Blue Cave 3 hours PRIVATE tour with modern speedboat

The best part of this private boat trip is the mix of swimming in the Blue Cave and seeing Kumbor’s old submarine tunnels. You get three hours on the water, a modern speedboat, and a captain who can focus on your group instead of a large crowd. I also like the easy pickup service and the chance to see Perast from the bay rather than only from land.

The main catch is that the Blue Cave can get crowded, especially in high season. The boat ride may also feel lively when the water turns rough, and the tour is not recommended for people over 105 kilograms or those older than 65.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 10: You get the boat and captain to yourself, with room for your own pace and preferences.
• Blue Cave swimming stop: Plan on 20 to 30 minutes for photos and a swim, but bring a swimsuit because swimming is optional.
• Kumbor submarine tunnels: This short five-minute stop offers one of the trip’s most unusual sights.
• Our Lady of the Rocks: You have about 20 minutes on the artificial island, with separate church and museum tickets.
• Flexible pickup: Pickup can be arranged from Kotor Port, Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, and other specified spots along the route.
• Good value for a group: The $480.55 price covers up to 10 people, making the per-person cost much better when the boat is full.

Why this three-hour boat trip works well

Kotor Bay is best understood from the water. Roads around the bay can be slow, while a speedboat gives you a quick view of several coastal places in one outing. You spend less time getting from one stop to the next and more time looking at the bay, taking pictures, or sitting back with the wind in your face.

This is a private activity, so only your group participates. That matters if you want to decide how long to take photographs, how much time to spend swimming, or how much conversation you prefer. The captain is also your main source of information, since a separate tour guide is not included.

The listed price is $480.55 for the whole group, not per person. For two people, that is a costly outing. For five people, it works out to about $96 per person, and with 10 people it is about $48 each. That makes the tour much more attractive for families or groups of friends who want a private boat instead of separate seats on a larger excursion.

The boat uses fuel included in the price, and bottled water is provided. Coffee and water are available at the office before departure. WiFi is advertised as part of the experience, though the inclusion details specifically mention WiFi at the office before the tour, so I would not book this expecting a guaranteed strong connection throughout the ride.

Starting in Kotor with pickup along the bay

The main meeting point is Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor on Njegoševa in Kotor. The tour returns to this same meeting point at the end.

Pickup can also be arranged from the Port of Kotor for cruise ship passengers. If you are staying near the bay, pickup is possible in places such as Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, and Perast, as well as other specified locations along the route. Confirm your exact pickup point when booking, since this is not an automatic door-to-door service from every address.

The tour normally starts from Kotor and follows the coast by speedboat. That gives you an early look at the bay’s steep shores and waterfront settlements before the first main stop. You should arrive ready for the water, with sun protection, a swimsuit, and anything you need for a few hours outside.

A private speedboat is not the same as a slow sightseeing cruise. You may feel spray and movement, particularly when the water is choppy. One captain, Surgeon, was praised for handling rougher waves well, but even a skilled captain cannot make a fast boat completely still. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking sensible precautions before departure.

The Blue Cave: swimming, photos, and crowds

The Blue Cave is the headline stop. The boat spends about 20 to 30 minutes inside or outside the cave for photographs and swimming. Entrance to the cave is included, and swimming is optional.

Bring your swimsuit. You may be asked if you want to swim, and this is the point of the trip where you can get into the water. The time is not unlimited, so think of it as a short swim and photo stop rather than a long beach break.

The cave can be crowded. Several boats may arrive around the same time, particularly during high season, which can make the experience feel less peaceful than the name suggests. You should also expect boat activity near the entrance. One account noted exhaust in the first cave and chose to swim in a farther cave instead, so conditions may affect exactly where you spend your time in the water.

Snorkeling equipment is not provided. Do not assume that gear is included, even if an older description or past expectation suggests otherwise. If you want to look beneath the surface, bring your own equipment, provided it is practical and safe to carry.

The Blue Cave is still a worthwhile stop for people who want a quick swim in an unusual setting. The value comes from combining it with the rest of the bay trip, not from treating it as a full half-day beach outing.

Kumbor’s submarine tunnels in five minutes

The stop at Kumbor is brief, about five minutes, but it may be the most unusual part of the route. The boat goes inside the old submarine tunnel, a purpose-built military shelter cut into the shore.

You will not spend long here, but the short visit gives the trip a sense of place beyond pretty water and viewpoints. The tunnel is a reminder that the bay has long had military importance as well as a maritime life. You see it from the boat and enter the tunnel rather than simply passing the opening at a distance.

This stop is also a good example of why a private speedboat can be useful. The captain can bring your group close, explain what you are seeing, and move on without turning a five-minute sight into a long formal stop. Keep your camera ready because the visit is short.

Our Lady of the Rocks and the view toward Perast

Our Lady of the Rocks is an artificial island built between 1452 and 1722. You have about 20 minutes to explore it, and entrance to the island is included.

The island is small, so 20 minutes is enough for a quick walk, photographs, and a look around. Church and museum tickets are not included, however. If you want to enter those paid areas, budget separately and use part of your limited stop for them.

