Tours to the Elaphiti Islands from Dubrovnik

The Elaphiti are a chain of small islands just north of Dubrovnik, and three of them matter to a visitor. Koločep, Lopud and Šipan are inhabited. The first two have no cars at all.

What is on them

• Lopud. The largest offer, and Šunj on its far side is one of the few sand beaches on this coast.
• Koločep. The closest to the city, with a blue cave on its seaward side.
• Šipan. The biggest and the quietest, with olive groves and two small harbours.

How to visit

Two ways, and they suit different days. The public ferry from Gruž runs to all three and costs almost nothing. The organised boat trip takes all three in a day with lunch aboard, which is what most people buy.

Why they are empty

These islands were summer estates for Dubrovnik's nobility, and the ruined villas are still there. The population fell through the twentieth century. What is left is quiet in a way the mainland coast no longer is.

Practical

• Season. Boat trips run from April to October. Ferries run all year but thin out sharply in winter.
• The blue cave. Entry depends on the swell and is dropped from the itinerary without much notice.
• No cars. Koločep and Lopud are walked. Lopud has golf carts for luggage, and that is the whole transport system.
• Šunj beach. Half an hour on foot across Lopud, or the cart. Shallow a long way out, which suits small children.
• Food. A handful of konobas on each island, and they close early outside the season.