Kotor: Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach Speedboat Tour

The best part of this trip is the jump from Kotor’s calm bay into open water. You race past beaches and old stone walls, stop at the Blue Cave for a swim, then spend an hour at Žanjic Beach. Our Lady of the Rocks adds a small but worthwhile cultural stop, while the speedboat makes it possible to cover a lot in four hours.

I like the mix of scenery and swimming, and I like that the tour includes a look at Mamula and a former submarine tunnel rather than focusing on one attraction alone. Guides such as Marko and Andrea have earned warm praise for their friendly manner. The main caution is pace: one outing was shortened to three hours, and another gave only a quick pass through the Blue Cave before anchoring outside it for swimming.

Key points to know

• The Blue Cave is the main event: Sunlight turns the water blue, but actual time inside the cave may be brief.
• Our Lady of the Rocks costs extra: Budget €2 per person if you want to enter.
• Žanjic Beach gives you the longest stop: You get about one hour for swimming, sun, or lunch.
• The ride is part of the fun: Expect open-air speedboat travel, wind, spray, and some bouncing over waves.
• The guide speaks English: Named guides on recent trips included Marko and Andrea.
• Weather can change the plan: Heavy rain, poor weather, or too few bookings can cancel the outing.

A fast start from Kotor’s old town

You meet MontenegroGlobe near the Kamelija shopping center, about a two-minute walk from Kotor’s old town or the Port of Kotor. The meeting point is easy to reach, but pay attention to the actual boat boarding spot. One past departure required a short walk beyond the stated meeting point, so arrive early rather than sprinting along the waterfront.

The boat ride begins with about 20 minutes on the water. This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. The speedboat moves quickly, and the open design puts you close to the wind, spray, and changing views across Kotor Bay. If you prefer a calm ride with plenty of room to move, this may feel lively. If you enjoy the sensation of speed, the trip starts on the right note.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel. A bottle of water, a snorkel mask, and life-saving equipment are provided, but additional drinks and towels are not included. Smoking, pets, and bikes are not allowed.

Our Lady of the Rocks and its Madonna icon

After the first boat ride, you stop at Our Lady of the Rocks near Perast for about 20 minutes. The small artificial islet is known for the local story behind its church: two local sailors found an icon of Madonna and the Child here, leading to the creation of the island sanctuary.

You have time to walk around the islet and take in the setting from the water. The stop gives the outing a useful change of tone. Until this point, you are moving fast; here, you get a short cultural visit tied to local tradition and the Bay of Kotor’s long relationship with seafaring.

The time is limited, so treat this as a brief introduction rather than a full museum visit. Entry to Our Lady of the Rocks is not included and costs €2 per person. If you want to see the interior, carry a little cash and allow for that extra charge.

For me, this stop earns its place because it breaks up the swimming-focused schedule. You are not only racing between photo points. You also get a glimpse of one of the bay’s most distinctive religious sites.

Mamula Island, old walls, and a quick photo stop

The speedboat then continues for roughly 30 minutes before reaching the area of Mamula Island. The boat passes the island and allows about 10 minutes for photos. Its old Austro-Hungarian fortress sits within the surrounding sea, giving you a strong view of military architecture in an isolated setting.

This is mainly a visual stop. You should not expect a long walk around the fortress or a full historical tour. The value comes from seeing the round walls from the water and understanding how the bay’s location once served more than scenic purposes.

The short timing also shows how this tour works. The route covers several places, but most stops are compact. You get variety instead of long, detailed visits. That makes the trip a good fit if you have only half a day in Kotor and want to see several coastal sights in one go.

The Blue Cave’s blue water

After another short run of about 10 minutes, the boat reaches the Blue Cave. Sunlight enters through the cave opening and reflects through the clear water, creating the blue glow that gives the place its name. The effect is strongest when the light is right, so conditions matter.

The planned stop lasts about 25 minutes and includes swimming and snorkeling. You can use the supplied mask and look beneath the surface, then climb back aboard when you are ready. The water is described as warm and clear, making this the natural high point for anyone booking the trip mainly for a swim.

Here is the important practical detail: the Blue Cave stop may not mean a long swim inside the cave itself. On one outing, the boat moved through the cave quickly and anchored outside for swimming. That guest had expected to swim inside, so you should set your expectations carefully. The exact approach can depend on boat handling, conditions, and the timing of the day.

I would still treat the cave as a special sight, but do not book this trip solely on the assumption that you will spend most of the 25 minutes swimming inside it. You may get a quick look at the glowing water, followed by a swim nearby. If the cave is your single priority, ask the operator about the current swimming procedure before paying.

Žanjic Beach gives you the breathing room

The trip continues to Žanjic Beach for about an hour. This is the most generous stop of the day and the point where the schedule slows down. You can swim again, sit in the sun, or choose lunch at one of the beach restaurants.

I like this part because it gives you a choice. You are not forced to keep moving when you have already spent the morning bouncing across the water. A restaurant meal adds to your cost, but it can make sense if you want a proper break. If you want to keep the price down, bring your appetite for a swim and use the hour to relax.

The beach stop also helps balance the short visits elsewhere. Our Lady of the Rocks and Mamula are quick; Žanjic lets you stay in one place. Still, lunch is not included, and neither are extra drinks, so plan your spending around that.

The swimming focus means you should wear your swimsuit beneath your clothes. Changing facilities are not specified, and carrying a towel is your responsibility. Sunscreen matters here, especially if you spend the whole hour out in the sun after the speedboat ride.

