We decided to outsmart the chaos and pre-book our Blue Cave tour—no haggling with sunburned salesmen or deciphering mysterious “special offers” from a dozen different operators.

Honestly, it felt like winning before we even left the hotel.

With the paperwork sorted, we arrived a little early and, bonus, there was a park nearby. The kids sprinted off to burn energy, and I got a few precious moments of peace. #winning.

Just as our hour of adventure arrived, I looked up and saw clouds gathering like a dramatic movie trailer.

Quick weather check: 16 degrees and a 70% chance my hair would frizz. Did we panic? Of course not—YOLO! We hopped on the boat, spirits high and raincoats nowhere in sight.

Five minutes in, the sea got a little choppy and the wind started slapping my face with the enthusiasm of a toddler with a new toy.

If I’d wanted a free facial, I would’ve just booked a spa. Instead, I got the “sea breeze special”—exfoliation by nature!

Suddenly, raindrops began to fall, each one landing with the precision of a water balloon thrown by a mischievous weather god. I started to wonder if the Blue Cave was just a clever name for “underwater now.”

Enter: the yellow raincoats. We all donned them in unison, instantly transforming into a boat full of rubber ducks. At that point, it was too late to turn back—besides, I was committed to the adventure (and to seeing if I could pull off the “soaked tourist chic” look).

Fast forward past the wind, waves, and impromptu rain dance: the Blue Cave was absolutely worth it. Sunlight filtered through the water, turning everything an electric blue.

The kids were awestruck, the adults speechless (and not just from the cold), and for a moment, we all forgot about the weather and just marveled at nature’s magic.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Pre-book, embrace the unexpected, and bring your sense of humor (and maybe a towel). The Blue Cave is a must-see, rain or shine.

Our Lady of the Rocks – one of the most enchanting spots in Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor!

It’s like the island is playing hide-and-seek with you, floating out there in the Adriatic like a tiny stone miracle.

This man-made gem has a beautiful Roman Catholic church with a sky-blue dome and a bell tower that stands taller than my hopes of ever finding decent Wi-Fi in the Balkans.

Tourists wander the cobblestone paths, breathing in that fresh sea air and pretending they’re in some kind of romantic movie montage, while dodging the occasional selfie-stick-wielding tourist who’s convinced they’re on the cover of Vogue—which, let’s be honest, is probably me if I don’t stop taking just one more photo of this place.

It’s the kind of place that screams “storybook,” but not the kind with dragons and evil witches—more like the cosy, peaceful kind with a dash of mystery.

The kind of place you’d definitely visit… if you can get your boat to stop going in circles while trying to take the perfect Instagram shot.

Mamula Island – a UNESCO heritage site that’s absolutely stunning… from the outside.

But guess what? You’ll never see the inside — unless you pull off a prison break… *except instead of breaking out, you’d be breaking in. (Cue dramatic Mission Impossible music.)

Why, you ask?

Because it’s now a luxury hotel — and the only way you’re getting in is if you break the bank… or sell a kidney on the black market.

I still can’t believe they charged me just to admire the outside! Honestly, I could’ve saved the cash and just Googled it with better zoom.

But for those curious souls:

Mamula Island is a 19th-century fortress built by the Austro-Hungarians to guard the Bay of Kotor. It later became a prison during World War II — and now it’s home to infinity pools and overpriced cocktails. Talk about a plot twist!

In short: if you ever dreamed of going to jail in luxury, Mamula’s got you covered — but only if your wallet can post bail.

Former Submarine Tunnel, Kotor –  Let me be honest with you… it’s just a dark, cold tunnel. 

Nothing to see here, move along. 

It’s the kind of place where you walk in, realize you’ve seen everything (which is nothing), then turn around and walk right back out.

The end.

But wait, the real highlight of this place isn’t the tunnel itself—it’s the fact that in 2016, they held a rave there.

Yes, you heard that right.

Picture this: people in neon lights, glow sticks waving around, and someone probably DJing in a corner—because why not throw a party in a giant, echoey, submarine tunnel? 

Perfect for those moments when you really want to experience both claustrophobia and a bass drop at the same time.

Aside from that, the tunnel was originally built by the Yugoslav military to hide submarines during the Cold War.

Now, it’s just an eerie reminder that even tunnels need a good party to stay interesting.

So, if you’re looking for a thrilling adventure… just know that the only rave you’ll find here is the one you throw in your own mind while walking through a tunnel that has more mood lighting than actual excitement.

Click here to head to my storefront to add this Blue Cave Tour to your Kotor itinerary!

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A post shared by Sarah Ssali | Exploring with Toddlers 🧑🏽‍🦱👦🏽👶🏽 (@ssaliexplorers)