Kotor: Private Blue Cave Tour – Swim & Relax at Your Pace

The best part of this three-hour speedboat trip is simple: you have the boat to yourself. Instead of following a crowded group and a fixed script, you can settle into the Bay of Kotor, stop for photos, and spend your swimming time at a pace that suits your group.

I especially like the small private setting and the chance to combine several very different sights in one outing. You see the bay from the water, visit Our Lady of the Rocks, look into old submarine tunnels, and finish with a swim in the Blue Cave. Captains such as Marko, Alex, Petra, and Sergey have been praised for being friendly, flexible, and good with families.

The main thing to consider is the ride itself. A speedboat can be bumpy, and the Blue Cave stop depends on sea and weather conditions. If you have back problems, are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or need a fully steady boat, this is not the right choice.

Key points to know before booking

• The $261 price covers up to six people, making the private format much better value for a full family or friend group than for one or two people.
• The Blue Cave swim lasts about 20 minutes, so bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to protect your phone.
• Our Lady of the Rocks is an island visit, but church and museum entry costs an additional €3 in cash.
• The captain controls the route and timing, with adjustments made for sea conditions and local rules.
• The meeting point is close to Kotor’s Old Town, but summer traffic and scarce parking mean you should arrive at least 30 minutes early.
• The boat has Wi-Fi, drinking water, safety gear, and snorkeling masks when available, but large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Why a private boat changes the day

Kotor Bay is easy to admire from shore, but the water gives you a better sense of its shape. High mountains press close to the bay, stone settlements line the coast, and small churches appear offshore. From a speedboat, you cover a lot of ground without giving up the view.

A private boat also solves a common problem with short excursions: the group does not have to move as one large crowd. You can ask for a photo pause, adjust the order of stops when conditions allow, or spend a little more time swimming if the captain can make it work. A family with young children, a couple marking a special occasion, or a group of friends can all use the time differently.

That flexibility is the real reason to consider this tour. The route is planned, but it does not feel as rigid as a large scheduled cruise. Captains have allowed guests to play their own music, and the private arrangement gives you space to talk, take photos, or simply sit quietly while the bay passes by.

There is a practical limit. Three hours is enough for a taste of the coast, not a full day on the water. You will see several places, but most stops are short. The Blue Cave swim is the main event, while the other locations add variety and scenery.

Meeting in Kotor and getting on the water

The starting point is City Park at Park Slobode 1, around 200 meters from the Old Town’s Main Gate and within easy walking distance of Kotor Port. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, leave the ship, pass security, turn left, cross the small bridge, and turn left again toward the park. Near the waterfront, look for the information desk where the staff and skipper will meet you.

Arrive at least 30 minutes early. This matters even more if you are coming by car, since summer parking near the park can be very limited and roadworks may slow traffic on the main road.

The boat is equipped with life jackets, including child sizes on request. A first-aid kit and insurance are included, and fuel is covered in the price. You also get drinking water and Wi-Fi, useful if you want to use the audio guide or send photos during the trip.

The audio guide and written local notes are accessed through a QR code. Bring a smartphone with an internet connection, either mobile data or Wi-Fi. The live guiding is in English, and the skipper also acts as your guide during the ride.

Crossing the bay to Our Lady of the Rocks

The first speedboat ride takes about 20 minutes. This is your first chance to see Kotor Bay as a whole, with stone villages, old churches, and steep mountains rising around the water.

The first stop is Our Lady of the Rocks near Perast. You have about 20 minutes for a break, photos, and an optional visit. The island is one of the bay’s best-known sights, and it gives you a close look at the small church and its setting just offshore.

Church and museum admission is not included. The fee is €3 in cash, and opening hours vary during the year. The church and museum typically close by 17:00 in April, May, September, and October, by 18:00 in June, and by 19:00 in July and August. These times can change, and the interior may close earlier on some days.

The island itself can still be visited if the church or museum is closed. If you want to enter the church, bring a cover-up or suitable clothing. Swimwear is not acceptable inside.

The 20-minute stop is enough for a quick visit and photos, but not for a leisurely museum experience. I would treat this as a scenic pause rather than the main cultural stop of the day. The Blue Cave and the private ride are the reasons to book this outing.

The former submarine tunnels

After leaving Our Lady of the Rocks, the boat runs for about 15 minutes to a former submarine tunnel in the Kotor area. You get roughly five minutes for a photo stop and visit.

The route then includes another short speedboat section and a second brief stop connected with the former submarine tunnels. The two tunnel stops are only about five minutes each, so expect quick sightseeing rather than a long exploration on foot.

These tunnels add a different mood to the trip. The bay is known for churches, stone villages, and mountain views, but the military structures remind you that the coast also had a strategic role. From the boat, you can take photos and hear more from the skipper, though the short timing means the explanation will be concise.

Sea conditions may affect how close the boat can get or how long you remain in one place. That is not a flaw in the tour so much as a fact of using a small speedboat in open water. The captain has to balance access, comfort, and safety.

