How to get to the Elaphiti Islands from Dubrovnik: ferry, catamaran and day cruises
Koločep, Lopud and Šipan are the three lived-in Elaphiti Islands, all a short boat ride from Gruž. Here is how to reach them by public boat or on a tour, checked against the 2026 timetables and recent visitor reviews.
Short answer
Take Jadrolinija line 807 from the ferry port in Gruž (not the Old Town harbour). It calls at Koločep (about 30 minutes), Lopud (about 55 minutes) and Suđurađ on Šipan (about 1 hour 15). From 28 September to 31 December 2026 it leaves Dubrovnik Monday to Saturday at 10:00, 14:00, 16:30 and 20:00, and twice on Sundays. A one-way adult ticket costs 3,40 EUR (5,40 EUR from 29 May to 27 September). If you want all three islands in one day with no planning, book a day cruise instead.
The public boat: Jadrolinija line 807
Line 807 is the passenger boat islanders use to commute into town. It runs all year from Gruž, calling at Koločep, Lopud and Suđurađ (Šipan) in that order.
Jadrolinija line 807: Dubrovnik - Koločep - Lopud - Suđurađ
- Leaves from:
- Dubrovnik ferry port in Gruž
- From Dubrovnik, Mon-Sat (all year):
- 10:00, 14:00, 16:30, 20:00
- From Dubrovnik, Sun & holiday:
- 09:30, 20:00 (1 Jan-28 May and 28 Sep-31 Dec); 09:30, 20:30 (29 May-2 Jul and 31 Aug-27 Sep); 09:00, 11:45, 18:15, 21:00 (3 Jul-30 Aug)
- Journey time (10:00 boat):
- Koločep 10:30, Lopud 10:55, Suđurađ 11:15 off-season; Koločep 10:25, Lopud 10:45, Suđurađ 11:00 from 29 May to 27 Sep
- Adult, Dubrovnik to any of the three islands:
- 3,40 EUR (01.01.-28.05. and 28.09.-31.12.2026); 5,40 EUR (29.05.-27.09.2026)
- Child 3-12:
- 1,80 EUR to Koločep, 1,90 EUR to Lopud, 2,10 EUR to Suđurađ
- Island to island, adult:
- 2,50 EUR off-season; 4,10 EUR 29.05.-27.09.2026
- Luggage:
- Hand luggage up to 20 kg is not charged
Fares are one way, so a Lopud day trip costs 6,80 EUR return per adult off-season. You can get off at one island and take a later boat on to the next; island-to-island tickets are cheaper.
Where to buy line 807 tickets
- Online:
- jadrolinija.hr and the mJadrolinija app; the phone ticket is enough, no printout
- In Dubrovnik:
- Agency Dubrovnik, Stjepana Radića 40, across the road from the ferry berths
- Agency hours in Dubrovnik:
- MON-THU 08:00-20:00; FRI 08:00-22:00; SAT 08:00-20:00; SUN & HOLIDAYS 08:00-11:00, 19:00-20:00
- On the islands:
- Agencies on Koločep, Lopud and in Suđurađ open half an hour before departure
- Seat:
- A purchased ticket also means a reservation of a place on the ship and departure at the desired time
The Dubrovnik office is closed for most of Sunday, so buy Sunday tickets online or the day before. For the trip back, buy online or at the island office in the half hour before the boat.
The last boat back to Dubrovnik
This is the time that shapes your day. The 20:00 boat from Dubrovnik (and the late Sunday runs) is for people staying overnight: its next run back into town leaves Šipan at 06:00 the following morning.
- 28 September to 31 December 2026 (and 1 January to 28 May), Monday to Saturday: the last boat leaves Suđurađ 17:50, Lopud 18:10 and Koločep 18:35, arriving in Dubrovnik at 19:05.
- Same period, Sundays and holidays: Suđurađ 18:00 (18:30 from 29 March to 24 May), Lopud 18:20, Koločep 18:45, arriving 19:15. The only earlier Sunday boat back leaves Suđurađ at 07:30.
- 29 May to 2 July and 31 August to 27 September, Monday to Saturday: Suđurađ 17:50, Lopud 18:05, Koločep 18:25, arriving 18:50. Sundays: Suđurađ 19:00, Lopud 19:15, Koločep 19:35, arriving 20:00.
- 3 July to 30 August, Monday to Saturday: Suđurađ 18:30, Lopud 18:45, Koločep 19:05, arriving 19:30. Sundays: Suđurađ 19:35, Lopud 19:45, Koločep 20:10, arriving 20:35.
- Leaving Lopud mid-afternoon: the boat that picks up at Lopud at 15:00 (14:50 from 29 May to 27 September) first runs on to Šipan, then comes back through Koločep. It reaches Dubrovnik at 16:20 (16:05 from 29 May to 2 July and 31 August to 27 September).
