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

The best part of this private boat trip is the change of pace: you leave Kotor’s stone streets behind and skim across open water toward the Blue Cave, with time to swim in its glowing blue light. The route also includes Our Lady of the Rocks, a former submarine tunnel, and Mamula Island.

I like the private boat format, which gives your group space to enjoy the ride without strangers sharing every seat. I also like the mix of sightseeing and swimming. The main catch is timing: three hours goes quickly, and several stops are short. Summer traffic near Kotor can also make arriving on time harder than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Cave is the main event: You get about 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling in clear water lit by reflected sunlight.
• The route covers four very different sights: Our Lady of the Rocks, a submarine tunnel, Mamula Island, and the Blue Cave.
• It is a private group for up to six people: The $335 price is for the boat, not each passenger.
• The ride is active and exposed: Expect wind, sun, spray, and quick boat transfers between stops.
• Guides include Peter and Marko: Both have received praise for friendly service and clear explanations.
• You need to be comfortable with a boat ladder and open-water swimming: Life jackets are supplied, but wheelchair access is not available.

Leaving Kotor by speedboat

You meet the boat near the MontenegroGlobe office, close to Kotor’s port and the Kamelija shopping center. The starting point is practical for anyone staying in or near the old town, though you should not treat arrival as a last-minute task. Summer traffic can be heavy, and parking near Kotor is limited.

The boat ride takes you away from the enclosed feel of the bay and into open water. This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. A speedboat gives you a faster, windier ride, so wear a hat that fits well and keep your sunglasses secure.

The first transfer takes about 20 minutes. That is enough time to enjoy the views, but not enough to settle into a long cruise. The point is to connect the stops efficiently, leaving more of the three-hour outing for exploring and swimming.

Your English-speaking skipper handles the boat and explains the places along the way. Guides named Peter and Marko have been praised for being friendly, professional, and clear. The guide makes a difference here because several stops are brief. You may not get a long lecture, but you should get useful context as you move from one place to the next.

Our Lady of the Rocks and the short visit in Perast

The first major stop is the small islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, located in front of Perast. You have about 20 minutes for a walk and a photo stop.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you a taste of Montenegro’s religious and maritime culture before the more active part of the trip. The islet is famous for its church, which sits above a man-made island built up over time by local sailors. The supplied tour details identify the church entrance fee as €2 per person.

That fee is not included, so bring a little cash if you want to enter. With only 20 minutes, you should decide quickly whether you prefer to visit the church or spend the time looking around outside and taking photographs.

I would not expect a full visit to Perast itself. The boat stops at the islet, not for a long walk through the town. If you want several hours among Perast’s lanes, churches, and waterfront cafés, you need a separate visit. Here, the islet works as a compact cultural stop in a fast-moving day.

The former submarine tunnel

After another 20-minute speedboat ride, you stop at a former submarine tunnel for about 10 minutes. This is one of the more unusual sights on the route.

The tunnel was built into the shoreline for military use, allowing submarines to shelter out of sight. You get a short photo stop and a chance to look into the dark entrance from the water. It is a sharp contrast with the bright church islet and the open sea.

Ten minutes is enough to see the place and take pictures, but it is not a guided museum visit. The value comes from the setting and the story rather than a large collection of exhibits. If you enjoy military sites, industrial remains, and places that still feel tied to their original purpose, this stop may be one of your favorites.

The short stay also helps keep the day moving. You will not spend too long standing in the sun before getting back onto the boat.

Mamula Island and its Austro-Hungarian fortress

The next ride lasts about 15 minutes, followed by a five-minute photo stop at Mamula Island. The island is surrounded by the walls of an old Austro-Hungarian fortress, described as dating from the 14th century and later used as a prison during both World War I and World War II.

Five minutes is very short, so think of Mamula as a passing view rather than a full island visit. You will see the fortress from the boat and have time for photographs. You should not expect to walk through the fort or explore its interior on this three-hour route.

Still, the stop adds useful historical weight to the outing. The day is not only about attractive water and swimming. It also points to the military role of this coast, from submarine shelters to fortified islands and prison walls.

The private format works well for quick stops like this. Your own group can focus on photographs without waiting for a large crowd to board or disembark.

Swimming in the Blue Cave

The final major stop is the Blue Cave, reached after about 10 minutes from Mamula. You get roughly 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

Sunlight enters the cave at an angle that makes the water appear to glow from below. The effect depends on the sun, the water, and the conditions that day, so the color can vary. Still, this is the part of the trip built around action rather than sightseeing from the seat.

The cave has two entrances that boats can use. Your boat takes you close enough to enter the water, and you can swim in the blue-lit pool. Snorkel masks are included, and life jackets are available for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

You should bring your own towel and swimwear. Sunglasses and a sun hat are also useful during the exposed boat rides. Water, juice, and one beer are supplied, but food and extra drinks are not.

The water is described as warm and clear, though swimming in a cave still requires comfort with open water and getting in and out of a boat. This is not a pool with an easy shallow entry. If you are unsure in the water, use the life jacket and follow the skipper’s instructions.

