Boka Bay Cruise from Budva: Blue Cave & Our Lady of the Rocks

A three-deck ship carries you past medieval towns, fortress ruins and a lagoon so clear you can see the limestone floor.

A full-day cruise from Budva explores Boka Bay's most storied stops on a three-deck ship with bar, restaurant and sundecks. The route takes in Kotor's UNESCO-listed Old Town with guided tour and free time, the artificial island of Our Lady of the Rocks with its 15th-century church, a swimming stop at Miriste Lagoon where the Blue Cave is within reach, and Herceg Novi's three fortresses before returning to Budva by bus from Tivat. The itinerary may shift with weather. The Blue Cave visit depends on sea conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Kotor Old Town1h 30m
2. Our Lady of the Rocks40m
3. Blue Cave1h 30m

Full-day cruise and sightseeing tour

• Depart from Budva
• Guided tour and free time in Kotor Old Town
• Pass by Perast town
• Guided tour of Our Lady of the Rocks island
• Swim at Miriste Lagoon
• Visit the Blue Cave
• Pass by Mamula fortress
• Explore Herceg Novi Old Town and fortresses
• View Porto Montenegro in Tivat
• Bus transfer from Tivat to Budva

The experience

The ship leaves Budva and heads first to Kotor, where a guide leads you through the medieval streets of the Old Town: a UNESCO site built in the 12th and 14th centuries with stone palaces, churches and squares that speak to the city's history as a merchant port. You get free time to walk on your own before boarding again.

The cruise then passes Perast, a quiet town of Renaissance and Baroque captain's houses, and stops at Our Lady of the Rocks, the only artificial island in the Adriatic. A guided tour takes you inside the Catholic Church to see the 15th-century icon of the Virgin Mary and the museum of votive gifts left by sailors. Next is a swimming stop at Miriste Lagoon, where the water is so transparent you can see straight down. From here you can visit the Blue Cave if conditions allow: the sun's rays refract off the limestone to create a glow that fills the grotto. On the way you pass the fishing village of Rose and Mamula fortress, a landmark with distinctive architecture.

After Miriste, the ship heads to Herceg Novi, known for its mimosa trees and three fortresses (Forte Mare, Kanli Kula and Španjola), which you can see from the water and walk to in the Old Town. The route then passes Porto Montenegro, the largest mega-yacht port in southern Europe, before the ship docks at Tivat and a bus returns you to Budva. The whole day runs eleven hours. On board you have access to sundecks, showers, restrooms and WiFi. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the ship's bar and restaurant.

What’s included

• Guided tour in English, Russian or Serbian.
• entry to Our Lady of the Rocks church and museum.
• swimming stop at Miriste Lagoon with optional Blue Cave visit (weather permitting).
• sundecks, showers and restrooms on board.
• WiFi access.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesdayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 180

Live guideEnglish, Russian and Serbian

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 16

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Knez Lipovac Excursions Boka Bay

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided tour of Kotor plus swimming and cave visits in one day: the ship moves you between stops while you stay on board between destinations, and a licensed guide joins you at each location.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Russian and Serbian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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 the Blue Cave like when you get there?

The Blue Cave's beauty comes from the way sunlight refracts off the sea surface and reflects on the limestone rocks, creating shadows and bright colors that make the grotto glow. The cave visit is part of the swimming stop at Miriste Lagoon, but it depends on weather and sea conditions on the day.

How much free time do you get in Kotor Old Town?

Kotor Old Town includes both a guided tour led by your ship's guide and free time to explore the medieval streets, squares and palaces on your own after the tour ends.

What happens at Our Lady of the Rocks?

Our Lady of the Rocks is an artificial island in the Adriatic with a Catholic Church that holds a 15th-century icon of the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Boka sailors. A guide takes you through the church and its museum, which displays votive gifts left by sailors over centuries.

Can you swim during this cruise?

Yes, there is a dedicated swimming stop at Miriste Lagoon, where the water is known for its clarity and purity. You can swim from the ship during this stop.

How do you get back to Budva at the end?

The ship docks at Tivat, and a bus takes you from Tivat back to Budva to complete the day.