Tivat: Blue Cave and Old Submarine Tunnel Speedboat Tour

The best part of this 100-minute speedboat trip is the quick change of scene. One moment you’re looking across Boka Bay at stone villages and steep mountains. Soon you’re swimming in the Blue Cave, where sunlight turns the water an astonishing shade of blue.

I like the short, energetic format and the chance to combine three very different sights: the bay, Mamula Island, and a former Yugoslav submarine tunnel. I also like the simple meeting point in Donja Lastva, in front of St. Roko church, which is handy if you’re staying around Tivat.

The trade-off is time. You get about 20 minutes in the cave and only five minutes at the tunnel, so this is a fast scenic outing rather than a slow coastal cruise. One recent rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 10 bookings reflects the fun factor, but one 3-star account found the schedule rushed.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Cave swim: You get about 20 minutes in three to four meters of water beneath a cave with 25-meter-high arches.
• Three sights in 100 minutes: The tour combines Boka Bay views, a pass by Mamula Island, the Blue Cave, and a submarine tunnel.
• Fast boat ride: The speedboat covers the route quickly, with roughly 35 minutes of outward scenic travel and 35 minutes back.
• Easy Donja Lastva meeting point: You meet on the dock in front of St. Roko church, with no hotel pickup included.
• Useful inclusions: Fuel, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and rain coats are provided.
• Bring swim gear: In summer, pack a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, and sun cream. Cooler months call for warmer clothes and a cap.

Leaving Donja Lastva for Boka Bay

Your outing begins in Donja Lastva, a Tivat suburb, at the dock in front of St. Roko church. The speedboat picks you up at the scheduled time, so arrive ready rather than expecting a long check-in or a large terminal.

The first part is a 20-minute speedboat ride, followed by the pass near Mamula Island and another 15 minutes toward the cave. The full outward run is about 35 minutes, giving you a good stretch of open-water scenery before the swim.

Look toward the shore as you go. Boka Bay is lined with small settlements, old houses, churches, and grander stone palaces. The appeal is not one isolated monument. It is the contrast between human-scale villages, dark mountains, and bright water packed into a narrow coastal view.

Boka Kotorska is one of the deepest and longest bays on the Adriatic. It is often called the southernmost fjord in Europe, although it is technically a submerged river valley rather than a true glacial fjord. The comparison makes sense from the boat: steep mountain walls seem to close around the water.

This part of the ride is also why the speedboat matters. You are not spending hours circling the bay, but you do get a moving view of the coast. Sit where you can turn easily from the water toward the mountains, since the best view can shift quickly as the boat changes direction.

Passing Mamula Island and the Luštica coast

Mamula Island appears as a scenic pass-by rather than a full stop. You’ll have about three minutes to take in the island from the water, with the Luštica Peninsula nearby.

Mamula is associated with a historic fort, but this tour does not provide an extended visit ashore. Treat it as a striking coastal view and a photographic moment, not as a full historical tour. If you want time to inspect buildings or walk around an island, this outing will feel too brief.

The Luštica Peninsula gives the trip much of its visual character. The coast is rugged, the water opens out around the boat, and the bay views keep changing as you move toward the cave. A fast ride can be bumpy, so keep your phone secure and hold on when the boat picks up speed.

Past customers have especially liked this combination of music, speed, and scenery, along with a newer, pleasant boat and a friendly captain. The captain’s name is not provided, and this is not promoted as a guided history tour, so expect simple spoken information rather than a long lecture.

Swimming inside Montenegro’s Blue Cave

The main stop is the Blue Cave, where you spend about 20 minutes swimming and snorkeling. The cave covers roughly 300 square meters, with arches rising about 25 meters above the water.

The name comes from the way sunlight enters through two openings and reflects from the water onto the cave walls. Inside, the water can appear to glow from below. The color changes with the light, but the turquoise effect is the reason most people choose this tour.

The stated depth is three to four meters. That makes the cave suitable for a short swim and snorkeling session, but you still need to be comfortable in open water. Snorkeling equipment is included, and bottled water is provided, but bring your own towel and sun cream.

This is the point where the schedule matters most. Twenty minutes is enough for a swim, a few photographs, and a look around. It is not enough for an unhurried session if you want to float, snorkel, change, and take many photographs.

A useful practical choice is to wear your swimsuit under your clothes before boarding. You’ll avoid wasting part of the stop getting ready. Keep sunglasses and valuables secure during the ride, since a quick boat trip can involve spray.

