Blue Cave is the kind of place you can’t really fake. This 3-hour Kotor speedboat tour takes you straight from the bay to the Blue Cave for time to swim (inside and outside), then adds stops at Kumbor and Our Lady of the Rocks without turning your day into a slow bus crawl.

I especially like the modern speedboat format with a small maximum group size (up to 12), and I like that pickup is built in for cruise ship and accommodation guests, so you can start the day fast and stay on schedule.

One thing to keep in mind: the ride can be choppy, since you’re going out onto open water, and it’s not recommended for travelers heavier than 100 kg (220 lb) or older than 65.

Key points worth knowing before you go

• Swim time is the point: you’ll get around 20–30 minutes near the Blue Cave for photos and a swim.
• Cold War–era submarine tunnels at Kumbor: you pass by and actually go inside the tunnel area for a short stop.
• Our Lady of the Rocks is more than a view: you get about 20 minutes to explore the island (tickets for church/museum aren’t included).
• Small-group pace: a maximum of 12 travelers helps the day feel relaxed even with multiple stops.
• Pickup changes everything: cruise ship guests can be picked up at Port of Kotor, and others can be picked up on the route (Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, etc.).
• Captains vary: some skippers bring more history and stories than others, and English level can differ by captain.

Blue Cave Kotor: what this speedboat trip is really like

If you’re doing the Bay of Kotor, the Blue Cave is the stop people talk about. The big attraction is simple: you don’t just look at it. You get time on the water, then you get in the water—inside if conditions allow, outside if the cave is busy.

This is a group tour on a modern speedboat based out of Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor. The official plan runs about 3 hours, with the heavy hitters packed in: Blue Cave swim/photo time, a quick Kumbor stop for submarine tunnels, and a visit to Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast. You’ll also get coffee or tea (plus water) before you head out from their office, and Wi‑Fi there too.

From the reviews and the way the day is laid out, the tour works best when you’re ready to trade comfort-on-a-boat for getting to the right places fast.

The ride to the cave: fast, sometimes rough, and how to position yourself

This route isn’t a calm lake cruise. You’re moving through bay waters and then out toward the open sea for the Blue Cave, so expect motion. One clear theme from the experience is that the boat can be choppy, especially in the afternoon when the water and wind can be unpredictable.

A practical tip: if you have a choice, sit toward the back of the speedboat. One review specifically noted the back felt less rough when boats were passing nearby and wave action increased. It’s not magic, but it can make the ride feel more manageable.

Also, the tour duration is tight. If the sea is running rough, you might feel like the ride takes longer than you want—but that’s part of why you’re getting to multiple sights in just a few hours.

Stop 1: Blue Cave swim and photos (20–30 minutes)

Here’s the main event. You’ll spend roughly 20 to 30 minutes around the Blue Cave for picturing and swimming, with the plan described as swim inside and outside the cave.

Why this matters: Blue Cave access is boat-dependent. You can’t reach the cave in a normal hike-and-look way, and you won’t get the same effect without a boat approach. On this tour, entrance into the Blue Cave is included, so you’re not paying extra at the dock to make it happen.

What you might experience inside the cave

The Blue Cave is public, which means it can get crowded. In that case, you may find your time isn’t spent entirely inside with a perfect slow-motion photo sequence. You could end up with more focus on swimming outside, or you could get taken to a nearby smaller cave for swimming time if the main cave is busy. Either way, the water is typically the star—clear and bright once you’re in it.

Getting the most out of your swim time

Plan for a short window. This isn’t a half-day hangout. Bring swimwear and keep towels/wet gear in mind. If you have snorkel gear, you may want it—one suggestion in feedback was to bring snorkel gear, fins, and/or water shoes, especially since some spots involve climbing and jumping.

Stop 2: Kumbor submarine tunnels—short, cool, and very different

After the Blue Cave, the tour pivots to something that feels completely different: Kumbor and the submarine tunnel area.

You’ll have about 5 minutes here, which is brief, but it’s long enough to go inside the tunnel and see the structure up close. The experience is tied to a Cold War story in feedback, which helps explain why these tunnels feel so strange and engineered compared to the natural coastal sights.

How to think about this stop

At 5 minutes, this isn’t a slow museum visit. It’s a quick “walk-through and look” stop. If you’re hoping for a long guided history lecture, this part may not deliver much depth. Some captains provide more stories than others, and English skill can vary by skipper. Still, the tunnel itself does most of the work.

Stop 3: Our Lady of the Rocks island (20 minutes on Perast’s doorstep)

Next up is Our Lady of the Rocks, the artificial island built from 1452 to 1722. You’ll have about 20 minutes to explore the island.

A key detail: entrance tickets for church and museum aren’t included. That means you can still enjoy the island and the views, but you may need to pay separately if you want to go inside specific spaces.

The views you’ll get

This stop works because you’re not stuck staring at the water from the boat. You can actually step onto the island. From there, you get panoramic views back toward Old Town Perast, and you can also see the “peaceful natural island” area from both the island and the boat route.

If your day is short, this kind of stop is valuable. It adds a sense of place—history and scenery—without eating up half your time.

