Private All Day Tour & Blue Cave swimming

Montenegro looks best from the water. This private speedboat trip links Kotor, Perast, the Blue Cave, Mamula Island, and the Luštica Peninsula in about six hours. I like the mix of scenery and swimming: you get grand Bay of Kotor views, then time to cool off in clear coastal water. I also like the freedom of a private boat, with your group setting the pace instead of sharing every stop with strangers.

The main drawback is the price if you have only one or two people. At $600.79 per group of up to eight, it offers much better value for a full group than for a couple. The two-hour stop at Ribarsko Selo is useful for lunch and relaxation, but dinner and the seafood meal cost extra, so you should budget beyond the advertised price.

Five things that make this boat trip different

• A full private boat for up to eight people, useful for families and friends who want their own space.
• One hour at the Blue Cave, with swimming, snorkeling gear, music, and time to enjoy the water.
• A speedboat entrance into a former submarine base, reached through a concealed sea tunnel near Rose.
• A long break at Ribarsko Selo, where you can eat fresh seafood, swim, or use the small private beach.
• A strong mix of nature and history, from Perast’s Venetian-era buildings to Mamula’s fortress and Yugoslav military sites.
• Flexible weather cancellation, with a new date or full refund if poor conditions force the operator to cancel.

Setting off from Kotor’s Park Slobode

The tour begins at Park Slobode in Kotor, listed at map reference CQG9+H6W. Pickup is offered, though you should contact Sea Rush Speedboat Tours in advance for the exact arrangement and any extra details.

The boat ride begins with roughly 20 minutes through the Bay of Kotor. This is a fine opening because the bay is not just a route to the coast. It is the first major sight. Steep mountains press close to calm water, while Kotor’s old stone walls, churches, and narrow streets appear from an angle you cannot get on foot.

I like this first stretch because it gives you a quick sense of scale. From shore, Kotor can feel enclosed by its mountains. From a speedboat, the town becomes part of a much larger setting, with boats bobbing in the water and villages tucked along the shore.

A speedboat also makes the journey part of the attraction. You are not simply being carried from one scheduled stop to the next. The ride itself gives you open views and a little wind, though you should expect a more exposed experience than on a large sightseeing vessel.

Perast and the short boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks

Perast gets about 30 minutes. That is enough for a quick walk and a look at the old waterfront, but not enough for a slow visit to every church and palace. Keep your expectations sensible. This is an introduction, not a full town tour.

Perast’s appeal comes from its Venetian-era character. Baroque palazzi, churches, and defensive towers line a compact old settlement that feels very different from modern resort towns. I would use the stop to walk without a fixed plan, take in the waterfront, and enjoy the view across the bay.

From Perast, the boat continues to Our Lady of the Rocks, one of two small islets offshore. The island is artificial, formed by a bulwark of rocks and old seized ships loaded with stones. That unusual origin gives the stop more interest than a simple photo break.

You have about 15 minutes there. The museum entrance is not included and costs €3 per person. With such a short visit, you will need to decide if the museum is worth the added fee and limited time. If you prefer to stay outside, the island and surrounding water still provide a memorable view.

The schedule here is fairly brisk. If your priority is Perast’s churches, museum interiors, or a long look around town, this tour will feel too quick. If you want a broad coastal day with several different stops, the short timing works well.

A two-hour pause at Ribarsko Selo

Ribarsko Selo is the longest stop, at about two hours, and that is a smart feature in a six-hour boat trip. Constant movement can wear you out, especially in sun and wind. This pause gives you time to eat, swim, and sit still.

The spot lies between Žanjice and Mirišta beaches on the Luštica Peninsula. It has a seaside restaurant, an organic garden, and a small private beach. The setting is aimed at a relaxed coastal meal rather than a formal sightseeing visit.

Fresh seafood and local food are available, but the meal is not part of the tour price. Dinner is specifically excluded, and the seafood experience with Boka Seafood is optional at an additional cost. I would confirm the menu and price before ordering, especially if you are watching the total cost.

The two-hour window lets you choose your own balance. You can spend it at the restaurant, swim in clear water, or simply take a break from the boat. That flexibility is one of the better reasons to book this as a private outing.

There is also a practical point here: food and swimming compete for time. If you want a proper meal and a swim, two hours may pass quickly. If you want the full Blue Cave swim later, you may prefer a shorter lunch and more time in the water.

Rose and the former submarine base

Near Rose, the boat enters a concealed sea tunnel that once led to a submarine base built for the Yugoslav army during the World Wars. You do not walk across the Luštica Peninsula. The speedboat goes directly inside through the water.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so think of it as a striking look rather than a long historical visit. The appeal is the structure itself: a hidden military entrance built into the coast, now accessible by boat. It adds a layer of local history that you would miss on a standard beach cruise.

The base is especially useful for anyone who likes unusual places. It is not polished like a museum, and the short stop means you should listen carefully to the guide’s explanation. The supplied details do not promise a full guided tour inside, so treat the visit as a brief viewing experience.

The name Rose also refers to a coastal settlement on the Luštica Peninsula, but the planned stop here focuses on entering the submarine base by boat. That distinction matters if you are expecting time to walk around the village.

Mamula Island at the mouth of the bay

Mamula Island sits at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. Its circular fortress gives the small island a strong visual presence, even from the water. The island has served as a military post and coastal defense site, and the fortress later became a prison during World War II.

