Planning a Boat Day to the Elaphiti Islands

The Elaphiti Islands are the easiest answer to “what should we do for a day on the boat from Dubrovnik?” Three small inhabited islands — Koločep, Lopud and Šipan — sit twenty-five minutes from Marina Frapa. There are no cars. There is one sandy beach. There are several fish taverns. Here is how we plan an Elaphiti day for guests of Rent Boat Dubrovnik.

The order matters

We always run the Elaphiti loop counter-clockwise: Koločep first, Lopud second, Šipan for lunch, then back via Lopud’s other coast. Why? The wind. The Maestral typically picks up after midday from the north-west, and you want it on your stern coming back, not pushing you sideways into Šipanska Luka.

Koločep — the swim warm-up (45 min stop)

Koločep is the closest of the three. There is one good swim cove on the north side, just east of Donje Čelo village, and it is empty at 9:30am and full of cruise-ship tenders by 11am. Start there.

Lopud — the sandy beach play (90 min stop)

Lopud’s southern bay holds Sunj Beach — one of the only proper sand beaches in the south Dalmatian region. There is a single beach bar (Konoba Sunj) with a frico made by a man who has been making it since the 1990s. Drop anchor in 4-5 metres of sand, dinghy in. The beach faces south so the morning sun is on your back when you swim out.

Šipan — the long lunch stop (2 hours)

Šipan is the largest Elaphiti. Pull into Šipanska Luka and tie up at the town quay. Three fish taverns line the waterfront — we usually book Konoba Vile Stiina because the owner remembers our skippers’ names. Order the grilled škarpina (scorpion fish) and the local dry rosé. This is the hour the trip is built around.

The way back — Lopud’s blue coves

Coming back from Šipan, hug Lopud’s east coast. There is a tiny cove called Dubova directly under the abandoned Franciscan monastery — the rope swing was put up by local kids in 2018 and has stayed up. Anchor for one more swim.

Cost reality check

A full Elaphiti day with a private skipper on our Quicksilver 675 costs €250 from Rent Boat Dubrovnik plus fuel (typically €60-€80 for the 50-mile round trip). The same day on Viator with the same captain runs €310-€340 because they take a 25-30% commission. We thought you should know.

If you’d rather we book it — send us a WhatsApp or pick the Elaphiti private tour.