Kotor: Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach Speedboat Tour

REVIEW · KOTOR

Kotor: Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach Speedboat Tour

  • 4.630 reviews
  • 4 hours
  • From $76
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Operated by MontenegroGlobe · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 4.6 (30)Duration4 hoursPrice from$76Operated byMontenegroGlobeBook viaGetYourGuide

Kotor’s Blue Cave trip is a fast, sea-spray kind of day. I like the mix of speedboat energy and short, meaningful land breaks, plus the chance to see that famous blue water in the Blue Cave. The main thing to think about is timing: if the cave stop feels rushed in your day’s conditions, you may get less water time than you hoped.

This is a tight 4 hours built around motion, views, and a couple of quick photo or walk stops. If you’re the type who wants action (wind in your hair, salt air, sudden stops to swim) more than long sightseeing, you’ll probably enjoy it. If you prefer unhurried tours where you can linger, set your expectations accordingly.

Key Highlights Worth Knowing

Kotor: Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach Speedboat Tour - Key Highlights Worth Knowing

  • Open-ocean speedboat ride that bounces over the waves and keeps you awake (in a good way).
  • Our Lady of the Rocks at Perast, with the iconic Madonna and Child scene on the islet.
  • Blue Cave time with snorkel gear, where sunlight can turn the water a dramatic shade of blue.
  • Mamula Island viewpoints along Austro-Hungarian fortress walls for great photos.
  • Žanjice Beach break for sun time and either lunch or a relaxed swim.

Kotor Bay Speedboat Day: Wind, Stops, and Sea Caves

Kotor: Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach Speedboat Tour - Kotor Bay Speedboat Day: Wind, Stops, and Sea Caves
This tour is built like a good day on the water: a quick hop between Kotor Bay highlights, then time to move your body once you’re there. You’ll start near the old town/port area and head out on a speedboat with life-saving gear provided, plus a bottle of water and a snorkel mask if you want to use it.

What I like most is the rhythm. You get enough stops to feel like you saw real places, but the day doesn’t drag. It’s also practical: most of the “hard work” is done for you by the boat driver, and you just show up ready for sun, wind, and a bit of splashing.

The tradeoff is simple: everything happens on a schedule. That’s why your expectations matter. This is not a slow coastal cruise where you can wander for an hour at every stop.

First Stop: Our Lady of the Rocks at Perast

Kotor: Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach Speedboat Tour - First Stop: Our Lady of the Rocks at Perast
Your day starts with a cruise toward Perast, where you’ll reach the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks. You’ll have about 20 minutes there, which is short but enough for a loop walk around the islet and a look at the famous icon of the Madonna and the Child.

This stop works for two reasons. First, it gives you a cultural anchor early in the trip, not just scenery. Second, it’s a perfect “get your feet back on land” moment after the boat ride—especially if the wind has been wearing you down.

One small budgeting note: there’s an entry fee for Our Lady of the Rocks of €2 per person. The tour includes skipping the ticket line, so you’re not stuck waiting, but you should still plan to pay that fee on site.

If you’re traveling with someone who gets impatient on boats, this walk stop can be a nice reset.

Mamula Island: Fortress Walls for Your Camera

Kotor: Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach Speedboat Tour - Mamula Island: Fortress Walls for Your Camera
Next up is Mamula Island in the Bay of Kotor. You’ll get a photo stop and a pass-by, with only around 10 minutes. In other words, you’re not going there to stroll—this is about seeing the island quickly and capturing the fortress vibe from the water.

Mamula’s value is visual. The Austro-Hungarian fortress walls create a strong silhouette against the bay, and you’ll see it from the moving boat—often the most flattering angle you’ll get.

If you’re the type who loves details and want time to explore, you might feel you blinked and the stop was over. If you’re okay with quick “photo and go” moments, this works well inside a half-day water plan.

Blue Cave Swim: When That Famous Blue Depends on Timing

The Blue Cave is the headline for a reason. The boat brings you into the natural landmark area, and you get time labeled for swimming and snorkel use. The idea is that sunlight shines through the cave and can color the water in a striking way.

Here’s what to plan for: the Blue Cave experience can vary based on conditions and how the driver navigates the route. Some days you get the full “see it, swim, and take photos underwater” experience. Other days you might feel the cave moment is quick and you’re anchored slightly outside the cave opening for your swimming time. Either way, your comfort in open water matters.

Practical takeaway: think of this as a chance to swim in warm, clear water near the cave, not a guaranteed long cave swim session. If your number-one goal is being in the cave as long as possible, show up ready, keep an eye on the time, and don’t overpack the rest of your expectations for the same stop.

Also, bring your snorkel confidence. You’ll have a snorkel mask included, but you still need to be able to handle choppy surface conditions if wind picks up.

If you’re going for photos, aim to have your camera/phone accessible and secure before you reach the swim zone. The window of perfect light can be short.

Žanjice Beach Break: Sun Time and Lunch Choices

Kotor: Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach Speedboat Tour - Žanjice Beach Break: Sun Time and Lunch Choices
After the cave, you’ll head to Žanjice Beach for about an hour break. This is where the day stops being pure water action and becomes a more normal vacation break: sun, relaxing, and a chance to reset after swimming.

You can do one of two things here:

  • Swim again and soak up the beach time.
  • Choose lunch at restaurants near the shore.

