2025 Private Boat To Blue Cave 3 hours ADVENTURE

Blue water, old forts, and a fast boat make this a lively way to see the Bay of Kotor and its coast. I love the chance to swim at the Blue Cave, and I like that the route adds Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula Fortress, and former submarine tunnels. The main concern is that conditions can change the swimming stop, and one report described a boat that felt overcrowded.

This three-hour outing costs $241.87 per group of up to six, which works out to about $40 per person if you fill the boat. Captain Aki receives especially warm praise for his friendly explanations and careful driving, while Captain Bobin is noted for adding music and humor. Still, much of the tour is spent moving between stops, so bring warm layers in cooler months.

Key points at a glance

• The Blue Cave is the main event: You get about 30 minutes for swimming and photos, but sea conditions can affect access.
• A private booking can be good value: The advertised rate covers up to six people, making the per-person cost reasonable for a small group.
• Captain Aki gets strong praise: He is described as friendly, safe, and especially good at explaining the sites.
• The route mixes nature and wartime history: Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula Fortress, and the submarine tunnel each offer a different kind of stop.
• The boat ride takes real time: This is not a series of long shore visits. You will spend much of the three hours traveling by speedboat.
• Check the boat capacity: The experience is described as private for up to six, but one account reported 14 people aboard, so confirm the arrangement before departure.

Why this three-hour boat ride works

Kotor is best appreciated from the water. From a boat, the steep mountains, old coastal settlements, islands, and narrow inlets fit together in a single view. This trip gives you that broad look while adding several stops that are hard to combine on foot.

The route is also nicely varied. You are not spending three hours looking at one type of sight. The Blue Cave supplies the swim, Our Lady of the Rocks brings art and local tradition, Mamula adds a serious wartime story, and the submarine tunnel offers a brief look at military infrastructure cut into the coast.

I like this mix because it keeps the trip from feeling like a simple speedboat transfer. You get water, architecture, island scenery, and history in one short outing. The tradeoff is pace. With only three hours, the stops are brief, and the boat ride itself takes up much of the clock.

The booking is listed as a private activity for your group, with a maximum of six people and a total price of $241.87. For six people, that is roughly $40.31 each. For two people, it is closer to $121 per person, so the value improves sharply when you can share it with friends or family.

Leaving Kotor for the Blue Cave

The meeting point is Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor at Park Slobode 1, Kotor 85330. The trip returns to the same place, which makes planning easier if you are spending the day around Kotor’s old town or waterfront.

The boat gives you an open-water view of the bay and coast as you head toward the first main stop. This is where the experience feels most different from a land excursion. You are moving quickly, seeing the shoreline from angles that roads cannot provide, and getting a panoramic view of places such as Perast from the water.

You should remember that the advertised three hours includes travel time. The schedule does not mean three full hours of swimming and sightseeing on shore. The stops add up to about 70 minutes, while the remaining time is spent underway. That is perfectly reasonable for a coastal boat trip, but it matters if you prefer slow visits and long museum stops.

The speedboat can also make the ride feel exposed. One account described strong winds and praised Aki for handling them safely. Another advised bringing enough warm clothing in November. Even in mild weather, a moving boat can feel cool, especially when you are wet after swimming.

Swimming at the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave receives the longest stop, about 30 minutes, and it is clearly the centerpiece of the outing. You can enter the cave area, see the clear water, and swim when conditions allow. The unusual color and enclosed rock setting make this the most memorable nature stop on the route.

I would plan to get in the water if swimming is important to you, but I would not treat it as guaranteed. Sea traffic and water conditions have prevented access for at least one departure. In that case, the captain found another spot for people who wanted to swim, which is a useful backup, but it is not the same experience.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and a layer you can put on quickly afterward. The tour information does not specify changing facilities, so you should not assume you will have a private place to change. Keep your phone secure around the water, too. The cave is a photo stop, but wet hands and a moving boat are a poor combination for loose valuables.

The 30-minute allotment is enough for a swim and photos, though it will feel short if the boat is waiting in a busy area. In high season, access may be affected by other boats. For the best chance of enjoying the cave calmly, ask about sea conditions and expected traffic when you confirm the departure.

Our Lady of the Rocks in 20 minutes

Our Lady of the Rocks is a small island opposite Perast, known for its church and its unusual man-made origins. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, giving you time to admire the island, take photographs, and hear the basic story from the skipper.

This is a short visit, not a full church tour. The value comes from seeing the island up close and understanding how it fits into the bay. From the boat, you also get a striking view back toward Perast, with its Venetian-style buildings lining the shore.

You may find the stop more rewarding if you listen closely to the local story rather than treating it as a quick photo break. The captains are praised for explaining the places along the way, and Aki in particular is frequently singled out for giving detailed information.

Twenty minutes goes quickly. Keep your camera ready, stay aware of the departure time, and do not expect a long independent visit. The stop is designed as one piece of a moving coastal route.

Mamula Fortress and its difficult past

Mamula Island is the third stop, with around 10 minutes allocated to it. The fortress was used as a prison during World War II, and the captain provides the story while you are there.

This is a brief stop with a serious tone. It is not presented as a long historical visit or a chance to explore every part of the fort. Instead, the skipper’s explanation gives the place meaning, turning an isolated stone structure into a reminder of the area’s wartime past.

Ten minutes is enough for a look and some photographs, but not enough for a deep examination of the site. If you want extensive military history, this boat trip will feel introductory. If you like having historical context added to a scenic route, it is a worthwhile inclusion.

