Blue Cave beats any postcard. This 3-hour speedboat group tour from Kotor lines you up for swimming inside and outside the cave, plus a quick look at Kumbor’s submarine tunnels and a stop on Our Lady of the Rocks.

I really like the way the tour keeps things efficient without feeling frantic. You get pickup options (including the Port of Kotor for cruise ship arrivals), and you also get real swim time for photos and a cool-down in clear water, not just a quick stop.

One thing to plan for is the sea ride. This is open-water speedboating, so expect wind and waves, and the Blue Cave can be busy, which can affect whether you enter the cave area fully or more time is spent swimming just outside.

Key highlights at a glance

• Blue Cave swimming time (about 20 to 30 minutes) for photos and actual swims
• Port of Kotor pickup for cruise ship days, plus pickup options along the bay
• Small group size with a maximum of 12 travelers, so you move at a human pace
• Kumbor submarine tunnels stop with a short interior visit (about 5 minutes)
• Our Lady of the Rocks island visit with around 20 minutes to explore and view Perast

What You’re Really Buying in a 3-Hour Blue Cave Tour

This tour is built around one big idea: you want the Blue Cave experience without losing your whole day to getting there. In about 3 hours, you cover the drive by boat out of Kotor Bay, a swim-focused Blue Cave stop, and two additional sights that stack well together.

The transport is a modern speedboat with a professional skipper. That matters because you are traveling across open water, not hopping between docks. You also feel the “instant vacation” factor faster, especially if you are starting from the Port of Kotor or a hotel pickup along the bay.

The group is capped at 12 travelers. That usually means less waiting, fewer boat-to-boat transfers, and a better chance you actually enjoy the stops instead of watching the clock.

Meeting Point and Pickup: How to Avoid the Usual Day-Of Confusion

You meet at Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor – Blue Cave speed boat tour, Njegoševa, Kotor 85330. The good news is that if you are a cruise ship passenger, you do not have to solve the Kotor puzzle alone. The operator lists pickup from the Port of Kotor, and the tour also offers pickup from select accommodation areas such as Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, and similar locations.

This is the practical part: if you are staying in or near the Old Town, you can save yourself a walk by using the pickup option that meets you closer to the water. One review note said it was not clear where to meet when using the office location, even with a map reference, so if you are unsure, ask ahead and confirm which pickup point you are assigned to.

Also pay attention to what the tour is doing logistically: they start from Kotor and, on the way, they can pick up guests at designated stops. That helps you if you are not directly at the main office, but it also means you should be ready at the pickup location on time.

Stop 1, Blue Cave: Swimming Time That’s the Whole Point

The Blue Cave is scheduled as your main stop. You spend about 20 to 30 minutes total, split between picturing and swimming inside and outside the cave area. And yes, there is entrance included for the Blue Cave.

Here’s the reality check I want you to understand before you go: the Blue Cave is not a private lagoon. It’s a public cave space where multiple boats can be around. So while the itinerary targets inside-and-outside time, what you get can shift slightly based on crowding and how other boats are positioned.

If your goal is maximum water time, you are in good hands. The best moments people describe are the swims in the Adriatic water around the cave, with that intense blue glow you only really get in person. Some of the captain names that came up in reviews include Ilija, Paki, Serga, and Peter, and the common theme is that captains focus on getting you the moments you came for, including time to swim and take photos.

What to bring for this stop:

• Water shoes or shoes you do not mind getting wet
• A swimsuit you can move in easily
• If you have it, snorkeling gear or at least a way to protect your feet from rocks
• If it looks like rain, plan for it, because quick showers can happen and rain gear has been provided on the water

Kumbor Submarine Tunnels: A Short Stop With a Strange Cold War Vibe

Next up is Kumbor, where you see the submarine tunnels and go inside the tunnel for about 5 minutes. It’s brief on purpose, because the tour is trying to keep the day efficient and still deliver the Blue Cave as the centerpiece.

This stop is not about a long guided lecture. It’s more like, you get close to something unusual, step into the tunnel area, and then you’re back on the boat. That makes it a good match for people who like variety, not just one big activity.

You’ll also appreciate the way this adds texture to the day. A pure “caves only” tour can feel repetitive. Adding tunnels gives you a different kind of story: the Adriatic coast as a strategic, engineered space, not only a scenic one.

Our Lady of the Rocks Island: Views Over Perast and Island Time

Your third highlight is Our Lady of the Rocks, the artificial island created between 1452 and 1722. You get about 20 minutes to explore the island.

Two practical notes make this stop work:

1. You are not rushed. Twenty minutes is enough to walk around, take in the structures, and get photos.
2. You get views. From the island, you can see Perast, and you also get a scenic look back from the boat as you approach and leave.

