Kotor: Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach Speedboat Tour

Catch the Adriatic at full speed. This four-hour tour mixes a thrilling speedboat ride with Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula Island, the Blue Cave, and Žanjic Beach. I like the open-water views and the chance to swim in clear sea water, but the Blue Cave stop may feel rushed if swimming inside it is your main goal.

I also like the route’s variety. You get a small island, a former submarine tunnel, an old fortress, a sea cave, and a beach in one outing. The tradeoff is pace: with so many stops packed into four hours, you should expect quick visits rather than long, thoughtful sightseeing.

The meeting point near Kamelija shopping center is convenient, just a short walk from Kotor’s old town and port. Guides such as Marko and Andrea have earned warm praise for being friendly and helpful, though the guiding is in English only.

Key points to know before you book

• The Blue Cave stop lasts about 25 minutes: You may swim and use a snorkel mask, but the boat can pass through the cave quickly.
• Žanjic Beach gets the longest break: You have about one hour for swimming, sun, or lunch at a local restaurant.
• Our Lady of the Rocks costs extra: The boat ride includes the stop, but island entry is €2 per person.
• The ride is genuinely lively: An open speedboat bounces over the waves, which is fun but less comfortable than a slow boat.
• The route packs in several sights: Mamula Island and the submarine tunnel are mainly photo stops, not long visits.
• The tour is a good value at $76: Transportation, water, snorkeling equipment, and safety gear are included, but drinks, towels, lunch, and island entry are not.

Leaving Kotor by open speedboat

The tour begins at MontenegroGlobe, near Kamelija shopping center. From the old town or the Port of Kotor, allow only a few minutes on foot, but follow the main road carefully. The boat boarding point is farther along than the meeting point, so arriving early is wise.

Once you are aboard, the first stretch takes about 20 minutes. This is not a sedate harbor cruise. The open speedboat picks up speed, bounces over the water, and gives you broad views across the Bay of Kotor and toward the Adriatic coast.

I like this start because the boat itself is part of the attraction. You feel the wind, hear the engine, and cover ground quickly. The same qualities can bother you if you prefer a quiet ride. Hold on to loose items, wear sunscreen, and keep your sunglasses secure.

A bottle of water and life-saving gear are included. You should bring a towel, since towels are not provided, along with swimwear, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Smoking, bikes, and pets are not allowed.

A short walk on Our Lady of the Rocks

After the first boat ride, you reach Our Lady of the Rocks near Perast. The visit lasts about 20 minutes, giving you time to walk around the small artificial islet and see its church.

The islet is linked to a local story about two residents who discovered an icon of Madonna and the Child here. That icon helped inspire the creation of the island and its church, making this more than a quick photo stop. Even with limited time, the setting gives the tour a useful cultural pause between stretches on the water.

You should keep your expectations realistic. Twenty minutes is enough for a short walk and a look around, not a full church visit or a slow exploration of Perast. Entry to Our Lady of the Rocks is not included and costs €2 per person.

The stop works best if you enjoy small historical sites but do not need a long guided explanation. If the church is your main reason for booking, a separate visit to Perast would give you far more time.

Mamula Island and the old fortress walls

The next ride takes about 30 minutes. It is one of the longer stretches on the route, so you get time to enjoy the speedboat and the changing views across the bay.

Mamula Island appears as a compact fortified islet surrounded by water. Its old Austro-Hungarian fortress gives the place a stark, memorable outline. The tour makes a photo stop and passes by the island, but it does not include a full landing and interior visit.

That distinction matters. You can photograph the walls and hear about the site from the English-speaking guide, but you should not expect a museum visit or a walk through the fortress. The stop is useful as part of the wider route, especially if you enjoy military buildings and coastal history, but it is not a stand-alone attraction during this tour.

The boat then continues for about 10 minutes toward the Blue Cave.

The Blue Cave: beautiful, brief, and worth understanding

The Blue Cave is the tour’s headline stop. Sunlight enters through the water and creates the cave’s famous blue glow. The effect changes with the light and the position of the boat, so the color is the main reason to come.

The boat enters or passes through the cave, then gives you time to swim and use a snorkel mask. The scheduled stop lasts about 25 minutes. You may get into the warm, clear water and look back toward the cave opening, which can be an excellent way to see the blue reflection from the surface.

Here is the key caution: do not assume you will spend the full swimming period inside the cave. One account describes the boat moving through very quickly before anchoring outside for a swim. If you book this tour mainly to swim inside the Blue Cave, that detail could disappoint you.

The safest way to think about the stop is this: you will see the cave from the boat and may swim nearby, but the exact time inside depends on the boat crew, conditions, and the day’s schedule. Ask the guide at the start of the tour how the stop will work.

The included snorkel mask adds value, since you do not need to rent one. Still, bring your own towel and use plenty of sunscreen. If you are not a confident swimmer, use the provided safety gear and follow the guide’s instructions.

Žanjic Beach gives you the breathing room

After the cave, the boat runs for about 10 minutes to Žanjic Beach. This is the longest stop, with roughly one hour for free time.

