Blue Cave looks unreal from a speedboat. This trip is interesting because it lets you swim inside and outside the Blue Cave in a short window, plus you tack on the Kumbor submarine tunnels and Our Lady of the Rocks island without losing your whole day. I especially like the focused 3-hour format (no long waits) and the chance to get into the water in clear Adriatic light. One drawback to plan around: the ride can be choppy, and the Blue Cave can be crowded, so the exact swimming plan may shift.

The day runs from Sea Stars Boat Tours in Kotor, with pickup available on the way—cruise passengers can be collected at the Port of Kotor, while accommodation guests can be picked up around Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, and nearby. You also get small touches that matter at sea: coffee or tea before you go, Wi‑Fi in the office, and winter blankets (in cooler months).

Key Things I’d Pay Attention To Before You Go

The Blue Cave is public and crowded, so swimming may happen inside or just outside depending on traffic.

Small group size (max 12) keeps the pacing calmer than big bus-style excursions.

Pickup is a real convenience if you’re starting from the cruise port or a hotel area along the bay.

Submarine tunnels at Kumbor and Our Lady of the Rocks add variety beyond just caves.

The open-sea speedboat ride can feel rough in weather or when passing other boats—choose your seat wisely.

You’ll have a short time at each stop, so plan for quick photos and quick swims.

Speedboat Logistics in Kotor: 3 Hours, Real Sea Time

This is a group speedboat outing that lasts about 3 hours total, running on a tight schedule. You’ll start at Sea Stars Boat Tours in Kotor (or board via pickup from the allowed locations), and you’ll end back at the meeting point.

Why the timing matters: the Blue Cave and the island of Our Lady of the Rocks are both “attraction stops,” not long sightseeing marathons. In practice, you’re getting a concentrated hit of the bay’s highlights—boat views, a cave swim, a stop on the way for submarines, and a final island visit—then you’re back before you’ve burned your whole afternoon.

Also, expect real sea travel. One review specifically called out that the drive along the gulf can be rough, and another noted a choppy open-sea ride of around an hour. If you’re sensitive to motion, sit toward the back where the ride can feel less rough when you’re passing other boats.

If you’re cruising: pickup from the Port of Kotor saves you from walking from town to the operator office. If you’re staying in the bay area: they list pickup for places like Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, and Perast. That flexibility is part of the value.

Entering the Blue Cave: What You Can Expect to Swim and Photograph

The Blue Cave is the headliner for a reason: it’s the kind of place that’s simply not reachable the same way by land. Your time there is short—about 20 to 30 minutes—and it’s built around two options: swimming inside and outside the cave.

Here’s the honest planning picture. Because the Blue Cave is described as public (not private), it can have multiple boats at once. That means you might:

• Spend your swimming time inside if there’s space, or
• Get most of your swimming outside if the cave is too busy.

That difference shows up in real-world experience. Some people report they swam inside; others couldn’t get the inside swim when traffic was heavy. You still get the signature light-blue water and the cave experience either way, but don’t assume you’ll always have a quiet “empty cave” moment.

You’ll also use the short time for photos—this is one of those stops where the water color changes with the light and with how close the boat can position. So if you care about pictures, bring your camera mindset: quick shots, quick swim, quick back onboard.

Tip that actually helps

Wear something you can swim in right away. And if you’re comfortable in the water, bring your own snorkel setup (at least basic snorkel gear). One person recommended snorkel gear and fins, plus water shoes if you plan to climb and jump off rocks. Even if you don’t jump, water shoes can save your feet if there are slick surfaces around the island areas later.

Kumbor Submarine Tunnels: The Quick Stop That Adds a Twist

After the Blue Cave, the tour swings to Kumbor for the submarine tunnels. This is a smaller, less famous stop compared to the caves, which is exactly why it works. It breaks up the day so it doesn’t feel like three hours of “just more water sightseeing.”

The scheduled time is only about 5 minutes, and the listing states you’ll go inside the submarine tunnel area during that window. Admission here is listed as free, so you’re not paying extra just to get a quick look at this Cold War–era space.

What you get out of it: perspective. The Adriatic isn’t only about beauty—it also has a military story layered into the coastline. Even in five minutes, it’s a meaningful contrast to the playful Blue Cave swim.

Our Lady of the Rocks Island: How the Views and Walk Fit In

Your final “wow” moment comes at Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island built from 1452 to 1722. You’ll have about 20 minutes to explore.

This stop isn’t about a deep, long museum visit. It’s about:

• walking the island at a relaxed pace (within the short time window),
• grabbing island photos,
• and soaking in the bay views—especially toward Perast.

