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

A speedboat day in the Bay of Kotor feels fast for a reason. You get wind-in-your-hair cruising, then real time in the Blue Cave where the water turns into a glowing blue screen.

I like the mix here: a bit of sightseeing, then a chance to cool off and actually spend time in the water. The included snorkel mask and life jacket mean you can enjoy the swim time even if you are not a strong swimmer.

One thing to weigh is weather and comfort. The tour can be cancelled in bad weather, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 70, so plan your day around that.

Key points to know before you go

• Private speedboat for up to 6 people starting from Kotor, total time on the water built into a 3 hour outing
• Blue Cave swimming and snorkeling time (25 minutes) with snorkel masks included
• Life jackets provided if you are not fully confident in open water
• Our Lady of the Rocks islet walk in Perast plus a photo-focused stop at the church area
• Photo stops at a former submarine base/tunnel in Kotor and at Mamula Island
• Drinks and simple refreshment included, plus a water, juice, and 1 beer add-on

Kotor to the open sea: the best way to escape crowds fast

This tour is built around one simple idea, get you out on the water quickly and keep the day moving. You start at the MontenegroGlobe agency near the Port of Kotor and the Kamelija shopping center, then you hop onto a speedboat for a short ride out across the bay.

I like this approach in Kotor because traffic and crowds can slow your day down on land. When you are on the boat, the focus is just forward motion, sea views, and the feeling of being slightly off the usual tourist route. It also helps that this is a private group setup, so you are not squeezed into a big mix of schedules.

Plan to arrive a little early. Summer traffic in Kotor can be intense, and parking can be tricky, so buffer your arrival time so you are not rushing at the dock.

Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast: a quick islet stop with big atmosphere

After the initial speedboat stretch, you reach the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, right in front of the old town of Perast. This stop is a walk-around and photo moment, about 20 minutes.

Why this is worth it: the islet setting changes how you feel about Perast. Even if you only have a short time here, the views back toward the coast and the way the bay folds around the waterline make the photos feel cinematic without needing a lot of time.

Here is the practical part. The church itself has an entrance fee of 2 euro per person, and it is not included in the tour price. If you want to go inside, budget for that separately. If not, you still get the islet walk and the chance to frame Perast from the sea.

Kotor’s submarine-era stop and Mamula Island: fortress walls and real-world angles

Next, the route shifts into history-by-the-water, mostly through photo stops. You get a brief look at a former submarine tunnel base area in Kotor, then you continue toward Mamula Island.

You will have around 10 minutes for the former submarine tunnel photo stop. It is short, but it works because you are moving at boat speed between viewpoints. The point is not a long museum-style visit, it is to see the scale and location of these sites from the water, where they were designed to be practical and hard to access.

Then comes Mamula Island. You get a photo stop of about 5 minutes while you pass by the island’s Austro-Hungarian fortress walls. The fortress connection matters here, because Mamula was used as a prison in both world wars. Even with only a quick stop, that context adds weight to what you are seeing.

If you are the type who likes to understand what you are looking at, you will probably appreciate the explanations from the English-speaking skipper. In past departures on this route, names like Peter, Marko, and Marco have been associated with friendly, clear on-board talk. You will want to keep your ears open during the transitions, not just during the swim portion.

Blue Cave and Blue Lagoon Bay: make the most of the 25 minutes in the water

This is the heart of the day. You reach the Blue Cave area and get roughly 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The cave has two boat-accessible entrances, and it earns its look because the light refracts just right, making the water seem like it is shining from below.

What I like about how the experience is framed: the boat time does not replace the water time, it leads into it. The best way to experience the cave is to swim from the boat and use snorkeling masks so you can see what is going on under the surface.

They provide snorkeling masks, and they also provide life jackets for anyone who is not fully secure in open water. That combination is a big deal. It means you can focus on enjoying yourself instead of spending the swim portion worrying about gear or safety.

A small reality check, though. 25 minutes is long enough for a satisfying swim session, but it is not a full hour. If you want maximum time, keep your towel and gear ready and make sure you are comfortable getting in quickly.

