REVIEW · KOTOR
Kotor: Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rock Speedboat Tour
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Blue water meets fortress views in Kotor Bay. This 3-hour speedboat outing strings together the most talked-about scenery around Perast and Tivat with time to actually swim in the Blue Cave. I like that it moves fast but still gives you enough time at each stop to enjoy the views and get your photos without feeling rushed.
I especially love the mix of sights: the man-made island at Our Lady of the Rocks, the former submarine tunnel area, and the Mamula fortress viewpoint. It also helps that the pace is guided by a licensed skipper, and you might hear extra touches from skippers like Stefan and Boban, including stories and even music at the submarine-tunnel stop.
One thing to plan for: the water can be choppy, and there’s no changing area at the Blue Cave. Bring what you need (like a towel), and understand that on rough days the Blue Cave may be swapped for another swimming spot.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Getting to Poseidon Boat Tours at Kotor Port (and not wasting time)
- The 3-hour speedboat ride: fast views, real wind, small-group comfort
- Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast: the island stop that balances photos and time
- Former submarine tunnels: quick history stop with a fun twist
- Mamula Island viewpoint: the fortress moment you spot from the boat
- Passing Tivat Bay: yachts, marinas, and a different side of the coastline
- Blue Cave swimming for about 30 minutes: the star attraction
- When the cave isn’t safe
- Comfort tips that make the swim part actually easy
- Price and value: is $53 for 3 hours worth it?
- Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)
- Should you book Poseidon’s Kotor Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rock tour?
Key things to know before you go
- Small group (up to 10 people) keeps the boat feeling less crowded.
- Short, focused stops: about 20 minutes at Our Lady of the Rocks and about 30 minutes for the Blue Cave.
- Blue Cave swimming time is weather-dependent in rough seas.
- You’ll get museum/entry reality upfront: Our Lady of the Rocks museum entry isn’t included.
- Towels matter because there’s no changing area at the water stops.
Getting to Poseidon Boat Tours at Kotor Port (and not wasting time)

Your tour starts at Kotor Port, just across the main city gate. Look for the info map for Poseidon Boat Tours Kotor, then find the staff member waiting there from the Poseidon Boat company. It’s one of those simple setups that works well when you’re trying to beat the day’s heat and crowds.
If you’re coming from Kotor Old Town, give yourself a little buffer to find the port entrance and get oriented. Once you’re at the boat, you’re done with logistics and can focus on the water.
The 3-hour speedboat ride: fast views, real wind, small-group comfort

This is a speedboat tour, so expect speed and motion. That’s part of the appeal here: you’re not inching along in a bus-to-boat-to-boat chain. You’ll cruise through Boka Bay with panoramic views of rugged coastlines, villages, and forts as you travel between stops.
I like that the group is limited to 10 participants, which usually means more space and less waiting around on the water. One practical note from real-world experience: if the boat fills to the cap, seats can feel a bit tight, so if you’re sensitive to cramped seating, go in with that in mind.
Comfort is also about mindset. This isn’t a calm pond ride. If the bay is choppy, a skilled skipper will do what they can—one example: Stefan was described as confidently weaving around wakes to keep people more comfortable. You should still expect some bounce.
Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast: the island stop that balances photos and time

Our Lady of the Rocks is the first real “wow” moment on the water. It’s a man-made island in the bay with a church and museum perched on rocky outcrops—surrounded by water that makes the whole place feel extra dramatic.
You’ll have about 20 minutes on the island. That’s short enough to keep the schedule moving, but long enough to:
- snap photos from the best angles
- do a quick guided look around (the tour includes visit and guided tour time here)
- get a little breathing room away from the boat noise
Important practical detail: the Our Lady of the Rocks museum entry ticket isn’t included. That said, the activity notes mention skipping the ticket line. Translation: you may save time at entry, but you’ll still want to budget for the museum ticket separately if you plan to go inside.
Former submarine tunnels: quick history stop with a fun twist

The tour then heads to the former submarine tunnel area near Kotor. You’ll do a photo stop and have about 5–10 minutes to explore. It’s not meant to be a long museum visit; it’s more like a focused “see this in person” moment.
What makes it memorable is the way the skipper frames it. One example: the submarine tunnel stop included James Bond theme music for the group, which turns a short visit into a fun story you’ll remember later. Even if you’re not a military-history person, the setting makes the facts stick.
Mamula Island viewpoint: the fortress moment you spot from the boat

