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

The main attraction here is the Blue Cave, reached by speedboat after about 70 minutes on the water. You also get a quick look at Mamula Island, old submarine tunnels, and the unusual man-made island of Our Lady of the Rocks in one compact outing.

I like the wide sweep of the route and the excellent value at $42.41 per person. I also like that the boat ride itself is part of the experience, with mountain-backed villages, open water, and plenty of chances for photos. The tradeoff is simple: three hours is short for this many sights, and the ride can get rough.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Cave swimming stop: Spend about 20 minutes around the glowing cave, with time for photos and, when conditions allow, a swim.
• Fast route from Kotor: The first stretch takes roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes, so expect a brisk boat ride rather than a slow cruise.
• Four sights in one trip: The outing combines Kotor Bay, the Blue Cave, Mamula Island, submarine tunnels, and Our Lady of the Rocks.
• Small-group format: The advertised maximum is 20 people, though boat size and seating can vary.
• Extra church fee: Entry to Our Lady of the Rocks costs €1.50 and is not included.
• Weather matters: Rough water can change the route, swimming plans, or overall comfort.

Why this three-hour boat trip works

This is a sightseeing sampler, not a leisurely day on the coast. You cover a lot of Montenegro by boat, moving from the enclosed waters of Kotor Bay toward the Adriatic entrance, then back toward Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks.

At $42.41, the price is appealing for anyone who wants several major sights without paying for separate boat outings. Bottled water is included, and the tour ends where it starts, which is useful if you are staying in Kotor or visiting by cruise ship.

I would choose this trip for its variety. You get scenery, swimming, military ruins, a famous cave, and a historic church island. I would not choose it if you want long stops, a quiet boat ride, or plenty of time at each site.

The guides and skippers are an important part of the experience. Several outings have featured friendly, entertaining captains who explained the area, played music, took photos, and handled the boat well in choppy water. The quality of spoken explanations can vary, though. One poor experience involved fast, hard-to-understand commentary, while other outings had clear and useful information in English.

The first 70 minutes across Kotor Bay

The trip begins at CQG9+H6W in Kotor. The meeting point is close to the waterfront and public transportation, though the exact pickup area can be a little tricky to spot if you arrive from a cruise tender. Give yourself extra time and check the location carefully before departure.

Once underway, the boat follows the long sweep of Kotor Bay. The water is framed by steep mountains, old fishing villages, stone buildings, and thick green growth. This opening ride is not dead time. It gives you the best sense of how the bay works as a natural harbor and connects the small settlements around its edges.

The speedboat makes the trip practical, but it also affects your comfort. At the front, every wave feels stronger. The middle or rear seats may be easier if you are prone to motion sickness, although the boat and seating arrangement can vary.

Several people have found the ride smooth and exciting when the skipper handled the waves well. Others found sections rough, especially on the open water near the cave. If you like a fast ride, this is part of the fun. If you prefer a calm cruise, bring the right expectations.

The route also makes this a strong choice for cruise passengers. You can see a broad section of the coast and return to the same dock in about three hours. The timing is tight, but it is designed to fit neatly into a port visit.

Entering the Blue Cave near Luštica

After about 1 hour and 10 minutes, the boat reaches the Blue Cave. The cave has two entrances, one wide but low and the other narrow but tall. That unusual shape gives the skipper options when entering, depending on boat traffic and sea conditions.

Inside, sunlight filters through the water and creates the cave’s blue glow. The best photographs come from watching the light on the water and the rock walls rather than simply pointing your camera at the entrance. Your stop is about 20 minutes, so you need to move quickly if you want photos and a swim.

Swimming is possible when the conditions are suitable. You may swim from the boat near the cave or at a nearby cove, depending on the day’s plan. There may be nothing to hold on to, and one account specifically noted that the water was deep and that a float would have helped. Bring swimming ability and confidence into your decision.

The cave can be busy. Boats may arrive close together, and space inside is limited. One practical frustration is that some boats spend only a couple of minutes in the cave before moving out to make room for others. The experience can still be striking, but do not expect a private grotto.

You should also know that swimming support may not be consistent. One complaint described difficulty getting help back up the boat ladder after swimming, while another described the captain as very careful about safety. I would ask about the swimming plan before entering the water, and I would not swim unless you are comfortable getting back aboard independently.

Mamula Island and the old submarine tunnels

Mamula, also called Lastavica, is an uninhabited circular island near the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. It lies between the Prevlaka and Luštica peninsulas, about 6.3 kilometers from Herceg Novi, and measures roughly 200 meters across.

The island is known for its fortress and military past. The tour gives you a look at this stark, isolated place from the water. It is a photo stop and a history lesson rather than a long land visit, so expect to see the island and hear about it without spending much time ashore.

The old submarine tunnels add another unusual sight. These openings were built into the coast so military submarines could be hidden from view. From a small boat, you get a close look into the dark entrances and the rugged shoreline around them.

