REVIEW · BLUE CAVE BOAT TOURS
VIP Private Charter: Blue Cave & Lady of the Rocks (Flexible)
Speedboat caves, zero waiting. This VIP private charter bundles Bay of Kotor cruising with a Blue Cave swim stop and a quick but meaningful island church visit, all timed for your group. It is designed to feel relaxed and intimate, even when the coastline is busy.
What I like most is the mix of viewpoints and hands-on time. I love seeing Kotor from the water during the Bay of Kotor cruise, and you will love the practical payoff of getting real swim time in the Blue Cave instead of just photo stops.
One thing to consider is comfort and conditions. This is a speedboat ride, so it can feel bumpy in wind or chop, and the tour depends on good weather for it to run well.
In This Review
- Key Things That Make This Charter Worth Your Time
- Private Speedboat Value From Kotor: What $356.90 Buys
- Meeting Point Reality Check: Where You Start and What Can Slow You Down
- Bay of Kotor Cruise: Orientation, Sea Views, and a Relaxed Pace
- Our Lady of the Rocks: What You Get in 20 Minutes (and the Dress Rules)
- Blue Cave Swim Time: The Part You Will Actually Remember
- Mamula Island and the Submarine Tunnel: History You Feel in Your Bones
- Comfort Tips for a Speedboat Day: Stay Warm, Stay Happy
- Who This Charter Is Best For (and Who Should Think Twice)
- Quick Planning Checklist Before You Go
- Should You Book This Flexible Blue Cave and Lady of the Rocks Charter?
- FAQ
- How long is the VIP private charter?
- What is the price and group size?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- Do I get a mobile ticket?
- Is water included?
- What is the admission price for Our Lady of the Rocks?
- Can I swim at Our Lady of the Rocks?
- Can I wear swimwear inside the church?
- What should I bring for the Blue Cave swim?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
Key Things That Make This Charter Worth Your Time

- Private group only (up to 6), so the pacing stays on your schedule
- Flexible itinerary on rough days, with the skipper working to fit your priorities
- Blue Cave swim stop with short, focused time windows that still leave you time to enjoy
- Our Lady of the Rocks visit rules that keep the stop respectful and organized
- Bay of Kotor sailing through key channels like Verige for a real sense of place
- Water included, plus shade on board so you are not melting between stops
Other runs out to the Blue Cave, compared
- Kotor: Blue Cave Swim Stop, Lady of the Rocks & Submarine Base★ 5.0 · 1,914 reviews
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- Blue cave, Mamula island, Submarine tunnels and Our lady of the Rocks (3h)★ 5.0 · 575 reviews
- Blue Cave Kotor Swim, Mamula&Lady of the Rock 3 Hour Ticket Tour★ 4.5 · 471 reviews
Private Speedboat Value From Kotor: What $356.90 Buys

This charter is priced at $356.90 per group for up to 6 people. For budgeting, that can work out to about $59.50 per person if you fill the boat. If you are traveling as a couple, it can still be good value because you are paying for a private experience, not squeezing into a larger tour where you might lose time waiting.
The practical value here is time. Three hours sounds short, but it is long enough to see the Bay of Kotor from the water, make a meaningful stop at Our Lady of the Rocks, and still get to the Blue Cave for swimming. The charter format also means you are not stuck with a rigid group rhythm.
It is also a nice fit for cruise ship days. You get “big views, real experiences” without a long bus day or a lot of walking. And because this is a private boat, the skipper can adjust the flow when conditions change, which matters a lot on the Adriatic.
In short: if your priority is sea views plus a swim, this tour is built for that. If your priority is long stays in museums or ultra-slow sightseeing, you might want something else.
Meeting Point Reality Check: Where You Start and What Can Slow You Down
Your meeting point is at Kotor Boat Tours & Blue Cave – Our Lady of the Rocks & SubmarinePark Slobode 1, Kotor 85330, Montenegro. The good news is it is a straightforward start, and you get an English-speaking skipper on board. The less fun news is traffic near the park area.
The operator specifically warns about heavy traffic and roadworks around the park. If you are arriving by car, I would treat it like a “leave early” situation, not a “just in time” one. Also, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early at the meeting spot. That buffer helps if you need a minute to find the exact location and settle in.
Bring your essentials from the jump: sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are non-negotiable on open water. For clothes, plan for wind chill. Even when the sun is strong, moving over water can feel colder than you expect.
And if you are the type who hates standing around: good. This charter is built for moving. You start cruising early enough to enjoy the coastline without spending your whole time waiting around.
Bay of Kotor Cruise: Orientation, Sea Views, and a Relaxed Pace

