Reviewed · BLUE CAVE SWIM & SNORKEL STOPS

Boat tour to Lady of the Rock , Submarine base & Blue Cave swim

5.0 · 196 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $54 Operated by MontenegroGlobe · Bookable on Viator
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Blue Cave dreams start on a speedboat ride, and this Kotor outing stacks three wow stops in about three hours. I like the hassle-free hotel pickup and the included snorkeling gear for the Blue Cave swim. Just note that getting on and off the boat can feel tricky if the deck is wet or the water is choppy.

I also love how much of Kotor Bay you actually see from the water, not from a bus window. The small-group feel and onboard WiFi help keep the trip relaxed even when you are moving fast between stops.

Plan for separate admission tickets at Our Lady of the Rocks and the Blue Cave, since those entries are not included. Bring your own towel if you want one, because the tour provides water and snorkel equipment, not towels.

Key points before you go

Boat tour to Lady of the Rock , Submarine base & Blue Cave swim - Key points before you go

  • Hassle-free pickup in Kotor for an easy start right on time.
  • Three stops in ~3 hours with short, well-paced time on each highlight.
  • Snorkeling gear is included so you can get in the water without hunting for rentals.
  • Onboard WiFi to stay connected while you cruise the bay.
  • Blue Cave swim depends on conditions and how crowded access gets, so build flexibility.

Kotor Bay by speedboat: why the timing works

This is a fast, three-hour boat loop built for people who want Kotor Bay at water level, not just a quick photo stop. The route is simple: island church, a swim in the Blue Cave area, then the submarine base. Because the total time is tight, each stop stays focused and you do not feel stuck waiting around.

The boat ride itself is part of the experience. You get open views toward Perast and the coast as you travel between landmarks, and you are close enough to notice details you would miss from shore.

Group size is capped at 27 people, which matters on a boat. Smaller groups usually mean fewer delays getting everyone seated, and more breathing room when boarding and moving around.

Price and logistics: what $54.44 really buys

Boat tour to Lady of the Rock , Submarine base & Blue Cave swim - Price and logistics: what $54.44 really buys
At about $54.44 per person for roughly three hours, you are paying for transport, a guided run between three key sites, and included snorkeling equipment plus bottled water. That is the core value here: you are buying time and convenience, not just sightseeing.

A few things are extra, so budget lightly:

  • Our Lady of the Rocks island admission is not included.
  • Blue Cave admission is not included.
  • Towel and parking fees are also not included.

Also, you get a mobile ticket, and the tour runs in English. If you like checking messages while you travel, there is onboard WiFi.

Lady of the Rocks: island church time plus Mamula prison views

Boat tour to Lady of the Rock , Submarine base & Blue Cave swim - Lady of the Rocks: island church time plus Mamula prison views
The first stop is Our Lady of the Rocks, on the island in front of Perast. You do not just pass by. You get about 20 minutes ashore to visit the church and the museum, plus time to buy souvenirs on the island.

What makes this stop worthwhile is the context you get on the water. The skipper explains the island’s story and links it to old town Perast, so the church does not feel like a random stop. You also get a strong visual payoff from the boat along the way.

You will have a panoramic look at Fortress Mamula, the old prison. During the First and Second World Wars, it was used as a prison and concentration camp, and today it is an expensive hotel on the Adriatic Sea. Even if you do not go inside, seeing Mamula from the bay gives you a real sense of why this spot has always been strategic.

One practical note: 20 minutes goes fast. If you want museum time, keep your priorities tight, or you may end up with just the highlights.

Blue Cave and Blue Lagoon swim: the part most people remember

Boat tour to Lady of the Rock , Submarine base & Blue Cave swim - Blue Cave and Blue Lagoon swim: the part most people remember
The second stop is the Blue Cave area, with around 25 minutes for swimming and refreshing in the Blue Cave or Blue Lagoon. This is where the included snorkeling gear turns the trip from sightseeing into a water experience.

I like that this stop is not treated like a long, slow beach break. You get a short window to get in, find your footing, and enjoy the clear water conditions if they cooperate. The key is to be ready to move quickly when it is time.

A real-world consideration: swimming access can be affected by sea conditions and how many boats are in the area at the same time. If the water is choppy, getting comfortable in and out can take more effort. If the cave entry feels limited, the boat schedule may give you less actual swim time than you hoped. Either way, plan on flexibility and do not pack your expectations as all-or-nothing.

Bring your own towel, or at least a plan for drying off later. The tour does not provide towels, so it is easy to feel cold or damp if you come up from the water without one.

