Blue Cave, Koločep and Lopud Boat Trip with Lunch from Dubrovnik

The Elaphiti Islands cruise from Dubrovnik

The Elaphiti Islands are a chain of small, green islands scattered along the coast north-west of Dubrovnik, named after the Greek word for deer. Only three are inhabited, Koločep, Lopud and Šipan, and all three are car-free, which gives them a slow, old-fashioned rhythm that is the opposite of the busy Old Town. This Elaphiti Islands boat tour spends the day on the two closest, Koločep and Lopud, cruising between them along pine-covered shores with views back to the mainland hills.

The default departure is from the Old Town port of Dubrovnik at 9:50 AM, from the larger pier where the public ferry to Lokrum leaves, and the boat returns there about 8 hours later. Guests staying along the Župa dubrovačka coast or in Cavtat can board earlier at their own harbour. On board you have shade, music, snorkelling gear and a host who explains the islands; the cruise segments between stops are short, 15 to 45 minutes, so most of the day is spent in the water or ashore.

The Blue Cave on Koločep Island

The first stop, about 45 minutes out, is the Blue Cave of Koločep, a sea cave in the cliffs of the island's outer coast. It can only be entered by swimming: the boat anchors in clear water outside, you put on a mask and snorkel from the boat's equipment and swim through the opening. Inside, sunlight enters from below the waterline and reflects off the pale floor so that the whole chamber glows a deep electric blue around you.

You have 45 minutes here, enough for several passes through the cave and snorkelling over the rocks outside, where the visibility is excellent and small fish gather in the shallows. Because the cave is reached by swimming, the trip is not suitable for non-swimmers, though confident children from 4 can enjoy it with a parent and the host nearby. Late morning sun gives the strongest colour, which is why this is the first stop of the day.

Koločep village

From the cave the boat rounds the island to Koločep village, where you have 1.5 hours of free time. Koločep is the smallest inhabited Elaphiti island, with two settlements, Donje Čelo and Gornje Čelo, linked by a footpath through olive groves and pine woods. The harbour village has a small sandy beach, a stone church, a few cafés and a quiet waterfront promenade, with the hills rising behind. There are no cars at all, so the loudest sound is usually cicadas.

This is the best place to swim from a beach, stretch your legs on the island path or have a coffee by the water before lunch. Wondering whether Koločep is worth visiting on its own? Most visitors find an hour and a half is just right, which is why combining it with Lopud on one boat trip from Dubrovnik works so well. Please be back at the pier on time; the host confirms the departure before you go ashore.

Lunch on board and Lopud Island

As the boat cruises the 30 minutes from Koločep to Lopud, a light lunch is served on deck: shared platters of local cold cuts and cheese with bread, accompanied by water, iced tea and soft drinks. It is a snack-style lunch rather than a full meal, so if you prefer a hot dish there are restaurants on Lopud. From about 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM you have 2.5 hours of free time on Lopud, the middle Elaphiti island, known for a 15th-century Franciscan monastery above the harbour and a seafront of palm trees and stone villas.

Lopud day trips are popular because the island is small enough to cross on foot: a shaded path of about 20 minutes leads from the harbour over the hill to Šunj Beach, or you can hire a golf-cart taxi. The harbour itself has a beach, cafés and a pleasant promenade if you would rather stay close to the boat.

Šunj Beach

Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud is the reason many travellers choose this trip: a wide crescent of fine sand, rare on this rocky coast, opening onto a shallow bay where the water stays knee-deep for dozens of metres. It is ideal for families with small children and for anyone who wants to float in warm, calm water, and there are sunbeds, a beach bar-free simple café and showers in season. The surrounding hills are covered in pines and the beach faces south, so it keeps the sun until late afternoon.

Give yourself about 20 minutes to walk back to the harbour for the return cruise, which takes around an hour to Dubrovnik with music on deck and the sun lowering over the islands. Guests who boarded at Cavtat, Mlini or Srebreno are dropped back at their own harbour. Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen; the best time to visit Šunj Beach is June to September when the sea is warmest.