Kotor: Blue Cave & Our Lady of The Rocks & Submarine Base

The best part of this Kotor boat trip is the Blue Cave, where you can swim and snorkel in clear turquoise water beneath the rocky coast. You also get a fine mix of scenery and history: Our Lady of the Rocks, old submarine tunnels, and Mamula Island, a former WWII prison.

I like the brand-new speedboat and the chance to move quickly between very different stops. I also like that the skipper is more than a driver. Boban and Aljosa receive special praise for safe handling, good music, friendly company, and clear explanations.

The main catch is the pace. This is a brisk ride with plenty of open-water time, and rough seas can force a route change. If you want a slow, quiet cruise or have trouble with boat motion, this may not be your best day out.

Key points to know before boarding

• Blue Cave swimming: You get about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, or cliff-jumping when sea conditions allow.
• Fast, modern transport: The new speedboat cuts down travel time but can feel lively on open water.
• History with a view: See WWII submarine tunnels and Mamula Island, once used as a prison.
• Two island visits: Spend about 20 minutes at Our Lady of the Rocks, with the church and museum available for an optional €2 fee.
• Skipper-led experience: English-speaking captains such as Boban and Aljosa combine local stories with music and practical boat handling.
• Value at $53: Fuel, taxes, insurance, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and the main stops are included.

Why the Blue Cave is the main event

The Blue Cave gives this trip its strongest sense of fun. After the boat enters the area, you have roughly 30 minutes to get into the water, use the supplied snorkeling mask if available, and enjoy the bright turquoise color created inside the cave.

You can swim or snorkel, and cliff-jumping is also offered. The exact choice depends on your comfort and the conditions. Bring a swimsuit, towel, water, and a charged phone. You may request photos from the captain, but it is worth protecting your phone from spray and keeping your own picture-taking simple while you are aboard.

The water stop is short enough to keep the day moving, so do not expect a long beach session. It works best as a lively break after the historical stops and fast ride across the bay. If swimming is your top reason for booking, check the sea forecast and accept that the cave may be replaced by another location if conditions are unsafe.

Leaving Kotor by speedboat

The tour begins at one of two Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor points, depending on the option you book. Look for the Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor sign and arrive 30 minutes early. Summer traffic around Kotor can be slow, and late arrivals may not be accommodated.

The ride begins with about 20 minutes on the speedboat. This is not a sedate harbor cruise. You will feel the boat pick up speed, see the steep sides of the Bay of Kotor open around you, and get broad views from the water rather than from a crowded road.

The modern boat is one of the practical strengths here. It includes fuel, safety equipment, a first aid kit, and life jackets. The ride can still be bumpy, especially in rough water, so sit where you feel most comfortable and keep a firm grip when the boat accelerates.

Music is part of the mood. Boban receives particular praise for song choices, while Aljosa is noted for his warm, easy manner. That makes the trip feel more like a social outing than a formal history lecture, although the skipper still supplies facts about the places you pass.

Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks

The first major stop is the small town of Perast, which you pass before reaching the island of Our Lady of the Rocks. Perast is known for its old stone buildings, baroque architecture, and position along the Bay of Kotor. You do not get a long town visit here, but the panoramic view from the boat gives you a useful introduction.

Our Lady of the Rocks receives about 20 minutes. The island is artificial, and its church is the main landmark. You can take a short walk, enjoy views across the bay, and choose to enter the church and museum if you want more context.

The museum ticket is optional and costs €2. It is not included, so carry a little cash or confirm the payment method before you go. With only 20 minutes, you will need to keep the visit focused. This is a photo and orientation stop rather than a long cultural tour.

From the water, the island makes a strong picture because it sits apart from the shore, with the mountains rising behind it. Saint George Island is nearby. The tour provides a peaceful view of it, but the schedule does not describe a landing there.

Inside the former submarine tunnels

After another 25-minute speedboat ride, the group reaches one of the most unusual stops: a former submarine tunnel cut into the cliffs. The tunnel was built for military use during WWII and is tucked into the coast, away from the main tourist sights.

The visit lasts about 10 minutes, with some descriptions listing five minutes inside. Either way, think of this as a short look rather than a full museum visit. The skipper brings the setting to life with stories about its use, but the tunnel itself remains stark and atmospheric.

This stop matters because it breaks up the pretty scenery. Kotor Bay is famous for churches, stone towns, and mountains. The submarine base shows a more secret and practical side of the coast. It also gives you a reason to pay attention to the cliffs, since important sites here are not always obvious from the main channel.

Lighting and footing may be less polished than at a regular attraction. Stay with the group, watch your step, and use care if the surface is wet. People with mobility impairments may find this stop and the boat access difficult.

Mamula Island and its prison fortress

The boat then heads toward Mamula Island, with about 15 minutes of travel followed by a five-minute photo stop and guided look. The island is marked by a round fortress rising from the sea. It was once a WWII prison, and the site is linked with grim stories, including the claim that no prisoner escaped.

You mainly see Mamula from the water. The time is enough for photographs and a short explanation, not a long exploration of the fortress. That distinction is important if you expect to walk around the entire island.

Mamula adds weight to the day. The Blue Cave is bright and playful, while the submarine tunnel and fortress point to the bay’s military past. I like this balance because the trip does not reduce Montenegro to pretty water and postcard views.

