Some places are best seen from the water, and the Bay of Kotor is one of them — a UNESCO-listed maze of steep fjord-like inlets, island churches, sea caves and old Venetian towns that only really open up from a boat. From Bečići you're 35–40 minutes from the departure quays, and a half-day on the bay stitches together the sights that are awkward to reach any other way: the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, the shimmering Blue Cave, and the baroque waterfront of Perast. Here's how to pick and book one. For the full list, see our best day trips guide.
At a glance
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| From Bečići to departure quays | ~35–40 min by road to Kotor/Budva |
| Typical tour length | 1.5–3.5 hours on the water |
| Group speedboat tour | From around €25 per person (2026) |
| Private speedboat | From roughly €120 for a short trip; more for longer |
| Highlights | Our Lady of the Rocks, Blue Cave, Perast, Mamula |
| Best departure points | Kotor and Budva (both close to Bečići) |
In short: a group speedboat tour is the easy, affordable way to see the bay's greatest hits in a morning or afternoon. Longer trips add the Blue Cave and a swim stop; private charters buy you space and your own pace. Book a morning slot for calmer water and thinner crowds.
What you actually see
The bay's highlights are spread along its shores and islets, and a boat is the natural thread between them:
- Our Lady of the Rocks — the famous man-made island off Perast, crowned by a blue-domed church built up over centuries on a reef. Most tours stop for around 20 minutes to visit the church and its little museum.
- The Blue Cave (Plava Špilja) — a sea cave on the Luštica Peninsula near the bay's mouth where the water glows an electric blue in the right light. On calm days boats go inside and you can swim in it; this is usually the highlight of the longer tours.
- Perast — the car-free baroque village of stone palaces and church towers, seen from the water or with a short stop.
- Mamula Island — a 19th-century fortress island at the bay's entrance, often passed or circled on the longer Blue Cave runs.
Some tours also nose past the Cold War submarine tunnels cut into the rock near the bay mouth — hidden pens where the Yugoslav navy once sheltered its vessels, a quirky and atmospheric add-on that most passengers don't expect.
Not every tour hits every stop, and that's the key thing to check before booking: a short "islands" trip may only reach Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast, while the three-hour speedboat runs are the ones that add the Blue Cave swim and Mamula. Match the route to the sights you most want, and don't assume the cheapest option includes the cave.
Types of tour and rough 2026 prices
There's a real range here, from cheap shared speedboats to private charters, so match the tour to what you want.
| Tour type | Rough 2026 price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Group speedboat (shared) | From ~€25 per person | Fixed departure times, set route (often Our Lady of the Rocks + Blue Cave + Perast in ~3 hours); best value |
| Short "islands" boat trip | Varies | 1.5–2 hours around Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast, no Blue Cave |
| Private speedboat charter | From ~€120 for a short trip; more for a full Blue Cave day | Your own boat, flexible timing and stops, good for families or groups |
| Big-boat / larger cruise | Varies by operator | Slower and steadier, more shade and space, less nimble into the Blue Cave |
Prices vary by operator, season and exactly which stops are included, and some quotes are per boat rather than per person — so read the listing carefully and confirm what's covered (national-park or church entry fees are sometimes extra). Check a current listing on a platform like GetYourGuide or Viator rather than relying on a fixed figure.
Why see the bay by boat at all
You can drive the shore road around the Bay of Kotor and see plenty — but the bay was built for the sea, and its best angles only appear from the water. The fjord-like inlets narrow and open as you move through them, the towns line up against their mountain backdrops, and sights like the Blue Cave and Mamula simply can't be reached any other way. A boat also skips the summer curse of the coast road: the traffic and parking crush around Kotor and Perast, which in July and August can turn a short drive into a slow crawl. Trade the wheel for a deck and you see more, more comfortably, in less time.
Speedboat vs big boat
The core choice is nimble vs comfortable.
- Speedboats are fast, get into the Blue Cave and tight coves that big boats can't, and cover more ground in less time. The trade-off is a bumpier, more exposed ride and less shade — bring sun cover and secure your hat.
- Larger boats are slower and steadier, with more room, shade and often a toilet, which suits families with small children or anyone prone to seasickness. They're better for a relaxed cruise than for darting into caves.
If the Blue Cave is on your must-see list, lean speedboat; if you mainly want a gentle float past Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast, a bigger boat is kinder.
Where to depart from near Bečići
Two departure hubs are both an easy hop from Bečići:
- Kotor (~35–40 min by road) is the busiest launch point, with the widest choice of shared speedboat tours leaving from the quays near the old town and cruise terminal, typically on fixed slots through the day.
- Budva (~10 min from Bečići) also runs bay boat tours from its marina — handy if you'd rather not drive round to Kotor, though some Budva trips spend more time getting to the bay's highlights.
For self-drivers, parking around Kotor is tight in summer, so many people either take an early slot or book a tour that includes transfers. See our getting here page for transport basics and landmarks/kotor for the town itself.
Tips for a good trip
- Go in the morning. The bay is calmest early, the light is best for photos, and you beat the midday boat traffic and cruise-ship crowds.
- Bring a swimsuit and towel. The Blue Cave stop is a swim; you'll want them even if you think you won't.
- Carry cash. Church entry at Our Lady of the Rocks and some park fees are paid on the spot.
- Check what's included. Confirm whether entry fees, swimming stops and Perast time are in the price before booking.
Prefer to do it by land? Our Kotor and Perast day trip and Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks guide cover the same sights on foot and by local ferry, and the full menu is on day trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Bay of Kotor boat tour in 2026?
Shared group speedboat tours start from around €25 per person for a roughly three-hour trip taking in Our Lady of the Rocks, the Blue Cave and Perast. Private charters start higher — from about €120 for a short trip — and some quotes are per boat, so confirm exactly what's included before booking.
Where do Bay of Kotor boat tours leave from near Bečići?
The main departure hub is Kotor, about 35–40 minutes from Bečići, with the widest choice of shared speedboat tours from the quays near the old town. Budva's marina, just 10 minutes away, also runs bay trips, though some spend more time reaching the bay's highlights.
Can you swim in the Blue Cave?
Yes, on calm days boats go inside the Blue Cave and stop for a swim, usually the highlight of the longer speedboat tours. Bring a swimsuit and towel even if you don't plan to swim. Access depends on the sea — trips can be cut or rerouted when the water is rough.
Speedboat or big boat — which is better?
Speedboats are faster, cover more ground and can nip into the Blue Cave and tight coves, but the ride is bumpier and more exposed. Bigger boats are slower and steadier with more shade and space, better for families or anyone prone to seasickness. Pick a speedboat if the Blue Cave is a must.
How long does a Bay of Kotor boat tour take?
It depends on the route. Short "islands" trips around Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast run about 1.5–2 hours, while the popular tours that add the Blue Cave and Mamula typically last around three hours, and some private day trips longer. Add the 35–40 minute drive from Bečići each way.
