Blue water meets fast speedboat energy. This Kotor outing is built around the Blue Cave swim (inside and out), plus two quick stops that make the whole day feel efficient. I especially like the convenience of pickup options and the fact that you’re not stuck in a long, slow bus tour. One thing to plan for: the open-sea ride can get choppy, and the Blue Cave can be crowded, which can affect whether you go in.

I also like that the tour keeps moving at a relaxed pace for a group format, with a maximum of 12 people. The time on each highlight is short but meaningful: enough to see, take photos, and actually get in the water. The main drawback is simple—this is a speedboat day, so if you’re sensitive to waves or you prefer calmer transport, you’ll want to think twice.

Key things to know before you go

• Blue Cave swim time (20–30 min): plan for photos, then water time, inside or outside depending on boat traffic
• Pickup beats walking: Port of Kotor for cruise ship visitors; other docking areas for accommodation stays
• Small group cap (12): more room to breathe and less waiting at each stop
• Submarine tunnels stop: you’ll go inside for about 5 minutes, then keep cruising
• Our Lady of the Rocks (20 min): explore the island built between 1452 and 1722, with Perast views
• Included essentials: Blue Cave entrance, island entrance, fuel, skipper, coffee or tea, Wi‑Fi, and winter blankets

Kotor to the open sea: how the speedboat day really feels

This tour is a speedboat route out of Kotor Bay. You start at Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor near Njegoševa and then head for the Blue Cave area on the Adriatic. The whole vibe is sporty and time-efficient. You’re not doing this as a slow sightseeing cruise.

The practical catch is the water. Even with a good skipper, you’re crossing open sea and passing plenty of boat traffic. Some people find that the ride is rougher than they expected. If you want to reduce the bounce, ask where to sit once you’re on board—more than one review notes that the back of the speedboat feels less rough.

The tour typically runs about 3 hours total, and that includes travel between stops. A common pattern is that you spend a fair chunk of that time moving between Kotor and the cave zone, then you use the rest for swimming and the two shorter island/tunnel moments. If you’re the type who likes to stay on a schedule, you’ll like this format.

Blue Cave time: swimming inside and outside without the hassle

The headline is the Blue Cave, and yes—you’re there to swim. The plan is to spend around 20–30 minutes for both picturing and getting in the water. Entrance to the Blue Cave is included, which matters because the cave is the point of the trip.

Here’s the reality you should expect: the Blue Cave is public, not a private, empty cave. That means it can get crowded with other boats, especially at busier times. When it’s too busy inside, you may not swim inside for long (or at all) and will instead focus on swimming outside the cave where the water is open and calmer.

This is still worth it. The water around the cave is famously clear, and even a swim outside can feel like the main event—bright, blue, and very photogenic. One review even notes extra swimming in a smaller cave area when conditions or crowd levels made inside access less likely. The best way to get good value from this stop is to arrive ready to swim: swimwear on, towel packed if you have one, and don’t plan on sightseeing for long once you’re in the water.

Also, take your photos early. Once you’re in the swim window, the time gets used up fast—so you’ll want to grab the best angles while you still have plenty of time.

Kumbor submarine tunnels: a short stop with a very specific payoff

After the Blue Cave, the tour heads toward Kumbor. The highlight here is the submarine tunnels, including time to go inside. The stop is brief—about 5 minutes—so treat it as a quick look at a Cold War type of space rather than a full museum visit.

Why this works: it breaks up the trip. You go from an outdoor swim in bright water to a tight, history-flavored structure you can actually enter. It’s not about deep reading time. It’s about seeing the unusual form and imagining how the tunnels were meant to function.

Two things to keep straight in your head:

• You’re not getting a long guided lecture in this pocket of time.
• Church and museum tickets are not included, so don’t assume every site you see will have its admission covered.

Our Lady of the Rocks island: Perast views in a tight 20 minutes

Next is Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island with construction dates from 1452 to 1722. You get about 20 minutes to explore, which sounds short until you realize the island is more about viewpoint and atmosphere than a full-day museum crawl.

What you’ll enjoy most here is the change in perspective. You can see Perast from the area around the island, and the boat route also gives you a view from the water. If your time in Kotor feels packed and you want at least one moment that feels scenic and postcard-like, this island stop does the job.

One note: entrance tickets for churches and museums are not included. So if you have strong interests in visiting a specific interior, bring the right expectations and be prepared that you may need to pay on site.

This is also a good stop for stretching and regrouping. After water time and tunnels, 20 minutes on a small island feels like a breather.

Group size, skipper style, and what you can control

This is a maximum of 12 people format. That matters. In a small group, you tend to get less chaos at the water stops, and it’s easier for the skipper to manage timing without everyone falling behind.

It also helps with the vibe. The ride is active, and you’re shifting between swim, boat cruising, and short walking periods. A group that small generally makes it easier to feel like you’re moving together rather than stuck waiting in a bigger lineup.

