When to visit the Blue Cave for swimming
Bright blue water, better light, fewer boats , timing makes a difference.
The Blue Cave is one of the most popular stops on boat tours from Kotor. Many visitors book this route because they want to see the bright blue water, take photos, and enjoy time in the sea. But the experience is not always the same.
Sometimes the water looks clear and bright. Sometimes there are more boats around the cave. Sometimes wind or waves change the plan. That is why timing matters.
If swimming is one of the main reasons you want to visit the Blue Cave, the best time depends on three things: sunlight, sea conditions, and crowds.
The Blue Cave is beautiful at different times of day, but not every time gives the same experience.
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Table of Contents
Quick answer: best time to visit the Blue Cave for swimming
The best time to visit the Blue Cave for swimming is usually from late morning to early afternoon.
This is when the light is often stronger, the water looks brighter, and the cave has the blue color most visitors expect.
Morning can also be a very good choice. There are often fewer boats, less heat, and a calmer start to the tour.
Afternoon can work well if you want warmer water, but in summer it can be busier.
For most visitors, the best balance is late morning or early afternoon.
For safety reasons, guests do not swim inside the Blue Cave on our boat tours. You visit the cave by boat, see the blue water, and take photos. Swimming is organized at beautiful nearby spots, depending on sea conditions.
If you want to visit the Blue Cave and still have time for swimming, the 3-hour Blue Cave boat tour from Kotor is the easiest option. It includes the Blue Cave route, Our Lady of the Rocks, the submarine tunnels, and Mamula Island in one trip.
Why timing matters?
The Blue Cave changes during the day.
The color of the water depends on the sun, clouds, waves, and the time of day. On a sunny day, the water can look bright blue. On a cloudy day, the cave can still be beautiful, but the color is usually softer. Timing also matters because the Blue Cave route goes closer to the open sea.
Inside Boka Bay, the water can feel calmer. Around the Blue Cave, conditions can change faster. Wind, waves, and boat traffic can all affect the experience. This does not mean the tour is unsafe.
It means the skipper has to make decisions based on the conditions that day.
A good Blue Cave speedboat tour is not only about reaching the cave. It is also about enjoying the route safely and comfortably.
Best time of day to visit the Blue Cave for swimming
The best time to visit the Blue Cave for swimming is usually from late morning to early afternoon.
This part of the day gives the best balance. The light is usually stronger, the water looks brighter, and the cave often has the blue color many visitors expect.
Morning can also be a good choice, especially in summer. There are often fewer boats, and the tour can feel calmer. The blue color may be softer in the morning, making the experience more relaxed.
Midday is usually best if you care most about photos and strong blue light. When the sun is higher, the water can look brighter. The downside is that this is also when the route can be busier, especially in July and August.
Afternoon can work well if you want warmer water or do not want an early start. But in high season, there may be more boats around, and wind or sea conditions can change later in the day.
| Time of day | Best for |
|---|---|
|
Morning |
Fewer boats, less heat, calmer start |
|
Late morning to early afternoon |
Best balance of light, photos, and swimming |
|
Afternoon
|
Later start, warmer water, more boats
|
Late morning or early afternoon is the best choice if you want good light, time in the water, and a smooth experience. .
Best season for swimming near BLUE CAVE
The best season for swimming on a Blue Cave tour is from June to September.
In June, the weather is already warm, but the route is usually less busy than in peak summer.
July and August have the warmest sea, but they also bring more boats and more visitors.
September is often a very good choice. The sea is still warm, and the route usually feels calmer than in midsummer.
May and October can also be beautiful, but the water can feel cooler, and the weather is less predictable.
If you want warm water and fewer crowds, June or September is a very good choice.
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Swimming on our Blue Cave tours
For safety reasons, guests do not swim inside the Blue Cave on our tours. The space inside the cave is limited, and sea conditions can change quickly.
You still visit the Blue Cave by boat. You can see the blue water, enjoy the view, and take photos.
After the cave visit, swimming is organized at beautiful spots close to the Blue Cave, depending on sea conditions.
This means you still get time in the water, but in a safer and more comfortable place.
You see the Blue Cave, enjoy the open-sea part of the route, and swim at one of the beautiful locations nearby.
from
€
€
per person
Free cancelation
For a full refund - cancellation at least 24 hours in advance, delay or rerouting of the cruiser
Non-refundable for - cancellation less of 24 hours prior to the tour
Bad weather conditions - full refund or book a new tour
from
€
€
per person
Free cancelation
For a full refund - cancellation at least 24 hours in advance, delay or rerouting of the cruiser
Non-refundable for - cancellation less of 24 hours prior to the tour
Bad weather conditions - full refund or book a new tour
from
€
€
per person
Free cancelation
For a full refund - cancellation at least 24 hours in advance, delay or rerouting of the cruiser
Non-refundable for - cancellation less of 24 hours prior to the tour
Bad weather conditions - full refund or book a new tour
What is the water like around the Blue Cave?
