Regina Maris

Who they are

Regina Maris is an excursion boat company in Dubrovnik that, according to its website, has been taking visitors by boat along the coast and nearby islands for more than twenty years. It does not give the owners' names or the exact year it started; it presents itself as a team of local people, with skippers, waiters and sales staff. Its office is at Obala Stjepana Radića 13, in the port of Gruž, and the sales booth and boarding point for the large boat is at number 14 on the same quay. They say they have carried more than 117,000 customers.

What they do

Its main excursion is the full-day tour of the Elafiti Islands on the boat Regina Maris, a large white boat: about eight hours with stops at Koločep, Šipan and Lopud, lunch on board during the crossing and free time on each island for swimming, strolling round the village of Suđurađ or climbing to the Franciscan monastery and botanical garden on Lopud. The meal is chosen when booking from fish, chicken or vegetarian, and comes with water, soft drinks, rakija and local white wine; coffee, tea and other drinks are paid for separately.

They also have two catamaran outings: a four-hour one to the Blue Cave, sold at their booth on Copacabana beach, in Babin Kuk, and a one-hour sunset cruise that leaves from Dubrovnik's old port. And they hire out privately three smaller boats, the Mare, the Borna and the Apreamare, for tailor-made routes, parties, weddings and corporate events; the price of the private ones is requested directly.

Practicalities

The Elafiti excursion accepts pushchairs and wheelchairs and assistance animals, according to the trip's listing. You can add hotel pick-up in Dubrovnik; from farther places, such as Cavtat, pick-up may cost a supplement paid in cash on board. You cannot pay by card on board, so carry cash for drinks or extras. They recommend bringing beach things, something warm for the return and comfortable footwear; at Koločep there is snorkelling equipment. Tickets are valid on your phone, with no need to print them.

The website does not publish the season calendar, the departure and return times, children's prices or a minimum age. Island excursions in Dubrovnik are mostly from spring to autumn; confirm dates and times when booking, especially outside summer.

How to book

You book online from the website, at the booth in the port of Gruž, by phone on +385 95 3737 288 or by email at [email protected]. The website does not explain the cancellation terms or what happens if the sea forces a departure to be called off, nor which languages are spoken on board; the website is in English. Gruž is about 3 km from the old town, with frequent city buses.