Kotor Blue Cave & Our Lady of the Rocks Boat Tour with Swimming

Summary

Swim in glowing caves, visit island churches, hear wartime tales

You’ll ride a small boat across Kotor Bay with a local guide, stopping at Our Lady of the Rocks island church and swimming in the surreal light of the Blue Cave. Hear stories about Mamula’s wartime past and slip into a hidden submarine tunnel before heading back — all with sea air in your hair and salt on your skin.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the water to be that clear — or that blue. We left Kotor’s old harbor with our skipper (Nikola? He said just call him Niko), who handed out raincoats even though the sky looked fine. The boat zipped past Tivat and those shiny yachts at Porto Montenegro; I tried not to stare but honestly, it’s hard not to when you see that much polished chrome. There was this salty breeze and a bit of diesel from another boat nearby, which somehow made it feel real — not like those glossy travel photos.

First stop: Our Lady of the Rocks. The island is smaller than I pictured, almost floating between Perast’s bell towers and the mountains. Niko told us how locals built it by sinking old ships and tossing stones for centuries — he shrugged like it was no big deal, but I could tell he was proud. Inside, the church smelled faintly of wax and seawater. There’s a tapestry embroidered by a woman waiting for her sailor husband; Niko pointed it out and said something about hope lasting longer than stone. That stuck with me.

We passed Mamula Island next — all crumbling walls and seagulls circling overhead. Niko got quiet here, then shared some stories from WWII about prisoners held there. I won’t try to repeat them because I’d get details wrong, but you could feel everyone listening differently after that. Then we pulled into one of those submarine tunnels carved right into the rock — echoey and cold inside, with water slapping against concrete. It felt weirdly secretive.

The last stop was the Blue Cave itself. Sunlight hit the water just right so everything glowed electric blue underneath us; even my feet looked neon when I jumped in (colder than I expected!). Some folks tried cliff jumping — I chickened out after seeing a local kid do it perfectly while laughing at us tourists flailing around. On the way back to Kotor, someone spotted dolphins off in the distance but honestly I was still thinking about that tapestry on the island. Not sure why that part got to me most.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kotor Bay by luxury boat

• Visit Our Lady of the Rocks island
• Pass by Porto Montenegro views
• Stop at submarine tunnels
• Pass Mamula Island prison
• Swim and dive in Blue Cave

Top questions

How long does this Kotor Blue Cave tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours from start to finish.

Is swimming in the Blue Cave included?

Yes, swimming and diving in the Blue Cave are included, with equipment provided.

Does this tour include visiting Our Lady of the Rocks?

Yes, there is a stop at Our Lady of the Rocks where you can visit the church on the island.

Are guides provided during this day trip from Kotor?

A licensed English-speaking guide/skipper is included throughout the tour.

Is hotel pickup included for this boat tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; departure is from Kotor harbor.

Is this private or group tour?

The reference does not specify if it's private or group; check when booking.

Are infants allowed on board?

Yes, infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap; their ticket is free.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, wheelchair access is available for this boat tour experience.

What’s included

Your day includes all fuel costs, water for drinking along the way, raincoats if needed (even if you think you won’t), insurance coverage for peace of mind, life jackets for everyone on board, music playing softly in the background sometimes drowned out by laughter or waves, plus all swimming equipment provided at the Blue Cave and a licensed English-speaking skipper who doubles as your storyteller for every stop.