Sea Dog Speedboat, Blue Cave, 3h

Blue cave, Mamula island, Submarine tunnels and Our lady of the Rocks (3h) runs through Sea Dog Speed Boat Tours. Rated 4.8 across 697 reviews. Runs 3 hours. From $45.

Overview

This three hour speedboat run out of Kotor packs in the submarine tunnels, the Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks, with bottled water handed out on board and a swim stop at the cave. The boat holds a maximum of 20 travellers, and one reviewer's departure carried only 8. There is no hotel pickup: everyone gathers at the pier just next to the port in Kotor, a few minutes' walk through the park, where the crew meets the group.

The route works outward through the Bay of Kotor, passing Mamula Fortress on the way to the Blue Cave, where passengers swim in the water. Reviewers repeatedly warn that the area gets crowded with other craft. From there the trip moves on to Our Lady of the Rocks, the island church, where passengers get roughly 20 minutes ashore if they pay the small entry fee.

It suits travellers who want the main sights of the bay in a half day on the water without committing to a full day. Cruise passengers mention it works well from the port, since the meeting point is close by. Confident swimmers get the most out of it, given the open-water swimming at the cave. It is not recommended for pregnant travellers and it is not wheelchair accessible.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Kotor pierMeet the crew beside the port in Kotor, on the left side about 3 minutes' walk through the park, following the boat company signs to the Sea Dog stand. The tour ends back at the same point.
2. Cruise the Bay of KotorRoughly 2 hours of the trip is spent out on the bay, with the skipper pointing out the coastline's landmarks along the way.
3. Blue Cave and Mamula FortressAbout 20 minutes at the Blue Cave, with a swim if conditions allow. Mamula Fortress is passed by on the approach, not visited.
4. Our Lady of the RocksAround 20 minutes at the island church, which several reviewers say can be admired from the boat instead. Landing here is optional and carries an entrance fee of €5.00 per person, paid on the day.
5. Return to KotorThe boat heads back to the original meeting point at the pier. One reviewer reported a late start and a return well past the booked time, so anyone with follow-on plans should build in some slack.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in reviews of this trip, mostly around swimming, crowds and timing.

• Swimming ability. Several reviewers mention heavy boat traffic around the cave entrance and recommend strong swimming skills, since swimmers share the water with craft coming and going. One suggests wearing a life jacket so other boats can spot you in the water.
• Bring cash. The €5.00 per person entry to Our Lady of the Rocks is not included, and food and drinks beyond the bottled water are not covered either. Bring euros for the island fee and anything you want afterwards.
• Crowds at the cave. Multiple travellers describe the Blue Cave area as busy, with many boats and swimmers sharing a small space, and a few found the colour underwhelming on the day. The submarine tunnels and the island church come in for far more consistent praise.
• Getting there. The meeting point is on foot from central Kotor, past the port and through the park, following the boat company signs. Cruise passengers found it easy to reach from the terminal. Allow a few minutes for the walk.
• Timing flexibility. Most reviewers do not dwell on timing, and one reviewer reported a return nearly an hour past the booked time, with an unscheduled beach stop added along the way. Anyone with a tight connection afterwards should build in some slack.
• Weather dependence. The operator cancels for poor weather or sea state, and reviewers who were caught out praised the crew's safety calls. When the whole trip is cancelled, a different date or a full refund is offered.

Common issues. The trip depends on weather and sea conditions, and the Blue Cave swim can be cut entirely when the sea is rough, as happened to at least one group. A minimum number of travellers is required, so the operator can cancel and offer an alternative date or a refund. Some reviewers found the cave stop rushed, and one reported the island stop being skipped altogether. One reviewer described erratic driving that felt unsafe, which sits against many more accounts of careful handling. The listing advises that the trip is not recommended for pregnant travellers and is not wheelchair accessible, and hotel pickup is not provided.

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