Reviewed · BLUE CAVE SWIM & SNORKEL STOPS

Blue Cave 3 hours PRIVATE tour with modern speedboat

5.0 · 29 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $480 Operated by Sea Stars Kotor boat tours · Bookable on Viator
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Blue Cave by speedboat is a fast, scenic way to see the Bay of Kotor. I love the private group setup up to 10 people, plus the hassle-free pickup by speedboat from several Kotor-area stops. You’ll also get onboard WiFi, and you can plan for a swim and photos inside the cave. One thing to consider, the Blue Cave can feel crowded and snorkeling gear is not provided.

What makes this tour genuinely practical is the timing. In about 3 hours, you cover the Blue Cave, a quick look inside the submarine tunnels at Kumbor, and a visit to Our Lady of the Rocks, with time to enjoy Perast from the water.

Key reasons this Blue Cave tour is a smart choice

Blue Cave 3 hours PRIVATE tour with modern speedboat - Key reasons this Blue Cave tour is a smart choice

  • Private speedboat for up to 10: you control the pace inside the tour time limits.
  • Pickup by speedboat from key areas like Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, and Port of Kotor for cruise ship guests.
  • Onboard WiFi plus pre-tour coffee or tea: small comfort upgrades that make the ride easier.
  • Blue Cave swim and photo time (about 20 to 30 minutes): enough time to get your bearings and still move on.
  • Kumbor submarine tunnels: a short stop that adds variety beyond the usual cave-and-back pattern.
  • Our Lady of the Rocks: an included 20-minute visit where the views of Perast show up fast.

3 hours, three stops: how the route really works

Blue Cave 3 hours PRIVATE tour with modern speedboat - 3 hours, three stops: how the route really works
This is a private Blue Cave speedboat tour based in Kotor, run by Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor. The idea is simple: you leave Kotor by modern speedboat, hit three standout sights, and return to the same meeting point at the end.

The whole experience runs about 3 hours. That sounds short until you see the payoff, you get time in the Blue Cave, a tunnel moment at Kumbor, and an island visit at Our Lady of the Rocks, all without feeling like you are stuck on a single activity for half the day.

A quick practical note, the tour price is $480.55 per group up to 10 people. That can be a great value if you are traveling with friends or family, especially compared with paying separate per-person boat fares.

Meeting point and pickup: arrive once, then go

Blue Cave 3 hours PRIVATE tour with modern speedboat - Meeting point and pickup: arrive once, then go
Your tour starts at Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor – Blue Cave speed boat tour, Njegoševa, Kotor 85330. The ending is back at the same meeting point, so you are not guessing about where to meet later.

What you’ll likely care about most is pickup. Pickup is offered, and it is handled by the operator’s speedboat on specific routes:

  • Cruise ship guests: pickup at Port of Kotor
  • Accommodation guests: pickup possible from Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, and similar areas on the way

If you are staying near the water, this is one of the easier ways to do the Blue Cave without an extra transfer headache.

Also, the confirmation comes at booking time, and the meeting area is near public transportation, which can help if your plans change slightly.

Blue Cave timing: swimming and photos without rushing

The first major stop is Blue Cave. You’ll spend 20 to 30 minutes there, including time for pictures and swimming. The tour includes Blue Cave entrance, so you are not scrambling for tickets once you reach the pier.

The important reality check is what that time window means. Twenty to thirty minutes sounds generous until you consider lines for entry, the time it takes to get situated on board, and the fact that you may want a few angles for photos. If the cave is busy, you may spend part of the time waiting, then jump into the water quickly.

One review detail worth taking seriously: the cave area can have exhaust, and when that happened, the group went to a farther cave to swim. You cannot control cave conditions, but you can control what you bring, so pack for flexibility.

Swimsuit tip: Bring a swimsuit. You will be asked about whether you want to swim, and this is the best use of the limited cave time.

What if you expected snorkeling gear

In one case, snorkeling gear was expected based on the write-up style, but it was not provided. If you’re imagining a full snorkeling setup, plan for a swim without gear. The tour does provide the basics on board like a bottle of water, but it does not position itself as a snorkeling equipment provider.

Kumbor submarine tunnels: short stop, big wow factor

Blue Cave 3 hours PRIVATE tour with modern speedboat - Kumbor submarine tunnels: short stop, big wow factor
After the Blue Cave, you head toward Kumbor. This stop focuses on the Submarine tunnels, including going inside the tunnel for about 5 minutes.

This is a quick beat, but it adds contrast. The Blue Cave is all about water color and light. The submarine tunnels are about engineering and the unusual idea that you can experience a military-style structure up close.

The tour includes this segment without extra admission fees, and the time is short enough that you should not feel like you lost the day to paperwork or long waits.

If you like variety, this tunnel moment is a smart way to break the ride into something more than just scenic cruising.

Our Lady of the Rocks island visit: views and a focused 20 minutes

Blue Cave 3 hours PRIVATE tour with modern speedboat - Our Lady of the Rocks island visit: views and a focused 20 minutes
Next up is Our Lady of the Rocks, a man-made island built from the years 1452 to 1722. You get about 20 minutes to explore the island, and the tour includes entrance to the island.

That 20-minute window is perfect if you want the classic view and a quick walk around without turning this into a full walking tour. From the island, you also get a chance to see old town Perast, and the boat portion gives you another set of angles as you approach and leave.

