Bay of Kotor Boat Tour Review – Blue Cave & Our Lady of the Rocks
TL;DR
We took one of Kotor’s most popular boat tours to see if it’s actually worth your time and money – and here’s exactly what you need to know before booking.
If you’re searching for a boat tour in Kotor, you’re probably wondering: Which one is actually worth it? Is the Blue Cave living up to the hype? And can you see the highlights of the Bay of Kotor without wasting time figuring out logistics?
We tested one of the most popular boat tours ourselves and checked for good organisation, knowledgeable guides, and whether it actually feels worth the money.
In our review, we’ll break down the full itinerary, what’s included, what we genuinely liked, what could be better, and whether we would book it again.
Spoiler: It’s the right tour for you if you want a scenic, varied, and well-organised half-day adventure.
Bay of Kotor Boat Tour Review
We chose this Kotor: Blue Cave, Submarine Base and Lady of the Rocks Tour:
Bay of Kotor Boat Tour Itinerary
This is the itinerary for the Kotor: Blue Cave, Submarine Base and Lady of the Rocks Tour that we took.
1. Perast Scenic Drive
We met up with our boat captain at the port and headed to our first stop of the day, a scenic drive past Perast. Here, you can admire the baroque town with its Venetian charm, its palaces, fort, and the outstanding tower of Saint Nicholas’ Church.
While we had time to take photos, our captain gave us information and explanations about Perast.
2. Our Lady of the Rocks Island
In front of Perast, the twin islands St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks rise out of the Bay of Kotor.
St. George houses the Saint George Benedictine monastery, which was constructed in the 12th century and is closed to visitors.
Our Lady of the Rocks Island houses a 15th-century church with a museum. The museum displays 68 paintings by the Perast artist Tripo Kokolja, along with works by Italian artists, and a votive tapestry by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović, who spent 25 years embroidering it with gold, silver, and even her own hair.
3. Submarine Base
Next, we entered a “secret” Yugoslav-era submarine tunnel. It’s hidden inside a mountain and built by the Yugoslavian President Tito’s military forces. Again, our guide gave us information and explanations about the submarine tunnel and its history.
4. Mamula Island Scenic Drive
Next up was a scenic drive past Mamula Island. On the island, you can find a large fort built in 1853 by the Austro-Hungarian General Lazar Mamula to help defend the Bay of Kotor. During World War II, it was used by Italian fascist forces as a concentration camp. Despite controversy, it was later converted into a luxury resort that opened in 2023, which is why the island is currently not open to visitors.
5. Blue Cave
Last but not least, we reached the Blue Cave. The cave got its name from the sunlight which shines through the entrance and illuminates the water, turning it a magical shade of blue.
We had enough time in the cave to go for a swim, but didn’t opt for it because swimming in an enclosed space with a boat seemed rather stressful to us.
Bay of Kotor Boat Tour – Our Honest Opinion
This tour packs a lot into just a few hours, and that’s exactly why we liked it.
Our captain was fantastic – friendly, knowledgeable, and full of stories about every town, tower, tunnel, and island we passed. It never felt like we were just speeding from stop to stop; we actually understood what we were seeing.
The small boat made a big difference. Fewer people meant a relaxed atmosphere, easy photo moments, and no chaos getting on and off. The scenery throughout the Bay of Kotor is simply stunning – dramatic mountains, calm water, historic towns – it’s hard to stop taking pictures.
The only downside: If we’re being honest, 20 minutes at Our Lady of the Rocks felt a bit short, especially if you want to explore the church and museum in depth. But that’s the trade-off for seeing multiple highlights in one trip.
Overall, it felt well-organised, smooth, and genuinely enjoyable from start to finish.
What Other Travellers Say About the Kotor Boat Tour
⭐ Rating: 4.9 / 5 (2869+ reviews)
This boat excursion was absolutely beautiful and very well organized. The boat itself was great, comfortable and well maintained, and the whole experience felt smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. Our skipper, Nikola, was very kind, friendly and talkative, which made the trip even more pleasant. He shared interesting information and made sure everyone felt comfortable throughout the tour…
– Milica (see more reviews)
What Does the Kotor Boat Tour Include?
The tour we did includes:
- Comfortable speedboat
- Entry ticket to Lady of the Rocks Island (not church or museum)
- Licensed captain & tour guide
- 1 bottle of water per passenger
- Audio guide link and QR code for foreign languages
- Safety equipment (life jackets, life rafts, first aid kit)
Conclusion: Is the Bay of Kotor Boat Tour Worth It?
Yes – especially if you want to see the highlights of the Kotor Bay without worrying about logistics.
You get a surprisingly varied experience: medieval churches and island legends, a Cold War submarine tunnel, historic fortifications, and a swim stop at the Blue Cave – all framed by some of Montenegro’s most beautiful coastal scenery.
It’s an easy half-day activity that fits perfectly into a morning or afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to explore Kotor Old Town before or afterwards.
If you’re short on time but still want a comfortable, scenic, and informative experience on the water, this tour is a smart choice.
Where We Stayed in Kotor
We stayed at Old Town Youth Hostel and can highly recommend it! They have dorms and private rooms. The location right in the heart of the old town of Kotor is what we liked best. Additionally, the bathrooms and kitchen were clean, the staff was lovely, and the vibes were great – even for over 30-year-olds.
Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored. This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission. You would help us a lot if you did so. Thanks.