Dubrovnik sits on one of the most island-rich stretches of the Adriatic. Within a short boat ride from the Old Port or Gruž harbour, you can reach forested nature reserves, car-free villages, sandy beaches, and a national park. Whether you have half a day or a full one, there is an island worth visiting.
Below we rank nine islands by their distance from Dubrovnik, covering travel time, what makes each one special, and where to eat when you get there. If you are still deciding which boat tour from Dubrovnik fits your trip, this guide will help you narrow it down.
1. Lokrum — The 15-Minute Escape
Distance from Dubrovnik: 600 m
Travel time: 15 minutes by public ferry from Old Port
Best for: Half-day trips, swimming, Game of Thrones fans
Lokrum is the closest island to Dubrovnik and the easiest to reach. Ferries run every 30 minutes in summer from the Old Port, and you do not need to book in advance. The entire island is a nature reserve — no cars, no hotels, and no overnight stays allowed.
Walk through the shaded botanical garden, swim at the rocky Dead Sea saltwater lake, or climb to Fort Royal for panoramic views of Dubrovnik’s walls. Peacocks roam freely across the island, and you will spot them within minutes of stepping off the boat.
Our Lokrum island tour guide covers everything you need to plan your visit.
Food options: A single cafe near the Benedictine monastery serves drinks, sandwiches, and light snacks. Bring your own lunch if you want a proper meal — most visitors picnic under the pine trees.
2. Kolocep (Kalamota) — The Quiet Cove
Distance from Dubrovnik: 5 km (3 nautical miles)
Travel time: 25 minutes by Jadrolinija ferry from Gruž; 15 minutes by speedboat
Best for: Swimming, snorkelling, peaceful half-day trip
Kolocep is the smallest and nearest of the Elaphiti Islands. It is completely car-free, with two small settlements — Donje Celo and Gornje Celo — connected by a footpath through a pine and olive forest. The sandy beach at Donje Celo is one of the best near Dubrovnik, and its shallow water makes it suitable for families with young children.
A walking trail loops the island in about 90 minutes. Along the way you pass the Blue Cave, old churches dating to the 9th century, and several hidden swimming coves.
Food options: Two waterfront restaurants serve fresh seafood, grilled fish, and Croatian staples. Konoba Kalamota is the local favourite and worth a stop for lunch. A small beach bar operates in high season.
3. Lopud — The Sandy Beach Island
Distance from Dubrovnik: 12 km (6.5 nautical miles)
Travel time: 50 minutes by ferry from Gruž; 25 minutes by speedboat
Best for: Beach day, history, car-free walks
Lopud is the middle Elaphiti island and arguably the most popular. The main draw is Sunj Beach on the south side — a wide, sandy, shallow bay that is rare along the rocky Dalmatian coast. A 20-minute walk from the harbour or a short golf-cart ride takes you there.
The village itself is full of Renaissance-era summer houses and abandoned villas, giving it a character that feels different from anywhere else on the coast. The Franciscan monastery and its gardens are worth a visit. Climb to the Spanjola fortress above the village for sweeping views across the Elaphiti chain.
Most Elaphiti Islands tours include a 90-minute stop on Lopud with time for the beach.
Food options: Lopud has the best dining of any Elaphiti island. Obala restaurant on the harbour serves excellent risotto and grilled catch of the day. Konoba Dubrovnik offers traditional peka dishes (meat or octopus slow-cooked under a bell lid). Multiple cafes and gelato shops line the waterfront.
4. Sipan — The Largest Elaphiti Island
Distance from Dubrovnik: 17 km (9 nautical miles)
Travel time: 70 minutes by ferry; 35 minutes by speedboat
Best for: Wine, olive groves, quiet exploration
Sipan is the largest of the Elaphiti group and the least visited by day-trippers, which is exactly its appeal. The island has two main villages: Sipanska Luka, a deep harbour lined with palm trees, and Sudurad, home to a fortified Renaissance rector’s palace.
The interior is covered in olive groves and vineyards. Sipan has a long winemaking tradition, and local families still produce small-batch red wine you can sample at village konobas. Cycling between the two villages along the valley road takes about 30 minutes and passes ancient stone walls and chapels.
Food options: Konoba Kod Marka in Sipanska Luka is known for its grilled fish and house wine. Restaurant Bowa in Sudurad serves traditional Dalmatian dishes in a garden setting. Both are relaxed, family-run places with reasonable prices.
5. Jakljan — The Uninhabited Swim Stop
Distance from Dubrovnik: 19 km (10 nautical miles)
Travel time: 40 minutes by speedboat
Best for: Secluded swimming, snorkelling, nature
Jakljan sits just north of Sipan and is completely uninhabited. There are no buildings, no roads, and no facilities — just a long, narrow island with dense Mediterranean vegetation and several sheltered coves with crystal-clear water.
Private boat tours and sailing trips often anchor here for a swimming stop. The water visibility is exceptional, and the underwater rocks attract small fish, making it a rewarding snorkelling spot without a wetsuit. Most visitors experience Jakljan as part of a full-day boat tour from Dubrovnik.
Food options: None. Jakljan has no infrastructure. Bring everything you need or visit as part of a tour that includes lunch on Sipan or Lopud.
6. Sveti Andrija (St. Andrew) — The Lighthouse Island
Distance from Dubrovnik: 20 km (11 nautical miles)
Travel time: 45 minutes by speedboat
Best for: Lighthouse views, offshore adventure, photography
Sveti Andrija is a small, rugged island southeast of Dubrovnik, recognisable by its tall 19th-century lighthouse. The island is not served by any public ferry, so you need a private boat or organised tour to reach it.
The appeal is the sense of remoteness. From the island you have unobstructed views of the open Adriatic and the southern Dalmatian coastline. The rocky shore offers decent swimming, though you need water shoes. Sunset visits are particularly dramatic.
Food options: None. The island is uninhabited apart from the lighthouse. Pack water and snacks if your tour includes a stop here.
7. Mljet — The National Park Island
Distance from Dubrovnik: 37 km (20 nautical miles)
Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes by catamaran from Gruž; 1 hour by speedboat
Best for: Full-day trip, nature, kayaking, hiking
Mljet is the standout island for nature lovers and the one that most visitors say exceeded their expectations. The western third of the island is a national park built around two saltwater lakes — Veliko Jezero (Big Lake) and Malo Jezero (Small Lake). The water is warm, calm, and ideal for swimming and kayaking.
In the middle of the Big Lake sits a tiny island with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, now a restaurant. You can reach it by small boat, included with your national park ticket. Hiking and cycling trails criss-cross the park, and the dense holm oak forest gives the whole area a lush, almost tropical feel.
Mljet requires a full day. The national park entrance fee is approximately 15 EUR per adult in 2026. Bikes and kayaks can be rented inside the park.
Food options: The monastery restaurant on St. Mary’s islet serves lunch with a view that is hard to beat. In the village of Pomena, Konoba Maestral offers grilled squid and lamb dishes. Mali Raj in Polace is well-regarded for fresh seafood. Prices are slightly higher than the mainland, but portions are generous.
8. Korcula — The Marco Polo Island
Distance from Dubrovnik: 110 km (60 nautical miles)
Travel time: 2 hours by catamaran; 3 hours by car and ferry
Best for: Full-day or overnight, Old Town architecture, wine
Korcula is the furthest island on this list that is still realistic as a day trip from Dubrovnik. The walled Old Town — built on a small peninsula — rivals Dubrovnik’s own in beauty, but without the crowds. Streets are laid out in a herringbone pattern designed to manage wind flow, and the cathedral square is one of the finest small-town plazas in Croatia.
The island is famous for its white wines, especially Posip and Grk, which are grown on the surrounding hillsides and available in town cellars. The traditional Moreska sword dance is performed in summer and worth catching if your timing aligns.
Getting there and back in a single day is doable but tight. An overnight stay gives you time to explore the vineyards and smaller villages along the coast.
Food options: Korcula Town has the widest dining selection of any island on this list. LD Restaurant on the waterfront is a top-tier seafood spot. Konoba Mate in the Old Town serves classic Dalmatian fare at mid-range prices. For a quick bite, multiple bakeries sell fresh burek and pastries. Wine bars along the harbour pour local vintages by the glass.
9. Lastovo — The Remote Outpost
Distance from Dubrovnik: 120 km (65 nautical miles)
Travel time: 3 hours by catamaran from Dubrovnik (via Korcula)
Best for: Overnight trip, stargazing, diving, total seclusion
Lastovo is Croatia’s most remote inhabited island and a designated nature park. If you want to get as far from the tourist trail as possible while still technically being near Dubrovnik, this is it. The island has minimal light pollution and was named one of the best stargazing locations in Europe.
The main village sits unusually inland, spread across a hillside amphitheatre. Traditional stone chimneys — each with a unique decorative design — are the island’s visual signature. The surrounding archipelago of 46 small islets offers outstanding diving with walls, caves, and rich marine life.
Lastovo is not practical as a day trip. Plan at least one overnight to make the journey worthwhile. Ferries run once or twice daily depending on the season.
Food options: Konoba Augusta in Lastovo Town serves slow-cooked island dishes and local wine. Triton in the port of Ubli is popular for fresh fish. Options are limited, so book ahead in summer. The small number of restaurants means the seafood is as fresh as it gets — fishermen supply the kitchens directly.
Choosing the Right Island
For a quick half-day, Lokrum or Kolocep require the least planning and deliver an immediate change of pace from Dubrovnik’s walls.
For a full beach day, Lopud’s Sunj Beach is the clear winner. Pair it with the other Elaphiti islands on an Elaphiti boat tour and you get three islands in one day.
For a nature-focused full day, Mljet’s national park is the most rewarding option. The saltwater lakes, monastery island, and forest trails are unlike anything else on the Dalmatian coast.
For an overnight adventure, Korcula gives you the best mix of culture, wine, and dining. Lastovo is for travellers who want to go further off-grid.
Browse all of our Dubrovnik boat tours to find the right trip, or return to our homepage to explore everything we offer. For a deeper look at the archipelago, see our full islands near Dubrovnik guide. If the Elaphiti Islands sound like the right fit, our guided tours run daily through the 2026 season.