Kotor: Private Speed Boat Tour to Blue Cave with Swim Time

The best part of this trip is the contrast: you move from Kotor’s old stone harbor to the open sea, then trade sightseeing for a swim in the glowing water of the Blue Cave. Along the way, you stop at Our Lady of the Rocks, a former submarine tunnel, and Mamula Island.

I like the private boat because your group of up to six gets a more personal outing than a large shared cruise. I also like the useful mix of history and water time, with friendly English-speaking skippers such as Peter and Marko handling the route, explanations, masks, and drinks.

The main consideration is its brisk pace. Three hours covers several locations, but the stops are short, and the 45-minute return ride can feel long if you dislike speedboats or rough open water. Summer traffic around Kotor also makes arriving early a smart move.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim in the Blue Cave: Spend about 25 minutes in the clear water and blue light of the cave.
• Visit four very different places: See Our Lady of the Rocks, a former submarine tunnel, Mamula Island, and Blue Lagoon Bay.
• Keep the group private: The boat is reserved for your party, with room for up to six people.
• Expect a fast-moving trip: The tour lasts three hours, with many minutes spent traveling between stops.
• Pay attention to the meeting point: MontenegroGlobe is near Kotor Port and Kamelija shopping center, but summer parking and traffic can be difficult.
• Budget for one extra fee: Church entry at Our Lady of the Rocks costs 2 euros per person, and food is not included.

From Kotor harbor to open water

You meet at the MontenegroGlobe agency near the Port of Kotor and Kamelija shopping center. That location is practical for anyone staying in or near the old town, but it is not a place to arrive at the last moment during summer. Traffic can be heavy, and parking is limited, so I would leave extra time.

Once aboard, the speedboat sets out from Kotor. The first 20-minute ride is part of the sightseeing, not simply a transfer. You get the wind, the open water, and changing views of the Bay of Kotor before reaching the small islet of Our Lady of the Rocks.

The boat format lets you cover much more coast in three hours than you could on foot. The tradeoff is simple: you spend a good portion of the tour moving between stops. This is best for you if you want a lively outing with several highlights, not a slow cruise with long commentary at each site.

The skipper speaks English and provides the safety equipment. Water, juice, and one beer are included, with extra drinks and food at your own cost. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on the tour, so keep the included beer in perspective as a small refreshment rather than a party feature.

Our Lady of the Rocks in 20 minutes

Our Lady of the Rocks sits in front of the old town of Perast and is one of the Bay of Kotor’s most recognizable sights. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, enough for a walk around the islet and a look at the church.

You can pay 2 euros per person to enter the church. That fee is not included, so bring a little cash or confirm your preferred payment method before you go. If you skip the interior, the short stop still gives you time for photographs and a look at the setting from the water.

This is the most structured sightseeing stop on the trip. The Blue Cave is about swimming and scenery, while Our Lady of the Rocks gives the tour a cultural and religious landmark. The limitation is time. You will not have a leisurely visit to Perast or a long church tour during this excursion.

I like this stop because it prevents the outing from becoming only a beach run. You get a small piece of local heritage before the route heads out toward the Adriatic and the more unusual coastal sites.

A former submarine tunnel near Kotor

After another 20-minute speedboat ride, the boat stops at a former submarine tunnel. You have about 10 minutes for photographs and a quick look from the water.

The tunnel is an unusual reminder of the coast’s military past. It was built into the shoreline for submarines, and its dark opening makes a sharp visual contrast with the bright sea. The stop is not presented as a full museum visit, so you should expect an exterior look rather than an extended historical tour.

This brief pause works well for people who enjoy odd, less polished sights. It also breaks up the longer boat rides. If you prefer beaches, swimming, and sun from start to finish, the tunnel may feel like a detour. For me, that detour adds character and gives the route more variety.

The boat remains the main viewing platform here. Bring your camera, but protect it from spray and keep a firm grip while the boat is moving.

Mamula Island and its old fortress walls

The next ride takes about 15 minutes, followed by a very short stop at Mamula Island. You get roughly five minutes for photographs and a look at the island’s fortress walls.

Mamula is surrounded by an old Austro-Hungarian fortress dating to the 14th century, and the site was used as a prison during the First and Second World Wars. Its position in the sea makes it easy to understand why it was chosen for defense and detention.

The short timing matters. You will not be touring the whole fortress or spending a long period ashore. Think of Mamula as a striking coastal view with a short historical explanation, not a full island visit.

Still, the stop earns its place. Our Lady of the Rocks is small and religious, the submarine tunnel is military infrastructure cut into the coast, and Mamula adds a fortress on an island. In a short tour, that is a good range of sights.

Blue Lagoon Bay and the Blue Cave

After about 10 minutes on the water, you reach Blue Lagoon Bay and the Blue Cave. This is the main reason to choose the trip if swimming matters to you.

