Blue Cave, Mamula And Perast Stops

Kotor: Blue Cave, Submarine Base, Mamula, Perast & swim time runs through MontenegroGlobe. Rated 4.8 across 1,651 reviews. Runs 3 hours. From $44.

Overview

This three-hour speedboat trip from Kotor packs most of the bay's famous sights into one fast loop: the old town of Perast, the island of Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula island with its fortress, a swim stop at the Blue Cave area, and the abandoned Yugoslav submarine tunnels. The boat leaves from the MontenegroGlobe agency near the Kamelija shopping centre, a few minutes on foot from Kotor's old town and the Port of Kotor. At Mamula the skipper tells the story of the fortress, which the Italians used as a concentration camp in World War II, and again at Our Lady of the Rocks.

The swimming is the heart of it. From the 21st of May boats are no longer allowed to enter the Blue Cave itself, so travellers swim in from the entrance, and in high season the operator steers toward quieter nearby spots with clear water when the cave area gets crowded. A snorkel mask is provided, along with a bottle of water and life-saving equipment. Reviews repeatedly praise the captains as knowledgeable and safety-conscious, and one reviewer mentioned dolphins spotted on the return leg, though that is luck rather than a promise.

It suits travellers who want a quick, well-organised sampler of the bay rather than a slow cruise. The pace is brisk, and reviewers who wanted longer in Perast say so plainly. The boat carries a fridge and music. It is not a tour for anyone who wants to linger, and it can be cancelled for weather or low numbers.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at MontenegroGlobeThe meeting point is the MontenegroGlobe agency near the Kamelija shopping centre, a few minutes from Kotor's old town and the Port of Kotor.
2. Speedboat to PerastA 20-minute speedboat run across the bay, with coastal views on the way.
3. Perast old townAbout 20 minutes of free time for a walk, photos and sightseeing. This stop is optional.
4. Our Lady of the RocksA 7-minute pass-by with photo stop and commentary on the artificial island, built by local fishermen in the 15th century. Optional.
5. Speedboat to MamulaA 30-minute ride onward across the bay.
6. Mamula Island photo stopAbout 10 minutes for photos and the story of the fortress, used as a concentration camp by the Italians in World War II. Optional.
7. Blue Cave swimA 10-minute ride, then 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. From the 21st of May boats cannot enter the cave, so travellers swim in from the entrance, and the skipper may pick a quieter nearby spot in high season. Optional.
8. Submarine tunnels and returnA 5-minute photo stop at the former Yugoslav submarine tunnels, then a 30-minute speedboat ride back to the MontenegroGlobe agency in Kotor.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how this trip goes, from what to pack to how the timing actually feels.

• What to bring. The listing recommends sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera and a jacket. The jacket matters on a fast open boat, and one review mentions heavy rain on the return leg, so layers are wise even in summer.
• Pace and timing. This is a tight three-hour loop with short stops. Several reviewers enjoyed the timing, but more than one wished for extra minutes in Perast, where free time runs about 20 minutes. Treat it as a sampler, not a slow cruise.
• Swimming. Bring swimwear ready to go, since the swim stop is about 25 minutes. A snorkel mask is listed as included, though one reviewer reported not receiving one, so it helps to be able to swim without it.
• Food and drink. A bottle of water is included and there is a fridge on board, but food and additional drinks are not. Perast is the natural place to grab a coffee or ice cream during the free time there.
• Weather and cancellations. The tour can be cancelled for poor weather or if the minimum number of participants is not met. One reviewer still had fun in heavy rain, but the full refund window is 24 hours before departure, so it pays to keep plans flexible that day.
• Getting there. Pickup is not included, so travellers make their own way to the agency near the Kamelija shopping centre. The listing warns that parking in Kotor is notoriously difficult, which matters for anyone arriving by car.

Common issues. The honest friction points are pace and crowding. More than one reviewer wanted more time in Perast, and the listing itself warns that the Blue Cave area gets busy with speedboats in high season, which is why the operator sometimes swaps in quieter swim spots. From the 21st of May boats cannot enter the cave at all, so the experience is a swim in from the entrance rather than a boat ride inside. One reviewer reported that water and snorkel masks, both listed as included, were not actually provided on their trip. The tour can also be cancelled for weather or low participant numbers, and pets and bikes are not allowed on board.

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