A speedboat morning in Montenegro is hard to beat. This Bay of Kotor ride mixes swim time, dramatic scenery, and a couple of history stops—so you get both the pretty postcard views and the real-world context. I like the included Blue Cave swim window with photo ops, and I also like how the itinerary strings together several different coast highlights without long waits.

One thing to watch: it’s a fast 3-hour loop, so your time at each stop can feel tight, especially if you want extra swimming or extra time on shore. Also, the tour doesn’t include food, and one past booking noted there was no bottled water or snorkeling gear provided.

Key highlights to look for

• Small group (max 10) for easier conversation and less crowd pressure at the water stops
• Blue Cave swim time + stairs so you can actually get in and out comfortably
• Mamula Island panoramic drive-by where views come with WWII history
• Former Submarine Tunnel boat ride for a cool, shadowy contrast to the bright open sea
• Perast + Our Lady of the Rocks stop with the long-running Fašinada tradition on July 22
• Raincoats and onboard music help if the weather turns breezy on the water

Speedboat Views of the Bay of Kotor That Set the Mood

You start in Kotor at the United Oceans Boat Tours dock, at Park Slobode. From there, you’re on a speedboat quickly, and that matters because the Bay of Kotor is one of those places where the light and the cliffs shift fast. Even before you reach any major stop, the ride itself is part of the payoff.

The tour is built for short, good moments rather than long scenic lounging. You’ll be moving for most of the 3 hours, with cruising time between sights so you can take in the coastline from the water. For me, that’s a smart way to see this region when you don’t want a full day, or when you’re trying to dodge the worst heat.

You’ll also appreciate the small group size. With a maximum of 10 travelers, it’s easier to stay oriented, hear the guide, and move around at the water stops without feeling like you’re in a human queue.

The Luštica Peninsula and the Blue Cave Swim Window

The main event is the Blue Cave (also called the Blue Grotto). You don’t just show up and look—you cruise toward it first for close to an hour, enjoying wide Bay views as you head to the Luštica Peninsula. That slow approach gives you time to spot the cliffs and shoreline shapes that make this area so dramatic.

What makes the Blue Cave special is the color and the lighting. The cave sits at the bottom of a cliff, formed over thousands of years by sea waves working on porous rock. The signature blue comes from sunrays entering through an underwater opening, bouncing off limestone walls and turning the whole space into a glow.

Then comes the part you’ll actually remember later: swimming and taking photos once you’re there. The tour includes admission for this stop and includes swimming stairs, which is a big practical advantage. It usually beats the awkward climb-in-and-climb-out scenario you sometimes get on sea trips.

How to plan your Blue Cave time

The itinerary shows about 30 minutes at the cave for swimming and photos. In real life, water conditions and group flow can affect timing, so come ready to make the most of the minutes you get. If you care about photos, aim for a couple quick shots first, then shift into swim mode.

Pack for getting wet. You’ll want shoes that grip for boarding and steps, and you’ll be glad you brought something to protect your phone camera from splashes. The tour provides raincoats, which helps if you’re dealing with wind or sudden sprinkles, but it won’t protect electronics forever.

Mamula Island: Panoramic Beauty With WWII Gravity

After the Blue Cave, the tone shifts—just a little. Your next stop is a panoramic tour of Mamula Island, where the boat view is pretty, but the backstory is heavy. The fortress on Mamula Island was used as a concentration camp during World War II.

From the water, you can enjoy that classic Adriatic look: sharp coastlines, open sea, and long sightlines. At the same time, your guide’s job is to explain what you’re seeing, not just how it photographs. This is the kind of stop that makes the trip more than sightseeing, because it links the landscape to real history.

A quick reality check on the emotional tone

This isn’t a history museum visit with long pauses. It’s more like passing by with context while you still feel the speedboat energy. If you prefer your history detailed and time-heavy, you might want to treat this as a meaningful overview rather than a deep education session.

Still, I think it’s valuable because the Bay of Kotor isn’t only scenic. It’s lived-in by people, and some parts of that story are painful. A short, respectful explanation goes a long way.

Kumbor Former Submarine Tunnel: A Short Ride Through Naval History

Next up is the Former Submarine Tunnel in Kumbor. This is one of the more unusual stops on a speedboat itinerary because you’re not just viewing landmarks—you’re going into a structure with a past purpose. You board and glide into the tunnel by boat, and the walls carved into the rocky coast add a distinct sense of enclosure.

The listed time is about 10 minutes, and the experience is intentionally brief. You’ll feel that contrast right away: bright open water outside, cooler and shadowy inside. Echoes of the tunnel’s former role as a secretive hideaway for submarines make the place feel more than just a novelty.

Admission for this stop is not included, so if you’re someone who wants every ticket handled in the package, plan for extra cost here. If you don’t have the exact amount on you, you might need a quick moment of coordination at the time of visiting.

Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks: Stories You Can See

After the tunnel, the route brings you to Perast, the old town area in the Bay of Kotor. The idea here is simple: short time in a compact place where the streets, buildings, and stone feel like they’re tied to one story after another. You won’t get an all-day wander, but you’ll get enough to orient yourself and appreciate why people come back.

Then you move to Our Lady of the Rocks, a famous island directly in front of Perast. This is one of the Bay’s main attractions, and it comes with a strong legend. The tradition says the Moršić brothers found an image of the Mother of God at the site, and locals began building up the island by throwing stones around the cliffs.

Your time here is about 30 minutes, and admission is included. That makes it a nice balance: you’re paying for both movement and meaningful stops, not just driving past sights.

