Blue Cave 3 hours GROUP tour with modern speedboat

If you like big water views, this is for you. A fast boat gets you to the Blue Cave and beyond in about 3 hours. I love the chance to swim in clear Adriatic water and the small-group feel that keeps the day from turning into a cattle shuffle. You’ll also get a quick island stop at Our Lady of the Rocks with Perast views. One drawback to know upfront, the ride can be choppy, and the Blue Cave can be very crowded.

This is a group tour up to 12 people with pickup options around Kotor, so it works well even if you are not staying in the Old Town. I also like that you are not just driving past sights, you actually go inside the submarine tunnels and you get real time in the water. Bring the right expectations: it is a speedboat day, not a slow, historical walking tour.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• Small group, max 12 people, so you usually feel like a group, not a crowd.
• Speedboat ride from Kotor can be rough, especially toward the open sea, so sit toward the back if you get motion sick.
• Blue Cave access depends on crowds, so you might swim inside and outside, or mostly outside at busy times.
• Submarine tunnels at Kumbor are a real stop, with a short entry so you are not just photographing from the deck.
• Our Lady of the Rocks gives you 20 minutes to explore and then enjoy Perast from the water.
• English is offered, but some captains may vary in how much history they share in detail.

Speedboat Pickup and the Kotor-to-Open-Sea Factor

This tour starts in Kotor and runs about 3 hours total, with a modern speedboat and a professional skipper. If you are on a cruise, the pickup option includes the Port of Kotor, which saves you the hassle of figuring out how to reach the meeting area. If you are staying nearby, the boat can pick you up along the bay in places like Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, and Perast, and they can grab you on the way out.

The practical thing to understand is that you are leaving the protected harbor and heading into open water. One review called out that the ride can take around an hour depending on conditions, and that it can be rough. If you know you get uncomfortable on boats, plan for that. A few people also pointed out that sitting farther back can feel less rough when other boats are around.

You do get a few “soft comforts” that help the day feel easier. Before the tour, there is free coffee and/or tea in the office, plus water, and Wi-Fi before you head out. In colder months, they mention blankets, which is a nice touch when you are coming back in the wind.

Blue Cave Swimming Time, What You Can Actually Do Inside

The Blue Cave is the headline, and the key experience here is not just seeing it, it is the swimming. Your stop for the Blue Cave includes time for photos and time to swim inside and outside. The tour description notes about 20 to 30 minutes on site, so you will have a real moment to enjoy the color and then move.

Here is the part that can affect your day: the Blue Cave is public, and it can get packed. Some people reported that they did manage to swim inside, while others said inside access was limited due to the number of boats. In those cases, you should still be happy with the outside swim time, because the water around the cave is the real reason everyone talks about this stop.

A few helpful details from real experiences you should take seriously:

• If the cave is busy, the skipper may prioritize swimming time outside so you still leave with that bright-water moment.
• The skipper can vary in how much history they share, but the core goal, safe navigation and getting you the water time, is usually consistent.
• If the weather turns, people mentioned raincoats were provided, so you are not stuck miserable if clouds roll in.

One practical tip: bring swim footwear if you think you will be climbing in and out, because you are on a boat day and you may need stable steps for jumping and wading. If you want snorkeling or extra water time, you might find it helpful to bring your own basic gear, even though it is not listed as included.

Kumbor Submarine Tunnels, A Short Entry That Feels Special

After the Blue Cave, you move to Kumbor, where the tour focuses on the submarine tunnels. This is not a long stop, about 5 minutes, but it is a stop you cannot replicate just by standing on shore. You actually go inside the tunnel area, which gives you a change of pace from open-water swimming.

One of the more memorable details from the reviews is that captains can talk about the tunnels in a Cold War context. Even when the history part varies by skipper, the physical experience is the same: you get a quick look into a place built for a very different kind of purpose than tourist days.

Think of this as the “wait, that is real” moment. The Blue Cave is pure natural spectacle, but the submarine tunnels bring in that engineered, coastal-defense feeling. It also helps break up the day so you are not only chasing views and jumping back into the boat.

Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast Views From Every Angle

The last major sight is Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island tied to Perast. You get about 20 minutes to explore the island. This is short, so you will want to use it for a quick walk and photos, then step back to enjoy the view back toward the bay.

The island itself is described as being built over a long period, from 1452 to 1722. You are also on the water long enough to see the island from the boat from different angles, and then from the island back toward Perast. Even if you only have time for one loop around the island, it is a strong visual payoff, especially if your day started with bright water and caves.

One note about expectations: church and museum tickets are not included, so if you want paid entry into specific buildings or exhibits, you would need to handle that separately. The island time is still worth it for the views and the atmosphere.

Group Size, Skipper Styles, and How the Day Feels

This is sold as a group tour with a maximum of 12 people, and that size matters. On a speedboat day, larger groups often feel like you are racing for position. With a small group, you are more likely to get a calm rhythm: check the stop, swim, return, and move on without constant squeezing.

