Blue cave, Mamula island, Submarine tunnels and Our lady of the Rocks (3h)

This is an intense little tour loop in the Boka Kotorska bay. The ride starts with a long stretch along the Bay of Kotor coast, then pivots to the Blue Cave for bright water, photos, and swim time. It also throws in the tense, offbeat atmosphere of Mamula Island and the famous church on Our Lady of the Rocks.

I love the way the crew keeps the pace moving while still giving you enough time to actually enjoy each stop. I also like the value here, especially with bottled water included and an English-speaking guide on board. The main drawback to plan for is the time between sights, plus the fact that the boat can be choppy on the open water.

If you want smooth, slow sightseeing, this one may feel rushed. And if you are picky about language clarity, some explanations can come fast. One more practical note: the church on Our Lady of the Rocks has a small extra entrance fee.

Key things I’d highlight before you go

• Blue Cave has two entrances (wide and low on one side, narrow and tall on the other), which makes for great photo angles.
• You get swim time near the caves, so bring what you need to get in and back out comfortably.
• Mamula Island (Lastavica) is tiny, uninhabited, and very close to the entrance of the bay, so it feels dramatic even without walking.
• Our Lady of the Rocks is the big draw in Perast, including the main church and attached museum, with a low ticket cost.
• Max 20 people helps keep the group from feeling like a crowd.
• Weather matters, and the operator will either move you or refund if it cannot run safely.

Kotor Bay Speedboat: the view-heavy start (and why it feels long)

Your tour begins back at the dock area in Kotor, with the meeting point listed as CQG9+H6W. From there, you head out across Kotor Bay, which is exactly the kind of coastline that makes a speedboat feel worth it. You’ll pass ancient fishermen villages, green slopes, and a mix of natural scenery and built features that line the water.

The schedule has a longer stretch before the first big payoff. You reach the Blue Cave after about 1 hour and 10 minutes, so be ready for a travel segment that is mostly about views and getting oriented, not nonstop sightseeing.

This is where I think the tour’s format actually makes sense for many visitors. You get one long, cinematic stretch through the bay first, instead of hopping between micro-stops. If you’re prone to getting uncomfortable on fast boats, consider sitting where you feel most stable, because water can get rough.

Blue Cave: two entrances, boat access, and the swim-photo window

The Blue Cave is the star stop, and it is easy to see why. It can be approached through two cave openings: one entrance is very wide but low, while the other is narrow and very tall. That shape difference is not just trivia, it changes how the light hits the water and how you can frame photos.

You access the cave by boat, and you’ll get around 20 minutes at the stop. Admission for the Blue Cave is free, so you pay nothing extra to reach the water-side viewpoint by boat. This is a good moment to bring your camera settings for bright water. The cave is popular for photo safari above and under the sea, which means you’ll see people trying different angles quickly.

Most tours also build in water time around the cave. In practice, you should expect time to swim near the caves, sometimes with the chance to snorkel. That’s a major reason the Blue Cave stop is so highly rated: you are not only looking at a sight, you’re using it.

Practical cave note: boat traffic can be heavy in this area at times. Keep your expectations realistic about how long you’ll have perfect, quiet conditions for photos. Also, you’ll be climbing back onto the boat when you’re done, so take care near ladders or steps and move slowly until you have good footing.

Mamula Island (Lastavica): an uninhabited islet with a fortress vibe

Next up is Mamula Island, also known as Lastavica. It’s an uninhabited islet in the Adriatic Sea within the Herceg Novi municipality, sitting near the entrance to Boka Kotorska bay, between the Prevlaka and Luštica peninsulas.

This island is small and circular, about 200 meters in diameter, and roughly 6.3 km from Herceg Novi. Because it’s uninhabited, you don’t come here for a stroll through amenities. You come for atmosphere, scale, and the way the water and island setting make it feel like a standout moment in an otherwise packed half day.

Even without much time on land, this stop can work well for cruise-day travelers or anyone who wants varied scenery without a long hike. The drawback is simple: with a short stop window, you’ll need to take your photos fast and focus on the view you have from the boat.

Submarine tunnels: a quick wartime look from the water

Your tour title includes submarine tunnels, and that’s usually what you’ll experience here: a viewpoint from the boat, not a guided walking tour. Expect this as a shorter, informational segment compared to the Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks.

This is still valuable because it adds a different type of local story to the day. Instead of just scenery and swimming, you get a glimpse at the bay’s strategic past. If you like your travel with a mix of nature plus human history, this stop helps balance the itinerary.

The tradeoff is time. If your priority is maximum water time or maximum time near caves, this segment is probably the least physically engaging part of the trip. But it does add variety without turning the tour into an all-day commitment.

