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

Kotor’s Blue Cave day is interesting because it mixes fast, open-sea speedboat time with short, focused sightseeing stops, then gives you real water time in the sunlit bay area. You get that wind-in-your-hair feeling early, and then you slow down just enough to enjoy the water.

I especially like the snorkel-and-swim window because it is built into the schedule, with a mask and life jacket provided for comfort. I also like the tour style, with guides such as Peter and Marko who keep things friendly and straightforward, so you feel oriented without being talked at the whole time.

One consideration: this outing cancels in bad weather, and it is not a good fit if you need wheelchair access or if you’re over 70. Add in Kotor summer traffic and you’ll want to arrive on time at the meeting point, not five minutes late.

Key points at a glance

• Private speedboat time for up to 6 people, so the day feels flexible and personal
• Blue Cave swim and snorkeling with masks plus life jackets for less-confident swimmers
• Perast stop at Our Lady of the Rocks with a short visit and photo time
• Mamula Island photo stop inside the dramatic fortress story around the bay
• Former submarine tunnel/photo stop for a quick wartime glimpse from the water
• 3 hours total, fast enough to see a lot, short enough to still feel relaxed

Private speedboat from Kotor to the Blue Cave, why it feels like the best kind of busy

This tour works because it is not one long bus ride with a few photos and a hard-sell souvenir stop. You start on a speedboat and keep moving along the Bay of Kotor coastline, then you hit the highlights in a way that feels efficient, not rushed.

You also get a good mix of views and physical time. The boat gives you wide angles over the water, while the Blue Cave stop gives you a chance to actually get in and experience the light and clear water up close.

The “private group” format matters more than it sounds. When you are not sharing the boat with strangers, the pace feels more natural, and you can enjoy the quiet moments too, like when the water is calm enough to look at your surroundings instead of watching waves the whole time.

Price and value: what $335 per group up to 6 really buys you

At $335 per group (up to 6), the math comes out best if you have a couple of friends or you’re traveling as a small family. The big value piece is that you are not paying per person for the boat itself. You split the cost across the group and you still get a private experience.

What is included is also practical. You get a speedboat tour with a skipper, travel insurance, water, juice, and one beer per group, plus a snorkel mask and a life jacket. That makes the Blue Cave time feel more “ready to go” because you are not hunting for gear at the last minute.

Things that cost extra are minimal. The entrance to the church Lady of the Rock is listed as 2 euro per person, so you can plan for that without any surprises.

If you like action that still has structure, the schedule is a good match. Three hours lets you see Perast, the nearby submarine stop, and the Mamula Island area, then you still spend real time swimming and snorkeling.

Meeting point at MontenegroGlobe near Port of Kotor, and the time-saver mindset

You meet at MontenegroGlobe near the Port of Kotor and the shopping center Kamelija. In summer, the area around Kotor can get heavy with traffic, and parking can be annoying. So I suggest treating the meeting time like it is earlier than you think.

Aim to arrive when you are supposed to, not just close. The tour is short, and once you miss the start window, you do not want your whole day to unravel.

Also, do yourself a favor: have your swim gear ready. The tour includes a snorkel mask and life jacket, but you still need to bring what lets you use that time well.

Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast: a quick stop that actually matters

Your day typically starts with a speedboat run, then you reach the islet area in front of Perast for Our Lady of the Rocks. You get a photo stop and a short visit, with about 20 minutes on the islet.

This stop is worth it because it gives you a change of pace from open water. You get the historic church setting and the classic coastal view angles that make this part of Montenegro so memorable.

One detail to plan for: the church entrance is not included, and it is 2 euro per person. If you want to go inside, keep a little cash or be ready to pay for it on-site.

The time is short by design. If you love slow museum-style visits, this tour is not that. But if you want a taste that pairs beautifully with the boat ride, the timing makes sense.

Wartime stories from the water: former submarine tunnel and Mamula Island photos

After Perast, you move along the bay with another couple of brief stops that add texture to the trip.

One is a photo stop connected to the former submarine tunnel in Kotor. It is not a long guided lecture, but it gives you a real sense of how this coastline was used in the past. Coming at it from the water keeps it visual and quick, which suits a 3-hour tour.

