Group Tour – Blue Cave, Submarine tunnel & Lady of the Rocks 3hrs

The Blue Cave is the star here. Sunlight slipping through an underwater opening turns the sea inside this coastal cave an intense blue, and you may get time to swim through the cool water. The ride there is part of the fun, with Kotor’s stone walls and steep mountain peaks shrinking behind you as the speedboat heads toward the open Adriatic.

I like the mix of natural scenery and military history, especially the Cold War submarine tunnel and the old fortress on Mamula Island. I also like the small-group feel, with groups sometimes limited to 10 people even though the stated maximum is 20. The main caution is the boat ride: a small, fast boat can bounce hard in wind and waves, and late departures may shorten time at the key stops.

Key points at a glance

• Swim inside the Blue Cave: You can enter the sea cave by boat and swim in its clear blue water when conditions allow.
• See a Cold War submarine tunnel: The former naval shelter gives the trip a strong historical edge beyond the usual coastal sightseeing.
• Visit Our Lady of the Rocks: The 20-minute island stop includes time to see the church, while the museum costs an extra €3 per person.
• Cruise past Mamula Island: The former prison fortress adds a haunting military chapter to the journey.
• Enjoy a simple onboard package: Bottled water, cold beer, Coca-Cola, fuel, insurance, fees, and snorkeling equipment are included.
• Expect a brisk 3-hour outing: This is a highlights tour, not a slow coastal cruise with long stays at every stop.

Why this Kotor boat trip works so well

Kotor is best understood from the water. From Park Slobode, the departure point, you quickly get a fresh view of the town’s old stone walls, church towers, and narrow streets. Behind it rise the dramatic mountains around the Bay of Kotor, while small boats sit quietly on the water below.

Then the mood changes. The boat leaves the sheltered inner bay and heads toward the coast near Herceg Novi and the Lustica Peninsula. In a few hours, you move from medieval churches to Cold War naval tunnels, a 19th-century fortress, and a sea cave lit by natural blue light.

That variety gives this trip good value at $36.04 per person. A simple ride to one swimming spot might cost less, but this package combines sightseeing, history, swimming, drinks, fuel, and equipment. You are paying for a fast route that covers several places difficult to connect on your own in a single morning or afternoon.

The tour is also a useful choice if you have only a short time in Kotor. It does not try to cover every corner of the bay. Instead, it gives you a sharp set of highlights and gets you back to the same meeting point after roughly three hours.

Leaving Kotor with mountain views

The first minutes are among the most rewarding. Kotor’s old town looks different from the water, where the defensive walls and pale stone buildings form a compact band at the foot of the mountains.

The speedboat adds energy to the trip. You are not sitting on a large sightseeing vessel moving at a slow, steady pace. You feel the boat pick up speed, and the open views widen as you leave the town behind.

The tradeoff is comfort. One person described the boat as rough at times because it is small, while another family enjoyed the speed and choppy conditions. Your experience depends heavily on the weather and your tolerance for bouncing. If you prefer a calm ride, choose a day with gentle conditions and sit where the skipper advises.

Captains such as Vlado and Tomo have been praised for adding stories, music, photos, and a friendly touch to the outing. The quality of the commentary can shape the experience, since the stops are short and you will rely on the skipper to explain what you are seeing.

The former submarine tunnel near Herceg Novi

The old submarine tunnel is one of the most distinctive stops. Cut into the coast during the Cold War, these narrow naval shelters were built to hide submarines and support military operations.

The boat enters the dark opening, giving you a quick look at a place that feels very different from the sunny bay outside. The stop is listed at about 20 minutes, with no separate admission charge.

This is not a polished museum. Its appeal comes from the stark setting and the chance to see a leftover piece of Montenegro’s military past in its original coastal setting. The tunnel also makes the trip more than a string of pretty views. You get a glimpse of the strategic importance of this entrance to the Bay of Kotor.

Keep your expectations in check. The visit is brief, and the amount of explanation may vary. If you enjoy military sites, listen closely to the skipper and ask questions while the boat is inside. If you mainly want swimming and sunshine, this stop may feel short but still gives the trip useful contrast.

Mamula Island and its fortress

Mamula Island sits near the mouth of the Bay of Kotor. Its round stone fortress was built in the mid-19th century by Austrian General Lazar Mamula, and the site later served as a military prison during World War II.

From the water, the island has a stark, isolated feel. The old walls and scrub-covered slopes make a strong picture against the sea. It is a place best appreciated from the boat on a short outing like this, since the main attraction is the setting and the fortress exterior.

The available timing does not list a separate fixed visit for Mamula Island, so you should not expect a long walk around the fort. The boat may pause for views or pass close enough for photographs. This is one reason the tour feels fast-paced: several major sights are included, but not all receive the same amount of time.

Still, Mamula earns its place. It connects the bright, playful side of the trip with a darker chapter of the coast. You see how a beautiful island could also serve military and prison purposes.

The Blue Cave swimming stop

The Blue Cave, or Plava Špilja, is the payoff for many people. It sits along the Lustica Peninsula near the entrance to the bay and can only be reached by boat.

The cave is roughly 9 meters high and 15 meters wide. Sunlight enters through an opening below the waterline, reflecting upward and giving the interior its famous blue glow. The effect changes with the sun, sea conditions, and the number of boats inside.

