REVIEW · KOTOR
3h-Private Bout: Kotor bay and Blue Cave attraction (Free Drinks)
Book on Viator →Operated by MontenegroGlobe · Bookable on Viator
Blue water caves and history in one smooth ride. This private speedboat tour is built for your group, so you move through Kotor Bay at a pace that feels human, not rushed. The big draw is Blue Cave access paired with stops like the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks and Lustica’s submarine site, all with snorkeling equipment and drinks included.
I also like how the route mixes nature and old stories without turning your day into a checklist. Guides like Andrej, Marko, and Zoran have a way of picking good moments on the water, including swim time outside the Blue Cave area when it’s less crowded. One thing to plan for: the island stop at Our Lady of the Rocks includes time on the island, but the church/museum entry ticket there is not included.
In This Review
- Key highlights to know before you go
- Why a private speedboat is a smart way to do Kotor Bay
- The 3-hour route: Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rocks, Lustica and Mamula
- Blue Cave swim time, snorkel gear, and that sun-tunnel effect
- Our Lady of the Rocks: a man-made island in Perast’s orbit
- Lustica’s ex-submarine base and the Mamula prison story from the water
- What’s included: drinks, water, and snorkeling gear that actually gets used
- Price and value: $324.40 for up to 7 people
- How guides improve the day (and why names matter)
- Practical tips for a smoother Blue Cave day
- Weather matters more than you think
- Who this private boat trip suits best
- Should you book this private Kotor Bay boat trip?
- FAQ
- How long is the Kotor Bay and Blue Cave private boat trip?
- What’s the group size for this private tour?
- Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?
- Is the entrance ticket to Our Lady of the Rocks included?
- Are the other stop entrance fees included?
- Where do we meet, and does the tour end there too?
Key highlights to know before you go
- Private boat for up to 7: your group controls the vibe and pacing.
- Blue Cave swim time (about 30 minutes): snorkel gear and included water access make it easy.
- Free drinks on board: bottled water plus beer and other alcoholic drinks.
- Our Lady of the Rocks stop (30 minutes): Catholic church and a museum about Perast, with entry not included.
- Lustica + Mamula viewpoints: a quick look at an ex-submarine base and World War-era prison history from the water.
Why a private speedboat is a smart way to do Kotor Bay
Kotor Bay rewards timing. The coast is dramatic, and the water changes by the hour. A private boat helps you avoid that feel-busy, stand-in-line rhythm you get with big-group tours.
This is a group of up to 7 people, and that matters more than you might think. With a smaller boat, your driver can focus on your timing—when to slow down for photos, when to position for the best light, and when to let you enjoy the swim instead of watching a clock. The experience runs about 3 hours, so you’re not stuck on the water all day either.
Another plus: you’re not just sailing past. You’re given actual water time at the Blue Cave and snorkeling gear is included. That turns the trip from sightseeing into doing. And yes, the free drinks are part of the comfort factor—something cold in your hand while you’re cruising the bay is simply pleasant.
You’ll likely be guided in English, and the tour uses a mobile ticket. That makes it straightforward when you’re juggling other plans in Kotor.
Other Blue Cave tours we've reviewed in Kotor
The 3-hour route: Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rocks, Lustica and Mamula

Here’s what the flow looks like, in plain terms.
You start at MontenegroGlobe, Zlatne Njive 15, Kotor. From there, the day centers on Blue Cave, with quick stops that add context to what you’re seeing along the bay.
- Stop 1: Blue Cave (about 30 minutes)
On the way in, you also pass the old submarine base and Mamula Island. Then you get about 30 minutes at Blue Cave itself.
- Return route: Our Lady of the Rocks (about 30 minutes)
You stop at the island for a short visit: Catholic church and a museum about Perast.
- Final stretch: Lustica area (about 10 minutes)
You get a brief look at the ex-submarine base used after World War II.
- Mamula Island views from the boat
You’ll take in the panoramic views of Mamula, which had a prison and concentration camp role in both World War I and World War II.