Your first stop is a cruise through the Bay of Kotor, about 20 minutes. This is where you get the big picture: historic fishing villages, lush Mediterranean greenery, and coastal landmarks sliding past as you look out from the comfort of your own boat.
This is not the time to rush for photos. It is the time to get oriented. From the water, Kotor reads differently. You understand where the old town sits, how the coastline curves, and why this bay has always mattered to sailors.
Because the stop is free of admission fees, it is also a low-risk way to spend your money. You are paying for time on the water, not for ticketed activities at the start.
One small practical bonus: when you are on a private charter, you can usually enjoy the views without feeling like you are part of a “herd.” You might notice it most if you are coming from a cruise ship day where crowds stack up fast on land.
If you care about scenery and you want your day to feel like a tour rather than a checklist, this opening segment helps set the tone.
Our Lady of the Rocks: What You Get in 20 Minutes (and the Dress Rules)

Next up is Our Lady of the Rocks, also about 20 minutes. The island is man-made, created by generations of local seafarers, and the stop is built to give you more than just a quick exterior glance.
Inside, you will find historic church space plus a collection of paintings and votive offerings, along with handcrafted treasures tied to the site. I like this stop because it anchors the day in Montenegro’s maritime traditions. It gives context for the sea the rest of your trip is showing off.
Two important notes shape your experience here:
- Entry costs 3 euros, and it is not included in the tour price.
- You cannot enter the church in swimwear. You must have at least a T-shirt on.
Also, swimming is forbidden at Our Lady of the Rocks, and drone use is not allowed there. So if you are showing up ready to jump into every water spot you see, make sure your swim plans are focused on the Blue Cave.
The hours can vary by season, with later closing in summer. If you are visiting in spring or autumn, dress for chill because the church area can feel cooler once wind moves across the water.
Overall, I think this is the best “meaningful stop” in the itinerary. You get a short cultural visit without turning your day into a long museum marathon.
More ways to reach the island church off Perast
- Kotor Fast-Track: Perast Old Town & Our Lady of the Rocks
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Blue Cave Swim Time: The Part You Will Actually Remember

The Blue Cave stop is the headline: about 20 minutes at one of the Adriatic’s most famous natural sites near the Luštica Peninsula. The effect you are aiming for is the cave’s glowing blue water, created when sunlight filters through small cracks and reflects off the pale seabed.
This is the portion that makes a private charter feel worth it. You are not just looking, you are getting into the water. The operator also mentions a flexible approach on days when conditions are less than perfect, and you may find the skipper adapts timing to keep the experience focused on the stops that matter most to your group.
A few practical thoughts so you enjoy the time you have:
- Pack for a quick swim. You will want a towel and flip flops ready to go.
- Bring a jacket or at least something warm for after, since the wind can hit hard once you climb back on the boat.
- If you plan to swim, think about current and entry comfort. You are using limited time, so choose gear and clothing that make it easy to move.
Also, remember that cave conditions are real-world conditions. If the day is bumpy or visibility is reduced, the skipper may change how things are handled to keep things safe and orderly. That is where having a professional captain makes a difference, because your goal is a good swim experience, not a risky one.
In plain terms: the Blue Cave is why you book. If your day’s weather allows it, this is a highlight you will likely talk about long after you leave Kotor.
Mamula Island and the Submarine Tunnel: History You Feel in Your Bones