Our Lady of the Rocks near Perast: the church, the museum, and a small ticket

The final major stop is Our Lady of the Rocks, known in Serbian as Gospa od Škrpjela. It’s one of two islets off the coast of Perast in Bay of Kotor, with Sveti Đorđe Island as the companion site.

This is an artificial island. It was created by building up rocks and sinking old seized ships loaded with rocks. The main church of the island is the largest building there, and it has a museum attached. There’s also a small gift shop near the church, plus a navigation light at the western end of the islet.

Here’s the one extra cost to plan for: entrance to the church is 1.5 euros. That’s not a lot, but it matters if you’re trying to keep total spending tight.

This stop is usually the most “slow down and look” moment of the tour. You’re on land, you can wander around the church area, and you can take in the view of Perast from the water side. It’s a strong finale because the setting is both sculptural (the island itself) and calm compared with the speedboat motion.

Value and pacing: what $42.41 gets you in real time

At $42.41 per person for about 3 hours, the value depends on what you want most: scenery, water time, or landmark time. For a short trip out of Kotor, this one hits a lot of major stops without requiring a long private transfer or extra boat changes.

Bottled water is included, which is a small but appreciated comfort on a boat day. Blue Cave admission is free too. The church has a low 1.5 euro fee, so your main “extras” are minor.

The timing is the key balancing act. You’ll spend a chunk of time traveling across the bay, then you get shorter bursts at each highlight: Blue Cave around 20 minutes, Our Lady of the Rocks around 20 minutes, plus the Mamula and submarine tunnels segments. The upside is that it feels jam-packed in a good way. The downside is that you cannot expect long, unhurried wandering at any one spot.

Boat ride comfort: rough water, seating, and getting back on board

Many people rate this tour highly because the captain handles the ride confidently. You’ll also find plenty of mentions that the ride can get choppy at times. That’s especially true when you’re heading out to the cave area.

A simple tip from the way people describe the experience: if you want less bouncing, don’t assume the front seat is best. Some folks said the ride is very fast and bumpy, so your comfort may depend on where you sit.

Also plan for actual time in the water. When you swim near the caves, you’ll likely climb back on from a ladder. One reviewer mentioned it was difficult without assistance, so go slow and make it easy on yourself. Bring practical swim gear and consider something with grip if you have to step back aboard wet.

Rain can happen, and some tours handle it with rain gear. If weather turns gray, ask the crew what they’re providing and how it affects the timing. The experience is weather-dependent, so if it cannot run safely, you should expect alternative dates or a refund.

Guides, language, and the difference between 3 hours and 3 hours

English is offered on this tour, and guides can be both friendly and prepared. Some people specifically highlighted a skipper named Andrej for being engaging and knowledgeable, with clear explanations and a lively approach during the boat ride.

That said, one practical caution: not every onboard explanation may land perfectly, especially if you’re trying to follow fast-paced talking while the boat is moving. If you care a lot about the fine details of each stop, treat the guide’s stories as bonus context, not the only way to enjoy the sites.

Also notice that the vibe can be a mix of sightseeing and fun. Some skippers play music during the ride, which can make the day feel lighter, not like a lecture. For many visitors, that’s part of why the experience feels memorable even when time is tight.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This is a great choice if you want a short, high-impact boat day. It suits couples, friends, and families with older kids who can handle a speedboat ride and a quick swim. It also works well if you’re on a cruise and want to see a lot in a limited window.

You might want to consider a different style of tour if you:

• strongly prefer slow pacing or long visits on land
• get very uncomfortable in choppy water
• expect lots of time inside each stop, especially at the Blue Cave
• need heavy assistance for stairs or ladders when reboarding

If you do book it, I’d treat it as an active sightseeing loop. Your reward is the combination: cave light, island views, a historic church setting, and a wartime sidelight, all in about three hours.

Should you book this Blue Cave, Mamula, submarine tunnels, and Our Lady of the Rocks speedboat?

Yes, you should book it if your priorities are the water views and the chance to swim near the cave. The pricing is strong for a three-stop, boat-based circuit, and the overall satisfaction points to smooth operation and genuinely fun guiding.

I’d hesitate only if your top goal is extended time at a single location. This tour is built for variety and momentum, not lingering. If that format sounds good, you’ll likely love it. If you want calm, slow, and unhurried, look for a different day trip style that gives you more time at fewer places.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 3 hours.

What does the tour cost and what is included?

The price is $42.41 per person, and bottled water is included.

Is there an extra fee for Our Lady of the Rocks?

Yes. Entrance fee to the church is 1.5 euros.

Is Blue Cave admission included?

Blue Cave admission is listed as free.

What language is the tour in?

English is offered, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What is the meeting point?

The meeting point is listed as CQG9+H6W, Kotor, Montenegro, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.