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

The best part of this tour is its mix of fast open-water cruising and easygoing swim time. You move from Kotor to Our Lady of the Rocks, an old submarine tunnel, Mamula Island, and the Blue Cave without spending your day on a crowded large boat.

I like the private format, which lets your group enjoy the water at its own pace, and I like the practical extras: masks, life jackets, water, juice, and one beer are included. The main drawback is the short three-hour schedule. With several stops and a long return ride, the Blue Cave swim is limited to about 25 minutes.

• A private boat for up to six people gives your group room to enjoy the ride without strangers.
• Our Lady of the Rocks adds a cultural stop before the swimming begins.
• The former submarine tunnel offers one of the tour’s most unusual photo stops.
• Mamula Island brings old military history into the open-water route.
• The Blue Cave includes about 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling in clear, sunlit water.
• Peter and Marko are among the named skippers, with English guiding and a friendly approach.

A Three-Hour Route That Packs In A Lot

This is a brisk boat outing rather than a slow day on the bay. You meet MontenegroGlobe near Kotor’s Port and the Kamelija shopping center, then board a speedboat for a route that combines churches, fortifications, military tunnels, and a natural swimming stop.

The price is $335 per private group of up to six. That works out to about $56 per person if you fill all six places, which is fair for a private boat, skipper, and several stops. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, but you also avoid sharing the boat with a larger crowd.

I would choose this trip if you want to see several parts of the Bay of Kotor and reach the open sea in one outing. I would not choose it if your top priority is a long, unhurried afternoon in the water. The schedule gives you variety, but not much spare time.

Leaving Kotor By Speedboat

The first ride takes about 20 minutes. A speedboat makes the trip feel more like an outing than a transfer. You get open views, sea air, and a quicker way to cover the distance between Kotor, Perast, and the outer bay.

That speed comes with a tradeoff. You should expect wind, spray, and sun, so sunglasses and a hat are useful. Bring swimwear and a towel, even if you are mainly interested in the sightseeing stops. The boat provides water, juice, one beer, snorkel masks, and life jackets, but food and extra drinks are not included.

The meeting point is easy to find near the port, but arriving on time matters. Summer traffic in Kotor can be heavy, and parking can be difficult. If you have a car, allow extra time. The operator advises arriving at the meeting point promptly.

Our Lady Of The Rocks And Perast

After roughly 20 minutes, the boat reaches the small islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, just in front of Perast. You get about 20 minutes here for a visit and photo stop.

This is the cultural heart of the trip. The church gives the day a useful change of pace before the faster boat rides and swimming. You can walk around the islet and take in the setting across the water, with the old town of Perast nearby.

Entry to the church costs an extra €2 per person. That is a small charge, but it is worth knowing before you arrive because it is not part of the tour price. The stop is short, so you should not expect a long guided visit or much time to linger.

I like having this visit at the start. It keeps the tour from becoming only a boat-and-swim excursion. If churches and local history are not your priority, the stop may feel brief, but the islet still gives you a strong early photo opportunity.

The Former Submarine Tunnel

The next speedboat ride lasts about 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute photo stop at a former submarine tunnel. This is one of the more distinctive parts of the route because it is not a polished attraction. It is an old military site built into the coast, with a dark entrance that once sheltered submarines.

You do not get a long exploration period here. Think of it as a quick look and camera stop from the boat. The value is in seeing a piece of the bay’s military past in its original setting, rather than visiting another formal museum.

The tunnel also breaks up the journey nicely. After the church and coastal ride, you get a short stop with a completely different mood. The site may appeal most to anyone interested in military history, unusual architecture, or places that feel slightly off the standard sightseeing path.

Mamula Island And Its Austro-Hungarian Fortress

From the submarine tunnel, the boat continues for about 15 minutes to Mamula Island. You get approximately five minutes for a photo stop.

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 the First and Second World Wars. The setting gives the stop a strong historical edge, but the short timing limits what you can do there.

You should not plan on a full island visit. This is a look from the water, a few photographs, and a quick sense of the fortress walls. I would have liked more time here, especially because the prison history gives Mamula more weight than a simple scenic stop.

Still, the brief visit works within this tour’s purpose. You see another side of the bay, then move on to the water activity that most people are waiting for.

Swimming In The Blue Cave

After about 10 minutes by speedboat, you reach the Blue Cave. The stop allows roughly 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

The cave has two entrances accessible by boat. Sunlight enters at the right angle and reflects through the water, making the surface appear to glow from below. The effect depends on light and conditions, so the color and brightness can vary, but the setting is designed for entering the water rather than simply looking at the cave from the boat.

You can swim from the boat and use the provided snorkel masks to see beneath the surface. Life jackets are available for less confident swimmers. That makes the stop more approachable, though you should still be comfortable getting into open water and climbing back aboard.

