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

The open sea is the real attraction here. This private three-hour speedboat trip packs Kotor Bay views, Our Lady of the Rocks, an old submarine tunnel, Mamula Island, and a swim in the Blue Cave into one lively outing. I like the mix of sightseeing and water time, and I like that your group gets its own boat rather than sharing the ride with strangers.

The guide handles the boat, provides water, juice, one beer, masks, and life jackets, which keeps the outing simple. The main consideration is pace: you cover several places in only three hours, so most stops are short. The tour is also weather-dependent, not suitable for wheelchair users, and not recommended for people over 70.

The essential points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six people: The $335 group price makes the most sense when shared by several friends or family members.
• Swimming is a central part of the trip: You get about 25 minutes at the Blue Cave, with masks and life jackets available.
• The route mixes culture and scenery: You visit Our Lady of the Rocks, an abandoned submarine base, Mamula Island, and the Blue Lagoon.
• Expect a fast-moving outing: Around 110 minutes are spent traveling between stops, leaving limited time ashore.
• The meeting point is near Kotor’s port: MontenegroGlobe is close to the Kamelija shopping center, but summer traffic can make arrival and parking difficult.
• The strongest praise goes to the boat crews: Peter and Marco are named as friendly, professional guides who explain the sights clearly.

Leaving Kotor by speedboat

The tour begins at the MontenegroGlobe agency near the Port of Kotor and Kamelija shopping center. You should arrive on time, especially in summer, when traffic around Kotor can be heavy and parking can be hard to find. That practical warning matters more than it sounds. A late arrival can cut into a short three-hour trip.

Once aboard, the first ride lasts about 20 minutes. The speedboat gives you a quick change from Kotor’s stone lanes and crowded waterfront to open water, mountain views, and the broad sweep of the bay. You will feel the wind and may get some spray, so sunglasses and a hat are useful, though you will want to hold onto both.

This is a private group tour for as many as six people. That setup is valuable if you are traveling with family or friends and want to control the mood of the boat. You can also ask the English-speaking guide questions as you go, rather than trying to follow a crowded group.

The tradeoff is comfort. A speedboat is exciting, but it is not the calmest way to travel. If you prefer a slow cruise with plenty of time to sit quietly, this will feel brisk. If you want to combine sightseeing with a bit of action, the pace works well.

Our Lady of the Rocks and a short cultural stop

After the first boat ride, you reach the small islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, in front of Perast. You have about 20 minutes for a visit and photos. The islet is famous for its church, which gives this otherwise water-focused trip a useful cultural pause.

You can walk around the small site and take in the setting from the water. The church entrance costs an additional 2 euros per person, so bring a little cash if you want to go inside. That fee is not included in the tour price.

Twenty minutes is enough for a quick look, but not for a leisurely visit. I would think of this as an introduction rather than a full church tour. The boat ride and setting are a large part of the appeal, while the stop gives you a chance to stretch your legs before returning to the water.

The visit also helps break up the swimming portions. This is not simply a beach trip. You get a look at one of the bay’s best-known cultural sites before heading out toward the coast and the Blue Cave.

Inside the former submarine tunnel

The next speedboat ride takes about 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute photo stop at a former submarine tunnel. This is one of the more unusual parts of the route because it is less polished than the famous church and cave.

The tunnel was built for submarines, and the boat stops so you can see the entrance and take photos. You should not expect a long indoor visit or an elaborate museum experience. The value is in seeing a piece of military infrastructure tucked into the rocky coast.

This short stop gives the route some historical texture without turning the outing into a formal history tour. If you enjoy old coastal defenses and places with a slightly eerie feel, you will probably appreciate it. If your main goal is swimming, ten minutes is enough and keeps the boat moving.

The short duration is typical of this experience. You will see several notable places, but the guide is not giving you an hour at each one. Bring a camera, as the tunnel is primarily a sightseeing and photo stop.

A quick look at Mamula Island

From the submarine tunnel, the boat continues for roughly 15 minutes to Mamula Island. The listed stop is about five minutes, so you mainly view the island and its fortress from the boat rather than taking an extended walk ashore.

Mamula is surrounded by the walls of an old Austro-Hungarian fortress dating from the 14th century, and it was used as a prison during both the First and Second World Wars. That history gives the island a serious edge. It is not just another scenic rock in the bay.

The brief stop is enough to take photos and hear an explanation from the guide. It is not enough to explore the fortress in detail. I would treat Mamula as a memorable sight along the route, not as a separate island visit.

This is also where the speedboat makes sense. You can approach the island, view the fortifications from the water, and continue without spending much of your limited tour time on transport or walking. The drawback is simple: anyone hoping to go ashore will find this stop too short.

Swimming in the Blue Cave and Blue Lagoon

The main water stop comes next, after another 10-minute ride. You spend about 25 minutes at the Blue Cave, described here as part of the Blue Lagoon area. The cave has two entrances that boats can use, and sunlight enters at an angle that makes the water appear to glow from below.

The effect depends on the light and the conditions, so you should not expect the same color at every moment. Still, the combination of rock, clear water, and reflected blue light is the visual centerpiece of the trip.

