Visiting the Blue Cave in Montenegro

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The Blue Cave in Montenegro is one of the coast's most popular attractions. Find out how the best ways to visit this iridescent blue sea cave.

Blue Cave MontenegroThe Blue Cave. Image: Deposit Photos

The Blue Cave in Montenegro is one of the must-see attractions while you’re on the coast.

It never fails to impress!

The Blue Cave is the largest of many sea caves on Luštica Peninsula. It’s called the Blue Cave because the way the light hits the sandy bottom and reflects up through the water makes the whole cave look blue.

It’s very beautiful and it’s a lucky quirk because almost all of the coast here is rocky, not sandy. You can see the blue light shining out of the cave when you approach, but to really see it you’ve got to go inside and get underwater.

Don’t forget your snorkel or goggles when you come here!

The water is only about 5 meters deep and then gets much deeper further inside the cave. This part is rocky rather than sandy and if you bring your snorkel or goggles you’ll be able to see small fish swimming about. 

When you join a tour to the Blue Cave, the skipper will bring the boat into the cave and give you a chance to get out, have a swim, snorkel and explore before they set off again. You can explore the cave for 10-15 minutes and then head off to the next stop on your tour.

Inside the Blue Cave MontenegroSwimming inside the Blue Cave, Montenegro

Local’s Tip: In Montenegrin the Blue Cave is called ‘Plava Špilja’ pronounced ‘plahva shpil-ya’.

The only way to get to the Blue Cave is by boat. Boat tours mostly start from Kotor City Park (200m from the old town) and they take anywhere from three hours to all day.

If you've only got a short time to spend, the best way is to take a speed boat tour out to the cave. Many of these tours include stops at other attractions, like Our Lady of the Rocks, Yugoslav-era submarine caves and Mamula Island.

If you have more time you can join day tours, kayak to the cave or even take a thrilling coasteering tour.

Best Blue Cave Boat Tours

3 Hour Our Lady of the Rocks and Blue Cave Speed Boat Tour

Best boat tours to the Blue Cave Montenegro

This tour is a great way to see the Blue Cave, Bay of Kotor and its top attractions in just three hours. In summer it's also a great way to cool off and avoid traffic.

The tour starts out from Kotor city park (200m from Kotor port and Kotor old town). The first stop is Our Lady of the Rocks, where you have a stop and chance to visit the island's beautiful church and museum.

Then you continue through the bay to see Yugoslav-era submarine caves, Mamula Island, which was an island prison during World War II, and along the rugged Luštica Peninsula coast to the Blue Cave.

Inside the cave you can swim around and explore before cruising back through the bay to Kotor.

Small group tours depart every three hours from 9am. You can also book the same tour as a private tour for up to 15 people.

Read more:

Speed Boat Adventure with a Private Guide

This private tour takes you to the Blue Cave via a speed boat ride through the beautiful Bay of Kotor. The tour includes the Yugoslav submarine tunnels, the Blue Cave, lunch a picturesque fishing village called Rose, Perast, Our Lady of the Rock and a walking tour of Kotor.

Click here to read more about the Speedboat Adventure with a Private Guide

Boka Bay Day Cruise

Best boat tours to the Blue Cave Montenegro

This full-day boat cruise is a popular group tour that takes you to the Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rocks, Yugoslave submarine tunnels and Porto Montenegro, the glamorous superyacht marina.

The 8 hour tour includes lots of time for swimming and a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

Click here to check availability and pricing of the Boka Bay Day Cruise

Adventure Tours to the Blue Cave in Montenegro

Blue Cave Kayak and Snorkel Adventure

Kayak tour to the Blue Cave in Montenegro

This kayak tour to the Blue Cave is one of the most popular non-boat tours to the Blue Cave.

You can join this group tour from Kotor or Tivat and travel by van to the launch site on Luštica Peninsula. From there you kayak along the coast to explore two sea caves, snorkel and cliff jump. The water in this area is incredibly clear (over 20 meters visibility), which makes it perfect for snorkelling and diving.

Click here to read more about the Blue Cave Snorkelling and Kayaking Adventure

Coasteering

Adventure tour to the Blue Cave in Montenegro

Coasteering is a burgeoning adventure sport that combines walking, swimming and cliff jumping from one point to another. Here, you can join coasteering tours of varying length and difficulty that include visits to the Blue Cave and plenty of adrenalin.

Click here to read more about Coasteering

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