From Kotor: Boat to Blue Cave & Lady of the Rocks &Submarine Base

The Blue Cave is the star here: a sea cave where sunlight can turn the water an intense, glowing blue. The trip also packs in Our Lady of the Rocks, Perast, submarine tunnels, and Mamula Fortress, giving you a quick look at several sides of the Bay of Kotor.

I like the fast boat, the chance to swim in clear coastal water, and the unusual visit to a former submarine tunnel. I also like the price, about $32.53 per person, which is reasonable for three hours on the water. The main catch is crowding, rough seas, and the fact that access to the Blue Cave can be impossible in poor conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Cave takes about 45 to 60 minutes to reach, so the ride out is a major part of the experience.
• Swimming inside the cave is not guaranteed, and many departures use a nearby swimming spot instead.
• The submarine tunnel is a quick but memorable stop, with the boat entering the old military structure.
• Our Lady of the Rocks is a small man-made island, and 20 minutes is enough for a quick visit.
• Boats can feel crowded, with reports of roughly 11 to 16 people aboard, depending on the departure.
• Cruise ship passengers need a generous time cushion, since the boat leaves on schedule and late arrivals may miss it.

What this Kotor boat tour really offers

This is not a relaxed sightseeing cruise with long talks and wide decks. It is a fast, three-hour outing that uses speed to cover several places around the Bay of Kotor and the open water beyond it.

You meet at Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor near Park Slobode in Kotor. The exact meeting area can be busy, with several companies and boats operating nearby, so I would arrive 30 minutes early even though some visitors find 15 minutes sufficient. Look for the company representative and confirm the boat before boarding.

The trip is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket. The listed maximum for the activity is 80 people, but the individual boat experience is the more important detail. Departures described by passengers have ranged from about 11 to 16 people, and one company response states a licensed capacity of 14 including the captain. Ask about the boat size if personal space matters to you.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 1,104 ratings, with 97 percent recommending it. That is a strong signal, but it does not erase the practical warnings: the ride may be bumpy, commentary may be light, and the Blue Cave can be crowded or closed to entry.

The long, fast run to the Blue Cave

The ride to the Blue Cave can take about 45 minutes each way, depending on conditions and traffic. Inside the Bay of Kotor, the mountains and old coastal settlements provide a fine backdrop. Once the boat reaches open water, the ride usually becomes faster and rougher.

A speedboat makes the journey exciting, but it also means spray, wind, and a lot of bouncing. Sit securely, hold onto your belongings, and bring sunscreen. A light jacket is sensible even on a warm day, especially in May or during the return ride.

The boat may slow near the cave entrance while the captain checks the waves and traffic. The cave opens directly to the sea, so conditions can change quickly. After rain, high water, or strong waves, the boat may not be able to enter safely. This is not a minor technicality. Several departures have been unable to go inside at all.

When entry works, the cave can be the visual high point of the trip. Sunlight passing through the opening gives the water a blue glow, and the enclosed space makes the color feel almost unreal. The stop is short, often around 30 minutes in the planned schedule, and actual time inside can be much less when several boats are waiting.

Swimming inside the cave should not be treated as guaranteed. Some departures allow only a brief look before moving out, while others use a nearby swimming area. The alternative can still be beautiful, but it changes the character of the trip. If your main goal is swimming inside the Blue Cave, you are taking a gamble.

Swimming near the cave, not always inside it

When the cave is too busy or unsafe, the captain may stop nearby for swimming and snorkeling. This gives you about 10 to 20 minutes in the water on some departures.

The water is one of the tour’s strongest pleasures. Several families and couples have enjoyed the swimming stop, and children aged 7 and 13 were able to take part on one outing. Still, boats may be moving nearby, and crowded summer conditions can make snorkeling feel less relaxed.

Do not assume that every person will receive a full set of snorkeling equipment. One account described too few goggles for everyone who wanted to swim. I would bring your own mask if you have one, and ask before departure what equipment is available.

The boat ladder also deserves care. One passenger reported cutting a hand while climbing aboard, so use both hands and take your time, even if everyone else is hurrying. Life jackets and safety procedures should be clear before you enter the water. If you do not receive basic instructions, ask the captain directly.

The submarine tunnel is the tour’s unusual highlight

The former submarine tunnel is one of the most distinctive stops. The boat heads into a narrow opening in the mountain, allowing you to see the tunnel from inside rather than simply passing its entrance.

The structure was built for military use, and its dark interior feels stark after the bright open water. It is not a long stop, usually about 10 minutes, but it gives the tour a sense of place that another swim stop would not.

The amount of explanation can vary. Captains including Boben have been praised for keeping the trip safe and punctual, while other departures have had little spoken information about the sites. A recorded guide may be used for some information, particularly with mixed-language groups. If you care about military history, ask the captain for more context while you are inside.

Even with limited narration, the tunnel is easy to appreciate. You are looking at a practical wartime structure hidden in the mountain, approached by boat at speed. It is a quick stop, but not a generic photo pause.

Our Lady of the Rocks and the short visit to Perast

Our Lady of the Rocks is a man-made island opposite Perast. Its church and local legends make it one of the most recognizable sights in the bay.

The planned stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a quick look around the island and church area, though you may find that 10 minutes is sufficient if you are not visiting every part available. The island is small, and it can feel crowded when several boats arrive together.

