Luxury Elaphite Islands half day Cruise with lunch Apreamare

The best part of this cruise is the freedom to see three very different islands in one day without packing and unpacking or fighting for space on a large excursion boat. You can swim beside sea caves, wander through old villages, and finish with a local lunch on Koločep.

I like the mix of water time and land time, especially the stop on Šipan for wine and olive oil tasting. I also like that this is a private tour, so your group can settle into the boat rather than follow a large crowd. The main point to check is the price: at $889.37 per person, this makes sense mainly for a group seeking a private luxury charter, not for anyone simply looking for the cheapest island outing.

Key points at a glance

• Three Elaphite islands in one day: Visit Šipan, Lopud, and Koločep, with time for swimming, walking, sightseeing, and lunch.
• Apreamare boat setting: You cruise aboard a luxury vessel with a restroom, bottled water, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a stand-up paddleboard.
• Šipan brings the local flavor: Expect a traditional village, bays, caves, and wine and olive oil tasting.
• Lopud is the beach stop: The island offers sandy beaches, swimming spots, a historic village, and places to eat.
• Koločep suits a gentle finish: See small villages, cliffs, bays, and sea caves before lunch and free time.
• Private service: Only your group participates, and pickup is offered. Crew member Elisa is singled out for friendly, energetic attention.

Why this cruise works well from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s old town can feel crowded, especially in the warmer months. The Elaphite Islands offer a very different day: open water, small settlements, rocky coves, and a slower rhythm.

You leave from Gruž Market, Obala Stjepana Radića 21, at 9am. From there, the boat becomes your base for the day. Your towel, drinks, snorkeling gear, and other essentials stay aboard while you move between islands.

The schedule gives you a useful balance. You are not stuck on the boat for eight straight hours, but you also do not spend the whole day rushing from one pier to the next. The supplied timing says the cruise returns to Gruž around 3pm, although the tour is also described as lasting approximately eight hours. Confirm the exact return time when you book, since the stated duration and departure schedule do not match perfectly.

The private format matters here. On a large boat, island stops often become a race to disembark, find a beach, and return on time. With only your group participating, the day should feel more relaxed. It may also suit families or friends who want control over how much time they spend swimming, walking, or eating.

Šipan: caves, village life, and island produce

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphite Islands, and it gives the tour its strongest taste of rural island life. The plan includes a small village, traditional scenery, bays, caves, and wine and olive oil tasting.

This is not simply a photo stop. The tasting connects the scenery to everyday island production. You get a chance to try products made in the region, rather than spending the entire visit on a beach.

The Blue Cave visit and swimming stop are likely to be a highlight. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel, even if you are more interested in sightseeing than swimming. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and you can also use the stand-up paddleboard when conditions allow.

The cave stop depends on the sea and weather. It may be less appealing if you dislike entering the water or if the boat cannot approach closely. Still, Šipan gives the cruise a good early mix of activity and culture.

Allow time for the village visit without expecting a large town or a long list of major monuments. The pleasure here is in the smaller scale: stone buildings, quiet lanes, island views, and a chance to see a less urban side of the Dubrovnik area.

Lopud: the best beach break

Lopud receives the longest stop, listed as up to three hours. That gives you enough time to do more than step ashore, take a quick photograph, and hurry back to the boat.

The island is known here for its sand beaches, swimming places, restaurants, and historic village. If your main goal is a proper beach break, Lopud is the most useful stop on the route.

You can spend the time in several ways. Swim from the beach, walk around the village, sit down for a drink, or simply enjoy a slower hour on shore. The island also works well for people in the group who do not want to snorkel or paddle.

Three hours can feel generous, but that is not a bad thing on a hot day. Island visits are better when you have time to settle in. The drawback is that the stop may feel too long if you prefer constant sightseeing or if beach time is not your priority.

Wear shoes suitable for walking as well as sandals. The tour description highlights historical villages and a pleasant island walk, but it does not promise a guided walking tour. You should think of Lopud as free time with options, not a formal cultural visit.

Koločep: cliffs, caves, and lunch

Koločep is smaller and more intimate in feel. The island has beautiful bays, sea caves, cliffs, and two small villages. A walk across the island takes about 20 minutes, making this a manageable place to stretch your legs before or after lunch.

The visit is designed as a relaxed finish. You have free time to look around, then eat at a small local restaurant. The meal is one of the reasons to choose this cruise over a basic boat transfer. The experience combines a swim-and-sightsee day with a proper sit-down taste of local food.

Food choices mentioned for this excursion include fish, chicken, and vegetarian options. Drinks are also part of the package, with water and wine included. Alcohol is available only to adults aged 18 and over.

