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Things to do in Elaphiti Islands

Our most recommended things to do in Elaphiti Islands

Dubrovnik: Elafiti Islands Trip w/ Lunch and Optional Pickup

1. Dubrovnik: Elafiti Islands Trip w/ Lunch and Optional Pickup

Set off on an island-hopping cruise to the Elafiti Islands of Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep on a day trip from Dubrovnik. Visit beaches, historical churches, vineyards, and olive groves at your own pace and try Mediterranean delicacies. If you choose the hotel pickup option, be picked up in an air-conditioned vehicle that will take you to the harbor. Once at the harbor, climb aboard the boat and settle in for a cruise along Dubrovnik's coastline. Set sail to your first stop, the island of Lopud, where you will have free time to explore the island as you like. Relax on the sunny shores or visit the sandy beach at Šunj Bay. If you feel like stretching your legs, hike along the car-free roads to explore untouched nature or discover the island's famous heritage, including old ruined fortresses and a Saint Mary Franciscan monastery. Next, sail to the largest island in the Elafiti archipelago, Šipan. Disembark to explore the island's scenic vineyards and olive groves. At your final stop, Koločep, relax with a swim in the crystal-clear waters off the coast or take a stroll through the pine forests before returning to Dubrovnik. During the cruise, quench your thirst with unlimited local wine, water, and various soft drinks. Sample homemade olive oil and the best homegrown vegetables for that real Mediterranean experience. For lunch, choose between grilled fish or chicken or a vegetarian menu, all served with potato salad.

Elaphiti Islands: Full-Day 3-Island Tour with Lunch

2. Elaphiti Islands: Full-Day 3-Island Tour with Lunch

Go island hopping in Croatia's Elaphite islands in the sunny Adriatic Sea. In this full-day tour rom Dubrovnik, experience the natural wonder of these untouched islands and live true island life, Dalmatian style! This sun-drenched archipelago located north-west of Dubrovnik is largely uninhabited, and consists of eight islets, three of which await you on this full day excursion. Meet Koločep, Šipan and Lopud, bathe in their crystal-clear seas, stroll in the shade of their Mediterranean flora, explore their quaint hamlets, and indulge in the delicious local cuisine. Begin on charming Koločep isle, traversing the meandering path through evergreen pine, Carob trees, citrus gardens, and olive groves that joins its only two settlements. Wander in peace through scattered remnants of ancient buildings with not a car in sight – in fact, there are no cars on Koločep! Next you'll hop over to Šipan, the largest of the Elaphites. Rich in history, the island's settlement dates back to the Roman Empire, and is dotted with venerable stone villas as well as churches of a later age. The island's wealth of natural beauty and central agricultural area bares olives, figs, grapes, and citrus fruits. Lastly, visit the island of Lopud, said to be the most beautiful of the Elephites. Blessed with sunny beaches, it is the perfect place to unwind after a day of island hopping.

Kotor: Blue Cave, Mamula, Submarine Base & Swim Time

3. Kotor: Blue Cave, Mamula, Submarine Base & Swim Time

Travel to the top sights in the Bay of Kotor on this speedboat cruise from Kotor. Enjoy access to a fridge onboard and listen to music as you sail across the water at thrilling speeds. Stay connected with onboard Wi-Fi. Meet your guide at the tour agency and head to the speedboat in Kotor. Admire panoramic views of charming coastal towns like Perast, Tivat, Porto Montenegro, and Herceg Novi. Stop near the entrances to the abandoned submarine tunnels, which were built by the Yugoslav Army. Continue to the island of Mamula where you will see the fortress of Mamula which was converted into a concentration camp by the Italians in World War II. Hear about the history of the island from your local skipper. Feel the wind in your hair on the way to the Blue Cave where you can enjoy swimming and diving in the azure waters. Use the snorkeling mask to explore the underwater landscapes of the cave. Sail to the Our Lady of the Rocks island, which was created by local fishermen in the 15th-century. Have the chance to purchase a ticket to enter the Our Lady of the Rocks Church which contains 68 famous paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a famous 17th-century baroque artist from Perast. Return to your starting point in Kotor at the end of your cruise.

Dubrovnik: Half-Day Blue Cave Tour from Old Town

4. Dubrovnik: Half-Day Blue Cave Tour from Old Town

Set sail on the glittering sea for a scenic journey from Dubrovnik around Croatia's breathtaking coast. Relax with refreshing drinks on deck as you admire panoramic views of Croatia, picturesque caves, and beaches. Stop at the famous Blue Cave where you can jump into the water to swim or snorkel. Next, visit three more caves before relaxing on Šunj's sandy beach for an hour — one of the most famous beaches in the Dubrovnik region. Explore the open decks that allow you to feel the cooling sea breeze and while enjoying the striking blue waters of the sea that provide perfect photo opportunities.

Dubrovnik: Blue Cave & Sunj Beach Boat Tour with Drinks

5. Dubrovnik: Blue Cave & Sunj Beach Boat Tour with Drinks

Take a boat tour of the highlights of the Elaphiti Islands. Soak up the sun on Sunj beach and swim through the magnificent Three Green Caves and Blue Cave of Kolocep Island. Enjoy drinks on board your boat as well as hotel transfer. Be picked up from your accommodation and delivered to your boat in Dubrovnik port. Receive a safety briefing from your skipper and then set sail for the stunning Elaphiti Islands.  First stop is the glorious Sunj beach on the island of Lopud. Here, you will be dropped off for a fantastic shore swimming experience. Explore the warm waters of the stunning lagoon before climbing back aboard your boat. Next stop is Kolocep Island, where you’ll swim through the natural wonder of the Three Green Caves. Before heading back to shore, stop off at the famous Blue Cave and feel like you’re entering a forgotten paradise as you swim through its crystal clear waters.

Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

6. Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Experience the beauty of Croatia's Adriatic island on this full-day cruise from Dubrovnik. Enjoy the convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off and sit down to a mouth-watering lunch onboard the boat. Relax with access to unlimited acholic and non-acholic beverages while you sail.  Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation and transfer to a spacious boat. Embark on your sailing adventure and admire views of the city on your way to the islands of Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. Spend free time on each of the islands where you can take a nature walk, chill out on the beach, or go for a swim through the crystal-clear waters. In Lopud, and Šipan, you can admire the red-roofed, stone houses that are traditional in the area.  Find out about the history and culture of Croatia along the way. Savor a fresh lunch with meat, fish, or vegetarian dishes. Pair your lunch with a drink from the boat's open bar. Return to your accommodation in Dubrovnik at the end of your boat excursion. 

Blue Cave Small-Group Speed Boat Tour from Dubrovnik

7. Blue Cave Small-Group Speed Boat Tour from Dubrovnik

"Discover the stunning beauty of Dubrovnik's coast with our Cave Tours. As you travel to the Elaphite Islands, you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of both the city walls and the modern part of Dubrovnik. Our first stop is the magnificent Blue Cave on Koločep Island, a must-see destination for any traveler. Equipped with snorkeling gear, you'll have the opportunity to dive into the crystal-clear waters and explore the blue cave from the inside. For the adventurous, the cave offers a perfect spot for cliff jumping. Next on the itinerary are the Three Green Caves, a series of interconnected caves that offer a breathtaking turquoise snorkeling experience. The caves are connected, allowing you to move from one to another and exit on another part of the island. After exploring the caves, we'll take you to Šunj, one of the most famous beaches in Southern Croatia. The one-kilometer-long white sandy beach boasts shallow waters, making it perfect for swimming and relaxing. During your free time, enjoy a refreshing drink from one of the many cocktail bars. As the tour draws to a close, the boat will return to the Dubrovnik Old town port for drop off.

Dubrovnik: Best of the Elaphites by Catamaran

8. Dubrovnik: Best of the Elaphites by Catamaran

This full day catamaran cruise from Dubrovnik has all the ingredients for an idyllic sailing getaway. You'll discover two of the rugged Elaphite Islands, with the chance to swim in Šipan and free time to explore Lopud. And as soon as you're on board, you'll set sail towards Šipan, the largest island in the archipelago. Steeped in history, it's dotted with numerous old churches and noblemen's villas. Enjoy free time to explore and swim with the island as your backdrop. Next, your captain will make waves towards Lopud to the south. It's car-free, too, so you can expect complete serenity as you meander around. What's more, throughout your time on board, you'll have drinks on tap, as well as an untapped reel of picture-postcard scenery.

Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Day Cruise on a Karaka Ship

9. Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands Day Cruise on a Karaka Ship

Sail from Dubrovnik to the Elaphite Islands on this guided day trip in a traditional Karaka ship. Visit the islands of Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud. Take a refreshing dip in the sea and explore the underwater world with high-quality snorkeling gear. Your full-day trip begins by sailing to Koločep, an island covered with pine forest and home to a picturesque fishing village located on the bay. Continue on to the town of Suđurađ on the island of Šipan, a fishing port that’s home to the 16th-century villa of the Skočibuha family. Your last stop is the island of Lopud, a place with a long naval tradition and home to many famous captains and sailors. Finally, there will be time for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing on one of the sandy beaches.

Dubrovnik: Blue Cave, Odysseus Cave & 4 Islands Day Tour

10. Dubrovnik: Blue Cave, Odysseus Cave & 4 Islands Day Tour

Start the day early as your hosts greet you at the Marina Frapa Dubrovnik and take you on a seafaring adventure. Soak up the sun as you ride towards Mljet island and the first stop of the day, the Odysseus Cave. Dive into the pristine blue water uninterrupted by the city crowds. The next stop is at the charming little island Šipan, one of the Elaphiti Islands, small by size but very rich in history. Following Šipan, you will visit the most famous sandy beach in the Dubrovnik area, Sunj, where you can swim, snorkel, relax, and even have lunch in a restaurant by the sea. The journey continues after about two hours when the crew will take you to the Blue Cave of Kolocep Island to take one more dip in the crystal clear blue waters. On the way back to the city, take in the most beautiful panorama of the city walls during sunset.

Other Sightseeing Options in Elaphiti Islands

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What people are saying about Elaphiti Islands

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2,490 reviews

Marko provided us with the best experience we could have asked for! We didn’t have much of an idea of where we wanted to go, and asked Marko to show us his favourite spots and best recommendations. We had a wonderful day, it really was the best day of our entire holiday. Clean boat, very polite and stocked well with refreshments. The price is extremely reasonable for what you get. We booked this trip as we had already done another boat trip, but wanted a more luxury and personalised experience. Marko ensured that we had that we had the best time. (Apologies to Marko for this very late review, we visited in June)

We had a fantastic time, our boat skipper and guide was absolutely brilliant, the caves were stunning, just fantastic all round, thanks

Great day out would highly recommend. So relaxing and loads of food an drink onboard. Very friendly and helpful staff

It was brilliant. Our guide was great and made the day such fun gif our family.

I had a fun time and Ivana and Vinny are very friendly and welcoming.