Kotor Bay: Lady of the Rocks, Submarine Base & Blue Cave Swim

Summary

Boat ride from Kotor to Lady of the Rocks, old submarine tunnels and swimming in the Blue Cave

You’ll step onto an island made by centuries of sailors at Our Lady of the Rocks, cruise past Mamula’s fortress with stories from your local skipper, slip into cold submarine tunnels near Rose village, then swim through electric blue light inside the famous Blue Cave. Expect moments that stick with you long after you’re dry.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start my day standing on an island built by hand — but that’s exactly where we landed first, at Our Lady of the Rocks. The church sits surrounded by blue-green water and tiny white stones (I think I still have some grit in my shoes). Our skipper, Marko, told us stories about sailors tossing rocks here for centuries; he even pointed out a faded fresco inside that locals say brings luck. I tried to pronounce “Perast” properly — Marko grinned and just nodded, probably being polite.

The boat ride through Kotor Bay is quieter than you’d think. There’s this salty tang in the air and every now and then you catch laughter from other boats or someone waving from shore. We cruised past Mamula Island — now some fancy hotel apparently, but Marko explained it used to be a prison during both world wars. He got pretty serious for a moment talking about it; I could tell it meant something to him. Then back to lighter topics as we approached these old submarine bases near Rose village. The tunnels are just dark mouths in the cliffs — we drifted inside one, echo bouncing off concrete walls. It smelled damp and metallic, like old coins or wet stone.

Swimming in the Blue Cave was way colder than I thought (I yelped loud enough for everyone to hear), but honestly? Worth it. The light comes through underwater and turns everything this wild electric blue — I kept ducking my head under just to see it again. Someone handed me a snorkel mask and I floated there until my fingers wrinkled up. On the way back, sunburnt and salty, I kept thinking about how strange it felt to be part of all these layers of history — churches built on legends, war tunnels hidden behind wildflowers, that kind of thing. Still can’t quite shake that color from my mind.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat tour of Kotor Bay highlights

• Depart from Kotor
• Visit Our Lady of the Rocks island
• Explore church and museum on island
• Learn island history from skipper
• Pass by Fortress Mamula island
• Enter old submarine base
• Swim in Blue Cave or Blue Lagoon

Top questions

How long does the boat tour from Kotor take?

The full tour typically takes several hours including stops at Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula Island (viewed from boat), submarine base tunnels near Rose village, and swimming at Blue Cave.

Is swimming in the Blue Cave included?

Yes, there is time for swimming in the Blue Cave or nearby lagoon during the tour.

Are snorkeling equipment and bottled water provided?

Yes, use of snorkeling gear and bottled water are included with your booking.

Does this tour include a visit inside Mamula Island?

No, you’ll pass Mamula Island by boat while hearing about its history; landing is not included.

Is pickup included or do I meet at Kotor port?

The tour starts from Kotor; check details for meeting point options as public transport is nearby.

Can travelers with limited mobility join this boat tour?

This tour may not be suitable for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health; check before booking.

What languages do guides speak on this Kotor Bay tour?

The local skippers generally speak English and can share stories about each site along the route.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water for each traveler plus use of snorkeling equipment for your swim at Blue Cave or lagoon stops; local skippers guide you between Kotor Bay’s historic islands and submarine tunnels before returning to port.