You can swim from the boat, use a snorkeling mask, and look beneath the surface. The water is described as warm and clear, and the Blue Lagoon is presented as a quieter place to relax away from city crowds. A life jacket is available if you are not a confident swimmer.

Twenty-five minutes gives you enough time to get in, swim, take photos, and enjoy the water. It is not a full beach afternoon. If swimming is your priority, you may wish the tour spent longer here. If you want a compact outing that also covers several sights, the timing is reasonable.

You should bring your own swimsuit and towel. Masks are supplied, along with water, juice, and one beer. Additional drinks and food are not included, so eat beforehand and bring only what the operator allows. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted on the tour.

How the three hours are divided

The advertised duration is three hours, and the schedule uses much of that time on the water. The listed boat rides add up to about 110 minutes:

• 20 minutes from Kotor to Our Lady of the Rocks
• 20 minutes to the submarine tunnel
• 15 minutes to Mamula Island
• 10 minutes to the Blue Cave
• 45 minutes back to Kotor

The stops add another hour, though the timing at Mamula is only five minutes. That makes the outing efficient, but not slow. You get a broad view of the bay and nearby coast rather than a detailed visit to each location.

I like this structure for a first look at the area. In a single morning or afternoon, you see a church, military sites, a fortress, and a cave. You also get a proper swim rather than merely passing scenic water from the boat.

The long 45-minute return is worth keeping in mind. After the Blue Cave, you will have a substantial ride back to Kotor. It is a good time to enjoy the views, dry off, and let the boat do the work. It can feel long if the sea is rough or if you expected the swimming stop to finish the tour immediately.

Guides, service, and the private format

The most praised part of the experience is the crew. Peter is described as friendly and well informed, while Marco is praised for being professional, welcoming, and an excellent host. Explanations are given in English and are reported to be clear and easy to follow.

That matters because this route includes places that benefit from context. The submarine tunnel and Mamula are more interesting when you understand their military use. Our Lady of the Rocks also feels more meaningful when you know why the islet and church are there.

The private format gives the outing a more personal feel. Your group can focus on swimming, sightseeing, or photos without waiting for a large crowd. It also makes the $335 price easier to judge. If six people share the cost, it comes to about $56 per person before any church entrance fee. For four people, it is about $84 each. For only two people, the price becomes much harder to justify.

The included refreshments are modest but useful. Water and juice are included, along with one beer. Food is not included, and additional drinks cost extra. I would treat these provisions as a convenience, not as a meal.

Is $335 good value?

The price works best for a full private group. Six people sharing $335 receive a private speedboat, skipper, insurance, drinks, masks, and life jackets for three hours. That is a fair arrangement if you value privacy and want to combine several stops in one trip.

The value is weaker for a very small group. Two people would be paying a high per-person rate for a fairly short outing, even though the private boat and personalized service remain attractive. Before booking, count your group and divide the total rather than looking only at the headline price.

You also need to account for the 2-euro church entrance if you plan to enter Our Lady of the Rocks. Food and extra drinks are additional, so the tour is not an all-inclusive day on the water.

The strongest value comes from the variety. A slower outing might give you more time at one beach or island, but this trip covers several different sights and includes a proper swim. I would choose it for a small group that wants a lively sampler of the bay and nearby coast.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who enjoy swimming, quick sightseeing stops, and a little speed. It suits people who want to see several places without arranging separate transport.

It is also a good match for visitors with only a short amount of time in Kotor. In three hours, you can reach sights that are spread across the bay and coast, then return to the city the same day.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fast boats, need long visits at historic sites, or want a full day at the beach. The schedule is active, and the stops are brief. People with limited mobility should also note that the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The age restriction is explicit: it is not suitable for people over 70. Bad weather can cancel the tour, so keep your plans flexible and check conditions before setting out.

Practical preparation for the boat

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and a camera. Wear clothing that can handle wind and spray. You will want easy access to your towel after the Blue Cave stop.

Arrive at MontenegroGlobe on time. The office is near the Port of Kotor and Kamelija shopping center, but summer traffic may slow you down and parking may be limited. If you are driving, allow extra time rather than cutting it close.

The tour includes travel insurance, a skipper, water, juice, one beer, snorkeling masks, and life jackets. It does not include food, extra drinks, or the church entrance fee. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a private, energetic half-day on the water with a strong mix of history, scenery, and swimming. The Blue Cave is the main reward, while Our Lady of the Rocks, the submarine tunnel, and Mamula keep the ride from feeling like a simple beach transfer.

I would book it for four to six people, when the price becomes much more reasonable. I would skip it if you need a slow cultural tour, a long beach stay, wheelchair access, or a fully predictable schedule in poor weather. For the right group, the compact route and friendly crew make this a very appealing way to see more of the Kotor coast.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the MontenegroGlobe agency near the Port of Kotor and Kamelija shopping center.

How long is the tour?

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

How many people can join the private boat?

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

What languages are available?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is swimming included?

Yes. You have about 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling at the Blue Cave and Blue Lagoon area.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included.

Are life jackets available?

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

Is the church entrance included?

No. Entry to the church at Our Lady of the Rocks costs 2 euros per person.

What refreshments are included?

The tour includes water, juice, and one beer. Food and additional drinks are not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour is cancelled in bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.