Practical
What to wear and bring
Swimwear, a cover-up, cash, sunscreen and a phone for the audio guide: what to pack for the Kotor Blue Cave boat tour, with the rules that apply on board.
Choose your boat date ↗Quick answer
Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes and carry a cover-up, because swimwear is not allowed in the church on Our Lady of the Rocks. Bring a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, comfortable shoes and some cash. Leave large bags behind. A phone with internet is needed for the audio guide, and tours run in the rain, with raincoats provided.
The two-layer outfit
The trip mixes a swim with a church, so dress in two layers. Put swimwear on first, then comfortable clothes you can sit in on a fast boat. Add a cover-up with sleeves or a shawl for the church, where shoulders must be covered and shorts or skirts must be modest in length. Dry clothes in a small bag are the simplest way to avoid sitting in wet fabric on the way back to Kotor.
Shoes and the boat
Choose comfortable shoes with a firm grip, because boats rock. Flip-flops are fine for the swim but awkward for climbing in and out of a speedboat. Take a sun hat and sunscreen even on a cloudy day, since the sun reflects off the water. A towel is worth the space for the swim stop. Sunglasses help too, because the glare off the water is strong.
What is on board
Life jackets, life rafts, a first-aid kit, music, fuel and snorkel masks, which depend on availability, are part of the trip. Raincoats are provided because tours run in the rain. Meals and drinks are not covered by the ticket, so bring water. Tips for the crew are optional, so keep a little cash for those and for the church entry, which is paid in cash.
What is not allowed
Weapons and sharp objects, oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed on board. Neither are intoxicated passengers, non-folding wheelchairs or non-folding strollers. Pack a small bag with your essentials, and leave bigger luggage in your accommodation or the car. The speedboats have little space, and a smaller bag also stays drier. Check the booking page for anything specific to your option.
The audio guide
The audio guide covers French, Spanish, German, Russian, Hebrew, Italian, English and Portuguese, and it needs a phone with an internet connection. Charge your phone and bring earphones if you want to use it, since wind and engine noise can swallow a speaker. The live guide speaks English, so English speakers can simply listen on board.
Swimming and life jackets
Life jackets are on board, and snorkel masks are provided where available. Guests who are not proficient swimmers are not allowed into the water at the cave, for safety reasons, so be realistic about your own level. The swim is in open water, so a calm-water swimmer should think twice. A confident swimmer will enjoy it.
Money and tips
Most of the trip is covered by the ticket, but a few items are paid separately. Entry to the church and museum on the islet is an optional extra paid in cash, and tips for the guide or skipper are optional. Carry a little cash in a waterproof pouch or zipped pocket, and leave cards and your passport at your accommodation unless you need them. Meals and drinks are not covered by the ticket.
Wind, spray and layers
A fast open boat is cooler than the shore, even in warm weather, and spray flies. Wikipedia describes a cold Bora wind in winter and a warm humid jugo with heavy rain, mostly in autumn and spring. Bring a light layer to wear on the boat, and a second set of dry clothes if you can. In spring and autumn a light jacket is useful, and the raincoats provided on board help in a shower.
Getting there on time
The meeting point depends on the option you book, and your confirmation names it. Plan to arrive well before departure, because late arrivals can lose their place and that place is not refunded. In summer the roads into Kotor fill up and parking is limited, so leave early if you drive, and allow time to walk from the car.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear swimwear into the church?
No. Entry is not allowed in swimwear, and both men and women need covered shoulders and modest-length shorts, skirts or dresses.
Do I need cash?
Yes, a little. Entry to the church and museum is paid in cash, and tips for the crew are optional.
What if it rains?
Tours run in the rain, and raincoats are provided.
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