Three Elaphite Islands tours departing from Dubrovnik are listed on WizardTrip. A 4-hour small-group outing swims in the Blue Cave. Two 8-hour cruises stop at Koločep, Šipan and Lopud, with lunch on board. Together they have more than 30,000 reviews, with ratings of 4.8 to 4.9 out of 5 (as of 18 October 2026).
This article compares lengths, meals, group sizes and cancellation, then says which tour suits which traveler.
Elaphite Islands tour from Dubrovnik: what to know
All three boats leave from Dubrovnik. The Emili and the boats of the small-group outing are next to the bus stop; the Regina Maris, a large white boat, can be spotted in the port.
The Blue Cave is on Koločep. The small-group outing swims there and also stops at the sandy beach of Šunj, on Lopud. No listing lists French among the guide languages: all offer English, and the Regina Maris adds Spanish.
Small-group Blue Cave trip: 4 hours, 12 passengers at most
The small-group outing gets 4.9 out of 5 from 13,287 reviews. It takes 12 passengers at most per speedboat, with an English-speaking skipper and guide.
The program has three stops: the Blue Cave, three caves on Koločep (about 45 minutes) and Šunj beach (1.5 hours). You enter the caves only by swimming. The skipper explains how to get in, and the boat stays nearby.
The listing requires being able to swim and at least a moderate level of fitness. The price includes snorkeling gear, water, sodas and a white wine or a beer at each stop. Meals, snacks and tips are not included.
Four packages exist: morning or afternoon, with or without pickup. From 15 September, according to the listing, the afternoon outing goes to Lopud village instead of Šunj beach. The beach is in the shade in the afternoon. The village offers sandy beaches, a botanical garden, a Franciscan monastery and restaurants.
In October 2026, David deducts a star: “they give you a diving mask but strongly advise against using a snorkel.” Rod, who gives 3 out of 5 the same month, regrets arriving at Šunj after the sun had gone behind the mountain.
Emili cruise: three islands, lunch on board, optional Blue Cave
The Emili cruise lasts 8 hours and gets 4.9 out of 5 from 10,656 reviews. The boat leaves at 9 am sharp; the listing asks you to arrive at least 10 minutes early. The group can reach 110 people, with an English-speaking guide.
The program gives 1 hour at Koločep, 1 hour at Šipan and 3 hours at Lopud. The description of Šipan speaks instead of 45 minutes in the port of Suđurađ. At Lopud, the listing mentions a botanical garden, Šunj beach and more than 30 small churches.
Lunch is served on board: grilled hake, grilled chicken fillet or a vegetarian meal. It is part of two of the three packages; the package without lunch or pickup removes it. Water, sodas, juice, white wine and brandy are included, with alcohol reserved for people aged 18 and over.
The visit to the Blue Cave of Koločep is an option at €20 per person, by speedboat. Kari, who gives 5 out of 5 in September 2026, reached Šunj by golf cart, at €3 per person per trip. Charles, 3 out of 5 the same month, judges that the islands other than Lopud were not worth the time spent.
Regina Maris cruise: lunch, unlimited rakija and precise times
The Regina Maris is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 6,933 reviews. This 8-hour cruise takes up to 150 people. Guides speak English and Spanish, with audio commentary in English.
It is the only one of the three listings to publish a full schedule. Pickup runs from 9 to 9:45 am and the tour starts at 10 am. Free time at Koločep runs from 10:40 am to 12 pm. At Šipan, it runs from 12:40 to 1:40 pm, then from 2 to 5 pm at Lopud. The return is scheduled for 6 pm, with variations by season.
The price includes lunch (fish, chicken or vegetarian) with unlimited rakija and white wine. It also includes sodas, Wi-Fi, lounge areas and four restrooms. Snorkeling gear and extra alcohol are extra. For the Blue Cave, the listing refers to another tour from the organizer.
At Lopud, Šunj beach is a 30-minute walk; drivers offer a golf cart, payable on site. Lauren gives 2 out of 5 in August 2026. She writes: “They say you have 1 hour on the first 2 islands, but in reality it is about 40 minutes.”
