Dubrovnik is surrounded by islands, and most visitors never reach them. The Elaphiti Islands sit just west of the city, car-free and quiet in a way that Dubrovnikβs walled Old Town can never be in summer. This guide covers the practical options: which islands to visit, how to reach them by public ferry, and when a guided boat tour makes more sense.
The Elaphiti Islands: Overview
The Elaphiti archipelago consists of three inhabited islands (Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan) plus several uninhabited islets. All three are accessible by public ferry from Dubrovnikβs Gruz port. The islands have no cars, which means the pace slows considerably the moment you step off the boat.
Kolocep
The smallest of the three inhabited islands, Kolocep is a 30-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik. The population is around 150 people. There are two small settlements (Donje Celo and Gornje Celo) connected by a path through pinewoods. The sea around Kolocep is clear and the beaches are uncrowded. It makes an excellent half-day escape from the city.
Lopud
Lopud is the most visited Elaphiti island and the best for a full day trip. The village has a Franciscan monastery from 1483, a ruined fortress above the harbour, and several good konobas (traditional restaurants). The main reason most visitors come is Sunj Beach, a 20-minute walk across the island from the port. Sunj is one of the few sandy beaches near Dubrovnik and is very popular in summer. Plan to arrive on an early ferry and walk to the beach before the tour boats pull in around midday.
- Sunj Beach: approximately 20-minute walk or taxi-cart ride from the port
- Entry: free
- Facilities: beach bars, sun loungers for hire, toilet facilities in summer
Sipan
The largest Elaphiti island, Sipan has around 500 residents and two main settlements: Sudurad and Sipanska Luka. It is the quietest of the three and sees fewer day-trippers. The island has some of the best local restaurants in the Dubrovnik area, particularly around Sipanska Luka. A rental bike is a good way to explore the interior.
Getting There by Public Ferry
Jadrolinija operates the main ferry service from Dubrovnikβs Gruz port (Luka Gruz) to the Elaphiti Islands. Gruz is about 4km west of the Old Town.
Getting to Gruz from the Old Town: Bus lines 1A, 1B, and 3 run from the Pile Gate area to Gruz in approximately 15-20 minutes. A taxi or Uber takes 10-12 minutes.
Timetable: Ferries run several times daily in summer, with fewer departures in the off-season. The service is a loop that visits Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan in sequence before returning to Dubrovnik. Always check jadrolinija.hr for the current timetable before travelling, especially in spring and autumn when schedules change.
Journey times from Gruz:
- Kolocep: approximately 30 minutes
- Lopud: approximately 50 minutes
- Sipan (Sudurad): approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
- Sipan (Sipanska Luka): approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Fares: Foot passenger fares in 2026 are approximately β¬4-8 per leg, depending on the destination. Buy tickets at the Gruz ticket office before boarding.
Strategy for a multi-island day: Board the first morning ferry to Sipan (or Lopud), spend several hours, then take a later ferry to the next island and return to Dubrovnik in the evening. This works well for Lopud plus Kolocep in a single day. Sipan alone deserves a full day or an overnight stay given the travel time.
Guided Boat Tours from Dubrovnik
Organised boat tours depart from the Old Town Harbour (Stara Luka) or from the Gruz port area, making them more convenient than the public ferry for most visitors staying in the Old Town. Tours typically visit two or three islands in a day with swimming stops in between.
Half-Day Elaphiti Boat Tour
Half-day tours (typically 4 hours) visit Kolocep and Lopud with one or two swimming stops en route. These tours suit visitors who want a taste of the islands without committing to a full day. Prices run approximately β¬40-55 per person in 2026.
The half-day Elaphiti Islands boat tour departs Dubrovnik and covers two islands with swimming in 4 hours, including a guide.
Full-Day Elaphiti Boat Tour
Full-day tours (7-8 hours) visit all three inhabited islands with multiple swimming stops and often include lunch or a meal stop at a konoba on Sipan or Lopud. These give you the most comprehensive view of the archipelago in a single day. Prices typically run β¬60-90 per person, with lunch-included options at the higher end.