Also, bring swimwear and a towel, because you will want to dry off after the cave swim before the ride back. Sunglasses and a sun hat help too, since you will be in open sun and wind for parts of the day.

The boat ride itself: why wind-in-your-hair is part of the value

The total tour length is about 3 hours, and a meaningful chunk of that is actual boating. That matters because the bay views are not just background. Speedboat cruising gives you moving perspectives, and you see the coast from angles you would not get if you took a slow ferry.

You also spend multiple short stretches cruising between stops, including around 20 minutes early on, plus additional travel segments of roughly 15 minutes and 10 minutes. The pattern keeps the day from feeling like one long slog followed by one short swim.

And yes, you will feel the speed and wind, which is part of the appeal. If you are sensitive to sun exposure or wind, sunglasses and sun protection are not optional. You will also be happier if you keep your valuables secure and avoid anything that could fall in the water.

Price and what you really get: the value is in the included safety gear

The tour costs $335 per group, up to 6 people, for about 3 hours. On paper, that can look pricey if you are comparing to public tours. But you are paying for a private speedboat experience plus specific water-time support, not just a ride and a photo stop.

Here is what is included:

• Speedboat tour with skipper
• Travel insurance
• Water, juice, and 1 beer
• Snorkel mask
• Life jacket

What is not included:

• Food
• Additional drinks
• Entrance to the church Lady of the Rock, at 2 euro per person

If you want a smooth value equation, consider this: the snorkel mask and life jacket are part of the price, and those are usually the extras people forget to budget. Also, you are not only getting sightseeing, you are getting a real swim window in a standout natural spot.

You should still plan food separately. With no meal included, you may want to eat before you arrive at the meeting point, or plan something simple right after you return.

Timing, weather, and the Kotor logistics you should not ignore

This tour is cancelled in case of bad weather, which is fair. On the open sea, wind and rough conditions can make a speedboat less comfortable and less safe, and the swim portion would be harder to run well.

What you can do is choose your day wisely. If the forecast looks solid, you increase your odds of having that full plan with the Blue Cave swim time.

Then there is the meeting point reality. The agency is near the Port of Kotor and the Kamelija shopping center, which is convenient once you are there. Getting there can be the hard part in summer traffic. Arrive on time, and give yourself extra time to find parking if you are driving.

If you are trying to fit this into a tight schedule, treat it like a key block, not something you toss in between dinner plans. The route needs you to be ready to go when the boat leaves.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This tour fits best if you want:

• Active time on the water instead of a long walking-only sightseeing plan
• A private group experience, up to 6 people
• A Blue Cave swim with snorkeling support and basic safety gear
• Short, focused stops that still include history-adjacent viewpoints like the submarine-era site and Mamula Island

It may not fit if:

• You are traveling with wheelchair users
• You are over 70, since it is not suitable
• You want a longer guided museum-style visit, since most historical elements are photo stops rather than extended stays
• You are very uncomfortable with boat wind and quick transitions between viewpoints

If you are in that sweet spot, you will probably love how the day moves, swim first-hand, and then get back before your evening plans get complicated.

Should you book the Kotor speedboat to the Blue Cave?

I think you should book this if your dream Kotor day includes water time that feels real, not just a quick dip from the shore. The standout is the Blue Cave swim and snorkeling window, and the fact that masks and life jackets are included makes it feel easier to say yes.

Also, the value works best for small groups. At $335 per group up to 6, it can be a good deal compared to piecing together separate boat transport plus snorkeling gear plus private guiding.

I would skip it or reconsider if you know you will struggle with mobility needs, if your day depends on perfect weather, or if you are looking for a long, slow historical visit. But if you want speed, sea views, and a glowing cave moment, this is one of the more satisfying ways to spend a few hours in the Bay of Kotor.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours total.

How many people is the tour for?

It is a private group experience up to 6 people per group.

What is included in the price?

It includes the speedboat tour and skipper, travel insurance, water, juice, and 1 beer, snorkel mask, and a life jacket.

Do I need to pay for Our Lady of the Rocks?

Yes. Entrance to the church Lady of the Rock costs 2 euro per person and is not included.

What should I bring for the swim and snorkeling time?

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

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour will be cancelled in the case of bad weather.