- On Monday, Wednesday and Friday outside the summer, the car ferry 831 adds one more way back: Lopud 13:25, Koločep 14:05, Dubrovnik 14:50.
The car ferry to Suđurađ and the catamaran to Šipanska Luka
Šipan has two harbours: Suđurađ, where line 807 and the car ferry stop, and Šipanska Luka at the other end of the island, which only the catamaran serves.
Jadrolinija car ferry 831: Dubrovnik - Koločep (Donje Čelo) - Lopud - Suđurađ
- From Dubrovnik, 28 Sep-31 Dec:
- MON, WED, FRI 09:00 (Koločep 09:45, Lopud 10:25, Suđurađ 10:50) and 16:00 (Suđurađ 17:05); SAT 16:00
- From Suđurađ, 28 Sep-31 Dec:
- MON, WED, FRI 07:00 and 13:00; SAT 07:00
- Sundays:
- Does not sail on Sunday & Holiday (1 Jan-28 May and 28 Sep-31 Dec)
- Cars:
- There is no loading/unloading of motor vehicles in Lopud; cars go to Suđurađ only
- Car up to 5 m:
- 17,70 EUR (off-season); 25,50 EUR (29.05.-27.09.2026)
- Passenger:
- 3,20 EUR (off-season); 5,10 EUR (29.05.-27.09.2026)
Only worth it if you are bringing a car or a lot of gear to Šipan. For foot passengers it is simply an extra sailing on the days it runs.
TP Line catamaran 9807 to Šipanska Luka
- Route:
- Dubrovnik - Šipanska Luka - Sobra (Mljet) - Polače (Mljet) - Korčula - Ubli (Lastovo)
- From Dubrovnik, off-season 2026:
- 14:30 Mon-Sat, 15:30 Sun and holidays, about 45 minutes to Šipanska Luka (reported)
- Back from Šipanska Luka, off-season:
- Early morning, around 06:30-06:50 Mon-Sat (reported)
- Fare Dubrovnik - Šipanska Luka:
- €4.00 off-season, €5.95 in season (reported)
The catamaran suits people staying on Šipan, not day-trippers: it goes out in the afternoon and comes back at dawn. TP Line's own timetable page now redirects to its web shop, so check your date there or in the TP Line app before you travel. Summer timetables may not stop at Šipan on every run.
Day cruises, private speedboats and water taxis
A tour does the planning for you and fits all three islands into one day. The trade-off, in reviews, is short stops and busy boats.
Karaka: Elaphite island hopping on a replica carrack
- Price:
- From: 50,00€ (operator site)
- Departs:
- 08:45 from port Gruž; boarding by 08:40 at Obala Stjepana Radića 16
- Back:
- About 17:00 in Gruž (return time varies by season)
- Stops:
- Koločep about 1 hour, Šipan (Suđurađ) 1 hour 15 minutes, Lopud about 3 hours
- Included:
- Two free drinks, local guide, full-face snorkel mask on board (deposit 20€)
- Lunch:
- Not included; optional lunch offer on Lopud for a surcharge
The long Lopud stop is the point of difference: enough time to walk to Šunj beach and back. Hotel pickup can be added when booking.
What reviewers say: Tripadvisor 4.8 (2,232 reviews) on 29 Sep 2026. Reviews from August 2025 to July 2026 keep praising the crew and the guides, the roomy ship and the unhurried pace at the islands.
Three-island group boat tours (with lunch)
- Prices reviewers paid:
- €55-€70 per person (reviews from 2024-2025); one June 2025 reviewer paid €60 per person
- Typical format:
- Full day, Koločep, Lopud and Šipan, lunch on board
Many boats in Gruž sell the same three-island day. Ask how long you get on each island and whether lunch is included before paying.
What reviewers say: On the Tripadvisor Elaphiti Islands page (4.2, 1,103 reviews on 29 Sep 2026), the repeated complaints are 30 to 40 minutes on each island except the last and crowded boats; the praise is for good lunches and the scenery.
Adriatic Infinity: private speedboat to the islands
- Elaphiti Islands tour (private, all day):
- from 300€
- Blue Cave tour:
- from 68€
- Boats:
- Smaller up to 5 persons plus skipper, bigger up to 12
- Included:
- Skipper, fuel, drinks, snorkeling gear; transfer within Dubrovnik for private tours up to 5 people
- Water taxi to Koločep, Lopud or Šipan:
- Price on request
A private boat is priced per boat, so it makes sense for a group or a family. The route is agreed with the skipper, and the Blue Cave on Koločep is a swim-in stop when the sea allows.
What reviewers say: Tripadvisor 5.0 (111 reviews) on 29 Sep 2026, with reviews into July 2026. Guests name the skippers, the swim into the Blue Cave and the Šunj beach stop; one reviewer suggests dropping Šipan for more swimming time near Lopud.
Which island, and what to do when you land
All three are small and quiet. Pick one by what you want from the day.
Lopud: Šunj beach and a harbour promenade
- From Gruž:
- About 55 minutes on line 807 (45 in the 29 May-27 Sep timetable)
- Walk to Šunj:
- Usually 20-30 minutes across the island
- Golf cart taxi:
- €3 per person each way (reviewers, May-July 2025)
- Loungers:
- About €10, umbrella €5 (reviewer, July 2025)
- Cars:
- Car-free
Šunj is a sandy, very shallow bay, rare around Dubrovnik and good for children. The carts wait near the harbour; the walk crosses the island and is hot in summer.
What reviewers say: Šunj beach has Tripadvisor 3.8 (732 reviews) on 29 Sep 2026. 2025 reviewers loved the sand and clear water; an August 2026 review found it packed with sunbeds and littered. In October 2025 the bars were closed, and April and May 2026 visitors found rubbish before the season started.
Koločep: the closest and quietest
- From Gruž:
- About 30 minutes on line 807
- Boat stop:
- Donje Čelo
- Villages:
- Donje Čelo and Gornje Čelo, linked by a 1.5 km paved road and footpaths
- Cars:
- Car-free
Good for a half day of walking and swimming, or as the first stop before Lopud. The Blue Cave on its coast is reached from the water (swim in from a boat or on a kayak trip), not on foot.
Šipan: Suđurađ, Šipanska Luka and the bus between
- From Gruž:
- About 1 hour 15 to Suđurađ on line 807 (1 hour in the 29 May-27 Sep timetable)
- Villages:
- Suđurađ (ferry harbour, Skočibuha summer residence) and Šipanska Luka, about 4 km apart
- Bus:
- Libertas line Š: Šipanska Luka - Suđurađ
The largest of the three, famous for its olive groves. In the last timetable Libertas put online (2022) the buses met the line 807 boats, but no current times are published, so ask at the harbour. Walking the road between the villages is the fallback.
What reviewers say: Tripadvisor 4.4 (473 reviews) on 29 Sep 2026. 2026 reviewers describe it as very quiet, especially late in the season.
Where to eat (confirmed open in 2026)
We list only places with reviews written in 2026. Island kitchens are seasonal, so from October it is worth phoning ahead.
Obala, Lopud
- Where:
- Obala Iva Kuljevana 18, on the waterfront
- Known for:
- Fresh fish, octopus, salt-crusted fish, prawn and truffle risotto
What reviewers say: Tripadvisor 4.5 (934 reviews) on 29 Sep 2026. Reviews written in June and September 2026 praise the seafront tables, tuna and octopus and friendly service; some older reviews call drinks pricey.
Konoba Kod Marka, Šipanska Luka
- Where:
- On the bay in Šipanska Luka
- Style:
- Family seafood konoba; the staff suggest dishes rather than a fixed menu
- Booking:
- Reservations essential; seasonal, with a 16:00-18:00 break
What reviewers say: Tripadvisor 4.6 (384 reviews) on 29 Sep 2026. Most recent reviewers rave about the octopus, prawns and grilled fish; a June 2026 review complained about service to a large group.
Good to know
Gruž, not the Old Town harbour
Line 807 and the car ferry leave from the ferry port in Gruž, Dubrovnik's main port, not from the little harbour by the Old Town walls. Allow time to get there.
Two islands a day by ferry is realistic, three is a stretch
With only four boats a day, a good ferry day is Koločep in the morning and Lopud in the afternoon, or a long Lopud day. For all three in one go, a day cruise is simpler.
Sunday is the thin day
Outside July and August there are only two Sunday boats each way, and the Dubrovnik ticket office is shut from 11:00 to 19:00. Buy online and plan around the evening return.
Strong jugo can stop the boats
In storm-force south wind the line is suspended, as happened on 19 February 2026. On a windy day, check Jadrolinija's notices before you go, especially if you need to get back the same evening.
Šunj out of season
In spring and October, reviewers found Šunj's bars closed and the sand not yet cleaned. Bring water and snacks, and keep the harbour restaurants for lunch.
Questions people ask
How much is the ferry from Dubrovnik to Lopud?
On Jadrolinija line 807 an adult one-way ticket is 3,40 EUR from 28 September to 31 December 2026 and 5,40 EUR from 29 May to 27 September. Children aged 3 to 12 pay 1,90 EUR. The same adult fare applies to Koločep and Šipan.
Where does the ferry to the Elaphiti Islands leave from in Dubrovnik?
From the ferry port in Gruž. The Jadrolinija office for tickets is at Stjepana Radića 40, across the road, and you can also buy online or in the mJadrolinija app.