Next up is a panoramic break for Mamula Island and its fortress. You’ll get about 5 minutes for views and a quick photo moment as you pass and look toward the structure.
This stop works well because it’s a “look” stop rather than a “walk” stop. You don’t need extra energy. You get a quick sense of the bay’s layered history and the coastline’s defensive architecture—then you’re off again.
Passing Tivat Bay: yachts, marinas, and a different side of the coastline

Between the main island stops, the route includes cruising toward Tivat Bay, where you’ll see luxury marinas and yachts. This is a nice contrast to the more old-school feel of Perast and Kotor’s historic waterfront.
I like this portion because it breaks the trip into variety. You’re not stuck on one type of scenery. It also helps you get a wider sense of how the bay functions today: part heritage coast, part modern marina scene.
Blue Cave swimming for about 30 minutes: the star attraction

The Blue Cave is the headline, and the timing is built for it. You’ll get around 30 minutes at the Blue Cave area, with stops that include photo time, a guided component, and swimming.
What you’re chasing is the light effect. The cave’s interior water can look electric blue, and the difference between sunlit reflections and cave shadows creates that glow people come for. You can usually choose how involved you get: some people float, some snorkel, and others just swim enough to enjoy the water color.
One smart practical tip: there can be a lot of boats at the Blue Cave. Several skippers adjust for this by taking you around the corner to a quieter bay for swimming after the main viewing. That’s a great way to keep the experience from feeling like a traffic jam.
When the cave isn’t safe
Weather matters in the bay. On at least one occasion, Blue Cave access was skipped due to dangerous wave conditions, and the guide instead found a good beach spot for swimming. That’s not a problem with the tour so much as a reality of sea conditions—so if you’re booking on a windy day, keep a flexible attitude. The skipper’s job is to keep people safe.
Comfort tips that make the swim part actually easy
Here’s the part that can make or break your day: the water stops are quick and you get limited facilities. One clear theme from the experience: you may want to bring a towel because there’s no changing area.
So I’d plan like this:
- Bring a small towel or something absorbent you can keep dry in a bag.
- Wear swimwear under clothes if you can, so the post-swim change is minimal.
- Expect some splashes. Your gear should be water-friendly.
Also, the ride can get bumpy, especially when waves are higher. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you’ll want to prepare ahead of time. The good news: captains in this operation are described as very confident and skilled at handling choppy water.
Price and value: is $53 for 3 hours worth it?

At about $53 per person for a 3-hour outing, you’re paying for a compact package of boating, guidance, and multiple signature stops. The included items are what make this feel like real value:
- licensed English-speaking guide/Skipper
- water
- free Wi-Fi access
- insurance
- fuel
What’s not included matters too. Soft drinks, juices, and alcohol can be purchased upon request before departure, and the Our Lady of the Rocks museum entry ticket is separate. If you plan to go into the museum, budget that add-on.
Here’s the value logic I use: you’re buying a guided speedboat through the bay plus three major sight moments (island, tunnels, fortress) plus the Blue Cave swim time. If that’s your top priority for Kotor, this price lines up with what you’re getting.
Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This tour is a good fit if you want:
- a short, active day plan that still hits multiple highlights
- time to swim in the Blue Cave area (not just sightseeing from a distance)
- a small-group experience with a professional skipper
It’s especially appealing if you like your history and scenery in quick snapshots. The submarine tunnel stop is short on purpose, and the Mamula viewpoint is photo-focused. You’re not signing up for a long walking day.
Think twice if you:
- hate boats in choppy water and aren’t comfortable with motion
- need easy changing facilities (there’s no changing area for swims)
- want long museum time (Our Lady of the Rocks is about 20 minutes, and the museum entry is extra)
Should you book Poseidon’s Kotor Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rock tour?
If you’re doing Kotor for the views and you want one boat day that actually lets you get in the water, I’d book it. The combo of Our Lady of the Rocks, the submarine tunnel stop, Mamula’s fortress views, and the Blue Cave swim is the kind of schedule that saves you time and still feels full.
My decision checklist:
- You like swimming and photos, not just sitting on a boat.
- You’re okay with short stops and a ride that can get bumpy.
- You’ll bring a towel and accept that facilities are basic.
If those boxes fit you, Poseidon Boat Tours Kotor is a strong bet—small group, professional skipper energy (including skippers like Stefan and Boban), and a plan that adapts when sea conditions make the cave unsafe.