The surrounding sea also provides one of the trip’s best wide shots. Keep your phone ready as the boat approaches, but do not count on a long, perfectly still photography session. The captain controls the timing and position of the boat, and sea conditions can affect the stop.

Porto Novi, Perast, and the return ride

On the route, the speedboat passes Porto Novi Marina, a luxury seaside resort filled with yachts. It is a brief cruise-by rather than a stop, but it adds a modern contrast to the older islands and military sites.

Perast appears again as a panoramic view near the end of the journey. From the water, you can appreciate its compact shape, old buildings, and baroque character without spending extra time on shore. This is useful if you want to see several parts of the bay in one outing, though it will not replace a proper walking visit to Perast.

The return to Kotor takes about an hour by speedboat. That final stretch can feel long if the water is choppy, but it also gives you one last chance to watch the bay from the water. The tour ends at one of the same Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor locations used for departure.

The total duration is advertised as anywhere from 1.5 to 9 hours, depending on the option and schedule. Check the exact start time and length before paying. The supplied stop times add up to a brisk outing, while weather, boat type, and the chosen departure option may create a longer day.

What the $53 price really covers

At $53 per person, the price is strong for a boat trip that includes several major stops and a dedicated swimming break. You are paying for the speedboat, fuel, skipper, insurance, taxes, life jackets, and snorkeling equipment, subject to availability.

The price also saves you from arranging separate transport to the islands, the submarine tunnel, and the Blue Cave area. That matters in Kotor, where road traffic can slow movement around the bay and many sights are easier to understand from the water.

There are two small extra-cost points to remember. The €2 church and museum entry at Our Lady of the Rocks is optional, and any personal food or drinks are not listed among the inclusions. The tour does include photos on request, so ask the captain rather than assuming a photographer is assigned to the boat.

A 4.9 rating from 936 ratings signals very strong satisfaction, with especially high marks for the boat, captains, music, and sense of safety. I would still treat the price as best for an active sightseeing day, not a luxury yacht charter. Private and small-group options are available, but the exact price and format depend on the option you select.

The captains shape the day

The captain can make or break a speedboat trip. Boban is repeatedly singled out for friendly conversation, safe driving, historical explanations, and music. Aljosa is also praised for a professional approach and a warm personality.

That combination is useful because the ride has no fixed indoor presentation. Your skipper is your guide, safety lead, and main source of local context. A good captain can turn a short stop at a tunnel or fortress into a memorable part of the trip.

The boat crew is also expected to follow safety rules. Life jackets are provided, and one account describes feeling safe even in rainy weather. Still, you should tell the crew if you are uneasy on fast boats or want help boarding.

Music gets unusual attention here. If you enjoy a lively soundtrack and a relaxed social mood, it will add to the experience. If you prefer silence for taking photographs or listening to the water, the music may feel like a minor distraction.

Practical details that affect your choice

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. Water and a charged smartphone are also listed as essentials. A light raincoat is not necessary to pack for the tour if rain is forecast, since raincoats are provided in wet weather.

The boat has free snorkeling masks, but they are subject to availability. If snorkeling matters to you, bringing your own mask gives you more certainty. The Blue Cave swimming time is about 30 minutes, so you will not need a full beach bag.

This is not a good fit for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Weight restrictions are listed at both 115 kilograms and 159 kilograms in the booking information, so confirm the limit for your selected boat before reserving. That inconsistency is worth checking directly.

English is the stated tour language. Private or small-group choices are available, and the tour may offer skip-the-line access where applicable. The main flexibility is the reserve-now, pay-later option and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

Weather is the key uncertainty. If the sea is rough, the operator can change the route and visit an alternative location. That may mean missing the Blue Cave, as happened on one December outing, but the boat and guide can still provide a worthwhile bay tour. Do not book this if the Blue Cave is the only part you care about.

Who should book this Kotor boat trip?

I would choose this for a first visit to Kotor when you want a broad sample of the bay in one day. It suits swimmers, photographers, couples, families with older children, and anyone who likes a bit of speed mixed with short history stops.

It also works well for people staying in Kotor who do not want to arrange several separate boat rides. The route links Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks, the submarine tunnel, Mamula, Porto Novi, and the Blue Cave area in one package.

I would hesitate if you want long time ashore, detailed museum visits, or a quiet sailing experience. The stops are compact, the boat moves quickly, and open-water conditions can be rough. People with limited mobility should also choose a more accessible shore-based outing.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want the Blue Cave plus Kotor Bay history at a reasonable price, and you are happy with a fast, social ride. The new speedboat, included equipment, strong safety comments, and captains such as Boban and Aljosa add real value.

Before booking, check the exact duration, meeting point, weight limit, and weather forecast. If you can accept a changed route when the sea turns rough, this is an efficient and enjoyable way to see Montenegro from the water.

FAQ

How much does the Kotor Blue Cave boat tour cost?

The listed price is $53 per person. Fuel, insurance, taxes, boat transport, life jackets, and snorkeling equipment are included.

How long does the tour take?

Available options range from 1.5 to 9 hours. Check the selected departure option for the exact duration and start time.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The Blue Cave area includes about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, or cliff-jumping when conditions permit.

Is entry to Our Lady of the Rocks included?

The island visit is included, but entry to the church and museum is optional and costs €2.

What happens if the sea is rough?

For safety, the operator may change the route and visit an alternative location. The Blue Cave may not be available in poor conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, and a charged smartphone. Snorkeling masks are provided subject to availability, and raincoats are supplied if it rains.