After the cave, you pass Mamula Island, with its fortress built in the 19th century and later used as a prison during World War II. As you glide by, the view is striking, and the stories tied to it help you understand why the sea here has been so strategic.
Then comes the former submarine tunnel area. You sail through Verige, the narrowest passage of the Bay of Kotor, before entering the Bay of Tivat. This is one of those segments that works even if you are not a “history person.” The geography does the explaining: narrow channels, close coastline, and a sense of constraint that fits the topic.
The tunnels were once a closely guarded military secret. Now, you explore the landmark and learn about the Cold War era significance. The stop is short, about 5 minutes, but it is presented as a focused highlight rather than a long lecture.
If you love quirky coastal history and enjoy watching how the coastline funnels you toward certain viewpoints, you will probably rate this part highly. Even people who come for the caves often end up surprised by how interesting the tunnels are.
Comfort Tips for a Speedboat Day: Stay Warm, Stay Happy

This tour is on a speedboat, and that is both part of the fun and the main consideration. The motion can be intense when wind and waves hit, and several people noted the ride can be bouncy. That does not mean it is unsafe, it means you should dress like you expect sea spray and wind chill.
My practical advice:
- Bring a jacket for chilly weather even if the day looks mild on shore.
- Wear comfortable shoes or sandals and keep your towel accessible.
- Sunscreen still matters even when it feels cool. Sun over water is sneaky.
- If you get cold easily, pack layers.
On the fun side, I also like the small social touches that some skippers offer. For example, I heard about a captain letting guests connect a phone via Bluetooth so music plays while you cruise. That kind of detail helps turn a tour into a day you actually enjoy.
Who This Charter Is Best For (and Who Should Think Twice)

This charter fits best if you want:
- Private, group-only time on the water
- A Blue Cave swim experience, not just a drive-by
- A mix of views and a few focused cultural stops
- A day paced for photos, swimming, and sitting back
It also works well for cruise ship days because the overall duration is about 3 hours and the itinerary is built to avoid long delays.
You might want to think twice if:
- You strongly dislike speedboats or get motion sick
- You expect museum-level time at Our Lady of the Rocks (it is brief)
- You are arriving with minimal swim-readiness, since the Blue Cave includes actual swimming time
Alcohol is not included, so if you want drinks, plan for that separately. Water is included, which helps, especially when you are shaded and hydrated on board.
Quick Planning Checklist Before You Go
If you want this day to run smoothly, pack like this:
- Swimwear, plus a T-shirt ready for the church entrance
- Towel and flip flops for the Blue Cave return
- Sunglasses, sunhat, and sunscreen
- A jacket or warm layer for wind
- Camera (you will want it for Bay of Kotor views)
Also, don’t count on stretching time at stops. The itinerary uses tight windows, so be ready to move efficiently once the boat docks.
Finally, if weather looks questionable, know that the operator can cancel and offer a different date or a refund. That matters because this is a sea experience. Good days feel magical, and bad days can be unsafe or simply not workable.
Should You Book This Flexible Blue Cave and Lady of the Rocks Charter?
I would book this if your ideal Kotor day looks like this: time on the water, a real swim in the Blue Cave, and a short stop that adds meaning at Our Lady of the Rocks. The pricing makes sense for groups up to 6, and the private format keeps the day from feeling rushed by other passengers.
I would not book it if you need long indoor stops, or if you are very sensitive to wind chill and bumpy speedboat rides. In those cases, you might prefer a slower boat or a land-focused itinerary.
If you do book, go in with the right expectations: this is about motion, sea views, and short, high-impact moments. When conditions are right, it is exactly the kind of Kotor experience that feels personal, efficient, and fun.
FAQ
How long is the VIP private charter?
The tour duration is about 3 hours.
What is the price and group size?
It costs $356.90 per group for up to 6 people.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes. The skipper/tour guide provides English.
Do I get a mobile ticket?
Yes, a mobile ticket is provided.
Is water included?
Yes, water is included.
What is the admission price for Our Lady of the Rocks?
Admission for Our Lady of the Rocks costs 3 euros and is not included.
Can I swim at Our Lady of the Rocks?
No. Swimming is forbidden at Our Lady of the Rocks.
Can I wear swimwear inside the church?
No. You must have at least a T-shirt on to enter the church.
What should I bring for the Blue Cave swim?
Bring swimwear, a towel, flip flops, and you will also want sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sunhat. A jacket helps for chilly wind.
What happens if the weather is poor?
This tour is feasible only during good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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