The skipper quality is a recurring theme. People name captains such as Ilija, Peter, Paki, Ivan, Serga, and more, and the stories all point to a few common strengths:

• Safe, confident driving through traffic and waves
• Enough patience to let people take photos and actually swim
• Friendly energy, sometimes with music, depending on the captain

That said, one review did note that at times the English for historical facts was not super detailed. If you care a lot about deep stories, you might still get a lot from a friendly skipper, but you should not assume every captain will deliver a full lecture in perfect English. The core value here remains the water and the sites you can only reach by boat.

Also, double-check where you need to meet. One person said it was not clear where their tour boat started because there was no obvious sign, even though they had a map reference. If you are joining from the office meeting point, plan to arrive early and confirm the exact spot with a quick message.

What You Get for Around $60, and Where the Value Comes From

At $60.46 per person for about 3 hours, this is not a budget “just drive and look” outing. The value comes from what is included, not from what you would need to add later. Your price includes fuel, the professional skipper, entrance in the Blue Cave, and the entrance on Our Lady of the Rocks. Coffee and/or tea, plus water, are included before the tour in the office. Blankets are included in winter time.

It also includes the big experience costs that often add up on boat excursions. If you tried to do this yourself, you would need transport, a boat captain, and the coordination to combine cave swimming with island time. Here, you get the whole circuit in one package.

What is not included is also useful to know. A tour guide is not included, and church and museum tickets are not included. So think of this as a skipper-led day focused on driving, navigating, and getting you to the best photo and swim moments.

One more value indicator: this tour is commonly booked around 47 days in advance on average. That tells you demand is real. If you are traveling in peak season or on a cruise schedule, you should lock in your preferred time window early rather than hoping you will find space last minute.

Weather Reality Check, Safety, and How to Decide Based on the Day

This is a water-based activity, so weather matters. The tour requires good weather, and if conditions are poor, you are offered a different date or a full refund. People reported that weather can delay or even change what is possible at the Blue Cave. If water is choppy or visibility is not great, the skipper may adjust to keep things safe and enjoyable.

One review mentioned that if the cave could not be reached due to weather, the operator offered choices and still made the trip enjoyable. Another review described a delayed cruise and the operator switching the time and even picking up at a different location. Translation: the company seems to try hard to solve cruise and schedule issues when it can.

There is also a comfort and fitness note. This tour is not recommended if you weigh over 100 kg (220 lb), and it is not recommended for travelers older than 65 years. Since this involves speedboat movement and getting in and out for swimming or stops, the safest move is to follow their recommendation closely.

Should You Book This Blue Cave Tour?

Book this tour if you want a high-impact boat day from Kotor with real swimming time. The Blue Cave is the main attraction, and the best part is that you are not just looking, you are getting in the water. Add in the submarine tunnels and the short island stop at Our Lady of the Rocks, and you get multiple “only here” experiences without spending a full day on the road or in lines.

Skip or think twice if:

• You hate choppy speedboat rides and know you get motion sick.
• You need a long guided history experience, because the depth of English commentary can vary by captain.
• You are traveling during a time when you strongly want inside Blue Cave swimming every time. The cave can be crowded, and sometimes you may end up with more outside swimming.

If you do book, my practical advice is simple: arrive early enough to find your meeting spot confidently, bring water and swim-ready footwear, and keep a flexible mindset about weather and cave congestion. When conditions line up, this is the kind of trip where the water color does most of the storytelling for you.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave group tour?

It runs for about 3 hours (approx.), from the start point in Kotor back to the same general meeting point.

What is included in the ticket price?

Included are fuel, a professional skipper, entrance in the Blue Cave, entrance on Our Lady of the Rocks, coffee and/or tea before the tour (plus water), Wi-Fi before the tour, and blankets in winter time.

Does the tour include a guide?

No. A tour guide is not included. You will have a skipper, and you may get information, but a dedicated guide is not part of the package.

Where do you meet, and is pickup available?

The tour starts at Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor – Blue Cave speed boat tour on Njegoševa, Kotor 85330, Montenegro, and ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is possible by their speedboat at specific locations, including the Port of Kotor for cruise ship guests and areas like Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, and Perast for accommodation guests.

Do you swim inside the Blue Cave?

The plan includes swimming inside and outside the Blue Cave, with about 20 to 30 minutes for photos and swimming. However, the cave can be crowded, so your exact access can vary day to day.

How much time do you spend at Our Lady of the Rocks?

You get about 20 minutes to explore Our Lady of the Rocks.

What about the submarine tunnels stop at Kumbor?

You stop in Kumbor to see the submarine tunnels and you go inside the tunnel area. The time there is short, about 5 minutes.

Is church or museum entry included on the island?

No. Church and museum tickets are not included.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, English is offered.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.