This hour is valuable because it changes your body rhythm. Even if you love boats, your skin can feel windburned by hour two. This stop is also where you can dry off a bit, stretch, and eat something that isn’t a snack.

If you’re doing lunch, I’d go a little lighter than you might at home. You’ll still be out on the boat afterward, and you’ll likely want to stay comfortable in the sun.

Former Submarine Tunnel Stop: A Quick Kotor Moment

On your return route to Kotor, you’ll make a short photo stop at the former submarine tunnel. It’s listed as a 5-minute stop, so think of it as a visual history bump rather than a full visit.

This matters because it gives your day extra texture. Kotor Bay isn’t only about postcard water; it also has layered military and industrial history tied to its strategic location. Even a brief look from the water gives you a “now I get why this bay mattered” feeling.

You won’t have time for a deep read here, but you’ll get the visual cue—and that’s often enough on a boat tour.

Price and Value: Is $76 Worth It?

At $76 per person for a roughly 4-hour experience, the value depends on what you want from your day.

You’re paying for:

  • Speedboat transport across key Kotor Bay sights
  • Snorkel mask and life-saving gear included
  • A bottled water
  • A guided route in English
  • Multiple scenic stops, including the Blue Cave swim portion

What you’re not paying for:

  • Towels (bring your own)
  • Additional drinks
  • The €2 Our Lady of the Rocks entry fee

For me, the best way to judge the price is to compare it to what it would cost you if you tried to coordinate these sites on your own. You’d need boats, transport timing, and navigation between cave and beaches. Here, those moving parts are handled, and your time stays focused on doing the fun parts.

If the Blue Cave swim time is the core reason you booked, that’s also where value is most sensitive. On days when the cave moment feels shorter, you may feel disappointed. On days when it runs smoothly, the day can feel like a high-impact best-of Kotor Bay plan.

The Guide and the Boat Atmosphere

Kotor: Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach Speedboat Tour - The Guide and the Boat Atmosphere
This tour is run by a live English-speaking guide, and the boat experience can feel upbeat. In past trips, guides like Andrea were described as friendly and helpful, and Marko has received strong praise for being on top of things.

That matters more than it sounds. When you’re moving between stops, you want someone who can keep the group organized and explain what to do once you reach each spot—especially around water time.

If you’re sensitive to fast pacing or need very detailed explanations in languages other than English, it’s worth knowing that English is the stated guide language.

Practical Tips So You Don’t Feel Rushed

A speedboat day can be fun and tiring in the same breath, so plan like it’s a mini adventure:

Bring:

  • Swimwear and sunscreen (sun and wind can still burn you)
  • Sunglasses
  • A towel
  • Any basic comfort items you need for water time

Know the rules:

  • Smoking isn’t allowed
  • Pets and bikes aren’t part of the plan

Also, if you’re thinking about where you stand physically, this tour isn’t listed as suitable for wheelchair users, and it’s not suitable for people over 95 years. The water stops and boarding steps can be tricky, and your comfort on a boat matters.

Weather reality check: the tour may be canceled in bad weather or heavy rain. If that happens, you’ll want to have backup plans for your Kotor schedule.

Who Should Book This Speedboat Tour

This is a great fit if you:

  • Want active water time rather than a slow sightseeing day
  • Like the idea of short walks and photo stops mixed with swimming
  • Prioritize Kotor Bay highlights in one go
  • Feel comfortable in open water and around moving boats

You might think twice if you:

  • Want long, unhurried time at the Blue Cave itself
  • Get motion-sick easily (speedboats can be bouncy)
  • Prefer a deep cultural tour with longer land visits

This tour is at its best when you treat it like a half-day adventure: do the big things, then enjoy the beach/lunch break as your reward.

Should You Book the Kotor Blue Cave Speedboat Tour?

If your dream version of Kotor includes wind, sea caves, and a practical plan that hits multiple highlights in one afternoon, then yes—this is an easy booking choice. The inclusion of snorkel gear and life-saving gear lowers friction, and the itinerary is designed to keep you moving through the bay’s top sights without wasting hours in transit.

My main caution is also the most important one: if you’re booking specifically for a long, inside-the-cave swimming session, be prepared that conditions and routing can change how the cave time feels. What you’re guaranteed is the speedboat tour experience with a Blue Cave swim window and beach break—not an endlessly long cave stay.

If you want maximum value, plan your expectations around a fast, fun day: enjoy the stops, focus on being comfortable for water time, and use Žanjice Beach as your proper decompression.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

Meet at MontenegroGlobe near the shopping center Kamelija. It’s about a 2-minute walk from the old town or the Port of Kotor. You’ll follow the main road to find MontenegroGlobe.

How long is the Blue Cave, Žanjic Beach speedboat tour?

The duration is about 4 hours.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes transportation by boat, a bottle of water, snorkel mask, and life-saving gear. The Our Lady of the Rocks entry fee and drinks are not included.

Do I need to pay anything for Our Lady of the Rocks?

Yes. Our Lady of the Rocks has an entry fee of €2 per person. The tour skips the ticket line, but you still need to pay the fee.

Will I be able to swim in the Blue Cave?

You’ll have time for swimming and snorkeling during the Blue Cave portion. The amount of time you spend right at the cave can depend on conditions.

What should I bring with me?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. There is a live tour guide in English.

Is the tour canceled for bad weather?

It may be canceled in the event of bad weather or heavy rain. It also depends on meeting a minimum number of people.

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