A former submarine tunnel on the way back

Before returning to Kotor, the boat makes a short photo stop at a former submarine tunnel. The stop lasts about five minutes, so you will see the entrance from the water rather than explore it on foot.

It is a clever final sight because it adds another layer to the bay. The day has included a church island, a fortress, a natural cave, a beach, and now a piece of naval infrastructure. You get a broad look at how the coastline has been used over time, even though none of these historical stops receives a long explanation.

After this quick look, the speedboat takes about 30 minutes to return to MontenegroGlobe. The full plan runs for four hours, including the boat rides and stops. In practice, keep an eye on the clock and confirm the expected return time when you arrive. One past trip lasted only three hours because the operator had another booking afterward, with part of the price returned. That is not the advertised plan, but it is worth knowing before you commit to a tight onward schedule.

What the $76 price gets you

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Kotor, but the price covers several separate experiences in one outing. You get boat transport, an English-speaking guide, a bottle of water, a snorkel mask, and safety equipment. The speedboat also saves you from arranging separate transport to the Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach, Mamula, and the submarine tunnel.

The value is strongest if you want variety and have limited time. You see cultural, military, and natural sights, then get two chances to swim. A private boat arrangement or several separate transfers would likely take more planning, although the tour does not promise a private group.

The price does not cover lunch, extra drinks, towels, or the €2 entry fee at Our Lady of the Rocks. Those costs are small beside the main booking price, but they matter if you are counting every euro.

I would call the price fair for an active half-day, provided the outing runs close to the full four hours and the Blue Cave portion matches your expectations. The value drops if you need a long cave swim or a slow historical visit. This is a fast sampler, not a leisurely coastal day.

The guide and the pace

The tour is conducted in English. Recent outings were led by guides including Marko and Andrea, with Marko receiving especially warm comments for being available and helpful. Andrea was also noted for guiding the group throughout the trip and keeping the atmosphere pleasant with music.

That personal side matters on a small speedboat. A friendly guide can make boarding, swimming, and moving between stops feel simple. Still, an English-only tour may not suit you if you need detailed explanations in another language. The guide’s role appears to include directing the day and showing the sights, but the schedule leaves little room for long talks.

Expect a brisk pace. You cover several locations in short stretches, and the boat ride itself takes a large part of the four-hour window. Some people will love that efficiency. Others may feel rushed, especially at the Blue Cave or during the photo stop at Mamula.

I would ask one question before departure: how much time will be spent inside the Blue Cave, and how much swimming will happen outside it? That answer can help you decide if the trip matches your main goal.

Who will enjoy this speedboat trip

This outing suits you if you want an active morning with a strong mix of sights. It is especially useful for a first visit to Kotor when you want to see more of the bay than you can reach on foot.

You will likely enjoy it if you:

• Like fast boat rides and open-air views
• Want swimming and snorkeling included
• Prefer several short stops to one long visit
• Have four hours available
• Are happy with an English-speaking guide
• Can manage boarding and movement on a speedboat

It is less suitable if you use a wheelchair, need a slow and steady boat ride, or want an unhurried visit at every stop. The activity is also not suitable for people over 95 years old. Pets and bikes are not allowed.

Families and older children may enjoy the swimming and boat ride, but the supplied information does not give a minimum age or child policy, so check that before booking for young children. The boat’s motion and the open sea are central to the experience, not minor details.

Weather, cancellations, and smart planning

The activity may be canceled for bad weather or heavy rain. It can also be canceled if too few people book. Since the Blue Cave and beach stops depend on sea conditions, this is a trip where weather can affect the experience more than it would on a city walking tour.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the available start times because the exact departure schedule is not fixed in the information provided.

Arrive at the MontenegroGlobe meeting point early, wear swimwear under your clothes, and carry a towel. Keep your phone protected from spray, and use sunscreen before boarding rather than waiting for the beach stop.

Should you book the Kotor Blue Cave tour?

Book this tour if you want a lively four-hour run through Kotor Bay with a speedboat ride, two swimming opportunities, Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula, Žanjic Beach, and a former submarine tunnel. The combination is hard to fit into a short visit without organized transport.

Skip it if your main goal is a long swim inside the Blue Cave, a detailed fortress visit, or a slow lunch by the sea. The trip covers a lot, and that means some stops are brief. Before booking, confirm the Blue Cave swimming plan and the expected full duration.

For most active visitors with limited time, the $76 price is reasonable when the boat runs the full route. Just think of it as a fast, scenic sampler of the bay, not a relaxed beach day.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Kotor?

Meet at MontenegroGlobe near the Kamelija shopping center. It is about a two-minute walk from Kotor’s old town or the Port of Kotor.

How long does the tour last?

The planned duration is four hours. One past outing lasted three hours, so confirm the expected return time if you have another booking afterward.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English. Guides who have led recent trips include Marko and Andrea.

What is included in the price?

The price includes boat transportation, a bottle of water, a snorkel mask, and life-saving equipment.

Do I need to pay extra at Our Lady of the Rocks?

Yes. Entry to Our Lady of the Rocks costs €2 per person and is not included.

Can I swim in the Blue Cave?

The tour includes swimming and snorkeling at the Blue Cave stop. The boat may pass through the cave quickly and anchor outside for swimming, so confirm the current procedure if swimming inside is essential to you.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Additional drinks and towels are not provided.