You should still tell the provider about dietary needs before departure. The supplied information confirms those three meal choices, but it does not promise a full allergy menu or an unlimited range of substitutions.

Koločep’s cliffs and caves make it a scenic final stop, but the island is not presented as a major historical site. If you want museums, grand churches, or a long guided explanation of medieval Dubrovnik, this is not that kind of excursion. The reward is fresh air, water, small villages, and an unhurried meal.

What you get aboard the Apreamare

The boat is a major part of the value. An Apreamare gives the cruise a luxury setting rather than the feel of a basic public ferry. You have a restroom on board, which is useful during a full day at sea.

Included equipment and refreshments are:

• 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

That equipment makes it easier to alternate between swimming and sightseeing. You do not need to arrange a separate snorkel rental at each island.

The boat is also your shelter from the sun and a comfortable place to rest between stops. The exact seating and shade arrangement is not specified, so ask before booking if those details matter to you. On a private luxury cruise, the condition and layout of the boat are part of what you are paying for.

Crew service is another strong point. Elisa is associated with especially warm, attentive service, and the crew is described as helpful, friendly, and good at keeping the mood light. That can make a real difference on a long day, particularly when the group has mixed interests.

The $889.37 price: who gets good value?

At $889.37 per person, this is a costly excursion. The price is easier to justify if you are splitting the cost among a private group and want a luxury boat, drinks, equipment, lunch, and a custom-feeling day.

It is harder to justify if you are a couple comparing this with shared island cruises or public boat connections. The islands themselves are the attraction, and you can reach the general area through less expensive options. What you are buying here is convenience, privacy, a polished boat, and a complete day with food and water activities arranged.

Group discounts are offered, so ask for the total price for your party rather than judging the per-person figure alone. Also confirm exactly what is included in the private charter, especially the boat model, lunch arrangements, pickup, and return timing.

The price should not be treated as a minor detail. At this level, you should expect clear communication, a well-maintained vessel, and staff who can explain the day before departure. The available feedback points to a clean, well-kept boat and very good food, which supports the luxury claim, but you should still verify the current package when booking.

Pickup, timing, and practical planning

The official meeting point is Gruž Market, and the start time is 9am. Pickup is offered, but the information does not state every pickup zone or whether it costs extra. Confirm your hotel or apartment address in advance.

The tour ends back at the starting point. That is useful if you plan an evening reservation in Dubrovnik, but leave some spare time because boat schedules can change with weather and sea conditions.

Good weather is required. If conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation. If you have mobility concerns, ask how boarding works and how much walking is required at each island, since the available details do not explain the boat access or shore transfers.

Bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• A light cover-up
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Waterproof protection for your phone
• Any personal medication
• Cash for a tip, which is not included

The crew supplies snorkeling equipment, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if fit matters to you. Alcohol is included only for adults, so families should plan around the drink options for younger passengers.

Who should book this island day?

I would choose this cruise for a small group that values comfort and privacy more than the lowest possible price. It suits friends celebrating a special occasion, families wanting a flexible day on the water, and couples who prefer a private boat to a crowded excursion.

It also works for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can walk through a village or sit on the beach. Lopud provides the longest shore break, while Šipan and Koločep add village scenery and food.

I would hesitate if you dislike swimming, sea travel, or unstructured free time. Much of the appeal rests on being outdoors and moving at island pace. The tour is also not ideal for anyone seeking a detailed guided history tour, since the focus is on scenery, leisure, food, and local island life.

Finally, consider the schedule wording. The tour says approximately eight hours, but the stated departure and return time suggest about six hours, with the listed island stops totaling six hours. Ask for the current route and duration before paying the full price.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands cruise?

Book it if you want a private, polished day that combines three islands, swimming, a beach stop, local tasting, and lunch without organizing each part yourself. The Apreamare, onboard facilities, friendly crew, and private format give the day a more personal feel than a standard ferry trip.

Skip it if $889.37 per person strains your budget or if you mainly want transport to a beach. You can enjoy the Elaphites in simpler ways. For this cruise to be worth the money, the private boat and service need to be the center of your decision, not just the island names.

Before booking, confirm the exact vessel, group size, pickup details, lunch choices, alcohol policy, and return time. If those details suit your group, this is a strong choice for a comfortable day away from Dubrovnik’s crowded streets.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Gruž Market at Obala Stjepana Radića 21 in Dubrovnik. The stated start time is 9am, and pickup is offered.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Šipan, Lopud, and Koločep. The route description places time on all three islands, although the order may vary.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at a small local restaurant on Koločep. Fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices are listed.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are included. Alcohol is available only to guests aged 18 and over.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are included, along with use of the boat’s restroom.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.