You can swim again, sit in the sun, or choose lunch at one of the beach restaurants. Lunch is not included, so bring money or a card suitable for the restaurant you choose. The tour does not specify a set meal, which is useful if you would rather spend the time in the water.

I consider this the most flexible part of the day. If the Blue Cave visit feels too short, Žanjic gives you a proper chance to swim. If you have had enough sea time, you can slow down with food or a break on shore.

The beach stop also keeps the tour from becoming a string of rushed photo opportunities. One hour is still not a full beach day, but it gives the schedule a practical center. You can choose your own pace instead of following the group from one viewpoint to the next.

Keep in mind that the tour description gives no detail about whether beach chairs, umbrellas, or other facilities are included. Plan on paying separately for anything you use there.

The submarine tunnel is a quick final sight

On the return route, the speedboat stops for about five minutes at a former submarine tunnel. This is a photo stop rather than a walk inside the structure.

The tunnel is cut into the shore and reflects the area’s military past. From the water, it offers a quick visual change after the sunny beach and bright cave. You will not have time for a long explanation or detailed visit, but it makes the return trip less repetitive.

The final ride back to MontenegroGlobe takes about 30 minutes. By then, you will have spent a good share of the day moving between open water, islands, and beaches. The fast boat makes the route possible within four hours, though it also explains why some stops feel short.

What $76 buys you

At $76 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want several coastal highlights in one outing. The price includes boat transportation, a bottle of water, a snorkel mask, and life-saving gear. You are also paying for the convenience of reaching the Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach, Mamula, and the submarine tunnel without arranging separate transport.

The value is strongest for people with limited time in Kotor. Instead of choosing between a beach trip and a sightseeing cruise, you get both. The speedboat also reaches places that would take longer by slower boat.

The price is less attractive if you want a relaxed day with long visits. Lunch, extra drinks, towels, and the €2 entry fee for Our Lady of the Rocks come out of your pocket. Add the cost of lunch and any beach purchases when you set your budget.

You should also weigh the pace. One person received a shorter tour than the advertised four hours because the operator had another booking, with part of the payment returned. That is not the planned schedule, but it shows why you should confirm the departure and expected return time if your day in Kotor is tightly arranged.

Guides, language, and the feel of the trip

The tour is conducted in English. Guides Marko and Andrea have received especially positive comments for being friendly and helpful, and Andrea was also praised for accompanying the group with music during the outing.

That friendly style suits a speedboat tour. You are not signing up for a long lecture. The guide’s main job is to keep the route moving, point out the major sights, explain the stops, and help with the practical parts of swimming and boarding.

If you need detailed commentary in another language, this is not the right choice. The advertised guiding language is English only. Also, because the tour covers several locations, explanations may be brief rather than highly detailed.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 30 reviews, with strong praise for the guides and the boat outing itself. The main concern is not the route or the scenery. It is the possibility of feeling hurried, especially at the Blue Cave.

Who should book this Kotor boat tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a lively half-day on the water and prefer variety over long visits. It suits first-time visitors who want to see several major coastal sights, active couples, friends, and families with older children who enjoy swimming.

It is also a smart choice if your Kotor schedule is short. Four hours lets you add a sea outing without giving up an entire day. The meeting point near the old town and port makes the tour easy to fit around other plans.

You may want another option if your priority is swimming inside the Blue Cave for a long time. The stop can be brief, and the boat may anchor outside for much of the water time. The tour is also a poor fit for anyone who dislikes bumpy rides, needs wheelchair access, or wants a slow, detailed visit at each site.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 95. Bad weather, heavy rain, or too few bookings can lead to cancellation. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if the weather forecast is uncertain.

My final take on the Blue Cave and Žanjic Beach tour

Book this tour if you want a compact, energetic introduction to Kotor’s sea caves, islands, fortress ruins, and beaches. I especially like the mix of Our Lady of the Rocks, the Blue Cave, and a full hour at Žanjic Beach. The boat ride adds real excitement, and the included mask and water keep the basic cost reasonable.

Go in with the right expectations. This is a fast sightseeing and swimming circuit, not a private cruise or a slow cultural tour. Confirm the Blue Cave swimming plan, arrive early at MontenegroGlobe, bring a towel, and budget separately for lunch and the €2 island entry fee. If you can accept a quick pace, the $76 price is fair for the amount of coastline covered.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at MontenegroGlobe near Kamelija shopping center. It is about a two-minute walk from Kotor’s old town or the Port of Kotor.

How long does the tour last?

The scheduled duration is four hours. The tour may be canceled if bad weather, heavy rain, or an insufficient number of bookings makes the outing impossible.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The live guide language is English.

Is the Blue Cave swimming included?

The tour includes a Blue Cave stop with swimming and snorkeling. The stop is scheduled for about 25 minutes, but the boat may pass through the cave quickly and anchor outside for swimming.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkel mask and life-saving gear are included.

Is lunch at Žanjic Beach included?

No. You can choose to eat at one of the restaurants, but lunch and additional drinks cost extra.

Do I need to pay to enter Our Lady of the Rocks?

Yes. The entry fee is not included and costs €2 per person.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not provided.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.