What’s included (and what you’ll pay for on your own)

Included in the tour price:

• Fuel
• Professional skipper
• Entrance into the Blue Cave
• Entrance on Our Lady of the Rocks island
• Coffee and/or tea plus free water before the tour in their office
• Wi‑Fi in the office before the tour
• Blankets in winter time

Not included:

• A tour guide (the skipper handles what they can onboard)
• Church and museum tickets

That matters because it shapes expectations. You should expect sea-time guidance from your skipper, not a full separate museum-style guide.

Pickup and meeting: how to avoid the first-day headache

Pickup is a big reason this tour is popular. Sea Stars can pick you up using their speedboat on specific locations:

• Cruise ship guests: pickup at Port of Kotor
• Accommodation guests: pickup possible from Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, and other areas along the bay

They also start from Kotor (their starting point) and can pick up guests along the way.

If you’re not using pickup and you’re meeting at the office, the start point is Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor – Blue Cave speed boat tour, Njegoševa, Kotor 85330, Montenegro. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Practical tip: if you’re booking from Old Town and you’re not sure about the walk timing, choose pickup when it’s offered. One piece of feedback highlighted that being picked up near the front of the old town can save a noticeable walk.

Group size and comfort: the sweet spot for a speedboat day

This is capped at 12 travelers, which is a big deal for a speedboat day. It keeps the vibe from turning into a chaotic rush between stops. You’ll also see comments about having enough time to swim and not feeling constantly dragged along.

Boat size is also a real factor. The speedboat style here is meant for getting you there quickly, not for slow, cushy cruising. If you’re sensitive to motion or you’re traveling with someone who struggles with rough water, plan carefully—this tour specifically notes that it’s not recommended for people over 100 kg (220 lb) and not recommended for travelers older than 65.

Captains, language, and how much “history” you should expect

The tour’s educational value depends heavily on your skipper. Some captains were described as fun and informative, others were still friendly but didn’t always provide as much detail in English.

You may see names like Ilija, Paki, Ivan, Peter, and Serga showing up in feedback. The common thread is that safety and the boat handling seem to be consistent, and many captains give a mix of local facts and sea stories.

If you want more historical depth on your own, come ready with a little reading: Perast’s setting, the island story, and what Cold War submarine tunnels mean in this region. Then the on-the-fly explanations become bonus, not your only source.

Weather reality: why your day might change

This experience requires good weather. If conditions aren’t safe or clear enough, the operator may adjust plans, such as skipping the Blue Cave when it isn’t workable and offering alternatives instead.

In other words: don’t plan this as your only option on a single-weather-dependent day. If you have flexibility, you’ll sleep better. One review highlighted that their team communicated about weather affecting the ability to reach the Blue Cave and offered choices rather than forcing it.

The flip side: when conditions are right, the trip can be unforgettable—clean water, great light, and a swim that feels like a separate universe from Kotor’s streets.

So, is the Blue Cave 3-hour group tour worth $60.46?

At $60.46 per person for about 3 hours, you’re paying for three things at once:

1. Speedboat transport out to the cave area (the hard part logistically)
2. Included entrances for Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks island
3. Time-saving multi-stop itinerary in a small group

You aren’t paying for a separate guided museum experience—church/museum tickets and a dedicated guide aren’t included. But for the core items (getting to the Blue Cave, swimming time, and island access), the price looks fair, especially if you’d otherwise have to stitch together separate boat transfers and tours.

Also, the fact it’s commonly booked well in advance suggests it sells out in good weather windows. If you’re traveling in a popular season, booking earlier is smart.

Should you book this Sea Stars Blue Cave tour?

I’d book it if:

• You want the Blue Cave experience with real swim time (not just a pass-by)
• You like a small group with multiple stops in one morning/afternoon
• You’re comfortable with speedboat motion and you can handle short, punchy stops

I’d think twice if:

• You’re prone to motion sickness or you’re expecting a smooth ride like a ferry
• You want long, deep explanations at every stop (your skipper may not provide that kind of talk every time)
• You fall into the tour’s caution groups noted for comfort and safety

If you want an easy win, this is one of the better ways to do the Bay of Kotor highlights without burning a full day. Just go in ready for open-water movement and maximize the time you have in the water.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave tour?

It runs for about 3 hours (approx.).

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor – Blue Cave speed boat tour on Njegoševa street in Kotor, and it ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes. The operator offers pickup by speedboat on specific locations: cruise ship guests at Port of Kotor, and accommodation guests from areas like Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, etc.

What sights are included in the itinerary?

You’ll visit the Blue Cave, pass by Kumbor (including going inside the submarine tunnel), and visit Our Lady of the Rocks island. Some other natural island viewpoints may be seen from the boat and/or from the island.

Do I get to swim at the Blue Cave?

Yes. The plan includes swimming inside/outside the Blue Cave, with about 20–30 minutes at that stop.

Are entrances included?

Entrance in the Blue Cave is included, and entrance on Our Lady of the Rocks island is included. Church and museum tickets are not included.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What should I bring for the swim parts?

Swimwear is a must. You might also want water shoes, and if you’re into it, bring snorkel gear and fins since there can be jumping/climbing spots around the water.

Is this tour weather-dependent?

Yes. It requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.