The water around the Blue Cave is clear, deep, and blue.
On sunny days, the sea can look especially bright. This is the main reason many people want to visit the cave. The water can feel cooler earlier in the season, especially in May or October. In July and August, the water is usually warmer and more comfortable for swimming.
You do not need to swim for a long time to enjoy the experience. Even a short swim during the tour can feel refreshing, especially on a hot day.
If you are not a strong swimmer, ask for a life jacket and stay close to the boat.
Is the Blue Cave boat tour good for families?
Yes, the Blue Cave boat tour can be good for families, but it depends on the children’s ages and the sea conditions that day.
The ride to the Blue Cave is longer than a short Perast or Our Lady of the Rocks tour. It also goes closer to the open sea
For families, morning can be a better choice because the tour may feel calmer and less hot.
A private Blue Cave boat tour from Kotor can also be useful for families because the boat is reserved for your group.
That gives you more space and a more comfortable trip.
If you want a shorter and calmer boat ride inside the bay, the Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast boat tour from Kotor may be a better option.
What if you do not want to swim?
You can enjoy the Blue Cave even if you do not swim. Some visitors prefer to stay on the boat, take photos, and enjoy the cave from the water.
Even without swimming, the Blue Cave is still worth visiting. You see the blue water, the cave entrance, and a different side of Boka Bay. If swimming is not important to you, timing matters a little less.
But if you want the best light for photos, late morning to early afternoon is still usually the best time.
Best tour option if you want swimming
If swimming is one of the main reasons you want to visit the Blue Cave, choose a tour that gives you enough time on the water. The Blue Cave group tour is usually the best value.
It includes the main highlights in one trip:
- Our Lady of the Rocks
- submarine tunnels
- Mamula Island
- Blue Cave
It is a good choice if you want a clear route and do not need a private boat. If you want more privacy and more space, choose the private Blue Cave boat tour.
If you want the Blue Cave as part of a longer private route through Boka Bay, the private Boka Bay boat tour can also include places like Perast and Porto Montenegro.
What to know before you go swimming
Swimming during a Blue Cave tour is simple, but it helps to be prepared. The skipper will choose the safest option depending on the sea, weather, and traffic around the cave. Bring swimwear, a towel, and dry clothes for after the swim.
If you want photos, keep your phone safe and use a waterproof case.
Simple things to bring:
- swimwear
- towel
- sunscreen
- dry clothes
- waterproof phone case
Always listen to the skipper’s instructions. The Blue Cave is beautiful, but it is still a natural sea area. Conditions matter.
Should you visit the Blue Cave on a cloudy day?
You can visit the Blue Cave on a cloudy day, but the color may not look as strong. The cave can still be beautiful. The boat ride can still be enjoyable. But the famous blue effect is usually better on sunny days.
If swimming is your main goal, cloudy weather may not be a big problem. If photos are your main goal, the sun matters more.
The skipper will also look at sea conditions, not only clouds. Calm water is more important than perfect sunshine.
So, when should you visit the Blue Cave for swimming?
Visit the Blue Cave route from late morning to early afternoon if you want the best balance of blue light, swimming, and overall experience. Choose the morning if you want fewer boats and a calmer start. Choose the afternoon if you want warmer water and do not mind a busier route.
For the best season, June and September are often the best months. July and August are warm, but also the busiest.
For safety reasons, guests do not swim inside the Blue Cave on our tours. The cave is visited by boat, and swimming is organized at safer spots depending on sea conditions.
For most first-time visitors, the 3-hour Blue Cave group tour from Kotor is the easiest option.
If you want more privacy and more space, the private Blue Cave boat tour from Kotor is a better fit.
FAQ's
What is the best time to swim on a Blue Cave tour?
The best time is usually late morning to early afternoon. This is when the light is often stronger, and the water looks brighter.
Can you swim inside the Blue Cave?
For safety reasons, guests do not swim inside the Blue Cave on our tours. You visit the cave by boat, and the skipper chooses a safer swimming spot depending on sea conditions.
What is the best time of day to visit the Blue Cave?
Late morning to early afternoon is usually the best time to visit the Blue Cave. The light is stronger, the water looks brighter, and the cave often has the blue color many visitors expect.
Is morning good for Blue Cave swimming?
Yes. Morning is good if you want fewer boats, less heat, and a calmer tour. The water may feel cooler, and the blue color can be softer.
Is midday the best time for Blue Cave swimming?
Midday is often best for the strongest blue color. The water looks brighter, but the route can be busier, especially in July and August.
Is the afternoon good for Blue Cave swimming?
Yes. Afternoon can be good because the water is usually warmer. It can also be busier, and sea conditions can change later in the day.
What month is best for swimming on a Blue Cave tour?
June and September are often the best months. The weather is warm, the sea is usually pleasant, and there are fewer crowds than in July and August.
