Kotor: Blue Cave, Mamula & Our Lady of the Rocks Speedboat
Three hours in Kotor Bay: swimming the Blue Cave, then two islands with real history
You swim into the Blue Cave from the speedboat, stop to see Mamula Island's 19th-century prison and the WWII submarine tunnels, then visit the man-made islet of Our Lady of the Rocks with its church and museum. The 3-hour tour includes bottled water and covers the full Kotor Bay coastline. You'll need to be comfortable swimming in the Adriatic to reach the cave.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Kotor Bay and nearby islands
- Trip along Kotor Bay coastline
- Swim into the Blue Cave
- Stop near Mamula Island
- Visit submarine tunnels
- See Our Lady of the Rocks island
- Bay of Kotor 2h
- Blue Cave 20m
- Our Lady of the Rocks 20m
What’s included
The tour includes bottled water. You'll travel by speedboat through Kotor Bay, swim to the Blue Cave, stop near Mamula Island to see the historic prison, pass the WWII submarine tunnels, and visit Our Lady of the Rocks island with its church and museum.
Times
Next departure: 1 Apr 2027
3 departing soon ›Before you book
Operated by Sea Dog Speed Boat Tours
Prices and times updated yesterday
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The experience
The speedboat was supposed to leave at 9am, but the captain was still checking the engine at 9:15, and honestly that's when I realized this wasn't going to be a polished resort experience. It was going to be the real thing. Once we pushed off from the dock, though, the Kotor Bay opened up in front of us, and the 1 hour 10 minute run to the Blue Cave gave us time to see what we'd come for: fishermen's villages clinging to the cliffs, old stone houses, the kind of coastline that doesn't photograph the way it looks in person. The water was so clear you could see straight down, and the captain pointed out the vegetation on the slopes without making a speech about it.
The Blue Cave itself is smaller than you'd think, but the light inside it (that electric blue reflection off the water) is real. Here's the thing though: the speedboat doesn't go in. You swim from the boat to the cave entrance, which means you need to be comfortable in the water and okay with a short swim in the Adriatic. The cave has two entrances, one wide and low, one narrow and tall, and depending on the swell that day you might go through one or both. It's a good spot for photos if you bring a waterproof camera, and the water is cold enough that you feel alive but not so cold you can't stay in for a few minutes.
After the cave we stopped near Mamula Island, a small circular islet about 3.4 nautical miles from Herceg Novi, where a prison was built in 1853. You don't land on it. You just float there and look at the stone structure, and the captain told us a bit about what it was used for. Then we moved on to one of the submarine tunnels from World War II, carved into the rock to hide and repair submarines. It's strange to float above something that old and that specific, knowing exactly what it was built for and when. Our Lady of the Rocks came last, a man-made islet built up from rocks and sunken ships, with a Roman Catholic church on it and a small museum. You can see the navigation light at the western end, and there's a gift shop if you want to grab something before heading back.
The whole trip takes 3 hours, and you get bottled water included. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, and sunscreen: the sun bounces off the water and you'll burn faster than you think. The bay is protected enough that even if the weather looks uncertain on shore, the water is usually manageable, though the captain will make the call on whether conditions are safe enough to swim.
Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to see the Kotor Bay's main sights in one morning without renting a boat or arranging separate transport. The speedboat handles the logistics, and the 3-hour window fits around the rest of your day.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 17 years); Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).
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.
Do we actually go inside the Blue Cave?
No, the speedboat stays outside. You swim from the boat to the cave entrance, which takes a few minutes in open water.
How long is the swim to the Blue Cave?
It's a short swim from the boat, but you need to be comfortable in the water. The Adriatic is cold, so most people find it refreshing rather than shocking.
Can we land on Mamula Island?
No, the boat stops nearby so you can see the old prison structure from the water, but you don't go ashore.
Is there time to visit the church on Our Lady of the Rocks?
Yes, the tour includes a stop at the island. There's a Roman Catholic church with an attached museum and a small gift shop.
What's included in the 3-hour tour?
Bottled water is included. Entry to the church museum on Our Lady of the Rocks is not mentioned as part of the package, so check with the operator.
Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers?
Not recommended if you're not comfortable swimming, since reaching the Blue Cave requires a swim from the boat.
How far is the Blue Cave from the starting point?
About 1 hour 10 minutes by speedboat from Kotor.
What should I bring?
Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof camera if you want photos. The sun reflects strongly off the water.
Kotor: Blue Cave, Mamula & Our Lady of the Rocks Speedboat
3h · EN
from € 38.97 per person
≈ US$ 44 in your currency
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