Dubrovnik 3 Island Boat Trip Review: Is it Worth It?

So, you are thinking about a day out on the water, right?, maybe exploring a trio of delightful islands near Dubrovnik? The ‘Dubrovnik 3 Island Boat Trip with Lunch’ is a pretty popular choice, too, but is it genuinely a good value experience, I wonder? I took the trip recently and will be going over my whole experience to give you an idea of what’s in store, I think, along with if it meets the hype.

What You Can Expect From a Day on the Adriatic

Alright, so the tour description sets you up to visit Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud islands, each providing, like, a unique taste of Croatian island charm, that’s how it appears. The day usually kicks off early, that is, with boat departures typically occurring around 9 AM or 10 AM from Dubrovnik’s harbor. Most tours bundle in lunch (a point we’ll definitely circle back to), and also provide free time on each island so you can go investigating, like your own mini-explorer.

As I got aboard, I felt this anticipation among everyone, with many tourists looking forward to taking a break from Dubrovnik’s city walls. The boat was, too it’s almost, a decent size, so there was space to stretch out, and people were taking photos right away. The boat staff gave us a very quick rundown of the day’s plan. Pretty simple, really, it’s almost a laid-back vibe which sets a good tone.

First Stop: Koločep (aka Kalamota)

Koločep is where you land first. This is the smallest of the three islands, you know, but what it lacks in size it makes up for with beauty. So, Kalamota (as the locals tend to call it) has very inviting pine forests, little charming villages, and the sort of bright, blue water that gets featured in travel magazines so often. Most tours allocate, maybe, around an hour or so here.

I went for a wander along the coastal path. I ended up snapping a bunch of pictures. The air does smell amazing with pine trees, and the whole place has this genuinely calm feel. You will find a sandy beach, too it’s almost, that’s good for swimming and sunbathing if the mood hits you, that is. Several folks on my trip did exactly that. If you are looking to ditch the crowds, this spot really allows you to unwind a bit, I think. The other things I noticed were this; the little cafes that served coffee and ice cream were really good. Very reasonably priced, too.

Šipan: The Island of History

The next hop is over to Šipan, the biggest island out of the three. Anyway, Šipan is a very far cry from Koločep. There are more inhabitants and it is almost like a look back in time with older buildings. I discovered that it has a rich history, if that does interest you, dotted with noble family mansions and churches, apparently.

Most boat tours stop in Šipanska Luka. A really picturesque harbor village is full of restaurants. Lunch often happens here. After having had a little look around, I discovered you could take a walk inland. Alternatively, that is, I think, the done thing is to chill at one of those restaurants on the waterfront. It’s that type of location, very chilled indeed.

Lopud: Sandy Beaches and Relaxation

Last up is Lopud. This is almost like the superstar of the trio due to Šunj Beach. As it is often mentioned, this is one of the rare sandy beaches that can be found in the Dubrovnik area. This one is definitely the one for beachgoers.

So, most boats moor up at Lopud town, and from here, that is, you have choices. Walking across the island to Šunj Beach, apparently, takes around 20-30 minutes. Alternatively, you can always get a golf cart taxi for a small charge. The beach, too it’s almost, shallow and sandy, so it’s spot on if you are in a group of people with kids. You will also find a few cafes and snack bars there, you know, where you could easily spend a few hours just chilling, too.

Lunch on Board: What’s It Really Like?

Ah, yes. So, about that lunch! Now, remember how I said we’d get back to that? Typically, lunch will be on the boat or, maybe, in one of the harbor-side places, yet it hinges on the tour operator and, possibly, the weather. Most operators will have, you know, a ‘fish, chicken, or veggie’ option. But, the quality can change massively. It wasn’t really high end food, you see, but you were not really expecting it anyway.

During my tour, food was served buffet-style on the boat as we left Šipan. I decided on the chicken, and it was surprisingly good. In other words, it wasn’t dry, there was plenty of flavor, but still nothing over the top or special. Also available was, too it’s almost, coleslaw and bread and a drink too. Don’t expect an incredible dining experience, you know, but expect solid, straightforward food that keeps you full as you go on your explorations, I would say.

What Could Be Better About This Trip?

Well, it isn’t all perfect, actually. I have a handful of points that, in my opinion, could ramp up the experience. I felt the allocated time on each island wasn’t long enough, maybe, and I know a few other people on my trip felt similar. Yes, a taster of each place is great, yet as you start to like an island it is nearly time to move on again.

Another niggle might be that on certain boats, it really can get overcrowded, mainly during the summer months. Finding a place to sit can often feel like playing a game of musical chairs. Perhaps the tour companies, arguably, could cap numbers or, maybe, use bigger boats?

Tips to Help You Have the Best Trip

Fancy getting the most from your three island visit?, then allow me to offer these bits of helpful advice.

Remember Sunscreen: The sun, too it’s almost, very strong out on the water, so slather on that SPF.
Come Prepared for Swimming: Remember that swimsuit. Pack it. Basically, it is silly not to benefit from those blue waters.
Footwear Thinking: You could choose comfy shoes for all the walking that you do or flip-flops when chilling on the beach, right? Either is fine.
Cash Ready: Though the tour might cover loads, you still may want to have some local currency in your pocket to buy ice cream, drinks, or gifts.

So, Is It Worth The Money?

And now to the big question: Is it money well spent? Speaking generally, yes, it’s often considered to be a good value day trip. For the price, that is, you get to see three really, pretty different islands. Also, there is a boat trip in the stunning Adriatic, plus food, and I would say that is worth it.

Still, consider your preferences, like your budget, your time boundaries and your perfect experience, I would suggest. Should you, like your priority, want intensely detailed exploration of individual islands, maybe you would prefer arranging dedicated ferry trips instead. But when time isn’t on your side and you want that introduction to the Elaphiti Islands, then, basically, you probably won’t regret signing up.