The 25-minute swim period is enough for a memorable dip and some snorkeling, but it is not a long beach session. You may want more time once you are in the water. That is the tradeoff for fitting four separate sights into a compact outing.

What the three-hour schedule really feels like

The official timing adds up to a brisk day:

• About 20 minutes from Kotor to the first stop
• 20 minutes at Our Lady of the Rocks
• About 20 minutes to the submarine tunnel
• 10 minutes at the tunnel
• About 15 minutes to Mamula
• Five minutes at Mamula
• About 10 minutes to the Blue Cave
• 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling
• About 45 minutes back to Kotor

The return ride is the longest boat stretch. After the swim, you have about 45 minutes on the water before arriving back at MontenegroGlobe. That can be relaxing, but it also means the day has a strong transport component.

I would choose this trip if you want variety and a sense of motion. You see several coastal sights, then finish with swimming. I would not choose it if your priority is spending most of the day on a beach or in the water.

The short stops also mean you should keep your belongings organized. Have your phone or camera ready before each stop, and avoid packing anything you cannot secure on a moving boat.

Why the private price can make sense

The price is $335 per group of up to six people. For a full group, that works out to about $56 per person, before the €2 church entrance fee for anyone who chooses to enter.

That is a fairer value for six people than for two. A couple paying the full group rate is paying for privacy, flexibility within the set route, and a dedicated skipper rather than a lower-cost shared boat. Families and small groups who would otherwise need several seats on a crowded excursion may find the arrangement easier.

The price includes the speedboat, skipper, travel insurance, snorkel mask, life jacket, water, juice, and one beer. It does not include food, extra drinks, or the church entrance fee.

I like that basic water equipment is supplied. You do not have to find a mask before the trip, and less confident swimmers have access to life jackets. Still, bring a towel, and bring snacks if you expect to be hungry. The tour does not provide a meal.

The boat is also a practical way to reach the Blue Cave, Mamula, and the submarine tunnel in one outing. Trying to combine those sights independently would require more planning and separate transport.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

This outing suits you if you want an active half-day on the water with several photo stops. It is especially good for:

• A private group of friends or family members
• People who want swimming and snorkeling without giving up historic sights
• Visitors with only a few hours to spare
• Confident swimmers who like quick changes of scene
• Anyone who prefers a speedboat to a slow sightseeing vessel

It is less suitable if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not wheelchair accessible. It is also not recommended for people over 70 according to the tour information.

You should also think about mobility in general. You need to board a speedboat, move around during short stops, and enter the water if you want to swim. The crew supplies a life jacket, but the tour is not designed around long, easy-access visits.

The boat is exposed to weather. Bad weather can cancel the trip, which is sensible for a sea outing but worth remembering when you build your Kotor plans. Do not schedule an important flight, cruise departure, or tight connection immediately after it.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive early at the MontenegroGlobe meeting point. Kotor’s summer traffic can slow the roads, and parking is hard to find. Even if the office is close to your accommodation, allow extra time.

Pack light. Your useful kit is:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Camera
• A little money for the church
• Any food or extra drinks you want

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, so do not plan a private party on the boat. One beer is included, along with water and juice.

Keep your camera protected from spray. The tour description does not specify dry bags, so use a waterproof case or another secure method if your phone matters to you.

The best time for the Blue Cave effect depends on light and weather. The tour cannot promise identical conditions every day, but clear weather gives you the best chance of seeing the water at its brightest. If the forecast looks poor, use the free cancellation option, which allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

You can also reserve now and pay later, useful if you are arranging several parts of a Montenegro trip at once. Check the available starting times before choosing a slot.

My verdict on the guides and service

The strongest practical point is the human side of the trip. Peter and Marko have been singled out for friendly, professional service, and the guide is important when the route includes several brief historical stops.

Clear explanations matter at Our Lady of the Rocks, the submarine tunnel, and Mamula because none of these visits lasts long. A good skipper helps you understand what you are seeing without turning a speedboat outing into a formal lecture.

The supplied drinks and simple snorkel equipment are small touches, but they make the day easier. You can board without arranging every detail yourself. Just remember that the trip remains compact and active, not a fully catered day on the coast.

Should you book this Blue Cave tour?

Book it if you want a private speedboat outing that combines Kotor Bay scenery, short cultural stops, military history, and a swim in the Blue Cave. A full group of up to six gets the best value from the $335 price, and the route covers more ground than a simple swim trip.

Think twice if you want long visits at each sight, a full meal, easy wheelchair access, or several hours of uninterrupted swimming. The itinerary is brisk, the boat ride is exposed, and the Blue Cave swim lasts about 25 minutes.

For a small group with limited time in Kotor, I would choose this as a lively introduction to the coast. Bring swimwear, arrive early, and expect the boat ride itself to be as much a part of the day as the stops.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the MontenegroGlobe agency near Kotor’s port and the Kamelija shopping center.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts three hours.

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 tour guide speaks English.

Is swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The Blue Cave stop includes swimming and snorkeling, and a snorkel mask is provided.

Are life jackets available?

Yes. Life jackets are included, including for people who are not confident swimmers.

Is the church entrance fee included?

No. Entry to the church at Our Lady of the Rocks costs €2 per person and is paid separately.