The scheduled stop is about 30 minutes, and snorkeling equipment is included. That does not mean you will spend all 30 minutes in the water. Boats may need to wait their turn, and conditions can affect how long swimming is practical. One account described only around 10 minutes of actual swimming, while other outings allowed a more relaxed swim.

I would treat the cave as a swimming and photo stop rather than a long exploration. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes, and keep your phone protected from spray. The boat is small, so moving in and out of the water may require care.

The water can feel cool, but on a hot day the swim is welcome. A cold beer, Coca-Cola, or Coca-Cola Zero is included, and the onboard drinks add a pleasant finish after getting back into the boat. Bottled water is also provided.

Do not assume the Blue Cave will look exactly like a postcard. Bright sunlight, wind, crowds, and sea conditions all affect the color. On a quiet day, the effect can be especially striking. In late October, one outing had the cave almost to itself, with cooler weather and far fewer boats.

Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast

Our Lady of the Rocks is an artificial island near Perast. It was built over time by piling stones into the bay and sinking old and captured ships loaded with rock.

The island is home to a church filled with maritime decoration and religious artwork. You typically have about 20 minutes here, enough to walk across the small island and enter the church if the timing and access line up.

The church is the main reason to step ashore. Inside, nautical images reflect the island’s close relationship with sailors and the bay. The setting is compact, so even a short stop can feel worthwhile.

The museum is not included. Admission costs €3 per person. At this price, you can decide on the spot if the museum interests you, but the outdoor island and church are the central parts of the visit.

Timing matters here. One outing allowed about 25 minutes, while another account described only 10 minutes because of delays earlier in the trip. If you want a proper look inside the church and museum, arrive on time and pay attention to the skipper’s return instructions.

Timing, group size, and the small-boat tradeoff

The tour lasts about three hours, and the maximum group size is 20. In practice, some departures have had no more than 10 people, which makes boarding easier and leaves more room for conversation with the skipper.

A small group also helps at the swimming stop. You are not part of a huge crowd on a large vessel, and the skipper can usually keep the outing more personal. The boat has been described as new and well maintained on some departures.

The same small boat creates the main physical drawback. It can move quickly, but it can also feel rough when the sea turns choppy. This is not the best pick if you need a very smooth ride or dislike open-water speed.

Be at Park Slobode, listed at the location code CQG9+H6W in Kotor, before departure. Punctuality is important. The operator has acknowledged that waiting for late people once caused a delayed start, fuel was needed during one delayed outing, and shortened stops followed. Even when the main sights are still covered, losing 30 minutes from a three-hour tour affects the Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks most.

What is included for $36.04

The price covers more than the boat seat:

• Bottled water
• Cold beer
• Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero
• Snorkeling equipment
• Fuel
• Insurance
• All listed fees and taxes

The only stated extra is the €3 entrance fee for the Our Lady of the Rocks Museum. That makes the tour easy to budget.

At $36.04, I see strong value if you want a compact introduction to the coast. You get four very different settings in one trip, and the fuel and equipment costs are already handled. The value falls if your departure is late, the swim is very short, or the boat changes because too few people have booked.

That last point deserves attention. The operator has previously transferred a small booking to another boat and apologized for the arrangement. If having the named operator, boat, or captain matters to you, confirm the plan before departure. A small company may combine groups when numbers are low.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it for you if you want to see beyond Kotor without giving up a swimming stop. It suits people who like history in small doses, fast boat rides, dramatic coastal views, and a clear three-hour schedule.

Families with older children may enjoy the speed and the chance to swim. One family especially liked the brisk ride on a windy day. Still, you should judge your group’s comfort with waves before booking.

This trip also works well for first-time visitors who want a sample of the bay and outer coast. You see the town from offshore, enter a naval tunnel, view Mamula, swim at the Blue Cave, and visit a remarkable artificial island.

I would choose a different outing if you want long museum visits, a leisurely pace, or guaranteed time inside every location. The schedule is tight, and the skipper has to balance sea conditions, boat traffic, and the needs of the group.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made later are not accepted.

Should you book the Blue Cave and submarine tunnel tour?

Book it if you want a lively, good-value coastal sampler with one strong swimming stop and several unusual sights. The Blue Cave, submarine tunnel, and Our Lady of the Rocks give the trip a useful mix of nature, military history, and local tradition.

Go in with realistic expectations. The ride may be rough, the stops are short, and the schedule can suffer if people arrive late or the operator combines a small booking with another group. Arrive early, pack swimwear and sun protection, and confirm the departure arrangements if you care about the exact boat.

For $36.04, this is an appealing choice for an active half-day from Kotor. It is not a slow cruise. It is a quick, scenic run through some of the bay’s most memorable places.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave and submarine tunnel tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and returns to the meeting point at Park Slobode in Kotor.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Park Slobode in Kotor, listed with the location code CQG9+H6W. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is swimming at the Blue Cave included?

The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment, and the Blue Cave stop allows swimming when conditions permit. The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes, but actual swimming time can vary.

Is entrance to the Our Lady of the Rocks Museum included?

No. Museum admission costs €3 per person. The tour does include the listed stop at Our Lady of the Rocks and its associated fees.

What drinks are included?

Bottled water, cold beer, Coca-Cola, and Coca-Cola Zero are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.