One trip where speed makes the scenery better. I like the mix of Boka Bay panoramas and that real chance to swim in the Blue Cave. It’s a fast, no-frills outing, so the one thing to weigh is that the schedule is tight around the main stops.

You’ll start in Donja Lastva (Tivat suburb) and zip along the coast with views over small villages, the Luštica peninsula, and Mamula Island. The Blue Cave itself is the star, with built-in photo moments and time for snorkeling in water that earns its name. The tradeoff: you won’t have hours to linger onshore, and the best time is the short window you’re in the water.

Key points before you go

• Blue Cave swim time: You’ll get about 20 minutes in the cave area, including snorkeling gear.
• Panoramic Boka Bay ride: Expect a steady run along the coast from Donja Lastva with big viewpoints.
• Mamula Island pass-by: You’ll see it from the boat without it eating up your schedule.
• Old submarine tunnel photo stop: A quick look at three Yugoslavia-era tunnels cut into Luštica’s banks.
• Comfort extras included: Bottled water, snorkeling equipment, rain coats.
• Meet at St. Roko church dock: No hotel pickup, so you’ll want to plan your timing in Tivat.

Setting expectations: what this speedboat tour really gives you

This tour is built for people who want the coast of Montenegro, not a slow day of stops and long waits. You’re mostly on a speedboat moving through Boka Bay’s shoreline views, then you get focused hits: the Blue Cave swim and a photo stop at the old submarine tunnel.

The big value is that you get two different kinds of “wow” in about 100 minutes. First, there’s the long, moving panorama of coastlines and island shapes you can’t fully appreciate from shore. Then there’s the cave, where the light and refraction create that impossible-looking blue color on the walls.

Price-wise, at about $41 per person, it’s in the zone where you’re paying for speed, access, and equipment. It also helps that the essentials are included: snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and rain coats. The one practical catch is that hotel pickup isn’t included, so you’re responsible for getting to the dock in Donja Lastva.

Where you start: Donja Lastva dock and the St. Roko church meeting spot

You meet at the dock in Donja Lastva, in front of St. Roko church. This matters more than it sounds. If you’re staying in central Kotor or in the Old Town, you’ll likely spend more time traveling just to reach the meetup than you’d expect, because there’s no pickup.

The good news: this spot is very direct once you know it. The speedboat is scheduled to pick you up at the expected time, so you’re not hanging around forever waiting for the group to assemble.

If you want a smooth start, come with an easy plan: arrive early enough to find the dock confidently, then be ready to board when they call. Bring what you need for the water (sunglasses, swimwear, towel) because there isn’t time for a long reset later.

The first run along Boka Bay: quick panoramas with real payoff

Right after boarding, you’re in motion along the coast from Tivat. You’ll spend roughly the first half of the experience cruising the shoreline, taking in small villages, houses, churches, and that classic contrast of sea and mountains in the Bay of Kotor area.

This is where the speedboat makes sense. From a boat, you see how the coastline folds and how the mountains rise right out of the water. It’s also the part that helps you understand why Boka Kotorska is often described as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, and why it’s compared to Europe’s southernmost fjord.

You’ll also get passing views tied to the broader area: the Luštica peninsula and Mamula Island, plus sightlines toward the Kotor old town area from the water. You don’t get long stops here, but you do get the kind of viewpoints that are hard to recreate on foot.

A small consideration

Because the ride is a continuous run, expect it to feel lively rather than relaxed. If you prefer quiet, slow sightseeing, this may feel like a “hit the highlights” day. If you love movement and views, you’ll probably have a grin the whole way.

Mamula Island and Kotor Old Town views from the boat

Mamula Island shows up as one of the recognizable shapes along the bay. Here, you won’t stand around for photos for long. Instead, you’ll pass by with a quick window where you can frame it from the moving boat.

This approach is efficient, and it’s actually useful. You see Mamula in context, not as a postcard item floating in isolation. From the water, it’s easier to understand how the island sits against the curve of the bay and why it becomes such a strong visual marker.

If Kotor Old Town is on your mind, keep your eyes open during the ride. You’ll get panoramic angles that help connect the bay geography to what you’ll later see on land.

The Blue Cave: what you’re swimming into, and why it looks blue

Then you reach the stop that most people remember: the Blue Cave. You’ll spend about 20 minutes there for swimming and snorkeling, with equipment provided.

This isn’t just a cave you look at from outside. The cave is described as a large space—about 300 square meters—with tall arches (around 25 meters high) and shallow water near the entrances (about 3 to 4 meters deep). There are two entrances, which matters because it affects light, reflections, and how the cave opening frames the sea.

The blue color is the point. The water looks unusually blue due to light refraction inside the cave. The effect makes the walls seem blue too, as if the water is shining from the depths. That’s the reason the place has a reputation: the light is doing most of the work, and your job is to get in there when conditions are right.

Practical tip for the swim portion

Since you’re only there for a short window, treat the first moments as your setup time. Get your snorkel mask on quickly, then let yourself settle into the swim so you’re not rushing while you’re trying to enjoy the light and color. Sunglasses help for the transition in and out of the boat glare, and sun cream is smart if you burn easily.

