Coastal
Elaphiti Islands
A chain of small, mostly car-free islands just off Dubrovnik, made for a day under sail with swim stops, quiet villages and one rare sandy beach.
Founder, from Ruma, Serbia
The Elaphiti Islands, also spelled Elafiti, are Dubrovnik's escape hatch. A short boat ride north-west of the old town, this chain of small islands feels a world away from the crowds on the city walls. Only three are inhabited, Koločep, Lopud and Šipan, and cars are rare or banned on all of them, so the soundtrack is waves, cicadas and church bells rather than traffic.
For sailors, the Elaphiti are made for a day on the water. Distances between the islands are short, the water is sheltered, and every island has a harbour village with a few seafood restaurants on the quay. A typical day sail from Dubrovnik stops at two or three islands for swimming, lunch and a short walk ashore before heading back in the late afternoon breeze.
Each island has its own character. Koločep, the closest to Dubrovnik, is small and green, with pine forest, coves and sea caves around its coast. Lopud has a pretty harbour, the remains of old summer palaces, and Šunj, one of the few sandy beaches on this part of the coast. Šipan, the largest, is the most rural, with olive groves, vineyards and two quiet villages at either end of a long valley.
Sea kayaking is another easy way to explore, with guided tours paddling around the caves of Koločep and along the shores of Lopud. For longer trips, Dubrovnik's marinas are a starting point for week-long charters that combine the Elaphiti with Mljet, Korčula and the Bay of Kotor across the border in Montenegro.
When to go
June and September are ideal for sailing and swimming. July and August are hot and the boat trips are busiest, though the islands themselves stay calmer than Dubrovnik. Ferries run year-round, but island restaurants and boat trips are seasonal.
Getting there
Public ferries leave from Gruž, Dubrovnik's main port, and reach the islands in roughly 30 minutes to an hour depending on the stop. Day sails and boat trips depart from Gruž and the old town harbour. Dubrovnik Airport is around 30 minutes from the port by road.
Plan your visit
What it costs, how long to allow, and where to base yourself.
Island cruise from €30, drinks included
1 day; 2 to 3 to slow down
Dubrovnik or Lopud
Dubrovnik, 30 min to port
Trips you can book here
Guided tours run by local operators. Open a trip to see the price, what’s included and how the day runs.
Where to stay for the Elaphiti Islands: Lopud or Dubrovnik
Sleep on Lopud for the full car free island experience: a harbour village, quiet evenings and Šunj, a rare sandy beach. Hotel Glavović sits right on the harbour near the ferry. For a city base, stay by Gruž in Dubrovnik, where the island ferries leave and Hotel Petka sits right on the port. Island hotels and restaurants are seasonal, and Dubrovnik and Lokrum fill the rest of the trip.
Hotel Glavović
Hotel
Price Range:
Mid-range
Harbourfront hotel in Lopud village near the ferry, with the beach steps away. Car free island evenings after the day boats leave.
On Lopud harbour
Hotel Petka
Hotel
Price Range:
Mid-range
Right on Gruž harbour in Dubrovnik, about 100 m from the port where the Elaphiti ferries leave. Easy island hopping without moving bags.
100 m to Gruž ferry port
Who it's for
Best for: Anyone staying in Dubrovnik who wants an easy escape onto the water: day sailors, families, swimmers and kayakers. Short crossings and calm water make it ideal for first-timers.
Skip it if: You want big nightlife, long hikes or remote wilderness. The islands are small and gentle, and the classic day trips get busy in high summer.
Nearby places
Easy to combine on the same trip.
Elaphiti Islands questions
Can I get there from Dubrovnik without a tour?
Easily. Public ferries from Dubrovnik's Gruž port reach Koločep, Lopud and Šipan in under an hour, and organised day sails and boat trips leave from the old town and Gruž throughout summer.
Which island should I pick?
Lopud for the beach and the classic village. Koločep if you only have a few hours. Šipan if you want the most local, least touristy island of the three.
Are there sandy beaches?
Yes, one of the few on this coast. Šunj, on Lopud, is a wide sandy bay with shallow water, a short walk or golf-cart ride from the harbour. It is ideal for families.
How much does it cost?
The public ferry from Gruž is the budget option. A full-day cruise to all three islands starts around €30, with wine, water and snorkelling gear included and lunch on board as an option. Private boats are priced per boat and start around €200.
What makes each island different?
Lopud for the sandy beach and a pretty harbour village. Koločep for the shortest crossing and quiet coves. Šipan, the largest, for olive groves, vineyards and a slower, more rural feel.
Can I visit all three islands in one day?
Yes, on an organised day sail or boat trip, which usually stops at all three. By public ferry it is possible but rushed. For a relaxed visit, pick one or two islands and stay longer.
Is it good for kayaking?
Yes. The water between the islands is sheltered, and guided sea kayak tours paddle around the coves and caves of Koločep and Lopud. Kayaks can also be rented on the islands for short trips.
What else is nearby?
Dubrovnik's old town is half an hour away. Further along the coast, the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is around two hours by road, and many sailing charters combine the two.
Ready to hop the Elaphiti?
All three islands in one day from Dubrovnik: 3 hours on Lopud, a walk on Šipan, a swim at Koločep. Wine and drinks on board, lunch optional.
