Island group includes eight islands and five isles, of which only three are inhabited: Koločep, Lopud and Šipan.
The Island of Koločep is the one closest to Dubrovnik. The settlements Gornje Čelo and Donje Čelo are situated in the two largest bays. The eastern and western parts of the island are covered with thick pine woods stretching as far as the sea rocks. The crystal azure sea abounds with fish and shellfish. The dwellers of Koločep used to be the best-known coral divers in the Mediterranean, but today they seldom dive and only for pleasure.
Numerous monuments including the remains of sarcophaguses, stone sculptures, chapels and churches show that the island was inhabited in the time of antiquity.
Already the first encounter with Kalamota, as the people of Dubrovnik nick-name the Island of Koločep, will not leave you indifferent. You will be intoxicated by its deafening silence, the scent of the Mediterranean herbs and pines, and the blueness of the sea that washes its sandy beaches.
The one standing in the middle is the Island of Lopud, which abounds with beautiful sandy beaches. A boat will take you to the settlement of the same name, from where you can walk to the unique sandy Bay of Šunj on the opposite side of the island. Šunj is a well-known sandy beach, of which one part is reserved for naturists. Nature is not the only one who was generous to Lopud. The island also abounds with forts, little churches, summer residences and monasteries housing valuable works of art.
Do not miss the easy early evening walk to Cape Benešin while the sun goes down into the sea, and visit the unique light installation, the art pavilion Your Black Horizon (www.tba21.org , www.tba21-croatia.org). Set in the rich renaissance environment of Lopud and preserved nature, it gives the landscape a new meaning.
The biggest and most inhabited, the Island of Šipan has a large number of vineyards and olive groves. The two biggest settlements are Šipanska Luka and Suđurađ. The inner side of the island abounds with shelters and natural anchorages of immense beauty, where the branches of pine trees reach the surface of the sea.
In this small area there is a huge number of monuments, more than thirty churches, several monasteries and about sixty summer residences in gothic-renaissance style.
The island dwellers are well-known for their hospitality. They will be happy to take you fishing and into the field, and will offer you healthy food and excellent wines from their fruit-bearing vineyards.
You can reach the Elafite Islands by a boat departing from Gruž Harbour several times a day, or you can join some of the numerous tours organised by the Dubrovnik agencies.
Jadrolinija
Obala Stjepana Radića 40
Tel: +385 20 418 000
Fax: +385 20 418 111
www.jadrolinija.hr
G & V line
Metohijska 2
20000 Dubrovnik
Tel: +385 20 313 400 +385 20 313 119
Fax: +385 20 418 186
www.gv-line.hr
Lopud Tourist Information Office
Obala Iva Kuljevana 12
Tel: +385 20 759 086
Šipan Tourist Information Office
Tel: +385 20 758 084