What to expect once you’re in the cave area

Your time includes both swimming and snorkeling. That’s handy because you can choose your pace. You might just float and watch the color, or you might spend more time looking around with the snorkel gear.

The cave setting is also visually dramatic even if you don’t swim far. You’ll notice how the openings change the color and brightness, and you’ll likely want a few photos, too.

Old Submarine Tunnel on Luštica Bay: quick look, big story

On the return leg, you get a short stop for the old submarine tunnel carved into Luštica’s steep banks. You’re only there for about 5 minutes, and it’s mainly a photo stop. Still, the details make it worth seeing.

This tunnel area includes three tunnels built during Yugoslavia. They were used to hide and repair submarines and ships. The tunnel length is up to 50 meters, and it’s about 7 meters wide. Depth is also notable: the average depth is about 8 meters, and the area around the exit can reach roughly 30 meters.

Because you’re not entering the tunnel, you don’t get the tactile experience—what you get is context from the viewpoint and the sheer scale of the excavation. For history lovers, the short stop can feel brief, but it’s still a memorable contrast to the natural beauty you’ve just been swimming through.

If you’re more of a scenery person than a museum person, you’ll likely appreciate it as a different texture of the bay: human engineering meeting steep coastline.

The final coast cruising window: don’t waste it

After the tunnel photo stop, you’ll head back toward the start destination. There’s usually a little extra time—around 10 minutes—to keep enjoying Boka Bay views until you return to Donja Lastva.

This is the part people sometimes overlook because they’re focused on the Blue Cave and the tunnel. But it’s often where the light softens and the bay looks especially photogenic. If you can, keep your camera ready and don’t fully pack up right after the swim. The scenery keeps moving, and you get another chance to catch the bay’s coastline shape.

What’s included (and what you’ll likely bring yourself)

Included in the price:

• Fuel (for the boat)
• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment
• Rain coats

Not included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

You’ll want to bring the basics that match the season. During summer, take swimsuit, sunglasses, towel, and sun cream. In cooler periods, bring warmer clothes and a cap.

It’s also smart to bring something small for your phone or camera if you’re worried about spray. Rain coats are provided, but you’re still on a speedboat, and splash happens.

How long it feels: 100 minutes of fast, focused sightseeing

The tour lasts about 100 minutes total. In practice, that means you’re not waiting around between major stops for long. You’re moving, looking, swimming, snapping photos, then moving again.

This is a key decision point. If you love short, high-impact experiences, you’ll like the pacing. If you want lots of time at one location, you may feel a little rushed, especially if you’re hoping for long exploration beyond the swim and photo stop.

The best way to make it work for you: go in knowing what the priorities are. The Blue Cave is the moment. Everything else supports it—panoramic framing on the way there and a quick look at the tunnel on the way back.

Value for money: is $41 worth it for your day in Tivat?

At $41 per person, the value is mostly about what’s included and how you’re using the time.

You’re getting:

• A boat ride that covers the bay efficiently
• A structured Blue Cave experience with about 20 minutes in the water
• Snorkeling equipment and rain coats to reduce what you need to pack
• A short, memorable look at the submarine tunnel area

You are not getting:

• Hotel pickup, so you’ll need to handle transport to the meetup
• Lots of long-standing time onshore

If you’re staying in or near Tivat and you can reach Donja Lastva easily, the cost makes sense because you’re buying access and convenience for a short day. If you’re coming from further away, the “real” cost becomes time and transport, and you might compare this to other half-day options.

Either way, the included snorkeling gear and the guided route are a big part of the deal. You’re not just paying for a ride; you’re paying for the setup around the Blue Cave.

Who should book this speedboat tour (and who might skip it)

You’ll probably love this tour if:

• You want big bay views without hours of transit
• You’re comfortable swimming and snorkeling for a short window
• You like efficiency and don’t need long walks between photo stops
• You want a day that fits neatly into a Tivat or Kotor area itinerary

You might skip it if:

• You hate tight timing and want long stays
• You want a slow, relaxed boat day with minimal switching between activities
• You don’t plan to swim or snorkel, since the cave is the main reason to choose this format

Should you book the Tivat Blue Cave and Old Submarine Tunnel tour?

If your idea of a great Montenegro day includes speedboat views and a real shot at swimming in the Blue Cave, book it. The short, focused structure is exactly what makes the experience feel special: you get the bay’s geography plus the cave’s light effect, all in about 100 minutes.

I’d choose this tour if you’re staying near Tivat or can reach Donja Lastva without stress. If you’re traveling from farther out, factor in your extra time to get to the dock, because there’s no hotel pickup.

If you want a cave experience and you can handle a lively schedule, this is a strong match for your day on the Bay of Kotor.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this tour?

You meet at the dock in Donja Lastva, in front of St. Roko church.

How long is the speedboat tour?

The total duration is about 100 minutes.

How much time do I get at the Blue Cave?

You’ll have about 20 minutes to visit and swim/snorkel at the Blue Cave.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included.

Does the tour include hotel pickup or drop-off?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What languages does the driver speak?

The driver speaks English and Serbo-Croatian.

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