The water is described as warm and clear, and the cave is part of a wider Blue Lagoon Bay setting. You get a chance to bathe in the blue light, float, and cool off after the boat ride.

The 25-minute limit is the biggest practical point here. It is enough for a swim and some snorkeling, but it will pass quickly if your group is changing clothes, taking photographs, and sharing equipment. Put your swimwear on before the tour, keep your towel close, and be ready when the boat reaches the cave.

The itinerary describes the swimming area as about 300 square meters. That helps explain why the experience feels intimate rather than like a wide beach visit. You are using a small natural space accessed by boat, not spending hours on a broad shore.

The Long Ride Back To Kotor

The return ride takes about 45 minutes, making it the longest single leg of the trip. By this point, you will have completed the sightseeing stops and swim, so the journey back gives you time to sit, watch the coast, and let the day settle.

This is also where the speedboat format matters most. You cover a fair amount of water in three hours, but the ride can feel exposed if the sea is rough or the weather changes. The tour is cancelled in bad weather, and that is a sensible rule for a route involving open water and a small boat.

The boat provides basic drinks, but you should bring your own sun protection and towel. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted. Extra drinks and food are not included, so eat beforehand or plan another meal after returning to Kotor.

What The Private Format Is Really Worth

A private group for up to six is the strongest value point. You are not sharing the boat with a large crowd, and the outing suits families, couples traveling together, or a small group of friends who want control over their time.

The private setup does not turn this into a fully flexible charter. The route and stop lengths are still set, and the day lasts three hours. But it gives you a more personal setting for the boat ride and lets your group enjoy the swimming stop without the feel of a large excursion.

The English-speaking skipper handles the route and provides explanations at the sights. Peter and Marko are two named skippers associated with the experience. Peter is described as friendly and helpful, while Marko is praised for clear explanations and a good mix of sightseeing and action. The best-known strengths of the guiding style are friendliness, professionalism, and easy-to-understand information.

The tour has a perfect five-star score from 13 ratings, with especially strong comments about the skippers, the Blue Cave, the clear water, and the balance between sightseeing and activity. That does not remove the tour’s limits, but it points to a consistent experience rather than a one-off success.

Who Should Book This Boat Tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want several memorable stops in one compact outing. It suits people who enjoy a little history but do not want to spend the whole day indoors. It also works well for a group that wants a private boat and a proper chance to swim.

It is a good match for:

• Small groups of up to six
• Couples who want a private setting
• Families with older children who can manage a speedboat and open-water swim
• People who want photos, history, and water time in one trip
• Confident swimmers and beginners who are comfortable using a life jacket

It is less suitable for wheelchair users and people over 70, according to the activity information. The boat, short stops, boarding arrangements, and swim access may also be tiring for anyone with limited mobility.

I would also think twice if you dislike speed, wind, or a tightly timed schedule. The trip is built around movement, not lingering. You may enjoy the quick pace, but you should not expect a quiet cruise with long visits at every site.

Small Details That Make The Day Easier

Wear your swimwear from the start if possible. The Blue Cave stop is short, and changing after arrival wastes valuable water time.

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, towel, camera, and swimwear. The operator supplies a snorkel mask and life jacket, plus water, juice, and one beer. Food and other drinks are your responsibility.

Arrive early at MontenegroGlobe near the Port of Kotor and Kamelija shopping center. Summer traffic can make even a short drive slow, while parking is limited.

Keep your camera secure on the boat. The open sea, wind, and spray are part of the fun, but they are not friendly to loose belongings.

The tour can be cancelled in bad weather, and you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your plans depend on the weather.

Should You Book The Blue Cave Tour?

Book this tour if you want a private, active half-day outing with a strong mix of scenery, local sites, and swimming. The combination of Our Lady of the Rocks, the submarine tunnel, Mamula, and the Blue Cave gives you more variety than a simple beach trip.

The value is best when six people share the $335 group price. For a smaller party, the private setting may still justify the cost, especially if avoiding a crowded boat matters to you.

Skip it if you want extended time at the Blue Cave, a full visit to Mamula Island, or a slow look around Perast. The three-hour format is efficient and fun, but it is also tightly packed. For the right group, that is exactly the appeal: a fast ride, unusual stops, a clear-water swim, and a return to Kotor before the day gets away from you.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including the boat rides, sightseeing stops, swimming, and snorkeling.

How many people can join the private group?

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

Where does the tour start?

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

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The Blue Cave stop includes swimming and snorkeling for about 25 minutes.

Are snorkel masks and life jackets provided?

Yes. A snorkel mask and life jacket are included. Life jackets are available for people who are not confident swimmers.

Is entry to the church at Our Lady of the Rocks included?

No. Entry costs an additional €2 per person.

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.