A sea cave on Luštica, reachable only by sea
The Blue Cave is a sea cave on the uninhabited southwestern coast of the Luštica peninsula, in the municipality of Herceg Novi, between Zlatna Luka cove and Cape Mokra Gora, not far from the Žanjice and Mirište beaches and the Mamula fortress.
It owes its name to the intensely blue colour of the water: the sun's rays penetrate through the opening and reflect off the bottom and limestone walls, and the colour is at its strongest around noon. There is no land access – you enter the cave by excursion boat, small boat or kayak through the larger of its two openings, and the main experience is swimming and snorkelling directly from the boat.
The cave got its name from the intensely blue colour of the water. The sun's rays penetrate through the opening, reflect off the bottom and limestone walls, so the colour is visible to the naked eye. It is strongest around noon, when the sun illuminates the sea surface.
The main experience is swimming and snorkelling directly from the boat. The water surface inside the cave is about 300 m², and the sea depth reaches 5 m. Non-swimmers and children should wear a life jacket.
The cave has two openings; excursion boats and smaller boats enter through the larger one. There is no land access – you arrive by excursion boat from Herceg Novi, speedboat from Kotor, Tivat or Budva, or kayak along the coast of Luštica. In waves and strong wind, boats do not enter.
On the walls are decorations formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate over thousands of years. The cave is registered in the Register of Speleological Sites of Montenegro, and in 2025 the Municipality of Herceg Novi requested a Protection Study. Do not touch or break the decorations.
The cave is not far from the island of Lastavica with the Mamula fortress, at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, and from the Žanjice and Mirište beaches, the centre of excursion tourism in this part of Boka. Boat excursions usually combine them on the same day, along with Cape Arza with its fortress and beach.
On the water
A jump from the boat into turquoise water – the main experience of the Blue Cave.
Food & wine
The sea depth reaches 5 m, and the play of light is best seen underwater.
On the water
Tours from Kotor, Tivat, Budva and Herceg Novi combine the cave with Mamula, Žanjice or Perast.
On the water
Experienced paddlers can reach it by kayak along the coast of Luštica; go only in calm seas.
Culture
Around noon the water is bluest; bring a waterproof phone case.
Castle · 2.9 km
An Austro-Hungarian fortress from the mid-19th century on Cape Arza, at the tip of Luštica – together with Mamula and Oštro, the first line of defence of the entrance to Boka Kotorska.
Castle · 3.9 km
A circular Austro-Hungarian fortress from 1853 on the island of Lastavica, at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, 3.5 nautical miles from Herceg Novi.
Village · 6.8 km
Rose is a small coastal fishing village at the tip of the Luštica Peninsula, known for its stone houses, crystal-clear sea, and tranquility far from tourist crowds.
Village · 7.5 km
Kumbor is a peaceful coastal settlement on the shore of the Bay of Kotor, located approximately 5 km east of Herceg Novi.
Religious Site · 9.3 km
Manastir Savina in Herceg Novi preserves three churches, a rich treasury, and the miraculous icon of the Virgin of Savina.
Village · 9.4 km
A peaceful coastal settlement with dozens of pebble beaches on the southeastern shore of the Bay of Kotor, known for the Mimosa Festival.
City · 10 km
A coastal city with six centuries of history, monumental fortresses, and more than 250 sunny days a year.
City · 11 km
A coastal town in Boka Kotorska, known for the superyacht marina Porto Montenegro and its Mediterranean climate.
Live offers from local hosts on our booking platform. Nothing is charged online – you pay the host on site.
Rural stayHerceg Novi
from €21 / nightindicative price
Ask the host
Rural stayHerceg Novi
from €21 / nightindicative price
Ask the host
Rural stayHerceg Novi
from €21 / nightindicative price
Ask the host
CampsiteHerceg Novi
from €25 / nightindicative price
Ask the host
Rural stayHerceg Novi
Price on request
Ask the host
Rural stayHerceg Novi
Price on request
Ask the host
CampsiteHerceg Novi
Price on request
Ask the hostTours by local hosts with a stop right here – departure, duration and price at a glance, booked directly with the host.
Stop: Blue Cave (Plava Spilja)From Kotor
3 h · 30 min at the stop · Boka Boat Tours
from €40 / person
See dates
Stop: Blue Cave & Open Cave (Lustica)From Kotor
6 h · 1 h at the stop · Boka Boat Tours
from €600
See dates
Stop: Blue Cave (Plava Spilja)From Kotor
4 h · 30 min at the stop · 0.6 km away · Boka Boat Tours
from €60 / person
See datesMonthly averages – Herceg Novi.
Visitor tip
The nearest airport is Tivat; Dubrovnik Airport (Ćilipi) is also close to Herceg Novi.
The cave has no land access. By car you can reach Herceg Novi (Škver port) or the excursion departure points in Tivat, Kotor or Budva, then continue by boat.
By bus you can reach Herceg Novi, Tivat, Kotor or Budva, from where boat excursions depart for the Blue Cave.
The cave can only be reached by sea. During the summer season, boats depart from the nautical-tourist port of Škver in Herceg Novi and run to Mirište, Žanjice and the Blue Cave; out of season, you can arrange a ride with local boatmen from all places in Boka. Speedboat tours from Kotor usually last 3–4 hours and often include Our Lady of the Rocks, Perast and the Mamula fortress; excursions also depart from Tivat and Budva. Experienced paddlers can reach it by kayak along the coast of Luštica.
Hiking, walking and cycling routes that start here or pass nearby, with maps and GPX downloads.
Hiking · Mirište Beach
Hiking · Veslo Beach
Hiking · Žanjice Beach
Walking · Kumbor Beach
Cycling · Rose, Luštica · Lovćen National Park
Walking · Igalo Beach
Hiking · Forte Mare Fortress · Lovćen National Park
Walking · Tivat
Day 1 · Herceg Novi, Luštica
Only by sea – by excursion boat, speedboat, kayak or private vessel. In summer, boats depart from the Škver port in Herceg Novi, and speedboat tours also run from Kotor, Tivat and Budva. There is no land access.
Yes, swimming and snorkelling directly from the boat are the main experience. The sea depth reaches 5 m; non-swimmers and children should wear a life jacket.
Around noon, when the sun illuminates the sea surface. In season, that is also when there are the most boats, so before noon it is calmer.
There is no entrance ticket for the cave – you pay for the boat excursion, and the price is set by the operator.
They do not enter the cave in waves and strong wind; entry depends on sea conditions. Regular excursions run mostly during the summer season, and out of season you can arrange a ride with local boatmen.