The stop is paired with a cruise past or near Perast, a compact old town known for Baroque buildings, historic palazzos, Catholic churches, and defensive towers. Perast has one principal street and a concentrated collection of old buildings, making it easy to appreciate from the water even on a tight schedule.

This is not a full Perast walking tour. You should think of it as a brief introduction from the boat and a visit to the nearby island. If you want time for museums, cafés, or a slow look at the town, arrange a separate visit.

Mamula Fortress from the water

The boat makes a short stop around Mamula Fortress, usually about 10 minutes. The fortress occupies an island at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and was once used as a prison.

You will view it from the boat rather than spend a long period ashore. The captain may share stories about the island and its past, but the depth of the commentary varies by departure.

Mamula works best as part of the wider route. On its own, ten minutes is not enough for a detailed historical visit. Alongside the Blue Cave and submarine tunnel, however, it adds another layer to the trip: natural scenery, old religious sites, military engineering, and a former prison island all in one morning or afternoon.

The boat ride is fun, but comfort is not guaranteed

The speedboat is a major part of the appeal. A capable captain can make the ride thrilling, and several families and groups have praised captains for handling waves and traffic well. The fast return to Kotor also helps fit the trip into a busy day.

The same speed creates the biggest comfort problem. Open water can be choppy, especially beyond the shelter of the bay, and hundreds of boats may be using the same route during peak periods. If you have back problems, motion sensitivity, or simply prefer smooth cruising, this may not be the right format.

Boat space also varies. Some departures feel full but manageable, while others have been described as overcrowded, with too little room to turn around or take photographs. A private boat costs more, but it is worth considering if comfort, space, and flexible timing matter more than keeping the price low.

Basic extras are not always consistent. Water is not advertised as included, and one departure required an unexpected refueling stop. Bring drinking water, sunscreen, and anything you need for a few hours in sun and spray.

Commentary depends heavily on the captain

The tour is sold as an English-language experience, but that does not promise a long running narration. Some captains offer useful explanations, while others focus mainly on driving and provide only brief remarks at the stops.

This is important because the trip moves quickly. You may see the submarine tunnel, Mamula Fortress, Perast, and Our Lady of the Rocks without learning much about why each place matters unless you ask questions.

Names mentioned in connection with especially well-liked departures include Captain Boben. Aki has also been identified as an owner or guide, though the actual captain can change. I would treat the names as examples, not a guarantee.

If you want a history-focused outing, ask at check-in how much live commentary will be provided. If your priority is scenery, swimming, and speed, limited narration may not bother you.

Price, timing, and the cruise ship warning

At about $32.53 per person, the tour offers good value when the Blue Cave is accessible and the boat runs smoothly. You are covering a considerable stretch of coast in roughly three hours, with several distinct stops included.

The value drops if bad weather prevents cave entry, the boat loses time at a fuel station, or crowding leaves you uncomfortable. The tour still provides a boat ride and other sights, but the Blue Cave is the reason most people consider booking it.

Cruise ship passengers need special care. Kotor is a tender port, and getting from a ship to shore can take much longer than expected. The operator does not hold the boat for late arrivals, and missed departures may not be refunded. The stated cancellation rule allows a full refund only when you cancel at least 24 hours before departure.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, choose a departure with a wide time cushion. Do not book a tour that begins soon after the ship is due to reach port. A ship delay, tender queue, or medical emergency can leave you with no practical way to reach the meeting point on time.

The tour ends back at the starting point in Kotor. Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate, though the speedboat ride and ladder access require reasonable mobility.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would choose this tour if you want to see many sights quickly, enjoy a lively ride, and like the idea of swimming in open coastal water. Families with older children, active couples, and cruise visitors with plenty of spare time can get good value from it.

I would think twice if you need a calm boat, a quiet ride, detailed history, or guaranteed cave swimming. A private boat is a better fit for anyone who dislikes crowded seating or wants more control over the route.

Weather is the deciding factor. Since the Blue Cave can be inaccessible after rain or in rough seas, check conditions close to departure if possible. The operator offers a different date or a full refund when the entire experience is canceled because of poor weather, but that does not necessarily mean you can cancel simply because the cave is unsafe to enter while the rest of the trip continues.

Should you book it?

Book this tour for the combination of speed, scenery, swimming, and unusual stops. The submarine tunnel and Mamula Fortress give it more variety than a simple Blue Cave outing, while Our Lady of the Rocks adds a famous cultural stop.

I would book only with realistic expectations. You may spend nearly an hour reaching the cave, share the boat with a lively group, receive only brief commentary, and swim outside the cave instead of inside it. For about $32.53, that is a fair deal on a calm, well-run day. It is not the best choice for a slow, polished, highly guided cruise.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Cave boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours, including travel time between Kotor and the stops.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor near Park Slobode 1 in Kotor and returns to the same meeting point.

Is swimming inside the Blue Cave guaranteed?

No. Entry depends on weather, waves, water conditions, and boat traffic. The captain may take you to a nearby swimming area instead.

Is the tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

It can be, but you need plenty of time to reach the meeting point. The boat leaves on schedule, and late arrivals may miss the tour without a refund.

What places are included?

The route includes the Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rocks, a view of Perast, former submarine tunnels, and a short stop around Mamula Fortress.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings.