Dubrovnik's ferry port at Gruž is the launchpad for some of the best island escapes in southern Dalmatia — from a half-day on the Elaphiti islands to a full day inside Mljet's national park.
Šipan and the Elaphiti islands
Dubrovnik → Šipanska Luka takes about an hour, landing on the largest of the car-free-feeling Elaphiti islands: olive groves, old summer villas and a couple of good konobas. An easy, low-effort day out.
Mljet
Two ports serve Mljet from Dubrovnik: Sobra (about an hour) and, in season, Polače (about 1¾ hours), which lands next to the national park with its saltwater lakes and the islet monastery. For the park, Polače is the handier arrival.
Korčula
Dubrovnik → Korčula takes 2–2½ hours by catamaran — a long day trip but a rewarding one, with the walled old town a few minutes' walk from the pier. Check the return departure time before you commit.
Lastovo
Remote Lastovo (Ubli) is about four hours out — better as an overnight than a day trip, but reachable on the same seasonal catamaran network.
Practicalities
- These are seasonal foot-passenger catamarans — frequencies drop sharply outside summer.
- For day trips, confirm the last return sailing when you buy your outbound ticket.
- Morning departures fill first in July and August; book the day before where you can.