At the mouth of the Bay of Kotor, where the water opens to the Adriatic, sits Mamula Island, a small round island crowned with a circular fortress. The fortress was built in the nineteenth century to guard the entrance to the bay and later served other uses, so today it stands as a striking silhouette that boats circle for photographs. This boat tour combines Mamula with the other coastal highlights of the outer bay: the former naval base with its submarine tunnels cut into the rock, the Blue Cave swim stop and the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks. The submarine tunnels are a reminder that this beautiful bay was once a serious naval harbour, with docks and tunnels built into the shoreline for submarines that could vanish into the rock. Small boats can often slip inside the entrances, which makes for dramatic photographs and a chilling sense of the Cold War past. Between sights there is time to swim in clear water, and the skipper usually shares the local history along the way.
How it works
The tour leaves from a jetty in or near Kotor and heads out along the bay to Mamula, the tunnels, the Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks, then returns. The whole outing takes around three hours. Boats are small and fast, so groups are limited, and there are life jackets on board.
What to expect
Sea conditions near the open water can be choppier than in the inner bay, so people prone to seasickness should take medication. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun cream and a hat, and wear shoes that can get wet. Schedules vary with season and weather, and trips can be reduced or paused in winter.
Making the most of it
Choose a morning departure for flatter water and softer light, and have a small snack before you go. The tour overlaps with the standard Blue Cave boat trip, so if you are planning both, pick whichever has the stops you care about most. Keep cameras in waterproof pouches, and take cash for any cafe stop on the way back.
What to expect
The experience
A guided small-boat tour of the outer bay covering Mamula Island, former submarine tunnels, the Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks.
Best time
Mornings, in late spring to early autumn when the sea is calmest.
How long
About three hours.
Tips
Bring a swimsuit, towel and sun cream, and take seasickness tablets if you are prone to it.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want a fast, scenic sweep of the bay’s sights from the water.
- Families
- Fun for children who like boats and swimming, subject to the operator’s age rules.
- Couples
- Swimming, island views and a bit of history in one short trip.
- Pair with
- Perast, a long lunch on the water or the cable car on another day.
- Time needed
- A morning.
Good questions
What is Mamula Island?+
A small island at the mouth of the bay with a circular nineteenth-century fortress built to guard the entrance.
What are the submarine tunnels?+
Tunnels cut into the rock of the former naval base, built to shelter submarines, which boats can approach on the tour.
Is this different from the standard Blue Cave tour?+
It overlaps, but adds the tunnels and Mamula in the same three-hour trip.
Can I swim?+
Yes, there is usually a swim stop at the Blue Cave. Bring a swimsuit and towel.
Is the trip suitable for seasickness?+
The open water can be choppier than the inner bay, so take medication if you are prone to seasickness.
