting: Only your group participates, which suits families, couples, or friends who want more control than a large group cruise.
• Three island stops: The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, each with a different character, from sea caves to beaches and village life.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch is served at a small local restaurant, with alcoholic drinks available for guests aged 18 and over.
• Swimming gear supplied: Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are included, along with bottled water and soft drinks.
• Strong service record: The crew is often praised for kindness, attention, food, and a clean, well-kept boat. Elisa is mentioned by name more than once.
• Check the timing carefully: The meeting time is 9 a.m. at Gruž Market, but the tour is also described as lasting about eight hours, while the stated return time is 3 p.m.

Why the Elaphite Islands make a good day from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is beautiful, but its old streets can become tiring in the summer. A boat day gives you a different view of southern Croatia. From the water, the city becomes a starting point rather than the whole show. You get open sea, rocky coves, small villages, and quiet swimming stops.

The Elaphite Islands sit close to Dubrovnik, making them a practical choice for a day trip. This route visits Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, the three main stops listed for the cruise. Each island offers something different, so the day does not feel like three copies of the same stop.

I would think of this as a flexible coastal outing rather than a serious historical tour. You will see villages and old buildings, but the main pleasures are swimming, views, food, and time on the boat. If you want long museum visits or detailed guided history, this is not the right fit.

The private format matters. You are not sharing the activity with a large public group, so your own party can enjoy a more relaxed setting. The exact level of flexibility is not stated, so I would not assume you can redesign the route completely. Still, a private boat is usually a better choice for people who dislike crowded excursions.

Starting at Gruž Market at 9 a.m.

The listed meeting point is Gruž Market, at Obala Stjepana Radića 21 in Dubrovnik. The departure time is 9 a.m. Pickup is also offered, but the information gives the market as the official start point, so confirm your arrangement before the morning of the tour.

Gruž is Dubrovnik’s working port area, and it is a sensible place to begin a boat trip. Arrive with enough time to find the meeting point, especially if you are walking from the Old Town. The listed tour ends back at the starting point.

The day is described in two slightly different ways. The overview gives a 9 a.m. departure and 3 p.m. return, which is about six hours. Elsewhere, the experience is described as lasting approximately eight hours. The island stop times also add up differently depending on how they are read. Ask Regina Maris to confirm the exact departure, return, and time spent at each island before paying the full price.

That small bit of planning is important if you have an evening restaurant booking, a flight, or another excursion.

Koločep: Caves, cliffs, and a short island walk

Koločep is described as the first stop in one part of the schedule and the final stop in another. The overview places Šipan first and Koločep last, while the itinerary lists Koločep first. The order may change with weather or operations, but you should confirm it when booking.

The island itself offers beautiful bays, sea caves, cliffs, and two small villages. A 20-minute walk across the island gives you a quick look at its local side. This is not an exhausting hike, but you should still wear shoes that handle uneven paths.

Koločep is a good place to get moving after time on the boat. You can walk, look for a quiet cove, or spend time near the water. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the boat also carries a stand-up paddleboard, giving you more to do than simply sit on the shore.

The short stop has a tradeoff. You can sample the island, but you will not have time for a long walk and a leisurely swim and a full meal. Think of Koločep as a compact introduction to island scenery rather than the day’s main stop.

Lopud: The best choice for beach time

Lopud receives some of the strongest praise for its scenery. The island is known here for sand beaches, a historical village, swimming spots, and restaurants. It is also scheduled for about three hours in one version of the itinerary, although the overview describes a stop of about an hour and a half.

That difference matters. If you receive three hours, Lopud becomes the main free-time stop. You can walk through the village, spend time at the beach, swim, and perhaps pause for a drink. If the stop is closer to 90 minutes, you will need to choose between beach time and exploring.

I would plan Lopud around the beach. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a towel if one is not supplied. The boat provides water and equipment, but the information does not say that beach towels are included.

The sand is a welcome change from the rocky coast found in many parts of the Adriatic. Families may appreciate that, though the tour does not give details about beach facilities, shade, or water conditions. You should avoid assuming that every comfort will be available right beside the landing point.

Lopud also gives you a little more village atmosphere than a simple swimming stop. If you enjoy walking past old stone buildings and stopping for a look at local life, use part of your free time away from the beach. Just keep an eye on the meeting time. Boat days are less forgiving than a casual walk around Dubrovnik.

Šipan: Village life, wine, and olive oil

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphite Islands. The stop is built around its bays, caves, traditional village, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, and local food.

This is the most clearly food-focused part of the route. The tasting adds a local touch without requiring a formal cooking class or a long organized visit. Wine and olive oil also help you connect the scenery to everyday island production. The information does not name the village or tasting venue, so ask for those details if they matter to you.

Šipan is a good match for you if swimming is only part of your ideal day. You can look around the village, enjoy the coves, and take a slower break from the boat. The listed time is about two hours, though the order and exact timing should be confirmed.

