Blue Cave Montenegro
The Blue Cave (or Blue Grotto) is not (yet) as famous as the Blue Cave in Vis, Croatia which might be good news to you if you want to explore it without having to share it with too many other tourists.
It is located on the Lustica Peninsula and is inaccessible by car. It is 5.7 nautical miles away from Herceg Novi but there are tours available from every major coastal town in Boka Bay. The only way you can experience it is with a small boat – bigger ones might get clogged, especially when the tide rises.
source: Mapcarta
What is so special about this cave? In one word – the intense aquamarine radiance of the water inside the cave. The effect is produced by sunrays that have to fight their way through the interior only to be reflected by the white floor of the cave.
Due to the unique interplay between light and sea, objects within the cave appear to be colored in dark silver. The cave has an area of about 300 square meters and reaches about 25 meters in height. (There are also stalactites hanging from the ceiling.) The best time to visit is from 10 am to 1 pm.
Info: Do not go if the sky is not clear – for the full effect it needs to be a bright day.
How do I get to Blue Cave Montenegro?
You can get to the Blue Cave either by sped boat or by slower motor boats. You can either head straight to the cave directly or include it as a stopover on a larger tour of Boka Bay.
Taxi boats are departing from the following locations:
- Zanjice Beach and Mirista (10 – 15 minutes; 5 – 10€)
- Igalo: La Bamba and Restaurant Obala (15€)
- Hereg Novi: Main Marina and Skver (15€)
Departure is at 10 am from Herceg Novi and 09:45 from Igalo. These trips include a long stopover at Zanjice Beach where you can swim for a couple of hours before returning at 5 pm. You can also charter your boat when traveling with a larger group. Prices are about 20 – 40 Euros per person.
The boats usually operate until September 15th.
Blue Cave Tour from Tivat
If you are located in Tivat, it would be best to book a boat tour. The tours usually last between 3 and 4 hours and start from Porto Montenegro. The boat will go past the Portonovi Marina, then head straight to the blue cave where you will have the opportunity to swim for 20 – 30 minutes.
The trip then continues to the secluded beaches of Dobrec, Miriste, and Zanjice. The next stops often include Mamula Island (former fortress then concentration camp, now luxury resort) and a submarine tunnel from former Yugoslav times.
The price is about 30 -40 Euro per person but there are also longer tours available with longer breaks for swimming or eating in one of the beachfront restaurants. Some are only accessible by boat.
Blue Cave Tour from Kotor
If you think about visiting the Blue Cave from Kotor, it is best to start early. There are shorter and longer tours available with slightly diverging itineraries. One good option would be to start at 9 am at the Port of Kotor to embark on a tour that will take you along the shores of Kotor, Tivat, and Herceg Novi.
The good thing is that the first destination is the Blue Cave – you’ll get there within one hour and will have half an hour time to swim and explore the cave’s interior. The next stops are Mamula Island and the submarine tunnel.
Afterward, the boat will stop at the island in front of Perast for a 20-minute visit to the ‘Our Lady of the Rocks’ church and museum. It’s a beautifully-decorated church and a highlight in its own right. The cruise is full of beautiful views of the Perast waterfront and picturesque coastal villages along the way.
The price is about 40€ per person.
Info: There are alternative tours that also include Porto Montenegro or Herceg Novi in the itinerary.
Can I swim in the Blue Cave Montenegro?
Yes, you can swim in the Blue Cave on most days. All tour companies include a swim stop in their itineraries. The biggest risk is not being able to enter the cave by boat due to rising tides. But once you’re in, you are also able to swim.
Be aware that there are two entries to the cave and on busy days there will be boats going in and out quite frequently. Watch out for other boats when swimming to not get injured.
Blue Cave Montenegro by Kayak
It is possible to explore the Blue Cave by Kayak, SUP, or canoe. The trip will take significantly longer than by boat – plan for a half-day or even better full-day adventure. You need to start early if you want to have the best experience in the cave.
As an experienced kayaker, you probably won’t have any difficulty reaching the cave from Rose or Zanjice Beach. For a longer day trip, you can also start from Herceg Novi or even Tivat.
For less experienced kayakers, it is best to book a tour. The price is about 100€ per person for a 5-hour adventure (3 hours on the water). The tour company will take care of the equipment and safety measures. The cave is facing the open waters that can be turbulent even if it is calm at the beach resorts.
Info: Don’t underestimate nature’s forces: currents, waves, and winds can be dangerous in the Adriatic Sea.