Montenegro Blue Cave Private Boat Tour & Our Lady of the Rocks

Private speedboat to Blue Cave with swimming, island stops, WWII tunnels and Perast views

You’ll set off by speedboat from Kotor Bay, diving into Montenegro’s Blue Cave before exploring Our Lady of the Rocks island and its church. Hear WWII stories at Mamula Island and slip into hidden submarine tunnels carved into stone cliffs: all with a local guide who brings every stop to life. You’ll feel both awe and connection as you cruise past Perast’s Venetian facades: maybe even spot dolphins if you’re lucky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour to Blue Cave and islands

• Visit Blue Cave and swim
• Stop at Our Lady of the Rocks
• Explore Mamula Island
• See submarine tunnels by speedboat
• View Perast town from boat

The experience

I’ll never forget how quiet it got as we pulled away from Kotor. Just the hum of the engine and that salty air. Our skipper, Nikola, grinned when he handed out raincoats “just in case” (the sky looked fine but I took one anyway). We sped across the bay toward the Blue Cave. The water changed color every few minutes: sometimes deep green, sometimes almost silver. When we finally cut the engine near the cave, it was so blue it almost looked fake. I jumped in before I could talk myself out of it. Cold at first, but then kind of electric? There was this echo inside the cave: laughter bouncing off stone. My friend tried to do a dramatic dive and slipped a little. Nikola laughed so hard he nearly dropped his phone.

After drying off (sort of), we headed to Our Lady of the Rocks. It’s this tiny island with a church that looks like something out of a storybook. A local woman selling candles waved at us as we docked. We only had about 20 minutes there but I wandered inside and stared at all these old paintings: some faded, some weirdly bright. The guide told us about sailors building up the island by sinking old ships loaded with stones. I tried to say “Hvala” (thank you) and probably butchered it. She smiled anyway.

The next bit surprised me: Mamula Island is beautiful from far away but up close you can see it used to be a prison during World War II. Nikola didn’t sugarcoat anything. He told us stories that made me shiver a little even though it was warm out. Then we zipped over to these submarine tunnels carved right into the cliffs. It felt strange drifting inside: cool air, echoes, everything suddenly gray and quiet except for water slapping against concrete walls.

We ended up cruising past Perast with its Venetian buildings stacked along the shore. The light was gold on the water by then. I kept trying to take photos but none really matched what I saw from the boat. There were dolphins for maybe ten seconds. Everyone scrambled for their phones but mostly just shouted “look!” instead. Even now if I close my eyes I can hear those engines fading behind us as we came back toward Kotor… kind of wish that ride lasted longer.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup at Kotor Bay’s marina, all fuel costs covered so you don’t have to worry about anything extra, life jackets for everyone (including kids), snorkeling masks ready for that first jump into Blue Cave, raincoats just in case weather turns moody, Wi-Fi access onboard if you want to share photos right away, music playing softly in the background, plus all entry fees and taxes handled upfront, and your skipper is not just licensed but genuinely knows his stuff about every stop along the way.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Russian and Turkish

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.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor

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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.

How long is the private boat tour to Blue Cave?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours including travel time between stops.

Is swimming allowed in Montenegro's Blue Cave?

Yes, you can swim in the Blue Cave during the tour: snorkeling masks are provided.

Are entry fees or taxes included in this tour?

All fees and taxes are included in your booking price.

Does this boat tour include a visit to Our Lady of the Rocks?

Yes, there is a 20-minute stop at Our Lady of the Rocks where you can visit the church and take photos.

What language does the guide speak?

The licensed skipper/guide speaks English during your tour.

Can infants join this private boat trip?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap for safety reasons.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on this Montenegro boat tour?

Yes, snorkeling masks are available for use during swimming stops like Blue Cave.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Service animals are permitted on this private boat tour.