This portion will appeal to anyone who likes abandoned military sites. It is less important if your main goal is swimming or relaxing. The tour keeps moving, and the amount of time devoted to Mamula and the tunnels is not clearly fixed, so the exact experience can depend on conditions and the skipper’s timing.

Our Lady of the Rocks in 20 minutes

The final major stop is Our Lady of the Rocks, just off Perast. Unlike a natural island, it was built by piling rocks into the bay and sinking old ships loaded with stone. That makes it one of the more unusual places in the Bay of Kotor.

The island is dominated by the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rocks. A small museum is attached, and there is also a gift shop and a navigation light at the western end. You have about 20 minutes here, so you will need to choose between looking around the island, entering the church, and taking photographs.

Church entry costs €1.50 and is not included in the tour price. If you want to see the interior and museum, carry a little cash for this extra. If you prefer not to pay, you can still enjoy the island setting and the views back toward Perast.

I think this is the most culturally distinctive stop, but it is also the easiest to rush. The Blue Cave provides the visual drama; Our Lady of the Rocks provides the human story. Together, they give the trip more variety than a simple swimming excursion.

What the boat ride feels like

This is a speedboat trip, not a large sightseeing vessel. The boat gets you across long stretches quickly, but speed means wind, spray, engine noise, and occasional bumps.

The strongest praise has gone to the captains. Several outings had skippers who handled wake and waves with care, kept the schedule, explained the stops, and helped with photographs. Some added music, which made the ride feel more like a casual coastal outing than a formal lecture.

The experience is not perfectly uniform. One account described a captain who was rude about life jacket use during a swim, and another raised concerns about overcapacity and the captain using a phone while driving. Those are serious complaints, even though they do not match the much larger pattern of positive comments about safety and boat handling.

I would ask directly about swimming rules and life jackets before leaving the dock. Do not assume that a life jacket can be used as a flotation aid during free swimming. Also, follow the skipper’s instructions around the cave, where boats maneuver in tight quarters.

The advertised maximum is 20 people. Some outings have been much smaller, with around eight or nine people, while one account described 13 passengers. The exact boat and group size can affect comfort, personal space, and how quickly everyone gets into the water.

Value at $42.41 per person

The price is strong for a three-hour speedboat route that links several well-known sights. A separate visit to the Blue Cave, a coastal tour, and a trip to Our Lady of the Rocks could easily cost more if booked individually.

The value depends on what you want from the stops. If you want a fast overview and a chance to swim, you are getting a lot for the money. If you want to explore Mamula thoroughly or spend an hour inside the church and museum, the short schedule will feel limiting.

Food and drinks are not included, but the tour provides bottled water. You should eat before departure or bring anything you need, since this is a moving boat trip with no meal stop listed.

The 4.8 rating from 575 reviews and 96 percent recommendation point to a strong overall record. Still, the score should not hide the practical issues: weather, waves, guide clarity, boat traffic, and uneven assistance at the ladder can shape your day.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Want to see several Kotor Bay and Adriatic sights in one morning or afternoon
• Enjoy fast boats and do not mind some bouncing
• Want a short swim near a dramatic cave
• Are visiting Kotor on a cruise and need a tour that returns to the same meeting point
• Like mixing natural scenery with military sites and religious history
• Prefer a good-value sampler over a slow, detailed visit

I would think twice if you:

• Need calm water and a gentle ride
• Are not a confident swimmer
• Want lots of time at each stop
• Dislike crowded cave entrances
• Need highly detailed commentary throughout
• Have mobility concerns about boarding a small boat or climbing a ladder after swimming

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, but the water, boat movement, and ladder are worth considering before you pay.

Weather, cancellations, and useful preparation

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Wear clothes that can handle spray and bring protection from the sun. A waterproof phone pouch is useful for the boat and swim stops. If you plan to swim, bring a towel and be realistic about your ability to get back aboard from the ladder.

The boat may move quickly through open water, and the first section takes more than an hour. This is not a short hop to the cave. The route is one of the reasons the tour offers good value, but it is also why the day can feel intense.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Mamula tour?

Book it if you want a lively, efficient introduction to the coast around Kotor. The combination of Blue Cave, Mamula, submarine tunnels, and Our Lady of the Rocks gives you far more variety than the price suggests, and the boat ride provides some of the finest scenery of the day.

Skip it if you want a relaxed swim day or a detailed cultural tour. The best choice for most people is to treat this as a fast coastal sampler, not a deep visit to every stop. Check the weather, accept that the sea may be choppy, and ask about the swimming plan before boarding.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at CQG9+H6W in Kotor, Montenegro, and finishes back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How long does it take to reach the Blue Cave?

The route to the Blue Cave takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

How much time do you spend at the Blue Cave?

The listed stop at the Blue Cave lasts about 20 minutes.

Can you swim during the tour?

Swimming may be available near the Blue Cave or at a nearby cove, depending on conditions and the day’s route.

Is entry to Our Lady of the Rocks included?

No. Entry to the church costs €1.50 per person and is paid separately.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but bottled water is provided.

How many people can join the tour?

The advertised maximum is 20 participants.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.