Kotor: Blue Cave & Our Lady of The Rocks & Submarine Base

The main attraction here is the Blue Cave, where clear turquoise water and pale stone make a fine setting for a swim. But the boat ride gives you much more: old military tunnels, Mamula Island, Perast, and the small church island of Our Lady of the Rocks.

I like the mix of water time and local history. I also like the modern speedboat, free snorkeling gear, and skippers such as Boban and Aljosa, who are praised for safe driving, good music, and clear explanations. The main catch is the long ride back to Kotor and the fact that rough seas can change the route.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Cave swim: You get about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, or jumping from the boat when conditions allow.
• Our Lady of the Rocks: Spend 20 minutes on the famous artificial island, with optional church and museum entry for €2.
• WWII submarine tunnel: Enter a short, shadowy tunnel cut into the cliff, an unusual stop that many boat tours skip.
• Mamula Island: See the round fortress and former WWII prison from the water, with a short guided explanation and photo stop.
• Perast and Saint George: Pass Perast and enjoy views of the quiet Saint George Island from the boat.
• Small-group feel: Private and small-group options are available, with a licensed English-speaking skipper at the helm.

A fast boat ride with several different faces

This is not simply a beach outing. In roughly half a day, you move from the old stone towns of the Bay of Kotor to military relics, an island church, a luxury marina, and open water near the entrance to the bay.

The pace is brisk. The route uses a modern speedboat, with the longest single ride lasting about an hour on the way back to Kotor. That makes the boat itself part of the experience. You get broad views of the bay, fresh air, music, and a lively ride, but you should not expect a slow, quiet cruise.

The listed price of $53 per person is strong value if you want to see several places in one outing. Fuel, insurance, taxes, life jackets, snorkeling equipment, the skipper, and the boat ride are included. The only stated extra is the optional €2 ticket for the church and museum at Our Lady of the Rocks.

Leaving Kotor for Perast

The tour begins at one of two Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor meeting points, depending on the option you book. Arrive 30 minutes early and look for the Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor sign. Summer traffic can be slow, and late arrivals may not be accepted.

The first speedboat ride takes about 20 minutes. As you leave Kotor, you get wide views of the bay and its steep mountain walls. The route then passes Perast for about three minutes before stopping at Our Lady of the Rocks.

That quick pass matters because Perast is one of the prettiest towns in the bay, but this outing does not give you a long town visit. You see it from the water and return later to a panoramic view. If you want time in Perast’s lanes, cafés, and churches, plan a separate visit.

Our Lady of the Rocks in 20 minutes

Our Lady of the Rocks is a small man-made island opposite Perast. Its church is the island’s focal point, and the setting is striking: stone buildings, calm water, and the larger Saint George Island nearby.

You get about 20 minutes here. That is enough for a short walk and photographs, but it is a tight visit if you want to study the church interior and museum. Entry to the church and museum is optional and costs €2. The ticket is not included.

I like this stop because it adds culture without taking up half the day. You can walk around the island, look back toward Perast, and enjoy the view before returning to the speedboat. Just keep your expectations in check. This is a brief island visit, not a long guided tour of the church.

Saint George Island is viewed from the boat. It is quieter and more wooded than Our Lady of the Rocks, with a very different feel. You cannot count on getting ashore there during this tour.

Inside the former submarine tunnel

After leaving Perast, the boat runs for about 25 minutes to a former submarine tunnel cut into the cliffs near Kotor. The stop itself lasts around 10 minutes, with the actual tunnel visit listed as about five minutes.

This is one of the more unusual parts of the route. The entrance is plain and military, not polished for sightseeing. Inside, the light drops away and the narrow passage hints at its wartime purpose. Your skipper provides the background and points out what you are seeing.

The short timing is worth noting. You will not spend long exploring the tunnel, and the conditions may affect how much of it you can enter. Still, it breaks up the beach-and-photo rhythm and gives the trip a strong local connection. Bring a charged phone, but be careful with it around the water and dark stone.

Mamula Island and its difficult past

The speedboat then travels about 15 minutes toward Mamula Island. The usual stop is a five-minute photo stop and guided look at the island, rather than a long landing.

Mamula is dominated by a round fortress built on a small island at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. It later served as a WWII prison. That past gives the site a darker mood than the sunny water and postcard views suggest.

You should think of this as a history stop from the boat. The experience centers on the view, the fortress, and the skipper’s explanation. It is not presented as a full museum visit, and the short timing means you will not have time to inspect every detail.

I appreciate the contrast. One moment you are looking at a quiet island and open sea; the next, you are hearing about its use as a prison. The story adds weight to what might otherwise be just another scenic photo stop.

Thirty minutes at the Blue Cave

From Mamula, the boat takes about 10 minutes to reach the Blue Cave area. This is the outing’s main water stop, with about 30 minutes set aside for swimming.

The color comes from sunlight entering the cave and reflecting through the clear water. Depending on sea conditions, you can swim, use a snorkeling mask, or jump from the boat. Snorkeling equipment is provided at no extra charge, subject to availability.