The tour information does not give a separate duration for Mamula Island, so you should expect it to be viewed as part of the coastal cruise rather than treated as a long shore visit. The boat setting is well suited to the island because you can see its defensive position at the entrance to the bay.

Mamula adds historical weight to a day otherwise centered on water and scenery. The island was first associated with Illyrian settlement, later used by Romans, and fortified by Venetians and Austro-Hungarians before the large circular fortress was built in the 19th century by General Lazar Mamula.

You should not expect a full museum visit or an extensive walk here based on the stated schedule. Its value is in the view, the fortress outline, and the reminder that this attractive coast has also been a strategic military gateway.

An hour inside the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the main event for many people. It can be reached only by boat, and sunlight reflecting from the white pebble floor creates the blue glow inside. The effect is strongest when the light conditions cooperate, so the cave should be seen as a natural setting rather than a guaranteed indoor show.

You get about one hour here, which is generous compared with the short stops at Perast and the submarine base. The plan includes time to swim, listen to music, and enjoy the water. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with bottled water and drinks.

I like the length of this stop. A quick five-minute look would make the cave feel like a photo opportunity. An hour lets you actually use the setting, especially on a hot day. You can swim in crystal-clear water, float near the cave, and take in the unusual light from the water level.

Still, this is a weather-dependent experience. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Sea conditions also affect how comfortable the boat ride and swimming stop feel, even when the tour goes ahead.

Bring practical swim gear and sun protection. The operator supplies snorkeling equipment, but the provided information does not specify towels or changing facilities. A waterproof phone case would also be sensible if you want photos near the water.

The Blue Cave is not the only swimming opportunity. Ribarsko Selo also offers clear water and a private beach, so you can choose a gentler swim there and save your longer water session for the cave.

The return through the Bay of Kotor

The trip back takes about 50 minutes through the center of the bay. This is not wasted travel. It gives you another angle on the steep mountains, coastal villages, and narrow strips of settlement along the water.

The return leg can also be a good time to slow down. After swimming and the speedboat ride, you may appreciate a quieter stretch with a drink in hand. The tour includes bottled water, domestic white wine in a 0.33 dcl serving, and domestic apple juice in a 0.33 dcl serving. Extra wine and apple juice are available at a price on request.

Fuel, insurance, all fees, taxes, and snorkeling equipment are included. That makes the advertised cost easier to understand, since you are not being asked to add a fuel surcharge or equipment fee later. The seafood meal remains the main extra expense to plan for.

What $600.79 means for your group

The price is $600.79 for the whole group, up to eight people. With eight people aboard, that works out to about $75.10 per person. With four people, it is about $150.20 each. For two people, the cost is about $300.40 per person, which is a major jump.

That math is central to the booking decision. I would consider this good value for a full family or friend group that wants a private boat, several coastal stops, and a long swim. I would be more cautious as a couple unless privacy and the exact route matter more to you than keeping costs low.

The private format also has practical value. Only your group participates, so the day is not built around strangers’ preferences. The supplied details do not promise unlimited flexibility, but a private boat generally makes the two-hour Ribarsko Selo break and swimming time more useful than they would be on a tightly packed shared excursion.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is received at booking, and the operator provides insurance, fuel, and required tour fees. The experience is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to a group that wants a water-based day with several different moods: historic towns, island views, military sites, a seafood stop, and swimming. It suits people who value privacy and do not want to spend the whole day on foot.

Families and friend groups of five to eight get the strongest value. The private boat also makes it easier to keep your own rhythm during the long Ribarsko Selo break. Anyone who enjoys snorkeling or open-water swimming will likely consider the Blue Cave hour the highlight.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a detailed visit to Kotor, Perast, or the museums. The land stops are short, and the route gives priority to the sea. I would also hesitate if you do not like speedboat travel, because the boat ride is a major part of the experience rather than simple transportation.

One previous outing was praised for safe swimming spots, a fun day on the boat, and a well-chosen lunch stop. That matches the tour’s strongest design: the skipper can combine active time in the water with a proper rest and meal break. Sea Rush Speedboat Tours is a small company, so clear communication before departure is useful.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Since poor weather can cancel the trip, keep the policy in mind when arranging your Montenegro schedule.

Final verdict: a strong private day for groups

Book this tour if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want to see the Bay of Kotor from the water. The Blue Cave, submarine tunnel, Mamula fortress, and Ribarsko Selo give the day more range than a simple sightseeing cruise.

Skip it if you want deep time in Perast, a guaranteed seafood dinner, or the cheapest way to reach the Blue Cave. The best reason to choose this trip is not one single stop. It is the combination of a private speedboat, an hour to swim, a long coastal lunch break, and a route that mixes Montenegro’s beauty with its military past.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Park Slobode, CQG9+H6W, in Kotor, Montenegro.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. You should contact the tour provider for additional pickup information.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private group can include up to eight people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The itinerary includes swimming at the Blue Cave, and Ribarsko Selo also offers swimming in clear water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Is the Our Lady of the Rocks museum included?

No. Museum entry costs €3 per person and is not included in the tour price.

Is food included?

No. Dinner is not included. The seafood experience with Boka Seafood is optional and costs extra.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.