The island is called the largest in the group, but do not expect a full island tour in two hours. You will get a taste of the place, not an exhaustive visit. That is fine for a multi-stop cruise, since the appeal comes from variety rather than depth.

Lunch at a small local restaurant

Lunch is one of the main reasons this cruise can justify its high price. The meal is served at a small local restaurant on Koločep according to the overview, although the island order differs elsewhere. Past menu choices have included fish, chicken, and vegetarian options, and the food has received repeated praise.

Drinks are another strong point. The included items list alcoholic beverages for people aged 18 and over, as well as bottled water and soda. Several accounts describe generous wine service and drinks with the meal. Still, the exact drinks policy should be confirmed, since the listing does not clearly say if every drink is available throughout the whole day or mainly with lunch.

A meal at a small island restaurant can feel more personal than a buffet on a large excursion boat. It also saves you from hunting for food during a short stop. If you have dietary restrictions, tell the provider before departure. Vegetarian food has been available, but no full allergy policy is provided.

The meal is not a minor detail here. A private cruise, restaurant lunch, and included drinks add real value for a group that would otherwise need to arrange transport, food, and water separately. Even so, at $889.37 per person, you should compare this cost with a private boat charter that lets you customize the day.

What the boat setup adds to the day

The boat is described as an Apreamare, and the vessel is repeatedly praised for being clean, well maintained, and comfortable. A restroom is available on board, which is useful during a full day at sea.

The private format gives the trip a quieter feel than a large public cruise. You can spend time with your own group, and the crew can focus on your party rather than managing a crowded deck. The information does not state the boat’s exact passenger capacity, cabin layout, or shade arrangement, so ask about those points if they affect your comfort.

The equipment list is generous:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Bottled water
• Soft drinks
• Alcoholic beverages for guests aged 18 and over
• Restroom on board
• All listed fees and taxes

This setup works best if you want to switch between activities. Swim for a while, walk through a village, return to the boat, and then settle in for lunch. You do not need to pack your own snorkel gear, though you should bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything you personally need for a full day outdoors.

The crew is another part of the appeal. Service is often described as friendly, helpful, and attentive. Elisa is named several times, with praise for her warmth and lively spirit. Robert is also mentioned in connection with a private boat. Since crew assignments may vary, treat these names as useful context rather than a guarantee that a particular person will be on board.

Is $889.37 per person good value?

The price is the biggest question. At $889.37 per person, this is not a standard budget island outing. It is priced as a luxury private experience, and you should judge it against other private boat options in Dubrovnik.

The value improves if you are traveling as a group and the price buys a private boat for your party. Lunch, drinks, equipment, water, soft drinks, a restroom, and island access are included. You also avoid arranging separate taxis, restaurant reservations, and boat transfers.

The value falls if you are a couple looking mainly for a short swim and a simple ride. In that case, a shared cruise or a standard boat transfer may provide enough of the same scenery for far less money.

Some older accounts mention much lower prices, including a 55 euro adult fare with hotel pickup and drop-off. Those figures do not match the current listed price and should not guide your budget. Prices can change by season, boat, group size, and booking conditions.

I would ask for a complete written quote. Confirm the number of people covered, pickup arrangements, lunch menu, drinks, route, and exact duration. If the price is per person and the trip is private, you should know the minimum group size and whether a group discount applies.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a polished day on the water and do not want to manage the details yourself. It suits couples celebrating something special, families who want private space, and groups of friends who value swimming, food, and scenery over formal sightseeing.

It is also a good fit if you dislike large crowds. The private setup gives you a more personal day, while the three islands keep the outing varied.

You may want to choose another option if you need a strict timetable. The information gives different duration and stop-time details, so ask questions before booking. You may also prefer a cheaper shared cruise if the luxury boat and private format are not important to you.

People with limited mobility should ask about boarding and island access in advance. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the details do not explain boat steps, beach landings, or walking surfaces.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also lead to a new date or a full refund. Since this is a sea trip, that weather provision is useful, but it does not remove the need to check conditions before you leave.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands cruise?

Book it if you want a private, food-centered day with swimming, village stops, wine and olive oil tasting, and a well-equipped boat. The strongest reasons are the personal service, clean vessel, included lunch and drinks, and the chance to see three islands without arranging each transfer yourself.

Pause before booking if $889.37 per person feels hard to justify. Confirm the boat capacity, schedule, pickup, meal, and exact route first. If the answers are clear and your group values comfort and privacy, this can be a memorable Dubrovnik splurge. If you mainly want a beach and a quick boat ride, spend less elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The listed meeting point is Gruž Market, Obala Stjepana Radića 21, Dubrovnik. Pickup is offered, but you should confirm the exact pickup arrangement with Regina Maris.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Dubrovnik.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a small local restaurant is included in the experience.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water and soda are included. Alcoholic beverages are also included for participants aged 18 and over.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and a stand-up paddleboard is also available.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.