The timing is tight but not frantic. This is a good length for visitors who want “see the best parts” without turning the day into a marathon. The drawback is that each island stop is short, so you’ll want to treat it as a quick, memorable side trip rather than a full exploration.
Blue Cave swim time, snorkel gear, and that sun-tunnel effect

Blue Cave is the star. Even the way the schedule is built tells you that: you spend the most time here, about 30 minutes, and you have the gear to actually enjoy it.
Snorkeling equipment is included, plus bottled water and drinks. That combination makes the experience feel complete. You’re not scrambling to rent gear at the last minute, and you’re not just watching from the boat rail.
A practical detail from past guests: bring a jacket. The water experience is worth it, but conditions can feel cooler than you expect, especially if you’re getting in and out repeatedly or moving through shaded cave areas.
Also, keep your eyes up and don’t just focus on your mask. One visitor called out the sun tunnel as something to watch for. In plain terms: as light moves through openings, the cave can look very different from one moment to the next. Staying a bit relaxed and not rushing the swim helps you catch that effect.
What makes this stop valuable is not only the cave itself—it’s the way the private boat lets you spend time in the water without feeling like you’re herded. If your skipper offers a calmer swim spot outside the Blue Cave area, take it. It often makes the water time more comfortable and less chaotic.
Our Lady of the Rocks: a man-made island in Perast’s orbit

After Blue Cave, the route turns to the island stop at Our Lady of the Rocks for about 30 minutes.
This island is man-made, and it carries a couple of distinct layers:
- A Catholic church
- A museum about Perast
That’s a neat pairing because Perast is part of the bay’s identity—maritime heritage and old-world life. The museum time is short, so you’re not going to “finish” it in half an hour like a dedicated museum visit. But you can get a feel for why this area matters.
One important consideration: the admission ticket is not included for the church/museum on this island. You can still have a great visit, but you should expect to pay that entry on-site. Since you’re only there for about 30 minutes, it’s worth pacing yourself: spend time where you’ll actually want photos and where you can read the key parts without rushing.
This stop is also a good example of how the route balances sites. It’s not only caves and water. You also get that moment of standing somewhere with history stacked on top of it.
Lustica’s ex-submarine base and the Mamula prison story from the water
Next up is the Lustica stop, around 10 minutes, centered on an ex-submarine base used after World War II.
Even with such a short time window, it adds texture. Most boat days in this bay focus on scenery. Here, you get a quick reminder that these waters were strategic—close enough to matter, isolated enough to be controlled.
Then you get Mamula Island as a view moment. The boat route gives you panoramic views of Mamula, and you’ll hear the darker context: it was used as a prison and concentration camp in both World War I and World War II.
Two ways to enjoy this kind of stop:
- Treat it as a visual waypoint, not a full history tour.
- Ask your skipper to point out what you can actually see from the boat during your time there.
In the short time you have, the value is perspective. Standing on the water with the bay’s shape in view helps you understand why places like Mamula and submarine bases mattered.
Other Boka Bay boat tours we've reviewed in Kotor
What’s included: drinks, water, and snorkeling gear that actually gets used
Here’s what the tour includes, in a way that helps you budget mentally:
Included:
- Bottled water
- Beer and other alcoholic beverages
- Snorkeling equipment (use of the gear is included)
Not included:
- Entrance ticket to the Our Lady of the Rocks church/museum
That’s a pretty clean setup. It means you can plan for one likely add-on cost: the island admission. Everything else needed for the signature moment (Blue Cave swim) is already there.
And because drinks are part of the package, the boat time feels less like a means-to-an-end. It feels like the day is yours to enjoy, with support built in.
Price and value: $324.40 for up to 7 people
Let’s talk money without pretending it’s irrelevant.
The tour costs $324.40 per group for up to 7 people. That’s not a low-ticket solo purchase, but private boats rarely are. The real question is whether you’re splitting the cost among your group.
If you have:
- a couple traveling with friends, or
- a small family,
this price can feel reasonable because you’re paying for privacy and shorter, focused sightseeing with included gear and drinks.