The island also provides a fine view back toward Perast. From the water, this small historic town looks compact and carefully arranged along the shore. The town is protected by UNESCO, and the boat gives you a clear angle that you do not get from a street-level visit.

Two islands sit near each other in this part of the bay. Our Lady of the Rocks is the artificial island you visit. The other is a peaceful natural island that you see from the boat and from Our Lady of the Rocks, rather than visit directly. That distinction matters if you are hoping to step ashore on both.

The stop is short, so I would focus on one or two priorities. You can explore the island, take in the view of Perast, and consider the church or museum, but you may not have time for a slow visit to everything.

Views of Perast and Herceg Novi from the water

The route also gives you views of Perast and Herceg Novi from the boat. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose a water-based outing instead of visiting only one town by car.

From a speedboat, you see the shape of the bay and the relationship between its villages, islands, and shore facilities. The view changes quickly, so keep your phone or camera handy. A private trip also lets you ask the captain to point out places as you pass, although a formal guide is not included.

The boat ride is not just transportation between stops. It is part of the sightseeing. You get open views of the bay, short passages through coastal areas, and a different sense of scale than you get from Kotor’s old town streets.

The captain and the level of guiding

A professional captain is included, but a separate guide is not. This means your experience depends partly on how much information your captain provides and how many questions you ask.

The strongest praise has gone to captains who explain the sights, handle waves calmly, and adapt to the group. Captain Surgeon was singled out for his explanations and careful handling when the water became rough. Another captain was described as friendly, informative, and considerate of the group’s preferences.

That is useful context when setting expectations. You should expect a boat captain who may provide commentary, not a dedicated cultural guide giving a full lecture at every stop. If detailed history is important to you, ask questions during the ride and check what information will be available on the day.

The private format helps here. You can ask to slow down for photographs or clarify what you are seeing without worrying about a busload of people waiting.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The $480.55 group price includes:

• Fuel
• A professional captain
• Entrance to the Blue Cave
• Entrance to Our Lady of the Rocks
• Bottled water on the boat
• Coffee and water at the office before the tour

The price does not include a separate tour guide, church tickets, or museum tickets. Snorkeling gear is also not provided.

For a full group of 10, the price is strong for a private boat trip lasting about three hours. For a couple, it is a premium experience, and you should compare it with larger shared boat trips if keeping costs low is your main goal. The private boat earns its price through direct pickup options, a smaller setting, and the ability to keep the day focused on your own group.

The trip is also booked well ahead on average, around 36 days in advance. That suggests planning early if your dates are fixed, particularly during the busy season.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this tour if you are traveling with family or friends and want to split the cost of a private boat. It also suits people who want a compact introduction to several parts of Kotor Bay without committing to a full-day excursion.

You should be comfortable with a fast boat, short stops, and some movement on the water. The activity is not recommended for people heavier than 105 kilograms or older than 65. Most people can participate, but the operator’s limits should be taken seriously.

This is a good match for you if you want:

• A swim in the Blue Cave
• A quick look inside a submarine tunnel
• Time on Our Lady of the Rocks
• Views of Perast and Herceg Novi
• Pickup from the cruise port or nearby bay towns
• A private setting with an experienced captain

It is less suitable if you want a long swim, a slow island visit, full museum time, or a formal guide. The Blue Cave may be busy, and the 20-minute island stop does not allow for a leisurely exploration.

Booking, cancellation, and weather details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Canceling less than 24 hours before departure does not qualify for a refund, and changes inside that period are not accepted.

The tour depends on good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can take a different date or receive a full refund. Since the ride is on open water, check the forecast and keep some flexibility if possible.

The activity ends back at the Kotor meeting point. If you are collecting a cruise ship passenger or have a fixed afternoon plan, allow enough time after the advertised three-hour duration for the return and any pickup arrangements.

Should you book the Blue Cave speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a private, fast-paced look at Kotor Bay and have a group large enough to share the cost. The combination of Blue Cave swimming, Kumbor’s submarine tunnel, Our Lady of the Rocks, and views toward Perast gives you a lot in three hours.

I would be realistic about the tradeoffs. The Blue Cave may be crowded, snorkeling equipment is not included, the island stop is short, and church or museum entry costs extra. Still, for a group of friends or a family that values private pickup, a capable captain, and several varied stops, this is a well-balanced way to spend part of a day on the bay.

FAQ

How long is the private Blue Cave tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour is available for a group of up to 10 people.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor on Njegoševa in Kotor, Montenegro.

Does the tour return to Kotor?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point in Kotor.

Is pickup available from the cruise port?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from the Port of Kotor for cruise ship passengers.

Can I be picked up from nearby accommodation?

Yes. Pickup is possible from locations including Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, and Perast, as well as specific places along the route from Kotor.

Is swimming available at the Blue Cave?

Yes. You have about 20 to 30 minutes at or around the Blue Cave for photographs and swimming. Swimming is optional.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not provided.

Are church and museum tickets included at Our Lady of the Rocks?

No. Entrance to the island is included, but church and museum tickets are separate.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather.