From Bay of Kotor: Blue Cave Private Speedboat Tour

The best part of this Kotor excursion is the mix of fast boat rides and real swim stops. You pass Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks, peer into old submarine tunnels, hear the grim story of Mamula Island, then swim in the Blue Cave and relax at Žanjic beach. It packs a lot into half a day without keeping you on the boat the whole time.

I like the private format, since your group can spend more time at places that interest you and move on when it does not. I also like the human touch provided by skippers such as Marko and Nikolai, who explain the sights, handle rougher waves, and can adjust the outing to suit your group. The main consideration is price: $483 covers up to six people, so it is good value for a full group but costly for one or two.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Cave stop includes swimming and snorkeling, with a mask provided.
• Mamula Island has a serious past, including use as a concentration camp during World War II.
• The six-meter cliff jump is optional, and you can choose lunch or a quiet beach break instead.
• A private boat gives your group flexibility, including time to swim, stop for photos, or keep moving.
• The price works best for six people, at about $80.50 each when the boat is full.
• You need to reach the agency near Kamelija shopping center, a short walk from Kotor’s old town and port.

A fast start from Kotor

You meet at the MontenegroGlobe office near Kamelija shopping center. It is only a few minutes from Kotor’s old town and port, but summer traffic can make parking difficult. If you are arriving by car, allow extra time and do not count on finding a nearby space.

Once aboard, the boat heads out across the Bay of Kotor. The first stretch takes about 20 minutes, giving you a quick change from stone lanes and cruise-port activity to open water, mountain views, and small coastal settlements. Music plays during the ride, and drinks, snacks, and Wi-Fi are included.

This is a speedboat tour, not a slow sightseeing cruise. You will cover a good distance in four hours, but the ride can feel lively when the water is rough. One skipper, Nikolai, was praised for handling larger waves well, while Marko was described as especially helpful with families. The boat ride is part of the fun, but anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully about the speed and motion.

Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast

The first major stop is Our Lady of the Rocks, the famous artificial island opposite Perast. You have around 20 minutes here, enough for photographs and a quick look around. You can also pay €2 per person to enter the church museum, or browse the small shops.

The island’s setting is the real draw. It sits in the bay with Perast behind it, and the view from the water explains why this is one of the area’s most photographed places. The stop is short, so do not expect a long museum visit or a full tour of Perast. If you want to see the interior, keep the entry fee ready and use your time carefully.

The private setup helps here. You can tell your skipper if your group would rather take photographs, visit the museum, or simply enjoy the view. The visit is more about a quick introduction than a detailed cultural tour.

Peering into the old submarine tunnels

After another boat ride of about 20 minutes, you stop at the entrances to former submarine tunnels built by the Yugoslav Army. The boat pauses for photographs, with roughly five minutes at the site.

These dark openings cut into the shoreline and make a good contrast with the sunny water and seaside villages. You do not go inside, so think of this as a short photo stop rather than an exploration. The appeal is visual and historical: the tunnels show how the bay was used for military purposes during the Yugoslav period.

The brief timing keeps the day moving. If you enjoy military sites, you may wish this stop lasted longer. Still, a private skipper can give you background as you look, and the stop adds something more substantial than a string of beach visits.

Mamula Island and its difficult past

The boat then takes about 15 minutes to Mamula Island. The stop lasts around 10 minutes and focuses on the Austro-Hungarian fortress that encircles the island.

Mamula has an imposing shape, but its past is not light entertainment. The fortress was used as a concentration camp during World War II. Your skipper explains the island’s history, giving the stop weight beyond its appearance as a picturesque ruin.

Ten minutes is enough for photographs and a short walk, but not enough for a long historical visit. If you want extensive time at the fortress, this tour may feel rushed. If you prefer seeing several important places in one outing, the short stop works well.

I appreciate that Mamula is included alongside the Blue Cave and beach time. It gives the day a useful balance. You are not only racing from one pretty swimming spot to another; you are also seeing how military power shaped the bay.

Swimming inside the Blue Cave

The highlight for many people is the Blue Cave, reached after another 10-minute ride. You get about 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling in the cave’s blue-lit water.

Sunlight entering through the cave creates the unusual color effect. The water is described as crystal clear, and a snorkeling mask is included. This is the moment to bring the camera, though protect it carefully around the water and boat.

The stop is long enough for a swim, but it is not a full beach afternoon. You need to be comfortable getting into the sea from the boat and swimming in open water. The tour is not suited to wheelchair users, and the swimming stops may not suit anyone who is uncomfortable in the water.

The Blue Cave also depends on conditions. The provided details do not promise a particular sea state or visibility, so keep your expectations flexible. On a calm day, this should be one of the most memorable parts of the trip. On a rougher day, the boat ride and getting in and out of the water may take more effort.

Žanjic beach: the best chance to slow down

After the cave, you ride for about 10 minutes to Žanjic beach. You have around 45 minutes here, the longest stop of the tour.

Žanjic is a pebble beach, so bring sturdy footwear if your feet are sensitive. You can swim, sunbathe, take a walk, or get lunch at a local restaurant. This is the least hurried part of the day and gives you time to dry off after the cave.

There is also an optional six-meter cliff jump for anyone seeking a burst of adrenaline. It is not compulsory, and you can choose lunch or a quiet beach break instead. I would treat the jump as an extra choice, not the main reason to book. Six meters is high enough to demand confidence, and you should only do it if you are comfortable with the conditions and the instructions provided on site.

The 45-minute stop is useful, though it may feel short if you want a full meal and a proper beach session. You will need to keep an eye on the time so the group can return to the boat.

What the private boat format changes

A private group can include up to six people. That matters most if you are traveling with family or friends, since the $483 price becomes about $80.50 per person when six people share it. For two people, the same total price is much harder to justify unless you place a high value on privacy.

The private arrangement also gives the day a more personal feel. Past outings have been adjusted around the group’s interests, including decisions about where to spend more time and where to move on. You should not expect unlimited changes, since the route has several planned stops and the tour lasts about four hours, but there is more flexibility than on a large shared boat.

The skipper is an important part of the experience. Marko has been praised for being friendly, funny, and attentive with children. Nikolai has been praised for his communication, boat handling, and willingness to tailor the outing. Your skipper speaks English and provides information about the places you see.

Music is part of the ride. One group enjoyed dancing to music played from the skipper’s phone, while others may prefer conversation and scenery. Since this is a private boat, you can communicate your preferences rather than adapting to a large crowd.

Drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, and what to pack

Drinks and snacks are included, along with free onboard Wi-Fi. That is handy for a half-day on the water, especially if you want to send photographs or stay in touch before returning to Kotor. Lunch is not included, though you can buy it at a local restaurant during the Žanjic stop.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A camera is worthwhile, but keep it secure around the swimming stops. The information also lists a hat separately, so the practical message is simple: protect yourself from the sun. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but you should bring anything else you personally need for the water.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and bikes are not suitable for this outing. The tour is not designed for wheelchair users and is not suitable for people over 95. These limits matter because the boat, beach, swimming, and cliff-jump options all involve movement and access points that may be difficult for some people.

Is $483 a fair price?

The price is easiest to defend when six people share the boat. At $80.50 each, you get private transport, a skipper, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, insurance, several sightseeing stops, and swimming time. You also avoid the fixed pace and larger crowds of a shared excursion.

For three people, the cost is $161 each. For two, it is $241.50 each. At those prices, I would book only if privacy and control matter more to you than finding the cheapest way to see the bay.

The strongest value is not the included snacks or Wi-Fi. It is the combination of places covered in a short time, plus the ability to shape the day around your group. You see Our Lady of the Rocks, the submarine tunnels, Mamula, the Blue Cave, and Žanjic beach without arranging separate transport.

There are tradeoffs. Some stops are very short, the museum costs extra, lunch is not included, and the boat ride may be bumpy. This is a good choice for active sightseeing, not for a slow, quiet cruise.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it most to a group of friends or a family of up to six who want swimming, history, photographs, and speed in one outing. It also suits people staying in Kotor who have only half a day for the bay but still want to reach the Blue Cave and Mamula.

It is less suitable if you want long museum visits, a relaxed beach day, or a detailed walking tour of each site. It is also a poor fit if you dislike fast boats, are uneasy in open water, or need step-free access.

The tour works particularly well for groups with mixed interests. One person can take photographs at Our Lady of the Rocks, another can focus on military history at Mamula, and others can look forward to swimming and the optional cliff jump. The route keeps changing, which helps the four hours pass quickly.

Should you book it?

Book this private speedboat tour if you have six people to share the cost and want a lively half-day with swimming, scenery, and several very different stops. The Blue Cave, Mamula’s fortress, and Žanjic beach give the day more variety than a simple boat ride.

Think twice if you are a couple on a tight budget or want unhurried time at each site. For the right group, though, the combination of flexible pacing, capable English-speaking skippers such as Marko and Nikolai, and a route that reaches the bay’s best-known sights makes the $483 price reasonable.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave private speedboat tour?

The experience lasts about four hours, including the boat rides and stops at Our Lady of the Rocks, the submarine tunnels, Mamula Island, the Blue Cave, and Žanjic beach.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the MontenegroGlobe tour agency near Kamelija shopping center. It is a few minutes from Kotor’s old town and the port of Kotor.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide or skipper.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling mask is included, along with drinks, snacks, boat transport, and travel insurance.

Is the €2 fee for Our Lady of the Rocks included?

No. Entry to the Our Lady of the Rocks museum costs €2 per person and is paid separately.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. You can swim and snorkel at the Blue Cave, and you can swim again at Žanjic beach.

Is the six-meter cliff jump required?

No. The cliff jump at Žanjic beach is optional. You can instead relax on the beach, swim, or have lunch at a local restaurant.