This is where your preparation matters most. Bring swimwear, a towel, water, and a charged smartphone. If you want photos, ask the captain. Photos are included when requested, though you should not assume a full personal photo session.

The Blue Cave is weather-dependent. Rough seas can force the crew to change the route and visit an alternative location. That is not a flaw in the operation. A small speedboat and a cave entrance are both sensitive to wind and waves, and the captain’s first duty is safety.

You also need to accept that the 30-minute swim is not a private beach break. Other boats may be present, and the water stop is timed. Even so, half an hour is enough to cool off, try the mask, and enjoy the unusual light.

The long ride back to Kotor

After the Blue Cave, the return speedboat ride takes about an hour. This is the longest uninterrupted stretch of the day, so it shapes the overall feel of the outing.

If you like speed, music, and open views, the ride can be fun. The skippers have received especially strong praise for smooth handling, safe driving, and song choices. Boban is singled out for his friendly manner, history explanations, and calm approach in rainy weather. Aljosa is also noted as a warm and professional guide.

If you prefer quiet sightseeing, the final hour may feel long. A speedboat is exposed to wind, sun, and spray. Bring water and consider a light layer, even in warm weather. Raincoats are provided if rain arrives.

The tour ends back at one of the two Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor drop-off points. Your exact meeting and return point depends on the option booked.

What the $53 price really covers

At $53, this trip gives you a lot of transport and sightseeing in one package. The price covers the licensed English-speaking skipper, fuel, insurance, taxes, life jackets, snorkeling masks when available, the speedboat, and the listed stops.

It also saves you from arranging separate transport to Perast, the submarine tunnels, Mamula Island, and the Blue Cave area. That convenience is the main value. You see far more than you could easily cover on foot around Kotor in the same period.

The tradeoff is that the schedule is tight. Our Lady of the Rocks gets 20 minutes, the submarine tunnel only a few minutes inside, and Mamula is mainly a photo and history stop. You pay for range, not long stays.

The tour can last anywhere from 1.5 to 9 hours depending on the option and schedule shown at booking. Check the exact duration before paying, since that range is unusually wide. Private and small-group choices are available, but the group arrangement and meeting point depend on the selected option.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip if you have limited time in Kotor and want a quick survey of the bay and its outer coast. It suits active people who are happy moving between stops and who want swimming mixed with history.

It is also a good match for couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a speedboat and a short walk on the island. The free snorkeling gear keeps the water stop simple.

I would be more cautious if you are pregnant, have a mobility impairment, or have concerns about speedboat travel. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. The supplied information also gives two different maximum weight limits, 350 pounds, or 159 kilograms, and 254 pounds, or 115 kilograms. Because those figures conflict, confirm the applicable limit before booking.

The boat may not be ideal for anyone who wants a slow, detailed history tour. The skipper offers explanations, but the schedule leaves little time at each historic site.

Practical advice before you go

Arrive 30 minutes early. This is the single most important rule, especially in summer when traffic around Kotor can delay you. Late arrivals may not be accommodated, and refunds or rescheduling are not promised for missed departures.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, water, and a charged smartphone. Keep your belongings secure during the swim, and ask the captain about taking photos.

The trip is conducted in English. It includes a licensed captain or crew member who also acts as your guide. Music is part of the ride, which helps create a casual mood but may not suit someone seeking a silent cruise.

The company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and lets you reserve now and pay later. Rough seas can lead to a changed route, so keep some flexibility in your plans. The boat crew may provide raincoats if needed.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the Blue Cave plus several major sights without organizing separate rides. The mix of swimming, Perast views, Our Lady of the Rocks, military tunnels, and Mamula Island gives you a lively introduction to the Bay of Kotor and the coast beyond it.

The strongest reasons to go are the modern speedboat, helpful skippers such as Boban and Aljosa, included snorkeling equipment, and the amount covered for $53. The main reasons to hesitate are the fast pace, the long ride home, the short historic stops, and the possibility that weather will cancel or alter the Blue Cave visit.

For a first day in Kotor, I find the route well chosen. Just book it for variety and scenery, not for a slow museum-style tour.

FAQ

How much does the Kotor Blue Cave tour cost?

The listed price is $53 per person. Fuel, insurance, taxes, the speedboat, skipper, life jackets, and snorkeling equipment are included.

How long does the tour take?

The available activity options range from 1.5 to 9 hours. Check the exact duration and starting time for the option you choose.

Where does the tour start?

There are two possible starting locations: Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor and Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor, Blue Cave Tour Official. Your meeting point may vary by booking option.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour has a live English-speaking guide. The licensed skipper also serves as your guide.

Is swimming included?

Yes. About 30 minutes is set aside for swimming in the Blue Cave area. Snorkeling masks are provided subject to availability.

Is the church at Our Lady of the Rocks included?

The island visit is included, but entry to the church and museum is optional and costs €2.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, and a charged smartphone. Ask the captain if you would like photos.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. Rough sea conditions may require the crew to change the route and visit an alternative location. Raincoats are provided if it rains.