Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks Private Speedboat Tour

Four hours on the water: the Blue Cave, a 30-minute island church, hidden submarine tunnels, and a swim in iridescent light

A private speedboat tour of Kotor Bay for up to 6 travelers, departing from Kotor old town and visiting sites reachable only by boat. The tour stops at Our Lady of the Rocks church for 30 minutes, passes the ex-submarine military base and Mamula fortress, and ends with a swim inside the Blue Cave where sunlight refracts through rock cracks to turn the water luminous blue. An English-speaking skipper narrates the route and handles the boat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Our Lady of the Rocks30m
2. Blue Cave30m

Private speedboat tour highlights

• Boat trip along Kotor Bay coastline
• Visit Our Lady of the Rocks island
• Pass through Verige strait and see Porto Montenegro marina
• Stop at ex-submarine military base
• Pass Herceg Novi Bay and Portonovi resort
• View Mamula fortified island
• Swim inside the Blue Cave
• Return to Kotor via submarine tunnels

The experience

The boat leaves Kotor old town and follows the Bay of Kotor's coastline, passing ancient fishermen villages and the steep green slopes that line the water. The first real stop is Our Lady of the Rocks, a man-made islet built on a crag where locals and seafarers constructed a church to honor the Holy Mother Mary. You spend 30 minutes there examining the paintings, votives and art pieces inside the attached museum, and hearing the story of how the island came to be. The church sits on water so shallow and clear that the structure seems to float.

After leaving the island, the boat enters Tivat Bay, where you'll see Porto Montenegro's marina crowded with yachts, then passes through the Strait of Verige. On the way out toward open water, you pass the ex-submarine military base from the 1950s. The skipper will point out the hidden tunnels carved into the rock. Mamula, a fortified island off the mouth of the bay, appears next: it's a haunting structure full of history from both World Wars. The boat then heads toward the Blue Cave on the Lustice peninsula, where waves have carved a natural chamber into the rock over thousands of years.

The Blue Cave itself is the final stop. Sunlight enters through small cracks in the rock ceiling and refracts off the water, turning the whole interior an intense, shifting blue. You swim inside the cave and float in that light. The return to Kotor old town takes 90 minutes, and on the way back you'll see those submarine tunnels again from a different angle. Bottled water and WiFi are available on board throughout the tour.

What’s included

• Private transportation in the speedboat for up to 6 people.
• an English-speaking skipper who serves as your guide.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• WiFi on board.
• fuel.
• and insurance coverage.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SundayLast departure this season: 1 Nov

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Paid on site€ 5

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mirko

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English and narrates the entire route, so you follow the history and geography of each stop comfortably without needing to read ahead or translate. The boat holds a maximum of 6 people, which keeps the group small enough that everyone gets a clear view and the skipper can answer questions without shouting over a crowd.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Our Lady of the Rocks and what do you do there?

Our Lady of the Rocks is a man-made islet in Kotor Bay with a church built by local seafarers to honor the Holy Mother Mary. You stop there for 30 minutes to walk through the church, see the paintings and votives inside, and visit the attached museum, which tells the story of how the island was constructed on a crag in the water.

Can you swim in the Blue Cave?

Yes. The Blue Cave is the final stop on the tour, and you swim inside it. The cave's blue color comes from sunlight entering through small cracks in the rock ceiling and refracting off the water, creating an intense luminous effect.

What are the submarine tunnels you pass on the way?

The ex-submarine military base dates from the 1950s and sits on the route between Tivat Bay and open water. Hidden tunnels are carved into the rock, and the skipper points them out as you pass. You see them again on the return journey from a different angle.

How long is the boat ride back to Kotor?

The return to Kotor old town takes 90 minutes after all the stops are complete. You'll see the submarine tunnels again during this leg of the journey.

What is Mamula and why is it on the tour route?

Mamula is a fortified island at the mouth of Kotor Bay, full of history from World War I and II. The boat passes it on the way to the Blue Cave, and the skipper will describe its past as you go by.