The Blue Cave (Plava Špilja) is a sea grotto on the Luštica Peninsula, accessible only by water. The standard speedboat tour from Kotor costs from €40–45 per person and takes about 3 hours, covering not just the cave but also Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula Island, and an abandoned submarine tunnel. Tours also depart from Tivat and Herceg Novi, with the latter being the cheapest and shortest route.
Key Facts
- Season – tours operate April through October, best time is May to September.
- Group tour from Kotor – from €40–45 per person, 3 hours. Private boat for up to 6 people – from €210–270 per boat.
- Travel time to the cave from Kotor – approximately 50 minutes; from Herceg Novi – about 20 minutes.
- Swimming inside – allowed, usually 15–30 minutes. Depth is around 4–5 metres, and the high salt content makes floating effortless.
- Best time of day – the first departure (9:00 AM). By midday, 3–5 boats crowd the cave simultaneously, replacing tranquility with engine noise and exhaust fumes.
- Weather dependency – rough sea conditions make cave entry impossible. Operators typically offer a reschedule or refund.
- What's included – beyond the Blue Cave, most tours stop at Our Lady of the Rocks, pass Mamula Island, and visit the submarine tunnel.
What Makes the Blue Cave Blue
The Blue Cave is a natural grotto of roughly 300 m², situated between Zlatna Luka bay and Mala Gora cape on the Luštica Peninsula. It has two sea-facing entrances – up to 15 metres wide and 4 metres high – large enough for small speedboats to enter.
The glowing blue effect occurs because sunlight enters through an underwater opening, reflects off the white sandy bottom, and fills the cave with intense turquoise light. The colour shifts throughout the day – pale blue in the morning, deep sapphire by midday. The vault rises about 9 metres above the water, while the depth inside ranges from 4 to 5 metres (experienced divers report pockets reaching 45 metres).
Important: after 6 PM, the light no longer penetrates strongly enough, and the blue glow disappears. Plan your visit for the morning.
How to Get There: Departure Points and Routes
From Kotor (most popular)
Kotor is the main departure point. Boats leave from the City Park area (200 metres from the Old Town main gate), near the cruise ship terminal. Departures run every 3 hours – typically at 9:00 AM, noon, and 3:00 PM, sometimes with an additional 6:00 PM slot.
Typical 3-hour tour itinerary from Kotor:
- Panoramic cruise through Kotor Bay → Tivat Bay → Herceg Novi Bay
- Blue Cave – 20–30 minutes swimming
- Mamula Island – 10–15 minutes, panoramic viewing from the water
- Submarine tunnel – 10 minutes, photo stop inside
- Our Lady of the Rocks – 20 minutes, church and museum visit
- Panoramic view of Perast from the water → return to Kotor
(Updated: April 2026)
The most popular group speedboat tour is Kotor: Blue Cave, Submarine Base and Lady of the Rocks Tour (from €45, rating 4.7, 241 reviews), which covers the main stops in 3 hours. For a higher-rated option, the Blue Cave speedboat tour from Kotor (from €45, rating 4.9, 1 105 reviews) consistently earns top marks. Those wanting privacy can book the VIP Private Charter: Blue Cave & Lady of the Rocks (from €295 per group, rating 4.9).
From Tivat
Group tours to the Blue Cave depart from Tivat less frequently. The main departure point is the marina near Porto Montenegro. The route typically takes 3–4 hours, heading past the Portonovi Marina directly to the cave. Prices are similar to Kotor departures – from €40–45 per person.
Full-day tours (6–8 hours) from Tivat that include the Blue Cave, Žanjice or Mirište beaches, and Our Lady of the Rocks cost from €65–70 per person.
From Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is the closest town to the Blue Cave – just a 20-minute boat ride. Boats depart from the Škver jetty and from Igalo, with standard departures at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. Prices start at €25–30 per person in a group format, making it the most budget-friendly option.
Most tours from Herceg Novi include a long stop at Žanjice Beach (2–3 hours) and run as half-day excursions (6–8 hours) for €25–40 per person.
What Else You'll See Along the Route
Nearly all boat tours to the Blue Cave operate as "5-in-1" excursions with several stops beyond the grotto itself.
Our Lady of the Rocks – a man-made islet off Perast with a 15th-century Baroque church. Legend has it that sailors cast stones into the water for centuries to create its foundation. Inside – a collection of votive silver tablets, tapestries, and paintings. Entry to the church and museum is about €2. Modest clothing is required (no swimwear).