A few skipper styles show up repeatedly in real-world experiences shared about this company. Some captains are praised for driving skills and for sharing useful local details while you cruise. Names that come up include Ilija, Paki, Ivan, Peter, and Serga. Not every captain’s English level will be equally strong, so if you want more commentary, you might rely more on what you can see than on long explanations.

What you can control: be ready for weather. The tour requires decent conditions, and open-sea days can change quickly. If the weather is rough, the schedule may adjust.

What’s included (and what you’ll need to pay for)

The value isn’t just that you see famous places. It’s that key costs are bundled so you don’t have to chase ticket lines mid-day.

Included:

• Fuel
• Professional skipper
• Blue Cave entrance
• Our Lady of the Rocks island entrance
• Coffee and/or tea before the tour at the office
• Wi‑Fi before the tour at the office
• Blankets in winter time

Not included:

• Tour guide (you won’t be paying for a dedicated guide throughout the whole day)
• Church and museum tickets

That means you should plan this as a boat-and-access experience first. If you’re the kind of person who needs every interior and every museum ticket included, you may want to pair this with separate sightseeing on another day.

Price and value at about $60 per person

At $60.46 per person for roughly 3 hours, this isn’t a budget land tour. But it’s also not just a ride. The price includes the big access pieces: the Blue Cave entrance and the island entrance. Plus fuel and a professional skipper are covered.

So the math is basically: you’re paying for speedboat transport, the guided timing of stops, and entry to two of the most important sites. If you tried to DIY it by arranging multiple separate activities, you’d likely spend time and money managing logistics—especially on a day when boat schedules depend on weather.

If you care about minimizing hassle, the inclusion list does real work. Coffee or tea beforehand is a small touch, but it helps if your morning or cruise timing is tight. Wi‑Fi is useful for last-minute coordination. And winter blankets are exactly the sort of detail that makes a cold day tolerable.

Practical tips that make the day smoother

If you want the best chance of a great Blue Cave experience, focus on swim comfort and weather readiness.

Bring or plan:

• Swimwear plus something to rinse off with after
• Water shoes if you want safer footing around rocks and areas that can be slippery
• Snorkel gear or fins if you like to linger in the water beyond the scheduled swim time (some people recommend them)
• A light layer for wind on the ride, especially if you’re going in shoulder season

Boat comfort tip:

• Try to sit toward the back if you’re prone to discomfort on choppy water.

Weather reality:

• The tour depends on decent conditions. If it’s not safe to run as planned, the operator can offer a different date or a refund.
• If rain comes in briefly, some skippers have used rain protection like rain coats, so don’t assume you’ll be left totally unprepared.

Also keep expectations realistic about Blue Cave crowds. If the cave is busy, the plan can shift toward swimming outside rather than inside for full satisfaction. Either way, you’ll still get that famous clear-water moment.

Who should book this speedboat Blue Cave tour?

Book this if you:

• Want a fast, efficient day from Kotor with multiple highlights
• Love water time and want a true swim moment rather than just photos from the deck
• Prefer a small group format (max 12)
• Are comfortable with the idea that open sea can be bumpy

You might skip it if:

• You’re uncomfortable with speedboat rides in choppy water
• You’re over 100kg (220 lb) or over 65 years old, since the operator specifically doesn’t recommend those ranges
• You want long stops at sites or a fully guided museum-style experience

Should you book this Blue Cave speedboat tour with Sea Stars Kotor?

Yes, I think this is a smart booking for the right kind of traveler. If your time in Kotor is limited and you want Blue Cave water plus Our Lady of the Rocks viewpoints, this tour packs a lot into about 3 hours without drowning you in logistics.

I’d especially consider it if you’re a cruise ship visitor because pickup from the Port of Kotor can save you walking and stress. Accommodation pickups can also reduce friction if you’re staying around Dobrota, Muо, Stoliv, Perast, and nearby areas.

The main reason to hesitate is the boat ride. If you know you get seasick or you hate rough water, this may not feel relaxing even if the itinerary is excellent. Also keep in mind that the Blue Cave is public and can be crowded, so inside swimming can be less consistent than outside swimming.

If you’re okay with those two realities, this is a standout way to spend a half-day in the Bay of Kotor.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave tour from Kotor?

The tour runs for about 3 hours.

Do I need to get to the meeting point myself, or is pickup available?

Pickup is possible by boat on specific locations. Cruise ship guests can be picked up at the Port of Kotor. Accommodation guests can be picked up in areas like Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, and others along the way.

Is the tour in English?

Yes. English is offered.

Will I be able to swim inside the Blue Cave?

The plan includes swim inside and outside the Blue Cave, but the cave can be crowded since it is public. If inside is crowded, you may still swim outside.

What are the other stops besides the Blue Cave?

You’ll pass and then stop at Kumbor to see the submarine tunnels (including going inside) and stop at Our Lady of the Rocks for about 20 minutes to explore.

What is included in the price?

Fuel, a professional skipper, Blue Cave entrance, Our Lady of the Rocks entrance, coffee and/or tea before the tour, Wi‑Fi before the tour, and winter blankets.

What is not included?

A tour guide is not included, and church and museum tickets are not included.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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