A Day of Island Hopping From Dubrovnik

There was no way I was visiting Croatia’s Dalmatian coast without visiting at least a few of their islands. So while I was in Dubrovnik, I took advantage of a few of Croatia’s 1100+ islands and went on the Dubrovnik Island-Hopping Cruise in the Elaphites.

The Elaphiti Islands are an archipelago made up of a small collection of islands, but only three of them are inhabited – Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan – the same three that I visited during my day of island hopping. Each of the islands provide a peaceful escape to contrast the busy city of Dubrovnik! To reach the Elaphiti Islands not on a tour, you can take a quick ferry ride from Dubrovnik.

We kicked off the day with the captain passing out traditional Croatian Rakija, a common domestic alcohol served throughout the country. “I am your captain and this is my espresso,” he said. This was 10:00 in the morning.

As we cruised along the Adriatic Sea, the mountains reflected in the clear blue waters, I enjoyed the ride and the beautiful views. Unlimited complementary wine and soft drinks combined with the fact that I was on the tail end of my month long trip, I was ready to enjoy a warm and relaxing day.

Koločep

Our first stop was at the small island of Koločep, which is home to only 130 inhabitants. I took a walk down to the beach to soak in the views from the island, then walked up to St. Mary Church. This church is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and dates back to at least the 13th century.

As I came back down the hill, I had about ten minutes to spare before heading back to the boat. I stumbled upon a few stairs leading down to the water that were hidden behind some trees. I took a seat and dipped my toes into the water, trying to ingrain the perfect view into my mind.

Šipan

Before I knew it, the time had come to make our way to the next island. Known for its homemade extra virgin olive oil and red wine, Šipan is the longest of all the Elaphite Islands. I ventured down some of the narrow cobblestone streets because I can never get enough of them! I spent the rest of the time relaxing on the beach and enjoyed a swim in the idyllic blue waters.

Lopud

After eating an on-board lunch, we reached the third and final island of the day. We were welcomed into the island of Lopud by the captain serenading us with traditional Croatian songs. With three hours of free time ahead of me, I headed to the least crowded beach I could find to lap in the sunshine and get lost in my copy of I Am Malala, a very powerful book for those who haven’t read it yet.

This tour was the perfect addition after a long trip. Feeling the salty sea breeze while gliding along the Adriatic looking at the contrast of the majestic cliffs against the clear waters was everything I needed to relax and enjoy the beautiful Croatian weather.

Are you ready for an island hopping excursion of your own? Viator’s tours are definitely high value considering the affordable rates they offer!

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Many thanks to Viator for providing me with a complementary tour ticket. As always, all opinions are my own. If you have any questions about the companies or products mentioned on this page, please reach out to me and I will happily answer them.