How long is the ferry from Dubrovnik to Lopud?
About 55 minutes in the off-season timetable and about 45 minutes from 29 May to 27 September. Koločep is about 30 minutes and Suđurađ on Šipan about 1 hour 15.
What time is the last ferry from Lopud to Dubrovnik?
From 28 September 2026, Monday to Saturday it leaves Lopud at 18:10 and Sundays at 18:20. In July and August it is 18:45 Monday to Saturday and 19:45 on Sundays.
Is there a catamaran to Šipan?
Yes, TP Line's catamaran 9807 stops at Šipanska Luka on its way to Mljet, Korčula and Lastovo. Off-season it leaves Dubrovnik in the afternoon and returns early morning, so it suits overnight stays.
Can I take a car to the Elaphiti Islands?
Only to Šipan: the car ferry 831 carries vehicles to Suđurađ. Koločep and Lopud are car-free, and no vehicles are loaded or unloaded at Lopud.
Is a three-island tour worth it?
It is the easy way to see all three in a day, and Karaka's cruise gives about three hours on Lopud. Reviewers of cheaper group tours often mention only 30 to 40 minutes per island and full boats, so ask about stop times before booking.
On Du As Locals
The neighbourhoods in this guide
More practical guides
Sources
Prices, timetables and opening hours change every season. Each fact above links to where it comes from and says when we read it; official pages always win over this guide. Traveller reviews are summed up in our own words.
- Adriatic Infinity: FAQ (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Adriatic Infinity: island transfers (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Adriatic Infinity: tours and prices (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Jadrolinija: car ferry 831 sailing schedule 2026 (PDF) (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Jadrolinija: line 807 Dubrovnik - Koločep - Lopud - Suđurađ (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Jadrolinija: line 807 prices 2026 (PDF) (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Jadrolinija: line 807 sailing schedule 2026 (PDF) (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Jadrolinija: line 831 Dubrovnik - Lopud - Suđurađ (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Jadrolinija: line 831 prices 2026 (PDF) (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Jadrolinija: sales points (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Karaka: Elaphite island hopping (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Karaka: excursions and prices (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Libertas: line Š Šipanska Luka - Suđurađ (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- TP Line: web shop (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Absolute Croatia: Dubrovnik to Elaphiti ferry (updated 9 Sep 2026) (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Absolute Croatia: Šunj beach (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Absolute Dubrovnik: Elaphiti ferry (updated 7 Aug 2026) (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- All Ferries Croatia: Dubrovnik to Šipanska Luka (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Dubrovnik Online: ferry to Koločep, Lopud and Šipan (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Dubrovnik Online: ferry to Mljet, Korčula and Lastovo (updated 11 Aug 2026) (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- DubrovnikNet: Elafiti line suspended (19 Feb 2026) (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Kompas: Dubrovnik to Elafiti ferry (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Sunshine Seeker: Elaphiti Islands (updated 18 Jul 2026) (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Wikipedia: Koločep (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Wikipedia: Šipan (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor: Adriatic Infinity reviews (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor: Cruises With Karaka reviews (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor: Elaphiti Islands reviews (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor: Konoba Kod Marka reviews (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor: Lopud Island reviews (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor: Obala reviews (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor: Šipan reviews (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor: Šunj beach reviews (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
What we left out, and why
- TP Line's own 2026 timetable and price list for catamaran 9807: tp-line.hr now redirects to the web shop and no PDF was readable, so catamaran times and fares are marked as reported from two timetable sites; summer stops at Šipanska Luka could not be confirmed.
- Šipan bus times: the only Libertas timetable online for line Š is dated 03.10.-31.12.2022, so no times are given.
- Villa Rose (Villa Ruža) restaurant on Koločep: its Tripadvisor listing says it serves weddings and events, not à la carte guests, and one recent guest found it closed; OpenTable timed out. Left out.
- Other island restaurants (La Villa and Rajski Kutak Bindo on Lopud; Stara Mlinica, Tri Sestre and Hotel Božica in Suđurađ): no dated 2026 review read today.
- Official golf-cart fare on Lopud: none published; the €3 figure is from 2025 reviews and is labelled as such.
- Water-taxi fares to the islands: Adriatic Infinity quotes on request and no other operator price was readable.
- Group-tour price ranges from dubrovnik-tickets.co (€30-50 with lunch) and its ferry fare of €6-10 per island: undated reseller page that conflicts with the operator fares.
- Valamar's resale of the Karaka cruise (Mon, Wed, Fri, minimum 20 guests): marked not yet bookable on their site, so its days are not used.
- The exact berth number for line 807 in Gruž: no source gives it.
- Reddit threads: old.reddit.com redirected automated reading today, so no Reddit experience is cited.