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

The best part of this boat trip is the Blue Cave, where clear turquoise water turns the inside of the cave into a bright natural pool. You can swim, snorkel, or simply float while the boat waits nearby. The speedboat ride also gives you a fast, scenic look at the Bay of Kotor that is hard to get from shore.

I like the mix of water time and history. The old submarine tunnels feel secretive, while Mamula Island adds a darker WWII story to the day. I also like that skippers such as Boban and Aljosa handle the boat and explain the sights rather than leaving you with a silent transfer.

The main catch is the weather. Rough seas can change the route, and the Blue Cave may be skipped for safety, as happened on one rainy December outing. You also need to arrive 30 minutes early, since late arrivals may not be accepted.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Cave is the main prize: You get about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling in clear turquoise water.
• The speedboat saves time: You cover several parts of the bay and the open coast without spending the day on a slow boat.
• Our Lady of the Rocks includes a 20-minute island stop: Church and museum entry costs an extra €2 if you choose to go inside.
• The WWII sites add real character: You pass through a former submarine tunnel and see Mamula, once a prison.
• Music is part of the ride: The boat has onboard music, and Boban is especially praised for his song choices.
• The route is weather dependent: Your skipper may replace the Blue Cave or change the order if sea conditions are unsafe.

Why this boat trip works so well in Kotor

Kotor is easiest to understand from the water. The bay narrows and widens in dramatic turns, with steep mountains rising around old stone towns, churches, marinas, and small islands. A boat trip lets you connect these places in one outing instead of piecing them together by car and short walks.

This experience has a good balance. You are not spending the whole day listening to dates and church details, but you are not getting only a fast ride and a swim, either. The route combines Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks, old military tunnels, Mamula Island, Porto Novi Marina, and the Blue Cave.

The modern speedboat is important. It cuts the travel time between stops and gives you a more active ride than a large sightseeing vessel. At the same time, speedboats can feel bumpy and exposed, especially in open water. If you prefer a gentle, quiet cruise, this may not be your ideal outing.

The tour is offered as a private or small-group experience, depending on the option you book. That matters because a smaller boat makes it easier to hear the skipper, move around for photographs, and get into the water without the feel of a crowded excursion.

The fast run past Perast

The route begins from one of the Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor meeting points. The exact point can vary by booking option, so check your confirmation carefully and look for the Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor sign.

From there, the boat heads toward Perast. The ride takes about 20 minutes before the first pass by the town. You get a broad view of its waterfront and old stone buildings from the water, rather than a full walking visit at this stage.

Perast is one of the most attractive places around the bay. Its narrow historic center and baroque buildings sit close to the shore, with the islands of Our Lady of the Rocks and Saint George nearby. The boat gives you a useful first look, but it does not provide a long stop in town on this route.

You later get a panoramic view of Perast near the end of the trip. That final look can be especially useful for photographs, since you see the town from offshore with the full bay behind it. If walking through Perast is a priority, plan a separate visit rather than assuming this boat trip includes one.

Our Lady of the Rocks in 20 minutes

The boat then stops at Our Lady of the Rocks for about 20 minutes. This is the main cultural stop, and it gives you time to walk around the small artificial island and admire the church, surrounding water, and views toward Perast.

The island is one of the Bay of Kotor’s best-known sights. Its church is the visual focus, but the setting is just as important. From the shore, you can look back toward Perast and across to Saint George Island, which is quieter and not generally presented as a walking stop on this tour.

Church and museum entry is optional and costs €2. That small fee is not included, so carry some money if you want to go inside. If you would rather keep the visit outdoors, 20 minutes is enough for a short walk and photographs.

I would treat this as a compact introduction, not a full cultural tour. You will have time to see the setting and decide if the interior interests you, but the stop is short. The skipper can provide context in English, which helps make the brief visit more meaningful.

Inside the former submarine tunnel

After leaving Perast, the boat reaches a former submarine tunnel cut into the cliffs. The listed visit is about 10 minutes, with the tunnel itself sometimes described as a five-minute stop depending on how the schedule is counted.

These tunnels were used during WWII to hide submarines and other military vessels. Entering the dark opening by boat gives the stop a different mood from the sunny island visit. It is not polished or heavily presented. The appeal comes from seeing a piece of military infrastructure that still feels raw and practical.

Your skipper brings the story to life while you look around. The tunnel is not a large museum, and you should not expect a long indoor visit. It is a quick stop, but one with a strong visual payoff, especially if you enjoy old forts, military sites, and places that feel slightly mysterious.

Bring a charged phone for photographs, but be careful with it near the water. The boat moves on fairly quickly, and you may want to take pictures before listening to the explanation.

Mamula Island and its prison past

The next major sight is Mamula Island, reached after another short speedboat ride. The island has a fortress rising from the sea and was once used as a WWII prison. The stop is mainly a photo stop and guided pass by, lasting about five minutes.

That short timing tells you what to expect. You will see the fortress from the water and hear about its past, but this route does not offer a long shore visit. The island is best understood as part of the wider coastal story, linking the bay’s scenic beauty with its military history.

Mamula can feel stark compared with the churches and stone villages earlier in the day. That contrast is one of the route’s strengths. You move from a peaceful island church to a military tunnel and then to a fortress associated with imprisonment.

The skipper’s role matters here. Boban is frequently praised for explaining the history of the sights, while Aljosa is also singled out for his guiding and friendly approach. The exact skipper depends on the day, but the experience is designed around a licensed English-speaking captain who also serves as your guide.

