Luxury Elaphite Islands half day Cruise with lunch Apreamare

The best part of this cruise is the mix of open-water fun and small-island life. You are not simply looking at the Elaphites from a boat. You have time to swim, use the snorkeling gear, walk through villages, sample wine and olive oil, and sit down to lunch on Koločep.

I like the private format, since only your group takes part, and I like the well-equipped boat with a restroom, bottled water, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, and a stand-up paddleboard. The main drawback is the price: at $889.37 per person, this is a major splurge, so you should confirm exactly what is included and how many people are in your group before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Elaphite islands in one day: Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan each offer a different mix of beaches, caves, villages, and swimming.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The package lists alcoholic beverages for adults, along with bottled water and soda.
• Private boat experience: Your group travels alone, with pickup offered and a return to the Gruž meeting point.
• Apreamare boat: The experience is designed around a more polished boat setting, with a restroom and water equipment onboard.
• Swimming time matters: Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and footwear suitable for walking on uneven paths.
• Check the schedule carefully: The supplied details say 8 hours, but the stated departure and return times are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, or about six hours.

What this Dubrovnik island cruise is really like

The Elaphite Islands sit just off Dubrovnik, but the mood changes quickly once the boat leaves Gruž. The city’s stone walls and port activity give way to coves, cliffs, sea caves, small settlements, and clear water suited to a swim.

This is a good choice if you want several kinds of holiday in one outing. You can spend part of the day moving through the islands, part of it in the water, and part of it over a long local meal. You also get more freedom than on a tightly scripted coach excursion.

The boat is an Apreamare, and the package includes a restroom, bottled water, soda, alcoholic drinks for guests aged 18 and over, snorkeling equipment, and a stand-up paddleboard. Those details matter. An eight-hour day at sea is much easier when you do not need to arrange every drink or rent basic water gear separately.

The format is private, so only your group participates. That gives you a calmer setting for a family outing, a celebration, or a day with friends. It may also make the high price more reasonable if the cost is shared across a larger group, though the advertised rate is listed per person and the exact group capacity is not provided.

Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting point is Gruž Market at Obala Stjepana Radića 21. Confirm your pickup arrangement before the morning of the trip. The listed start time is 9:00 am, and the activity returns to the same general meeting point.

Koločep: caves, cliffs, and a short island walk

Koločep is described as a small island with beautiful bays, sea caves, cliffs, and two villages. The suggested walk across the island takes about 20 minutes, so this stop is less about a long hike and more about getting a close look at island life between swims.

The island makes a good first or last stop because it offers an easy introduction to the Elaphites. You can walk, look for a quiet bay, and spend time in the water without giving up the whole day to sightseeing. The cliffs and caves are best appreciated from the boat as well as from shore.

The published timing gives Koločep one hour. That is enough for a quick visit, but not enough for a slow island ramble, an extended swim, and a long café stop all at once. You will need to choose what matters most.

There is a small scheduling wrinkle here. The overview places Šipan first, followed by Lopud and Koločep, while the detailed stop list begins with Koločep, then Lopud, then Šipan. The order may change with weather, sea conditions, or the operator’s plan, so ask the crew for the confirmed sequence at departure.

Lopud: the island for beach time

Lopud receives the longest stop in the detailed schedule, listed at three hours, while the overview describes a 1.5-hour visit. That difference is worth clarifying before you book. Either way, Lopud is presented as the beach-focused part of the day, with sandy beaches, swimming spots, a historic village, and restaurants.

This is likely the easiest stop for settling into the pace of the cruise. You can swim, sit near the sand, stroll through the village, or stop for a drink if you have free time. The island’s beach is repeatedly singled out as a reason to make the trip, so bring everything you need for an unhurried shore stop.

The advantage of a longer Lopud visit is choice. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water. You can also split your time between the beach and the village instead of treating the island as a quick photo stop.

The tradeoff is that beach time is not the same as guided sightseeing. If you want detailed explanations of local history, this may feel light. The experience is built more around scenery, swimming, and personal time than formal cultural touring.

Šipan: villages, wine, and olive oil

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphite Islands. The planned visit includes bays, caves, a traditional village, and wine and olive-oil tasting. This is where the day moves beyond swimming and gives you a taste of local food culture.

The village visit should appeal to you if you enjoy seeing how a small island feels away from Dubrovnik’s busy center. The scale is modest, and the appeal comes from the setting rather than a long list of major sights. You can expect a slower look at a traditional community, followed by time for tasting.

The wine and olive oil are especially useful additions because they connect the scenery with something you can taste. A boat tour can otherwise become a string of pretty views that blur together. The tasting gives Šipan its own identity.

The detailed schedule allows two hours for Šipan, while the overview calls it the first stop. Since the published times do not fully match, confirm whether the tasting is hosted as part of the scheduled stop and how much free time you will have. If tasting is important to you, ask whether the alcoholic drinks listed as included cover only the tasting or also drinks served with lunch.

Lunch on Koločep and the value of included food

The overview places lunch at a small local restaurant on Koločep, with free time afterward to discover the island. Past accounts describe fish, chicken, and vegetarian choices, along with wine and water. Those meal choices make the outing easier for mixed groups, though you should confirm the current menu and any dietary arrangements in advance.

Lunch is more than a convenient break. It gives the day a local anchor and means you are not left searching for food during a short island stop. It also lets you stay with the boat’s schedule rather than losing time finding a restaurant on your own.

