Island Hopping: The Elaphiti Archipelago

Trip Details 

Trip Length: 8 days / 7 nights/

Days 1 & 8 are transit days/ tour starts at 4 PM on Day 1 and ends early on Day 8.

Arrival/Departure Point: Dubrovnik

Accommodations: Island guest house rooms with private bathrooms, towels and linens, refrigerators, and A/C. Guesthouses are chosen for their character, friendly owners, and easy access to the sea, village restaurants, shops, and kayak base. 

Tour Inclusions: 7 nights accommodation, kayak & snorkeling gear, instruction, guiding, airport & ferry transfers, meals as specified per meal plan

2026 Standard Tour Price*:  € 1.650,00   Includes 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners (orientation dinner, closing dinner, 1 additional dinner)

2026 Full Meal Plan*:  € 1.755,00  Full meal option includes dinner all 7 nights. Meal plan does not have to be chosen in advance.

Single Supplement*:  € 230,00 

2026 Departure Dates:  April (upon request), May 4/12/27, June 3/22/, July 6/20/27, August 3/17/24, September 7/28, October (upon request)

Island Hopping Tour

Our most popular tour begins in Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic“. Stari Grad (Old Town), perhaps the best preserved Medieval city in the world, is Croatia's biggest tourist draw. Old Town, completely encircled by towering stone walls, is now a crowded and chaotic destination. We happily board a 4 PM 1960s era ferry to the Elaphiti Islands. The Elaphiti Islands are a group of 13 islands north of Dubrovnik, a quiet little oasis of untouched nature. Only three of the islands are inhabited. Our base for the week is Lopud, the middle of the three inhabited islands.

The 50-minute ferry ride immediately gives you a feeling of open space and tranquility, surrounded by the calm, blue Adriatic Sea and views of the mountainous coastline and green islands. The small village of Lopud, the only village on the island, is a charming town without roads and cars, with a year-round population of roughly 150 inhabitants. The pace of town life follows nature- it awakens just like nature in springtime, in early April, when our tours begin. 

Lopud was inhabited from ancient times. Through the centuries it has acquired an interesting combination of old stone houses, palm tree parks, and 15th century aristocratic mansions surrounded by orchards of olive, lemon, orange, and kiwi trees. There are many small stone chapels, two general stores, and 10-12 restaurants, ranging from pizza to fancy seafood. Lopud town is set in a wide bay. A 15-century monastery with a stone defense system dominates the northeast entrance to the bay. The ruins of an ancient fort, Utvrda Sutvarac, sit on top of one of Lopud's two main hills; an 11th century chapel on the other hilltop.

Our guesthouse rooms are located in stone guesthouses near the walking promenade that runs the length of the U-shaped bay, with easy access to small shops, cafes, ice cream stands, and swimming spots.

Meals are a tour highlight: long and leisurely in lovely outdoor settings with views of the sea and nearby islands. Seafood is local and freshly caught; produce is organic and likely grown on the island; dairy and packaged products arrive daily by ferry. Postira, the local ferry, is a focal point of life on the island. Locals swarm to the pier to meet incoming ferries to unload baskets of fresh bread, cases of beer and wine, and packaged goods. Dinners rotate among the 10 plus restaurants on the island. Lunches are at small family owned restaurants while kayaking.

Lopud is the perfect base for kayaking and exploring the Elaphiti Islands. We take in the island's relaxed way of life and old traditional customs. We explore ancient ruins and feast on fresh seafood and home-grown garden delights. Our surroundings for the week: the brilliant, blue sea and the island's pristine nature of limestone cliffs, citrus and olive groves, and pine forests.

Itinerary

Day 1: Transit Day

Arrive in Dubrovnik and transfer from the airport. Explore the Old City independently before taking the 4 PM ferry to Lopud Island. Explore Lopud town, enjoy a swim, and attend an orientation dinner at a local island restaurant.

Day 2: 7 km Sea Kayaking (Lopud island exploration)

Equipment fitting and basic paddling and rescue instruction in Lopud Bay. Paddle along the outer side of Lopud, passing limestone cliffs, toward Šunj beach. Relax, swim, and enjoy free afternoon. Hike through the island’s untouched nature before refreshing and meeting for dinner. (Kayaks spend the night on Šunj)

Day 3: ~14 km Sea Kayaking (Kolocep island exploration)

Morning 30 minute walk/hike (paved path) to Šunj; paddling to Kolocep island; the smallest inhabited Elaphiti island, and the most natural one. With only 100 residents and no cars, Kolocep is a true undiscovered destination. We'll use a swim break to cool off before walking from one villlage to other- to a family owned restaurant, where traditional meditteranean lunch awaits. Afternoon paddling back to Šunj or Lopud Town depending on group's preference and weather.

Day 4: 12 km Biking* (Šipan (/Shipan/) island exploration)

Take the ferry to Šipan and prepare for a day of biking. Paved roads lead through rural Dalmatian scenery and unspoiled nature. Enjoy traditional Šipan cuisine in the charming village of Šipanska Luka, once home to distinguished sailors of the Dubrovnik Republic and their descendants. A pebble beach overlooking the outer islands offers a perfect spot for a relaxing swim. Stop for an olive oil tasting on the way back. The day concludes with a special farewell dinner at a family-owned restaurant on Lopud.
*Biking is optional; participants may choose to kayak or hike Lopud’s scenic trails instead.

Day 5: 12 km Sea Kayaking (Caves and limestone wonders of Šipan)

Paddle to Šipan Island to explore the Arch Cave and swim in the Green Cave. The Arch Cave, carved by the sea and wind, is set within towering limestone cliffs, while the Green Cave on the inland side is smaller and more secluded. Swim, snorkel, and optionally cliff jump before enjoying lunch in a family home in Suđurađ.

Day 6: 20 km Sea Kayaking (Open side of Šipan / Trsteno Arboretum alternative available upon group agreement ~ 10 km sea kayaking)

Begin with a scenic paddle past the steep, dramatic cliffs on the outer side of Šipan Island. Dock at Šipanska Luka for a picnic lunch and swim break, followed by a return paddle to Lopud for a farewell group dinner.

Day 7: Free Day*

Relax at the beach, take a ferry to Dubrovnik for sightseeing, or kayak or hike independently. Farewell dinner at an island restaurant.

Day 8: Transit Day**

Early morning ferry to Dubrovnik, followed by transfer to the airport for departure flights.

*The free day is intentionally scheduled at the end of the week so kayaks may be used independently, but it can be moved depending on weather and sea conditions.

**The early ferry departs Lopud at 6:20 AM, arriving in Dubrovnik at 7:10 AM. Departure flights from 9:00 AM onward are feasible. A later ferry at 12:10 PM is available for those without immediate travel plans.