The full-day Elaphiti Islands boat tour with snacks is a well-reviewed option covering Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan with food included.
Hop-On-Hop-Off Elaphiti Boat Service
A hop-on-hop-off boat service runs between the Elaphiti Islands, giving you the flexibility to spend as long as you want on each island and catch a later boat. This is a good middle ground between the public ferry (which runs on a fixed schedule) and a guided group tour (which gives you limited time on each island).
The hop-on-hop-off Elaphiti Islands service departs from Gruz port and allows you to disembark at any island and reboard a later boat. It combines the flexibility of independent travel with the convenience of a single booking.
Beyond the Elaphiti Islands
If you want to travel further from Dubrovnik, two other destinations are within reach as longer day trips.
Mljet National Park
Mljet is one of Croatiaβs most peaceful islands. The national park covers the western third of the island and contains two saltwater lakes connected to the sea. Boats and bikes are available inside the park for exploring the lakes and the small monastery island (Sveta Marija) in the middle of Veliko Jezero.
Getting there: Jadrolinija runs a ferry from Dubrovnikβs Gruz port to Sobra on Mljet (approximately 1.5 hours). A catamaran also runs to Polace on the western side, closer to the national park. Day-trip tours from Dubrovnik are available and usually more convenient given the transport logistics.
- National park entry fee: approximately β¬15-30 per person depending on season
- Journey time from Dubrovnik: 1.5-2 hours by catamaran or ferry
Korcula Town
The medieval walled town of Korcula on Korcula island is 2-3 hours from Dubrovnik by catamaran. It is smaller than Dubrovnik but similarly well-preserved and far less crowded in peak season. Day trips are possible but tight. Most travellers who visit Korcula do so as part of a multi-day coastal trip (Dubrovnik to Split via islands) rather than a pure day trip.
Ferry vs Boat Tour: Which Is Right for You
Take the public ferry if:
You want to spend several hours or a full day on one island at your own pace. Lopud suits this approach well. The public ferry from Gruz is the cheapest option (approximately β¬6-10 return) and gives you full flexibility over how you spend the time. It requires a bus or taxi to reach Gruz from the Old Town.
Book a guided boat tour if:
You want to see two or three islands in a day, want swimming stops organised for you, and prefer to depart from close to the Old Town rather than the Gruz port. Group tours handle the timetable and give you a guide. The hop-on-hop-off service offers the best of both if you want flexibility without the group format.
Sunset sailing alternative: The Dubrovnik sunset sailing tour departs in the late afternoon and cruises around the Old Town walls and out toward the Elaphiti Islands for 2-3 hours. It is not primarily an island-hopping trip but suits travellers who want a scenic evening on the water rather than a day trip.
Practical Notes
Shade and sun: The Elaphiti Islands have limited shade on the water between islands. Bring sun protection for any boat trip, particularly in July and August.
Cash on the islands: ATMs exist on Lopud and Sipan, but card acceptance varies at smaller restaurants and beach bars. Bring some cash.
Crowds: Lopudβs Sunj Beach gets crowded from around 11am in summer when tour boats arrive. The first public ferry of the day (typically 7-8am) lets you reach the beach before the rush.
Accommodation: All three Elaphiti islands have guest houses and apartments for overnight stays. Prices are lower than equivalent Dubrovnik accommodation. Booking ahead in July and August is essential.
The Elaphiti Islands are the most underused part of a Dubrovnik visit. A day on Lopud or Sipan shows a side of the Croatian coast that disappears in the Old Townβs crowds, and the logistics of getting there are straightforward with either the public ferry or a guided tour.
Browse Dubrovnik tours: Elaphiti Islands and water activities from Dubrovnik cover everything from sea kayaking to multi-island day trips. Travel insurance is worth arranging before any island-hopping itinerary.