Timing note: if you want photos of old town Perast from the island, the 20-minute window can feel just right if you move efficiently. If you slow down too much, you’ll feel it on the next phase (getting back on the boat).

Also, know what’s included and what isn’t. Entrance to the island is included, but church and museum tickets are not. So if you’re the kind of person who always wants the interior, bring a little extra budget for those.

Who Runs the Boat Day: Skippers, English, and the Group Pace

This is run by Sea Stars Kotor boat tours, and your contact is the professional skipper. Interestingly, the listing says there’s no separate tour guide included, but many skippers do give information as they drive and during stops.

You’ll likely notice differences in how much English the skipper can share. Some people report their captain gave plenty of info and helped with history; others said they wished they’d heard more. Since you’re not paying for a dedicated historian guide, your experience depends on the captain scheduled that day.

Good sign: the ride safety and hospitality seem consistently solid. Multiple people highlight captains who were friendly, patient, and fun, including names like Peter, Ilija, Paki, Ivan, and Serga. If one captain makes the day better, it’s usually because they manage the boat positions well (especially around a crowded cave) and they time the swim so you don’t feel rushed.

Group size is capped at 12 travelers. That’s a sweet spot. It’s not private-boat calm, but it’s also not crowded like the biggest departures. Still, since it’s a group, the itinerary matters. You can’t expect stops to be swapped on the fly just because you want more time somewhere.

Value for $60.46: What’s Included (and Why It Matters)

At $60.46 per person, it’s not the cheapest way to do Kotor’s highlights. But it does include several cost items that add up fast:

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

Not included:

• Tour guide
• Church and museum tickets

So you’re paying for access and for the boat time that makes the Blue Cave possible at all. If you tried to piece this together yourself with separate tickets and boat arrangements, you’d likely spend more and spend more time coordinating.

Where value can dip: if the day is affected by weather. The tour is described as requiring good weather, and there are situations where the Blue Cave visit might not be possible. One review described a weather change where Blue Cave wasn’t reachable, but the skipper still made the day enjoyable. Another noted they adjusted plans when timing was disrupted for a cruise delay. So the operator seems to work hard to protect the experience when conditions shift.

What to Pack and How to Ride Comfortably

This day is part boat ride, part swim, part short walk. Here’s what makes the biggest difference.

For the boat ride

• Expect choppy conditions sometimes, especially in open-sea stretches.
• If you want steadier feeling, choose a seat toward the back if you can.

For swimming

• Bring a swimsuit and plan for quick transitions.
• Water shoes help with traction on rocks and wet surfaces.
• Basic snorkeling gear can be useful since the water is often clear around the stops.

For cool or rainy weather

• Winter blankets are included.
• One review mentioned rain gear being handed out when weather turned briefly rainy. So it’s worth bringing something light you can throw on if clouds roll in.

For the physical side

• The tour isn’t recommended for travelers over 100 kg / 220 lb.
• It’s also not recommended for travelers older than 65.

If you’re on the edge for either category, I’d treat that warning seriously—speedboat seating and movement are part of the reality here.

The Big Decision: Should You Book the Blue Cave Speedboat Tour?

I’d book this tour if you want a short, action-focused day that actually gets you into the water—without adding tons of walking or long museum time. The best fit is:

• couples and small groups who want a compact plan,
• cruise passengers who need an efficient departure,
• and anyone who likes boat rides enough to tolerate some chop.

I would pause before booking if:

• you’re very motion-sensitive (because open-sea speedboat rides can be rough),
• you need guaranteed inside-cave swimming at all costs (the cave can be crowded),
• or you’re hoping for a full, detailed guided history lecture for every stop (this is more skipper-led than guide-led).

If your top priority is simply seeing and experiencing the Blue Cave, this tour makes that possible in a way land-based plans can’t. Just go in knowing it’s a shared cave with variable conditions, and you’ll enjoy the day much more.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours (approx.).

How much does it cost per person?

It costs $60.46 per person.

Is pickup offered from the Port of Kotor?

Yes. Cruise ship guests can be picked up at the Port of Kotor. Accommodation guests can be picked up at listed areas like Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, and Perast.

What’s included in the price?

Included are fuel, a professional skipper, entrance in the Blue Cave, entrance on Our Lady of the Rocks island, coffee and/or tea before the tour in the office, Wi‑Fi in the office, and blankets in winter time.

Do I need separate tickets for the island church or museum?

Church and museum tickets are not included.

How many people are on the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Does weather affect the tour?

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