The contrast with the Blue Cave is one of the route’s strengths. You move from clear water and swimming to a fortress connected with imprisonment and war. That change gives the trip more substance than a purely scenic cruise.

Inside the former submarine tunnel

The submarine tunnel is another short stop, lasting about 10 minutes. The speedboat takes you into the tunnel cut into the mountain, allowing you to see its structure from inside while the skipper explains its former military purpose.

This is a particularly unusual stop because you are not simply viewing the tunnel from a distance. The boat enters the opening, giving you a closer sense of its size and position along the coast. It is a quick visit, but the setting is memorable.

The tunnel also adds variety to the ride. You have the open bay, an island church, a fortress, and then a dark military passage in the mountains. The stop may feel rushed if you want a long explanation, but its short length works within a three-hour schedule.

If you are interested in military sites, pay attention to the commentary. The reviews consistently praise the guides for explaining the tunnel and other locations clearly. Aki is named several times as an especially friendly and informative captain.

Perast from the water

The boat provides a panoramic view of Perast rather than a scheduled shore stop. This is a smart use of the return or connecting portions of the trip. You can see the town’s Venetian architecture and waterfront without spending time docking and walking through it.

From the water, Perast appears as a compact historic settlement set against the bay and mountains. The view gives you a sense of how closely the town, islands, and coast are connected. It is also one of the better opportunities for wide photographs, since you are seeing the whole shoreline at once.

Do not book this experience expecting a walking visit to Perast. You will see it from the speedboat, hear about it as part of the route, and have a chance to photograph it. If you want time inside the town, you will need to plan a separate visit.

Captains, commentary, and the feel of the ride

The human side of this tour is one of its strongest features. Captain Aki is repeatedly praised for friendly service, clear explanations, and safe handling, including during strong winds. That combination matters on a short trip, because the captain shapes both the practical safety of the ride and your understanding of the places you see.

Captain Bobin is also mentioned positively for making the outing fun with music and commentary. The tone may vary by captain, but the experience is not meant to be silent transportation. Expect stories, local context, and opportunities to stop for swimming or jumping at suitable points.

The captain may also adjust the route when conditions require it. That flexibility helped one group find another swimming location when the Blue Cave was not usable. At the same time, a changed route means you cannot guarantee every advertised moment will happen exactly as planned.

The ride is active rather than leisurely. You will feel the speedboat moving between locations, and the wind can be noticeable. If you get cold easily, pack a warm layer even when the forecast looks pleasant. If you want a quiet, slow cruise, this may not be the right style of outing.

Price, group size, and value

At $241.87 for up to six people, the price is sensible for a small group that wants a private boat rather than a large shared departure. Six people bring the cost to about $40 per person, which is attractive for a three-hour trip with several coastal stops.

The calculation changes for smaller groups. Two people pay about $121 each, and three people pay about $81 each. You are paying for the boat and captain, not simply for admission to separate attractions. Since the listed stops have no admission charge, the value comes from transport, access by water, the private arrangement, and the skipper’s commentary.

The private format should also give your group a more personal outing. You can ask questions, request a swimming opportunity when conditions permit, and stay together rather than following a large crowd. But I would confirm the actual boat capacity before paying. One report described 14 people on a boat expected to hold 10, which conflicts with the advertised private group size of six.

That single account does not establish the normal arrangement, but it is enough to justify a quick message to the operator. Ask how many people will be aboard, what happens if the Blue Cave is closed, and whether pickup from your accommodation is possible. One group from Dobrota received pickup at its location, though the official meeting point remains in Kotor.

Who should book this adventure

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several major coastal sights in a compact window. It suits couples, families, and small friend groups who enjoy swimming, short historical stops, and a fast ride with a captain providing commentary.

It is also a good choice if you have limited time in Kotor and want to see more than the old town. The route reaches sites that are difficult to combine independently by land, especially the Blue Cave and submarine tunnel.

You may want another option if you dislike speedboats, need long visits at historical sites, or want a guaranteed swim. The Blue Cave depends on traffic and water conditions, and the scheduled stops at Mamula and the tunnel are only about 10 minutes each.

The trip is accessible to most people according to the tour information, and service animals are allowed. Still, the practical experience involves boarding a boat, sitting underway, and possibly swimming, so you should contact the operator if your group has specific mobility needs.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Blue Cave boat tour?

Book it if you want a lively, water-based overview of Kotor’s wider coast and can accept a flexible schedule. The Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula Fortress, submarine tunnel, and Perast view give you a lot of variety in three hours.

The best value comes when six people share the $241.87 price. Before you confirm, ask about the exact group size, the captain assigned to your trip, current sea conditions, and the backup plan for swimming. Pack warm layers, swim gear, and a secure way to carry your phone.

I would choose this tour for a small group that values scenery, local stories, and movement over long time ashore. I would skip it if your priority is a guaranteed cave swim or a slow, detailed visit to every historic site.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Hawaii Boat Tours Kotor, Park Slobode 1, Kotor 85330, Montenegro. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. The total time includes travel between the stops.

How many people can join the private tour?

The tour is described as a private activity for a group of up to six people. One account reported a larger number aboard a boat, so confirm the exact capacity with the operator before departure.

Is swimming at the Blue Cave guaranteed?

No. Swimming and access can depend on traffic and water conditions. If the Blue Cave cannot be used, the captain may offer another swimming location.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.