The cave covers about 300 square meters and has two entrances accessible by boat. Sunlight enters at the right angle and reflects through the water, creating the blue glow that gives the cave its name. The effect depends on light and conditions, so the exact color and brightness can vary, but the setting is designed for a quick swim and photographs.

You get about 25 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. The skipper provides a snorkel mask, and life jackets are available for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. The water is described as warm and clear, and the boat serves as your base while you use the mask to look below the surface.

I would bring a towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A camera can capture the cave and the coast, but remember that the most enjoyable part involves getting into the water. Pack valuables with care and follow the skipper’s instructions around the boat entrances.

The Blue Cave is not a long beach day. Twenty-five minutes goes quickly once everyone has entered the water, taken photographs, and returned to the boat. If your priority is a full afternoon of swimming, you may want a longer beach or boat outing. If you want one strong swim stop folded into a sightseeing route, this timing works.

The 45-minute ride back to Kotor

The return to MontenegroGlobe takes about 45 minutes, the longest single ride on the schedule. By this point, you will have visited the cave and several coastal sights, so the ride offers time to sit back and watch the shoreline pass.

The boat’s speed is part of the fun, but it can also be the least comfortable section for anyone sensitive to motion, wind, or spray. The supplied information does not promise a gentle ride, and this is an open-sea excursion rather than a sheltered harbor cruise.

You may want to keep your sunglasses and hat secure, use sunscreen, and hold onto your camera. The skipper provides water and juice, which is useful on a sunny day, but food is not included. Eat beforehand if you know you need more than a small drink during three hours on the water.

What the private format is worth

The price is $335 for a group of up to six. At full capacity, that works out to about $56 per person, before the 2 euro church fee and any food or extra drinks. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, so the value improves considerably when you can fill most of the boat with family or friends.

The private setup is the clearest reason to pay more than a shared excursion. Your group gets its own skipper and does not have to organize around a large boatload of strangers. That can make the short swimming stop easier, especially if some people want to snorkel while others prefer to stay aboard.

The trip also includes the speedboat, skipper, travel insurance, water, juice, one beer, snorkel mask, and life jacket. Those inclusions reduce the number of small expenses once you are underway. Food is excluded, and the church has its separate 2 euro entry charge.

The tour has received a top rating across 13 reviews, with particular praise for friendly, professional skippers and clear explanations. Peter is named as a friendly and well-informed guide, while Marko, also written as Marco in one account, is praised for making the route a good mix of sightseeing and action. These names show who has led the trip, but you should not assume a particular skipper will operate every departure.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend it to you if you want several sights in one compact outing and enjoy getting wet along the way. Couples, families, and small groups of friends can make especially good use of the private format.

It suits confident swimmers and anyone happy to use a life jacket. The snorkeling is simple and equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask. You do need swimwear and a towel, and you should be comfortable boarding and riding in a speedboat.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 70, according to the activity restrictions. It is also a poor match if you want a slow, heavily guided historical tour, a long church visit, or several hours at the beach.

The three-hour length is useful when you have only part of a day free. It leaves room for other plans in Kotor, but the schedule is tight. A late arrival can disrupt the whole outing, especially because the summer road traffic around the meeting point may be severe.

Weather, timing, and simple preparation

Bad weather cancels the tour. Since much of the appeal depends on open water, the cancellation rule is sensible, but you should keep some flexibility in your Kotor plans.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking, since the total length is three hours but the departure time can vary.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• A camera
• Sunscreen, though it is not specifically listed among the required items
• A secure small bag for personal items

Arrive on time, and ideally early. MontenegroGlobe is near the port and Kamelija shopping center, but finding a parking place during the busy summer season may take longer than expected.

Should you book the Kotor Blue Cave tour?

Book it if you want a private, fast-paced outing that combines Kotor’s coastal sights with a real swim in the Blue Cave. The strongest features are the small group, the friendly English-speaking skipper, the unusual submarine tunnel and Mamula stop, and the included snorkeling equipment.

Think twice if you dislike speedboats, need long visits at historical sites, or want a full day devoted to swimming. The church and Mamula stops are brief, and the 45-minute ride back takes up a meaningful part of the three-hour schedule.

For a full group of six, the $335 price is reasonable for a private boat with drinks, insurance, a mask, and life jackets included. For two people, it is a more deliberate splurge. The best booking decision comes down to one question: do you value privacy and variety more than long, relaxed time in one place? If yes, this compact route makes good use of a morning or afternoon in Kotor.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the MontenegroGlobe agency near the Port of Kotor and Kamelija shopping center.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts three hours, including the speedboat rides and stops.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to six people.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The tour includes swimming at the Blue Cave in Blue Lagoon Bay, with about 25 minutes set aside for swimming and snorkeling.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkel mask is included, and life jackets are available for people who are not confident swimmers.

Is entry to the church at Our Lady of the Rocks included?

No. Entry costs 2 euros per person and is paid separately.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour is canceled in bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people over 70?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 70.