Elafiti Islands
A short boat ride from Dubrovnik, these three islands suit a slow swimming day and a quieter base than the old city.
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The Elafiti Islands are a small group in the Adriatic, off the Croatian coast west of Dubrovnik. Three are inhabited: Koločep, Lopud and Šipan. Pine trees grow down to the water on several of them, and some beaches are sandy. Boats from Dubrovnik reach the islands in a short trip, so most visitors come for a day, though an overnight stay leaves more time for swimming without rushing.
Each island differs in size and facilities, so pick one before you go. Koločep is closest to Dubrovnik, cars are banned in Lopud village, and Šipan is the largest of the three. A relaxed beach day suits most people, while a swim in the early morning or evening, after the day trip boats leave, is quieter. Late spring to early autumn is the usual season for swimming. Plan at least one full day if you want to see more than one island.
Elafiti Islands in five
- Use Jadrolinija for one island at a timeJadrolinija runs passenger lines from Dubrovnik to Koločep, Lopud and Suđurađ on Šipan. Its ticket is also a reservation for the chosen departure, so buy for the boat you plan to catch.Jadrolinija line 807
- Choose Lopud for beaches, Šipan for quietLopud is the best known for sandy bays, Koločep is the closest island and Šipan is the largest, with olive groves and villages. Pick one island unless you take an excursion.
- Fix your return boat before you order lunchIsland cafes can close early out of season and boats are limited late in the day. Confirm the last sailing from the island you choose before booking a long meal.
- Compare a day cruise with public boatsA cruise ties the islands into one day with lunch and swim stops, while a public boat gives more time on one beach. Say no to a cruise if you want a quiet afternoon.Tours and tickets
- Pair it with Dubrovnik or MljetThe islands work as a half-day break from Dubrovnik's walls. For a longer island stay, Mljet National Park is further along the same coast.Mljet Island
Things to do in Elafiti Islands
See all attractions in Elafiti Islands
Need to know
- Airport
- Dubrovnik (DBV), then a boat from the city
- Getting there
- Jadrolinija passenger boats from Dubrovnik; excursion boats in season
- Getting around
- On foot; Šipan is larger, so allow extra time
- Best base
- Dubrovnik for day trips; Lopud or Šipan for a quiet night
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 nights for a slow stay
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Mild, few boatsJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, few boats
- FebruaryRain10 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Mild, few boatsFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, few boats
- MarchRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Cool, quietMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 199 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Spring, fewer boatsAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, fewer boats
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Warm, calmMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- JuneClear7 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Warm seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Hot, busiestJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busiest
- AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Hot, busiestAugustClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busiest
- SeptemberClear8 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Warm sea, quieterSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, quieter
- OctoberRain10 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Mild, cafes closeOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, cafes close
- NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Wet, quietNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 322 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- DecemberRain12 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Mild, quietDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 215 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
Average daily high and low in Dubrovnik, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Elafiti Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 44%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 45%
Elafiti Islands
09:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today20°15°45%Monday: Rain. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Tue19°15°58%Tuesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Wed19°14°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu18°13°0%Thursday: Clear. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri17°12°2%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat17°12°14%Saturday: Rain. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun16°13°26%Sunday: Rain. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 26%.
Updated 09:11 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
What's on in Elafiti Islands
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- Jul–AugDubrovnik Summer FestivalDubrovnik, a day trip
Before you go to Elafiti Islands
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Elafiti Islands, checked
- Jadrolinija line 807 Dubrovnik–Koločep–Lopud–Suđurađ (Šipan): a ticket also reserves a place on the ship and the chosen departure.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Elafiti Islands
Walled city, the departure point for the boats
Read the guideCavtatA calmer harbor town south of Dubrovnik
Read the guideMljet IslandNational park island further along the coast
Read the guideKorčula IslandWalled old town, a catamaran ride beyond Mljet
Read the guideTours and ticketsBoat tours and timed entry compared
Read the guideAll of CroatiaCoast, islands, Zagreb and entry rules
Read the guideElafiti Islands FAQ
Which Elafiti island is best?
Lopud is the usual first choice for sandy beaches and a village waterfront, Koločep is quick and small, and Šipan is the largest and quietest. Pick Lopud for a swim day, Šipan for walking.
How do I get to the Elafiti Islands from Dubrovnik?
Take a Jadrolinija passenger boat to Koločep, Lopud or Šipan, or join an excursion. The Jadrolinija ticket doubles as a reservation for your chosen departure, so check the day's times.
Are the Elafiti Islands worth it?
Yes if you want a swim and a quiet lunch away from Dubrovnik's crowds. Skip them on a rainy or windy day, when boats can be cancelled and cafes shut.
Can you stay overnight on the Elafiti Islands?
Yes, on Lopud and Šipan there are rooms and small hotels, though choice is limited and many close in winter. Overnighting gives the islands without the day-trip crowds.
Is a tour better than public boats?
A tour handles transport and lunch for several islands, but you spend less time at each. Public boats are cheaper and flexible for one island, and they need no commitment to a group schedule.