Why the Fašinada tradition matters

The story also explains the Fašinada tradition: piling stones around Our Lady of the Rocks has continued for centuries and takes place every July 22. Even if your visit isn’t in July, knowing the ritual exists changes how you look at the island. You start seeing it as a place shaped by people over time, not just a random pile of scenery.

If you love legends with local roots, this stop tends to be a highlight because it ties geography to repeated human action.

St. George Island and the Pace of a 3-Hour Loop

The itinerary also includes a visit to St. George Island, often called the Island of Flowers. The tour information describes it as dating back to ancient times, with beauty that can leave you breathless. That phrasing fits the way this island view typically lands: a quick moment where the sea and stone feel extra photogenic from the water.

But here’s the tradeoff: the entire tour is about 3 hours (approx.), and most of that time is split between cruising and short stop blocks. So while St. George is included, you shouldn’t expect a long, slow exploration the way you might on a full-day boat or independent ferry day.

If you’re the type who wants to read every sign and walk every lane, pair this trip with a later return to Perast on your own. This speedboat tour is best as a highlights package.

Price and Value: What $53.61 Really Buys You

At about $53.61 per person, the value mostly comes from what’s bundled. You’re paying for a guided speedboat experience with all fees and taxes covered, plus fuel and insurance. You also get onboard music through USB, AUX, or Bluetooth, and the practical extras like raincoats and swimming stairs.

That matters because the swim stops are where many boat tours either overpromise or underdeliver. Here, the included stairs make the water entry less of a struggle, and that’s not a small thing when conditions are slippery or choppy.

Also, two admission items are included: the Blue Cave stop and Our Lady of the Rocks. That offsets some costs, and it means you’re not spending time handling extra tickets at the most time-sensitive moments.

Where value can feel uneven is in what isn’t included. Food isn’t included, and admission for the submarine tunnel isn’t included either. If you get hungry mid-ride, you’ll need to bring something or plan to eat after.

A note from past experiences you should consider

One past review praised the guides, the music, and the fun group vibe. Another review liked the scenery and swimming but felt the swimming time was shorter than promised and noted there was no bottled water, WiFi, or snorkeling equipment provided.

So if you’re the type who expects a full-service beach day, adjust your mindset. This is a speedboat tour with swim windows, not a long snorkel session. Bring your expectations in line with a 3-hour plan.

What the Tour Includes on Board (and What It Doesn’t)

Here’s what’s clearly covered: licensed English-speaking tour guide/skipper, insurance, fuel, and music access. You also get raincoats and swimming stairs, which you’ll thank yourself for once you’re boarding and preparing to get into the water.

On the downside, there’s no food included. Also, the tour doesn’t list WiFi or bottled water. If you’re doing this in warmer months, bring water off-tour if you can, and plan a post-trip meal.

Snorkeling gear isn’t listed as included. If snorkeling is your goal, consider bringing your own equipment. At minimum, bring swim basics and something to protect your phone.

Practical Tips That Make This Trip Easier

Pack for movement and wet weather. Even on bright days, speedboats kick up spray and you can get cold if the wind grabs you. The included raincoats help, but they’re still rain gear, not a warm jacket.

Wear something with grip for boarding. The provided swimming stairs are there to help, but you still want footwear that doesn’t turn into a slipping hazard. If you’re bringing a bag, keep it in a waterproof pouch so you’re not stuck worrying every time the boat speeds up.

If you care about swim time, plan your swim first and your photos second or vice versa—just don’t do both at once and then run out of minutes. And if you’re prone to seasickness, consider packing your usual remedy ahead of time. The ride is a speedboat, so speed and waves are part of the deal.

Lastly, because the max group size is 10, you’ll have a better time if you stay flexible and move when the crew asks. This kind of itinerary relies on smooth timing between stops.

Who This Blue Cave Speedboat Tour Fits Best

This is a strong fit if you want a high-impact Bay-of-Kotor day without committing to a full day of travel. It’s also a good match for couples, families, and friend groups because the stops give variety: swim time, scenic cruising, and a mix of culture and WWII context.

It’s also a good choice if you like being told what you’re seeing while you travel by boat. The English-speaking guide/skipper experience is part of the value, even though past feedback suggests English quality can vary by guide and some information may be delivered via prerecorded segments.

If you’re traveling solo, you might still enjoy it, especially because the small group format makes it easier to connect. But go in knowing it’s a tour with pace. This isn’t a slow wandering day.

Should You Book This Speedboat Tour?

I’d book it if you want the Bay of Kotor highlights in one compact 3-hour experience, especially if you care about Blue Cave swimming and want the speedboat views without planning multiple transport steps. The mix of included admissions and the practical gear (raincoats and swimming stairs) makes it feel like more than just a scenic cruise.

I’d think twice if you want lots of time on the water, lots of time on land, or a food-and-drinks setup included. If swimming is your main goal, be prepared for shorter windows and plan to come prepared with your own water and comfort items.

Overall, it’s a fun, well-structured way to see the Bay with real context, not just pretty scenery. If that’s your style, this tour belongs on your short list.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave speedboat tour in Kotor?

It runs for about 3 hours (approx.), with cruising time between stops and shorter visits at each main location.

What’s the price per person?

The price is $53.61 per person.

What’s included in the tour?

Included items are all fees and taxes, a licensed English-speaking tour guide/skipper, insurance, fuel, music onboard (USB, AUX, Bluetooth), raincoats, and swimming stairs. Admission is included for the Blue Cave stop and for Our Lady of the Rocks.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

Is the former submarine tunnel admission included?

No. Admission for the former submarine tunnel stop is not included.

What group size should I expect?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.