The listed inclusions cover alcoholic beverages for adults, bottled water, and soda. Several accounts also describe generous drinks with the meal. Still, the exact drink service is not fully spelled out, so ask whether beverages are available throughout the cruise or mainly at lunch and tastings.

One important point: the detailed stop list and the overview disagree about which island receives lunch and how long each stop lasts. The overview clearly says lunch is on Koločep, while the detailed schedule lists Koločep for one hour and Lopud for three. Do not assume the online timing is exact. Confirm the day’s route with Regina Maris.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the boat itself

This is an active day, but it is not an athletic excursion. The advertised activities are swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, sightseeing, village walks, and local gastronomy. You can take part at your own pace.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or renting a mask and fins. The stand-up paddleboard adds another way to use the water, though the schedule does not say how long each person can use it or whether sea conditions may limit access.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and a cover-up for walking into villages. Water reflects strong sunlight, and you may spend several hours exposed on the boat or at the shore. Comfortable sandals or water shoes will help if you walk near caves, rocky bays, or uneven paths.

The Apreamare setting should appeal to anyone who wants a more polished private outing than a basic ferry ride. A restroom onboard is a practical advantage. The boat is also described as clean and well maintained, and the crew receives strong praise for being attentive and friendly.

Still, a private boat is not automatically a quiet boat. Your group controls the atmosphere, and the presence of music, conversation, or drinks will depend on who books with you. If you prefer a peaceful day, say so when arranging the trip.

Crew service and the personal feel

Past accounts repeatedly highlight the crew’s attention, kindness, and good mood. Elisa is named several times, including as a particularly welcoming member of the team, and Robert is connected with a private boat request. The precise crew assignment is not guaranteed, so treat those names as useful context rather than a promise that both will be onboard.

The human side matters on a private cruise. Someone needs to explain the stops, keep the timing moving, help with equipment, and make the transition from boat to restaurant feel easy. The strongest impressions of this experience come from that practical care, as well as from the food and clean boat.

You should also know that some supplied accounts describe a different price and a hotel transfer arrangement, including one late-season fare of 55 euros for adults and 30 euros for children under 13. Those details do not match the current stated price of $889.37 per person or the current description of this Apreamare experience. Use the current booking terms as the authority and ask the operator to confirm transfers, child pricing, and inclusions.

Is $889.37 per person good value?

At $889.37 per person, this is not a casual island day. It is priced as a luxury private experience, and the value depends heavily on the size of your group and the quality of the boat service.

You are paying for a private boat, crew service, several island stops, water equipment, food, drinks, and the convenience of having the day arranged for you. If you are celebrating something or want a private setting without coordinating ferries, restaurants, and rentals, that package may justify a high rate.

If you are a couple on a tight budget, the price is harder to defend. You could likely find less expensive ways to reach the Elaphites, though those alternatives may not include a private boat, a planned lunch, onboard equipment, or the same level of personal service.

I would ask four direct questions before booking:

• How many people can the boat carry, and is the price truly per person?
• Is hotel pickup included, or should you meet at Gruž Market?
• Which island receives lunch, and how long is each stop?
• Are drinks available throughout the day or only during lunch and tasting?

The answers will tell you if you are buying a genuine private luxury outing or paying a premium for a standard island route with a nicer boat.

Timing, weather, and practical details

The stated start time is 9:00 am at Gruž Market, with the activity ending back at the meeting point. The overall duration is listed as about eight hours, but the overview says the boat departs at 9:00 am and returns at 3:00 pm. That is a six-hour window.

The stop durations also conflict. Koločep is listed for one hour, Lopud for three hours, and Šipan for two hours, which totals six hours before allowing for travel between islands. Elsewhere, Lopud is described as a 1.5-hour stop. This does not make the experience impossible, but it does mean you should get the day’s actual timetable before departure.

The tour needs good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation. Since the day includes swimming and island walking, tell the operator about any mobility or medical concerns before booking, even though the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility measurements.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want a private sea day with food and swimming, not a formal history tour. It suits couples, families, and friend groups who value comfort, flexibility, and a boat-based view of the islands.

It is also a strong fit if you want to combine three experiences in one day: a beach stop on Lopud, a village and tasting visit on Šipan, and cave or bay scenery around Koločep. The included gear and onboard restroom make the day simpler.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a low-cost visit to one beach, a long independent hike, or a tightly timed eight-hour itinerary. The price is high, and the published schedule needs clarification.

Should you book the Elaphite Islands Apreamare cruise?

Book it if the private format, polished boat, included lunch and drinks, and three-island route matter more to you than keeping costs down. The strongest reasons to go are the combination of swimming, village time, tastings, beach access, and attentive crew service.

Before you commit, confirm the boat capacity, pickup details, lunch location, stop lengths, and the apparent six-hour versus eight-hour discrepancy. If those details suit your plans and you are sharing the cost with a group, this can be a comfortable and memorable way to see the Elaphites without managing the day yourself.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin?

It begins at Gruž Market, Obala Stjepana Radića 21, Dubrovnik, at 9:00 am. Pickup is also offered, so confirm whether pickup applies to your booking.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity returns to the meeting point in the Gruž area.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. The exact order may vary, since the supplied schedule gives different stop orders.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a small local restaurant is included, with the overview placing it on Koločep. Confirm the current lunch location because the published timing details differ.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages for guests aged 18 and over are included. Past meal arrangements also describe wine and water, but you should confirm when drinks are served.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with use of a stand-up paddleboard.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.