One important detail: the tour includes entrance to the island, but church and museum tickets are not included. If you want those specific interiors, budget extra time and money, and consider buying on site.

The ride itself: captain style, onboard WiFi, and wave handling

Blue Cave 3 hours PRIVATE tour with modern speedboat - The ride itself: captain style, onboard WiFi, and wave handling
You’re traveling by modern speedboat, and this matters more than you might think. Faster, newer boats often mean a smoother ride when waves pick up, and this operator emphasizes a professional captain in the included package.

The captain is not just driving. You’ll get explanations along the way, and you’ll feel the difference when conditions get rough. One review called out that the captain handled rougher waves with skill, which is exactly what you want to hear when you are heading out on open water.

Onboard WiFi and pre-tour comforts

The tour includes onboard WiFi, which helps if you want to message home, share photos quickly, or simply pass the ride time without stress. There is also coffee and/or tea offered before the tour in their office, plus WiFi in the office.

These are small things, but they add up in a tight 3-hour experience. Instead of showing up hungry and hurried, you get an easy start.

Perast and Herceg Novi views: why the boat approach is worth it

Blue Cave 3 hours PRIVATE tour with modern speedboat - Perast and Herceg Novi views: why the boat approach is worth it
One of the highlights is getting views of Perast and Herceg Novi from the water. That boat perspective is the whole point of doing this by speedboat rather than from shore.

Perast, in particular, comes into view in different ways. You see it during the boat approach and again from the island at Our Lady of the Rocks. Even if you only get quick glances, that repeated sighting helps you build a mental map quickly, so the bay feels less like a blur and more like a place with structure.

There is also mention of a peaceful natural island viewable from the boat and from Our Lady of the Rocks. You do not have time for a long nature hike, but you still get that quiet shoreline feeling for a few minutes.

Price and value: when $480.55 per group makes sense

Blue Cave 3 hours PRIVATE tour with modern speedboat - Price and value: when $480.55 per group makes sense
Let’s do the math in a real-world way. The tour is $480.55 per group up to 10 people. That’s not cheap if you are solo. But if you have even 4 people, it becomes much more reasonable per person.

This is why private boat tours often feel expensive at first glance. The value comes from sharing:

  • You split the cost across your group
  • You avoid extra transfer time
  • You get a dedicated captain for your schedule

Also, some key inclusions help protect your budget. You get:

  • Fuel included
  • Blue Cave entrance included
  • Our Lady of the Rocks island entrance included
  • A bottle of water on the boat
  • Coffee and/or tea before the tour at the office
  • Onboard WiFi

What you do not get is a separate tour guide, since the tour guide role is not included. That means the captain’s commentary becomes your main interpretive layer.

What to bring, and who this tour is best for

This tour works best when you treat it like an active boat outing, not a slow sightseeing stroll.

Bring:

  • Swimsuit, since swimming is part of the experience
  • Sunscreen and a hat, because you will be exposed on the water
  • A light layer for wind, especially if conditions shift
  • A dry bag or waterproof pouch if you want to protect your phone for photos

The tour also has limits. It is not recommended for travelers heavier than 105 kg (220 lb), and it is not recommended for travelers older than 65. That’s worth respecting, since speedboats can be less forgiving in how they sit, board, and move with waves.

If your group includes anyone outside those guidelines, it is better to look at other cruise-style options that are designed for a broader range of mobility and comfort.

Small surprises: dolphins and the good kind of chaos

The best bonus on a boat day is usually wildlife. One review noted an unexpected pod of dolphins playing around the boat. You cannot schedule that, but you can be ready for it.

The reason these surprises matter is emotional value. A planned itinerary gets you the sights. An unexpected wildlife moment is what makes the whole day feel special and a little hard to repeat.

FAQ

How long is the private Blue Cave tour?

It lasts about 3 hours.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes fuel, a professional captain, Blue Cave entrance, Our Lady of the Rocks island entrance, onboard bottle of water, coffee and/or tea before the tour in the office, and WiFi (both in the office before the tour and onboard).

Is pickup included, and where does it work?

Pickup is possible by the operator’s speedboat from specific locations. Cruise ship guests use pickup at Port of Kotor. Accommodation guests can be picked up from areas like Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, and similar spots. The tour meets at Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor in Njegoševa and returns there.

How much time do you get at the Blue Cave?

You spend about 20 to 30 minutes at Blue Cave for photos and swimming.

What stops are included after the Blue Cave?

After the Blue Cave, the tour passes by Kumbor for submarine tunnels and includes a visit to Our Lady of the Rocks for about 20 minutes.

Does the tour include tickets for the church and museum on Our Lady of the Rocks?

No. Island entrance is included, but church and museum tickets are not included.

Who might want to skip this tour?

It is not recommended for travelers heavier than 105 kg (220 lb) and not recommended for travelers older than 65.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a time-efficient, private speedboat outing that hits the main water highlights fast, and you care about comfort details like onboard WiFi, pre-tour coffee and/or tea, and a captain who handles the ride confidently.

Book with extra care if your priority is slow, detailed walking tours or if you were counting on snorkeling gear. This is built around the cave time and quick stops, not extended shore exploration. If your group is flexible, and you pack a swimsuit, this tour format is a very solid way to see Kotor’s bay from the water.

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