Also note what’s not included. The itinerary says entrance to Our Lady of the Rocks is included, but church and museum tickets are not included. So if you want a deeper indoor visit, budget extra for any tickets you choose to purchase on-site.

If you care about photos, this is one of the better “rest stops” of the day because you can get off the boat and stand somewhere high enough to actually breathe in the bay view, then rejoin the speedboat without feeling like you missed the best moment.

The Speedboat Ride Reality Check: Wind, Waves, and Better Seating

This is the section people either love instantly or warn you about, depending on the day’s sea conditions. The tour is an open-water speedboat route from Kotor toward the Blue Cave.

Expect that:

• The ride can be rougher when sea traffic mixes with wind and waves.
• Timing can be affected by weather, and if conditions are not safe, the tour may adjust choices so you still get a good day.

A few small, useful tips show up repeatedly:

• Sitting toward the back of the speedboat can feel smoother when waves hit from the side.
• Captains can add comfort fast, including blankets in winter time and rain gear when weather changes.

Safety is part of the experience, and the reviews consistently credit the skippers for driving skill. Still, the operator lists limits: the tour is not recommended for travelers heavier than 100 kg (220 lb) and not recommended for travelers older than 65 years old. If either of those applies, you should take that seriously, not as a formality.

And yes, even when you want speed, understand you are on a boat designed for quick water travel, not a calm ferry ride.

Price and Value: What the $60.46 Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

At $60.46 per person, this tour is positioned as a value-packed half-day-style experience. You are paying for speedboat transport, a professional skipper, and included entries that would add up quickly if you pieced them together yourself.

Included:

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

Not included:

• A tour guide
• Church and museum tickets on the island

So what’s the “value math” you can do? You are getting:

• The most time-sensitive item (the Blue Cave swim slot)
• Two additional paid-content stops (tunnel interior time and island time)
• A small group cap

The tour also includes communication ahead of time in practical ways, which matters when you are dealing with pickup points and changing sea conditions.

If you want a full-on deep historical guide for every stop, this may not be your best match, since church and museum admissions and a dedicated guide are not included. But if you want the sights plus smart local navigation, it’s a strong package.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Consider Alternatives)

This is a great fit if you want a fast, water-based Kotor day with real activity. It suits:

• Cruise ship visitors who need something that fits into a short window
• People staying along Kotor Bay who want pickup instead of walking to a dock
• Anyone who values swimming time over sitting on a boat for hours

It is less ideal if you:

• Have mobility limits that could make boarding and moving on a speedboat difficult
• Need a very calm ride, because open sea conditions can make this bumpy
• Are traveling in the age and weight ranges the operator says not to recommend (over 100 kg or older than 65)

If you go, plan your day around the water. Don’t schedule something tight right after this, and keep expectations flexible if weather shifts.

Also consider time-of-day. Afternoons can be busier at the Blue Cave, and that can influence whether you get more time inside versus more time swimming outside. Either way, the water time is the point.

Final Decision: Should You Book Sea Stars for Blue Cave?

I’d book this tour if you want the essentials, done efficiently: Blue Cave swimming, a submarine-tunnel contrast stop, and Our Lady of the Rocks views, all in about three hours with a small group.

Book it with confidence if:

• You like hands-on stops, especially swimming
• You will use the Port of Kotor pickup or your hotel pickup option
• You are comfortable with the idea that speedboats travel across open water

Skip or switch if:

• You are sensitive to rough water
• You fall into the operator’s non-recommended weight or age ranges
• You want a fully guided, museum-level explanation at every stop

If the sea looks cooperative on your day, this is exactly the kind of Kotor Bay excursion that turns a short visit into a memory you’ll actually talk about.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave group tour?

It runs for about 3 hours (approx.).

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at Sea Stars Boat Tours Kotor – Blue Cave speed boat tour at Njegoševa, Kotor 85330, Montenegro, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Do they offer pickup?

Yes. Pickup is possible by speedboat at specific locations. Cruise ship guests can be picked up at the Port of Kotor, and accommodation guests can be picked up in areas like Dobrota, Muo, Stoliv, Perast, and similar.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What sights are included in the itinerary?

You visit the Blue Cave (inside and outside for swimming), see the Kumbor submarine tunnels and go inside, and explore Our Lady of the Rocks island.

What’s included in the price?

Fuel, professional skipper, entrance in the Blue Cave, entrance on Our Lady of the Rocks, coffee and/or tea before the tour, Wi-Fi before the tour in the office, and blankets in winter time.

What is not included?

A tour guide is not included, and church and museum tickets are not included.

Is this tour dependent on weather?

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