Church hours: until 5 PM in April–May and September–October, until 6 PM in June, until 7 PM in July–August. Occasionally closes earlier.
Mamula Island and fortress – a fortified islet at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor. The 19th-century fortress served as a WWII concentration camp. The island is currently being redeveloped into a luxury resort, so disembarkation is typically not possible – viewing from the water only.
Submarine tunnel – an abandoned Yugoslav Navy base carved into the coastal rock, roughly 700 metres from the village of Rose. Built in the 1970s, it could shelter two submarines. Boats enter for a 5–10 minute photo stop.
Perast panorama – a view of one of the Adriatic's most beautiful Baroque towns from the water. Most tours pass by without stopping.
Kayaking to the Blue Cave: An Alternative
For those looking to avoid the crowds and engine noise, kayaking tours to the Blue Cave are available. The trip begins with a minibus transfer along the Luštica Peninsula roads to Uvala Veslo bay (about 35 minutes), followed by 2–3 hours of kayaking along the coast. Cost: approximately €100 per person for a 5–6 hour tour.
The advantage of kayaking is access to a second, smaller cave next to the main one (entrance height about 1 metre – speedboats cannot enter). The water colour looks even more vivid from a kayak, and there are no exhaust fumes.
Warning: the open sea off the Luštica Peninsula can be rough even when the bay is calm. Kayaking requires basic fitness. Do not underestimate Adriatic currents and waves.
Practical Tips
What to bring: towel, swimwear, snorkel and mask (highly recommended – the bottom is clearly visible), sunscreen, a light jacket (it gets cold on the water at speed, even in summer), dry change of clothes, and modest clothing for visiting the church on Our Lady of the Rocks.
When to go: the 9:00 AM departure is optimal. Fewer boats in the cave, better light for photos, and comfortable temperatures on the water. By noon–3 PM, the cave can have 3–5 boats simultaneously with 50–100 passengers. That's no longer a "magical grotto" – it's a parking lot.
Seasickness: the open sea near Luštica differs significantly from the calm bay waters. If you're prone to motion sickness, choose a shorter 2-hour bay tour without the cave – for example, a cruise to Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks.
Booking: in July–August, popular departures sell out. Book 1–2 days in advance. Most operators accept international cards and offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
For getting between coastal towns, consider renting a car through Localrent or Economybookings. More details in Rent a Car in Montenegro.
Departure Point Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I reach the Blue Cave on my own, without a tour? Only by rented boat or kayak. There are no roads to the cave – the grotto sits on the rocky coastline of the Luštica Peninsula, with both entrances facing the open sea. Renting a small boat from Žanjice or Mirište beaches costs from €50–80 for 1–2 hours but requires navigation experience.
2. Is it safe to swim inside the cave? Yes, for most people. The water is very salty, making it easy to float. Depth is about 4–5 metres with a visible bottom. Life jackets are generally not provided, but boats have ropes to hold onto. Children and less confident swimmers should stay close to the boat.
3. During which months is the cave closed? The cave is a natural site – technically it's always "open." But tour boats operate only from April to October. In winter, the sea around the Luštica Peninsula is too rough, making access virtually impossible. The optimal period is May through September.
4. How much swimming time do you get inside the cave? On a standard 3-hour tour, 15–30 minutes. During peak hours (noon–3 PM), this may shrink to 10–15 minutes due to queuing boats. On a private charter, you can stay as long as you like – typically 30–40 minutes.
5. How far in advance should I book? During peak season (July–August), book 1–2 days ahead, especially for morning departures. In May, June, and September, same-day booking usually works. Check visa requirements for your nationality before travelling to Montenegro.
Conclusion
The Blue Cave is one of those attractions that genuinely lives up to the hype. The grotto is compact, but the turquoise water effect is extraordinary. The key rule: morning departure and calm weather. From Kotor, you get the most comprehensive bay tour; from Herceg Novi, the shortest and cheapest route to the cave.
See Also
- Ferry Kamenari – Lepetane in the Bay of Kotor
- Popular Itineraries in Montenegro: What to See in 1 to 7 Days
- Kotor vs Budva: Detailed Comparison
- Where to Book a Tour in Montenegro
- Taxi Apps in Montenegro: Do Uber and Bolt Work?