The three tours compared
| Small-group outing | Emili cruise | Regina Maris cruise | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 hours | 8 hours | 8 hours |
| Departure | Morning or afternoon, near the bus stop; time to be confirmed | 9 am, near the bus stop; arrive 10 min early | Departure around 9:45 am, pickup from 9 am |
| Maximum group | 12 per boat | 110 | 150 |
| Islands and time on site | Blue Cave, Koločep caves (about 45 min), Šunj (1.5 hours) | Koločep 1 hour, Šipan 1 hour, Lopud 3 hours | Koločep 1 hour 20 minutes, Šipan 1 hour, Lopud 3 hours |
| Meals | Not included | Lunch on board, depending on the package | Lunch on board included |
| Drinks | Water, sodas, white wine or beer at each stop | Water, sodas, juice, white wine, brandy | Sodas, water; unlimited rakija and white wine at lunch |
| Blue Cave | Included, by swimming | Option at €20 per person, by speedboat | Not included, other tour from the organizer |
| Guide language | English | English | English and Spanish, audio in English |
| Cancellation | Full refund up to 24 hours before | Full refund up to 24 hours before | Full refund up to 24 hours before; canceled if too few participants |
| Price from | €56 | €40 | €51 |
Can you go with children or in a wheelchair?
The two cruises are the most open. Their listings state a wheelchair-accessible tour, suitable for all fitness levels, that accepts strollers and prams. Infants stay on an adult’s lap, and children must be accompanied on the Emili. The Regina Maris also admits service animals.
The small-group outing is more restrictive. It requires being able to swim. It is not recommended for infants, pregnant women and travelers with back problems, seasickness or poor cardiovascular health. The listing sets no minimum age.
What happens in bad weather?
All three tours can be canceled for bad weather. For the small-group outing, the listing offers another date or a full refund. The captain may also change the itinerary; the Emili listing also provides for changes. Only the Regina Maris can additionally be canceled for lack of participants.
Paige says that in September 2026, despite a rough sea, the small-group outing went ahead with a slightly modified itinerary. She preferred seeing other caves to a cancellation.
Which one should you choose?
- You want to swim in the Blue Cave: the small-group outing, as long as you are a good swimmer.
- You prefer a relaxing day with lunch: the Emili cruise, the cheapest of the three, or the Regina Maris.
- You want the islands and the cave on the same day: the Emili cruise with the Blue Cave option.
- You travel in a wheelchair or with a stroller: one of the two cruises.
- You want a schedule known in advance, Wi-Fi and unlimited wine at lunch: the Regina Maris.
For the rest of your stay, the city’s tours and day trips are gathered on the Things to do in Dubrovnik page. The other Croatian destinations are on the Croatia page.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an Elaphite Islands tour from Dubrovnik?
Between 4 and 8 hours. The small-group Blue Cave outing lasts 4 hours. The two three-island cruises (Koločep, Šipan, Lopud) last 8 hours, including 3 hours of free time at Lopud.
Do you need to know how to swim to visit the Blue Cave on Koločep?
Yes, for the small-group Blue Cave tour. You enter the caves only by swimming, not by boat, and the listing requires swimming skills. Snorkeling gear is provided and a life jacket is available on request.
Is the Blue Cave included in the three-island cruise?
No. On the Emili cruise, the Blue Cave visit is an option at €20 per person, by speedboat. The Regina Maris listing offers it in another tour. Only the 4-hour small-group outing includes it.
Is lunch included in the Elaphite Islands cruise?
On the Regina Maris cruise, yes: fish, chicken or a vegetarian dish, with unlimited rakija and white wine. On the Emili, it depends on the package chosen. The 4-hour small-group outing includes no meal.
Is hotel pickup included in the tour?
It is optional on all three listings and limited to the Dubrovnik city area. For the small-group outing and the Emili cruise, it is not offered within 1 km of the departure point. You must contact the organizer to set the time.
What happens in bad weather during the tour?
All three tours can be canceled for bad weather. The small-group outing then offers another date or a full refund. The captain may also change the itinerary, and the Emili cruise listing also provides for weather-related changes.
Activities mentioned in this guide
Small Group Blue Cave and Sunj Beach Boat Tour from Dubrovnik4.9(13,287 reviews)From €42From€42View activity
Full-Day Elaphite Islands Cruise from Dubrovnik with Lunch4.9(10,652 reviews)From €35From€35View activity
Elaphiti Islands Full-Day Cruise from Dubrovnik with Lunch4.8(6,933 reviews)From €51From€51View activity
All activities in Dubrovnik, with their prices and reviews: Things to do in Dubrovnik