One recent 5-star account described the cave swim as magical and praised the beautiful water color. That fits the nature of the stop: the Blue Cave is a short visual hit, not a full beach afternoon. If swimming is your main goal, the limited time may disappoint. If you want a memorable swim added to a sightseeing route, it works well.

The former Yugoslav submarine tunnel

On the way back, the boat makes a five-minute photo stop at an old submarine tunnel cut into the steep banks of Luštica. Three such tunnels were built during Yugoslavia to hide and repair submarines and ships.

The tunnel can reach about 50 meters in length and seven meters in width. Its average depth is around eight meters, increasing to about 30 meters near the exit. From the boat, you see the dark opening and the way the tunnel disappears into the rock.

This is an unusual stop because it connects the scenery to a less polished part of Montenegro’s past. The bay is famous for churches, old settlements, and postcard views, but these military structures show how the same sheltered coastline served practical defense purposes.

Do not expect to go inside or spend time exploring on foot. The scheduled stop is for photographs, and five minutes passes quickly. Have your camera ready before the boat reaches the entrance.

The tunnel is best understood as a compact bonus. It adds variety to the day, but the Blue Cave remains the main attraction. If military history is your priority, you’ll need a longer, more focused visit elsewhere.

What $41 buys you

At $41 per person, this tour offers reasonable value if you want several highlights without committing half a day. Fuel, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and rain coats are included, which removes a few common extra costs.

The value comes from the combination. A private taxi or separate boat arrangement to reach the cave could cost more, while a standard bay cruise may not include a swim in the Blue Cave or a close look at the submarine tunnel.

Still, price should be judged against the pace. You are paying for transport by speedboat, a scenic coastal route, a cave swim, and two short sightseeing stops. You are not paying for long visits, a meal, hotel transfers, or an extended historical explanation.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If you are staying outside Donja Lastva, add the time and cost of reaching the church dock. For someone based in Tivat, the meeting point is much more convenient.

The free cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still moving around.

Who will enjoy this fast coastal trip

I would choose this tour if you want a short burst of sea, scenery, and swimming rather than a full-day excursion. It suits couples, friends, and active families who are happy to move quickly between stops.

It also works well as a Tivat activity when you have limited time. In 100 minutes, you see part of Boka Bay, pass Mamula Island, swim in the Blue Cave, and photograph a military tunnel before returning to Donja Lastva.

You should be comfortable with speedboat travel and a brisk schedule. The tour leaves little room for delays, long swims, or lingering at viewpoints. If you prefer a quiet ride with plenty of time at each location, choose a slower and longer boat trip instead.

The language options are English and Serbo-Croatian. The information provided does not identify individual guides, so book this for the route and boat experience rather than for a particular named guide.

What to pack and how to prepare

In summer, bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, and sun cream. The boat provides rain coats, but a light cover-up is still useful after swimming or if the wind rises.

During colder periods, wear warmer clothes and bring a cap. The speedboat can feel cooler than the shore, especially while moving across open water.

Keep your camera protected from spray and make sure loose items are secured. You will have several good photo moments, particularly around Mamula Island, the Blue Cave entrance, and the submarine tunnel, but the boat will not wait long while you search through a bag.

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. You should still bring a towel, since one is not listed among the included items.

Is the 100-minute tour worth booking?

Book it if you want the Blue Cave swim and a fast ride through Boka Bay, especially if you are staying in Tivat and value a convenient local meeting point. The mix of mountain views, coastal villages, Mamula Island, and the submarine tunnel gives you plenty to see in a short time.

Skip it if you want a relaxed cruise, a long cave visit, or time to explore the tunnel. The strongest positive feedback centers on the fun speedboat ride, the scenery, the newer boat, and the striking cave water. The main caution is equally clear: the schedule is tight.

For most visitors with only a morning or afternoon available, $41 is a fair price for a focused coastal outing. Just treat it as a brisk sampler of Boka Bay, not a leisurely day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the Blue Cave speedboat tour start?

The meeting point is on the dock in front of St. Roko church in Donja Lastva, a suburb of Tivat.

How long does the tour last?

The total duration is 100 minutes, including the boat rides, the Blue Cave visit, and the submarine tunnel photo stop.

How much time do I get to swim in the Blue Cave?

You get about 20 minutes for swimming and snorkeling inside the Blue Cave.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, fuel, and rain coats are included.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the Donja Lastva meeting point yourself.

What languages are available during the tour?

The driver speaks English and Serbo-Croatian.