Swimming at the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the highlight for most people booking this trip. You get about 30 minutes in the area for swimming and snorkeling, with masks supplied when available.

The cave gets its color from sunlight entering through the water and reflecting around the rock interior. Conditions can change the effect, so the intensity of the blue is not something anyone can promise. Still, the chance to swim in clear turquoise water inside or around the cave is the most distinctive part of the outing.

You can choose your level of activity. Swim if you want the full experience, use the snorkeling equipment to look beneath the surface, or stay on the boat if you prefer not to enter the water. The provided information also mentions cliff-jumping, but only do that if your skipper confirms the spot is safe and suitable on the day.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and drinking water. Sun protection is also sensible, although it is not specifically listed among the required items. Keep your phone charged for photographs, but use care around salt water and movement on the boat.

Sea conditions matter most here. If the water is rough, the skipper can change the route or replace the stop. One December trip could not reach the Blue Cave because of the weather, even though the rest of the outing went ahead safely. You should book this trip for the overall route, not as a guarantee of one exact swim.

The return ride through Porto Novi

After the Blue Cave, the boat begins the long return toward Kotor. The listed ride takes about an hour, so this is the part of the day when you can settle in, listen to music, and watch the coast pass by.

The route goes by Porto Novi Marina, a luxury seaside resort filled with yachts and modern waterfront buildings. It offers a clear contrast to Perast and the older sites. You see how Montenegro’s coast combines traditional stone towns with newer resort development.

The boat’s music is a recurring part of the experience. Boban is especially praised for his song choices, and other skippers are described as relaxed and friendly. Music makes the long return feel less like a transfer, though you may want to ask if it can be lowered when you want to hear the guide or enjoy the sound of the water.

The speedboat is described as brand new and modern, with fuel, insurance, life jackets, and safety equipment included. A first aid kit is also onboard. Those details do not remove the need to hold on during a fast crossing, but they do make the outing feel better organized.

What the $53 price gets you

At about $53 per person, the value is strongest if you want several sights in one day and would otherwise need separate transport. The price includes the speedboat, fuel, captain, English guidance, insurance, life jackets, snorkeling masks when available, and all listed fees and taxes.

It also includes the main scenic stops: the Blue Cave swimming period, Our Lady of the Rocks, the submarine tunnel, views of Mamula, Perast, Porto Novi, and Saint George Island. The church and museum on Our Lady of the Rocks are the clear extra cost, at €2 if you choose to enter.

The trip can last from 1.5 to 9 hours depending on the option and starting time. That is a wide range, so check the exact departure and duration before paying. A shorter version may be useful if you have limited time, while a longer version gives the route more breathing room.

The value drops if you mainly want a long beach session or a detailed visit to every historic site. Stops are short, and the boat keeps moving. The value rises if you want a lively coastal overview, a swim, several photographs, and enough local history to understand what you are seeing.

Who should book it, and who should skip it

I would recommend this trip to you if you want variety. It suits people who like switching between scenic rides, small cultural sites, military history, and swimming. It is also a practical choice for a first visit to Kotor when you want to see more than the old town and bayfront.

Families with older children may enjoy the speed and water time, though the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Weight restrictions are listed, including a limit of 350 pounds, or 159 kilograms, and another limit of 254 pounds, or 115 kilograms, depending on the booked option. Check your specific booking before reserving.

You should think twice if you need a completely calm ride, have trouble boarding a speedboat, or dislike plans that can change with the sea. The boat is open to the weather, and rough conditions may mean a different route.

Arrive 30 minutes early. Summer traffic can cause delays, but late arrival may mean losing your place without a refund or rescheduling. Bring swimwear, a towel, water, and a charged smartphone. Raincoats are provided if rain arrives during the trip.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if the weather forecast is uncertain, but it does not guarantee that the Blue Cave will be reachable.

My call on the Blue Cave and Kotor boat tour

Book this if you want a fast-moving day that combines the Bay of Kotor’s best-known island, a WWII tunnel, Mamula Fortress, and a memorable swim. The strongest parts are the modern boat, the compact route, and the skippers, with Boban and Aljosa receiving especially warm praise for their handling, stories, and music.

Do not book it expecting a slow historical cruise or a guaranteed Blue Cave visit in poor weather. The stops are brief, the sea can be bumpy, and the route may change. For the price, though, it gives you a lot of coast, history, and water time in one outing, making it a strong choice for active visitors with limited days in Montenegro.

FAQ

How much does the Kotor Blue Cave boat tour cost?

The listed price is $53 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The available options range from 1.5 to 9 hours. Check the available departure times and duration for the option you choose.

Where does the tour start?

There are two listed starting options connected with Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor. The exact meeting point may vary by booking option.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. Late arrivals may not be accepted, and refunds or rescheduling may not be available.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, who is also the licensed skipper.

Is swimming included?

Yes. You get about 30 minutes for swimming in the Blue Cave area, with snorkeling equipment available at no extra charge while supplies last.

Are church and museum tickets included?

No. Entry to the Our Lady of the Rocks church and museum is optional and costs €2.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The skipper may change the route or visit an alternative location for safety. The Blue Cave may not be reachable in poor conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, and a charged smartphone. Raincoats are provided if it rains during the tour.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Weight limits are also listed, with the exact limit depending on the booked option.