The Blue Cave swim

The Blue Cave is the main reason most people choose this trip. The boat reaches the cave after the short tunnel stops, and the planned swim lasts about 20 minutes.

Inside and around the cave, sunlight reflects through the water and creates the blue glow that gives the place its name. The effect changes with the light, sea conditions, and the position of the boat, so do not expect a fixed display. You are there for the setting, the swim, and the chance to enjoy the water from a private boat.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Snorkeling masks are available when supplies allow, but they are not guaranteed. A waterproof phone case may also be available, but it must be returned after use, so bring your own protection if underwater photos matter to you.

Twenty minutes is a useful amount of time for a refreshing swim, but it is not a long beach session. If swimming is your priority, tell the captain early. One family group was able to spend extra time in the water, and another group found a calmer swimming stop near the submarine base when the sea was rough.

The Blue Cave stop may be changed, shortened, or canceled if the sea is unsafe. That is particularly important in spring, autumn, and on windy days. The trip is best booked by people who see the cave as a welcome highlight, not as a guaranteed swimming session under every condition.

The long ride back to Kotor

The return journey takes about 70 minutes, making it the longest single part of the tour. This is when the private format becomes especially useful. You can sit back, listen to music, take more photos, and enjoy the bay without having to keep up with a large group.

The captain may point out sights along the coast and answer questions. Past captains named in feedback include Marko, Alex, Petra, Sergey, Sasha, Mirko, Nicola, and Zdravko. The strongest pattern is that the captain can shape the mood of the trip, from quiet sightseeing to a more social ride with music.

The boat can feel rougher on the return if the wind rises. Families should keep this in mind, especially with very young children. A two-year-old enjoyed one trip, but the ride was still described as slightly bumpy. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the boat feels most stable and avoid arriving on an empty stomach.

Is $261 good value for six people?

The price is $261 per group of up to six, not per person. That works out to about $43.50 each if you fill all six places. For a family or group of friends, that is a strong price for a private boat, captain, fuel, insurance, water, and safety equipment.

For two people, the calculation is different. You are paying for privacy, flexibility, and comfort rather than the lowest possible cost. A shared boat may be cheaper, but it is less likely to let you choose the rhythm of the day, play your own music, or pause for photos without considering a larger group.

The price does not cover hotel pickup or drop-off. You must reach City Park on your own, and parking can be difficult in summer. The church and museum at Our Lady of the Rocks also cost extra, with the €3 fee payable in cash.

I think the tour offers its best value when six people share it, or when a smaller group places a high value on privacy. The captain’s ability to adjust the experience is also useful for birthdays, families, and friends who want more than a basic point-to-point cruise.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

This is a good fit for:

• Families who want a private boat and child-size life jackets
• Friends who want music, swimming, and flexible photo stops
• Couples who prefer a quieter outing than a large group cruise
• Cruise ship passengers looking for a three-hour activity near the port
• Visitors who want several coastal sights in one short excursion
• Anyone who values a captain-led trip without a crowded boat

It is less suitable for people with back problems, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or anyone who needs step-free access. The speedboat can be bumpy, and the tour includes getting on and off a boat for the island and swimming stops.

Bring only a small personal bag. Large luggage is not allowed, and smoking is not permitted in the vehicle. In spring and autumn, pack a light jacket because the water can feel cool even when Kotor is warm.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The exact start times depend on availability, so check the schedule before committing your day.

Should you book the Kotor Blue Cave tour?

Book it if you want a private half-day on the water, especially if you have four to six people to share the cost. The combination of Our Lady of the Rocks, submarine tunnels, coastal views, and a Blue Cave swim gives you a lot of variety in three hours.

I would not book it if you need a guaranteed cave visit, a calm boat ride, or a long cultural tour. Weather can change the route, the swim is fairly short, and the tunnel stops are quick.

For most suitable groups, this is a smart way to see more of Kotor Bay without feeling packed into a boat. Arrive early, bring a jacket and swim gear, and treat the Blue Cave as weather-dependent. With those expectations, the private format gives you the best part of the experience: room to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

How long is the private Blue Cave tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including the boat rides, the island visit, the submarine tunnel stops, and about 20 minutes of swimming at the Blue Cave.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $261 for a private group of up to six people.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is City Park at Park Slobode 1 in Kotor, about 200 meters from the Old Town’s Main Gate and close to Kotor Port.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. If you are driving, allow extra time because summer parking is limited and roadworks can cause delays.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to City Park.

Is entry to Our Lady of the Rocks included?

The island visit is included, but church and museum entry is optional and costs €3 in cash. The skip-the-line benefit does not apply to the church.

Can I swim at the Blue Cave?

The tour includes around 20 minutes for swimming at the Blue Cave, conditions permitting. The captain may change the swimming location or timing if the sea is rough or unsafe.

What is provided on the boat?

The boat includes Wi-Fi, drinking water, safety equipment, life jackets, child-size life jackets on request, fuel, insurance, and a first-aid kit. Snorkeling masks and a waterproof phone case are available subject to supply.

Can everyone join this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. Large bags and luggage are also not allowed.