Then you get a stop for Mamula Island. You will see it from the bay area, with a photo stop that takes only a few minutes. Even so, it is the kind of place that makes people lean forward, because it is tied to fortress walls in the Austro-Hungarian era and used as a prison during both world wars.

The practical trade-off is obvious: you do not go deep on details here. You get a snapshot. But when you pair it with the Blue Cave swim later, the day stays balanced instead of turning into pure sightseeing.

Blue Lagoon Bay and the Blue Cave: swim time that you can feel in your body

This is the centerpiece, and for good reason. The Blue Cave area has two entrances that boats can access, and the name comes from the way sunlight refracts at just the right angle. The result is that the water can look like it is shining from below.

You get swimming and snorkeling time here, around 25 minutes. That duration is key. It is long enough to put on your mask, test the water, and see how the light looks from in-water, but short enough that the skipper can keep the day on schedule.

I like the approach of recommending swimming from the boat and using snorkeling masks for a better view. Since masks are provided, you are not stuck with one of those half-working souvenirs you bought last week.

For people who are not totally confident in open-water swimming, life jackets are provided. That takes the edge off, so you can focus on the water instead of your nerves.

One more reality check: the cave and bay are weather dependent. If conditions are rough, the tour cancels rather than pushing forward, and that is the responsible call for a water-focused experience.

What you bring, what you wear, and what you should avoid

For a smooth day on the water, pack the listed basics:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Camera

You do not need to overthink it. The tour is only three hours, and most of your use of that gear happens during the swim stop.

Also note the clear rule on what is not allowed. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which helps keep the boat experience safer and calmer.

In terms of footwear and walking, you will do some steps around Perast and the islet area, but the main part of the day is on a boat and in the water. So choose what matches that reality.

Pacing and guide quality, from Peter’s friendly style to Marko’s smooth professionalism

The best part of this kind of tour is when the guide keeps momentum without turning it into a race. The pacing here tends to work because each stop is time-limited and purposeful: photo moments, quick visits, then the water time that people come for.

The guide quality also seems to be a consistent highlight. One person praised Peter as friendly and with a style that makes the experience feel easy. Another credited Marko for being super professional, with explanations that were clear and understandable. A separate mention called Marco an excellent host.

That matters because it changes your perception of the stops. Instead of just looking at places and guessing what you’re seeing, you get just enough context to make the submarine-related stop and the Mamula Island story feel more than a random photo.

The office side helps too. People note the agency location is easy to find near the port area, and staff are helpful when you check in.

Who this tour fits best, and who should choose something else

This is a strong match if you want:

• A private group speedboat feel without planning a whole day yourself
• A real water break with snorkel masks and life jackets
• Short sightseeing stops that complement, rather than replace, the swim

It is not a fit if you need wheelchair access, and it is also listed as not suitable for people over 70.

If your top priority is long stays on land, this will feel tight. But if your priority is the water and you enjoy moving through the bay with a few well-chosen stops, you’ll probably love the format.

Should you book the Kotor private speedboat to the Blue Cave?

I think you should book if your dream day includes time in clear water, you like the idea of a private boat up to 6 people, and you’re happy with short visits rather than long museum-style pacing. The value improves when you split the cost among a small group, and the included snorkel mask plus life jacket make the Blue Cave stop easier to enjoy.

Skip it if you are traveling at a time when weather is unpredictable and you cannot be flexible. Also, if accessibility is a concern, this one is not set up for wheelchair use.

If you want a practical rule of thumb, here it is: if you will actually use the swim and snorkeling time, this tour delivers. If you’re mainly hoping for a land-based day in town, you might prefer a different kind of Kotor tour.

FAQ

How long is the Kotor private speedboat tour to the Blue Cave?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

How many people is this private tour for?

It is a private group and the price is for up to 6 people.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at the MontenegroGlobe agency near the Port of Kotor and the shopping center Kamelija.

Is snorkeling equipment included for the Blue Cave?

Yes. A snorkel mask is included, and life jackets are provided if you want extra support.

How much is the church entrance at Lady of the Rock?

The entrance to the church Lady of the Rock costs 2 euro per person and is not included in the tour price.

What should I bring for the tour?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and a camera.

What happens if the weather is bad, and can I cancel?

The tour will be cancelled in case of bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.