Also, think about what you’d otherwise spend:
- snorkeling gear rentals (if you can even find them easily),
- separate entry fees,
- and the cost of paying for a smaller private craft versus a crowded group option.
Here, the value comes from the combination: private boat + Blue Cave swim + included snorkeling gear + free drinks in a tight 3-hour window.
If you’re traveling solo or as just two people, it may still be worth it for the comfort and pacing. But you’ll feel the cost more, because it’s built around group economics.
How guides improve the day (and why names matter)
One reason this experience gets glowing feedback is the way skippers run the trip.
In past departures, people highlighted guides including Andrej, Marko, and Zoran. The pattern is consistent:
- They keep things friendly and relaxed.
- They know where to swim for a better experience.
- They don’t feel like they’re rushing you through stops.
If you get a skipper like the ones mentioned above, you’ll probably notice two things quickly. First, the swim time feels like time you’re meant to enjoy, not time you’re meant to “complete.” Second, your route feels a bit tailored, like it’s adjusted to what your group wants—more time in the water, or a quieter spot outside the busiest area.
That’s the kind of difference that turns a “sightseeing boat” into an actual experience.
Practical tips for a smoother Blue Cave day
Based on how this tour is set up, here’s what will help you enjoy it more.
- Bring a jacket for Blue Cave time. The water and cave conditions can feel cooler than you expect.
- Wear something you can get wet and that dries fast enough for you.
- Plan your photo bursts. You’ll have scenic passages, plus Mamula and other bay viewpoints. But don’t ignore your swim—spend your energy wisely.
- Use the snorkel gear confidently. It’s included for a reason. If you’re new to snorkeling, take your time adjusting before you commit to a longer look around.
One more smart move: if you have a choice of departure times, pick a slot where you expect good visibility and calmer conditions. Your day depends on weather.
Weather matters more than you think
This tour requires good weather. That’s not a vague warning. It’s because the experience is water-based and includes a swim segment.
If conditions are poor, you may be offered a different date or a full refund. So don’t book this as the one thing you can’t change if your schedule gets tight. Put it in as a flexible highlight.
If your timing is flexible and the forecast looks good, go for it. When conditions line up, Blue Cave is exactly the kind of place that makes the whole bay feel special.
Who this private boat trip suits best
This is a strong match if you want:
- a private group experience (up to 7),
- a focused 3-hour plan,
- and an actual swim/snorkel moment rather than just watching from the deck.
It also works well for people who care about comfort. A clean, well-maintained boat has been mentioned, and that’s a big deal when you’re going in and out for swimming.
If you’re someone who likes short stops with big payoff—Blue Cave first, then quick cultural and historical stops—you’ll probably enjoy the pacing.
If you need long museum time on islands or want deep, hours-long exploration, this may feel short. But for a first or second day in Kotor, it’s a solid way to capture a lot of the bay’s signature features.
Should you book this private Kotor Bay boat trip?
Yes, you should book it if Blue Cave is on your must-do list and you want that experience to be more comfortable, less crowded, and more personal. The private setup, included snorkeling gear, and free drinks make this feel like more than a drive-by tour.
I’d hesitate only if:
- you’re very price-sensitive as a solo traveler or just a pair,
- you dislike short island visits and prefer long, land-based exploring,
- or your schedule is rigid around weather.
If you’re traveling with a small group and you want a best-of Kotor Bay day in about 3 hours, this private boat is one of the clearer value choices you can make.
FAQ
How long is the Kotor Bay and Blue Cave private boat trip?
It runs for about 3 hours (approx.).
What’s the group size for this private tour?
It’s a private tour with only your group, up to 7 people.
Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?
Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and beer and other alcoholic beverages.
Is the entrance ticket to Our Lady of the Rocks included?
No. The Our Lady of the Rocks admission ticket is not included.
Are the other stop entrance fees included?
The Blue Cave stop and the Lustica ex-submarine base stop are listed as admission ticket free.
Where do we meet, and does the tour end there too?
You meet at MontenegroGlobe, Zlatne Njive 15, Kotor 85330, Montenegro, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.































