Blue Cave (Plava Spilja)

The Basics

The Blue Cave is hollowed deep into the cliffs of the Lustica Peninsula. Only accessible from the sea, its wide-but-low entrance allows small craft and tourists to enter and get up close and personal with the luminous water. You can absorb the cave’s magical atmosphere from your boat deck or opt for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.

Numerous Blue Cave boat tours depart from Kotor and Herceg Novi in the Bay of Kotor. Many offer brief stops inside the cave, while others provide time for swimming and snorkeling. Most also stop at other points of interest, such as the Our Lady of the Rocks Church, Mamula Fortress, and local beaches. Some private tours include restaurant and oyster-tasting stops.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Blue Cave is popular with sightseers, swimmers, snorkelers, and kayakers.
• While tours provide snorkel gear, you can always bring your own.
• The sea journey isn’t recommended for those suffering from seasickness.
• Boat tours provide life jackets, but you may have to ask for them.

How to Get There

The only way to visit the Blue Cave is to charter a boat or take sightseeing cruises from the major resorts around the Bay of Kotor. Choose a small-group trip by small motorboat, or make things special with a private speed boat or sailboat excursion. Alternatively, add adventure by taking a kayak tour.

When to Get There

The cave can be crowded with boat traffic in summer, especially during July and August. However, most tours offer departures early or later in the day to avoid the busiest visiting times. While many tours are offered year-round, they only run when weather conditions are safe.

What Can You See on Blue Cave Boat Tours?

Whether you’re on a shared or private Blue Cave boat tour, expect to see multiple scenic and historical attractions on the route. Admire the fjord-like Bay of Kotor from the water, explore the Our Lady of the Rocks—a legend-steeped church built on an artificial islet—see the Mamula Fortress, or sail inside a World War II tunnel built to hide Soviet submarines.

How long is the boat ride to the Blue Cave in Montenegro?

Most boat tours to the Blue Cave in Montenegro take three hours because they often visit other coastal attractions. Boat tours typically allow 20 minutes at the Blue Cave and fill the rest of the time visiting the island of Our Lady of the Rocks, Mamula Fortress, and the submarine tunnels of Luštica.

Is the Blue Cave in Montenegro worth visiting?

Yes, the Blue Cave in Montenegro is worth visiting if you like being in the water and seeing unusual natural phenomena. Many find the experience of cruising into the cave and seeing the bright blue glow of the water unique, with a chance to swim in the cave a bonus.

Can I visit the Blue Cave independently, or is a guided tour recommended?

Since you’ll need a boat to access the Blue Cave in Montenegro, a guided tour is recommended over visiting independently. To visit on your own, you need to rent a boat and work out how to navigate to and inside the cave, which is a lot of unnecessary effort when you can just join a tour.

What safety precautions should I know when visiting the Blue Cave in Montenegro?

To remain safe while visiting the Blue Cave, you must stay aware of small boats and other swimmers nearby when swimming in the cave. When the cave is particularly busy with boats, people with asthma may find that building exhaust fumes can affect their breathing.

What should I bring with me on a Blue Cave tour in Montenegro?

If you wish to swim inside the cave during your Blue Cave tour, you’ll want to bring swimwear. It’s also a good idea to bring a light top or jacket, even when visiting on dry days in the warmer months, as the sea spray can feel quite cold.

What is the best time to visit the Blue Cave to experience its vibrant colors?

Bright sunny days are the best time to see the fluorescent color of the Blue Cave’s water, as the more sunlight there is, the stronger the effect is in the water. This means that summer generally provides the best viewing conditions but is also when the cave is at its busiest.