Luštica submarine base: Cold War structures, quick visit

Boat tour to Lady of the Rock , Submarine base & Blue Cave swim - Luštica submarine base: Cold War structures, quick visit
The final stop is Luštica, with entrance to an old submarine base used after the Second World War. You only get about 10 minutes here, so think of it as a quick look at a specific slice of the region’s military past rather than a full museum visit.

What I find useful about a short stop is that it keeps the day balanced. You already had a calm island visit and a swim stop. This last piece adds variety, and the timing is short enough that you are not exhausted before the return.

Entrance is free at this stop, which helps keep the overall cost feeling fair. If you like Cold War era leftovers and unusual ruins, you will probably enjoy catching the key features before the boat pulls away.

Hotel pickup and the meeting point: easy start, one thing to watch

Boat tour to Lady of the Rock , Submarine base & Blue Cave swim - Hotel pickup and the meeting point: easy start, one thing to watch
Pickup is described as hassle-free, and the tour starts at MontenegroGlobe on Zlatne Njive 15, Kotor. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you do not need to solve a second transportation puzzle later.

One small practical snag to keep in mind: some people report that locating the pickup spot can be a little confusing. If you are arriving by cruise ship or you are not staying near the meeting point, give yourself extra time to confirm where the group meets and when the boat departs.

Also, boarding and leaving a speedboat can be awkward for some people. If you have balance issues, knee problems, or you just do not like climbing steps onto a moving deck, go slow and wear footwear with good grip.

Comfort on board: WiFi, water, and space on a small group

Boat tour to Lady of the Rock , Submarine base & Blue Cave swim - Comfort on board: WiFi, water, and space on a small group
The tour includes bottled water, which is simple but important on a hot day or after a swim. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you avoid the hassle of renting at the last minute.

Onboard WiFi is also included, and that is genuinely useful if you want to check maps, coordinate with friends, or just share a few photos while you are still on the water.

Comfort is not only about seating. It is also about layout and how smoothly people can move during boarding and stop changes. With the cap at 27 people, the boat tends to feel manageable rather than chaotic, which helps when the timing between stops stays tight.

If you feel motion easily, try to choose a spot where you get less rocking. You can also request guidance from the skipper on where to stand or sit for the rougher stretches.

Who should book this Kotor speedboat tour

Boat tour to Lady of the Rock , Submarine base & Blue Cave swim - Who should book this Kotor speedboat tour
This tour is a strong match if you want:

  • a fast, efficient way to see Kotor Bay from the water
  • a Blue Cave swim with included snorkeling gear
  • a short culture stop at Our Lady of the Rocks without a full-day commitment
  • a bonus stop at a submarine base without paying for admission

It is also a good option for cruise day travelers because the route is compact and you return to the same meeting point.

If you prefer a long, slow schedule where you sit and linger in one place for hours, you may find the stop times feel brief. But if you want maximum variety in three hours, this structure fits the bill.

Should you book this Lady of the Rock, submarine base, and Blue Cave swim tour?

If your ideal Kotor day includes boat views plus actual water time, I think you should book it. The mix is practical: island church and museum, a quick swim window with gear included, and a free last stop that adds something unusual without eating your afternoon.

Book with confidence if:

  • you want a small-group feel
  • you are comfortable with getting on and off a speedboat
  • you can work with short stop times
  • you do not mind paying separately for island and cave admissions

Skip it or pick a different style if:

  • you strongly want a relaxed, long beach stay
  • rough water makes you nervous about boarding
  • you hate the idea of extra entry fees for two of the three major stops

For the best experience, plan your outfit for wet conditions, bring a towel, and show up ready for quick transitions between boat and shore. Then you get exactly what the route is designed for, a memorable Kotor Bay circuit that actually spends time on the water.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

What stops are included on the route?

The main stops are Our Lady of the Rocks, the Blue Cave (or Blue Lagoon) swim, and the Luštica old submarine base.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hassle-free hotel pickup is included.

Are entrance tickets included for Our Lady of the Rocks and the Blue Cave?

No. Admission tickets for Our Lady of the Rocks and the Blue Cave are not included.

Is the Luštica submarine base entrance free?

Yes. Entrance to the old submarine base in Luštica is listed as free.

What is included in the tour price?

Bottled water and the use of snorkeling equipment are included.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included.

Is WiFi available during the tour?

Yes. Onboard WiFi is available so you can stay connected.

What group size should I expect?

The tour has a maximum of 27 people.

What happens if weather is poor or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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