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Swimming in the Blue Caves (aka Blue Grotto) in/near Kotor

Posted by on

Hi,

I am planning to do a Balkans trip in October 2021 and in Montenegro I plan to do an Our Lady of the Rocks and Blue Cave (aka Blue Grotto) tour. The tour includes an optional 20 minutes of swimming/snorkelling.

Now I am an okay swimmer. I know how to swim and did learn to swim and can also swim in the deep end of a swimming pool but I do not swim/practice swimming often. I have not swam for a year.

How difficult do you think it would be for me to swim given that I have not swam for a year and do not practice often?

Similarly, in my situation, how difficult do you think it would be for me to do snorkelling?

Also, how deep is the water?

In relation to this, the only wild swimming outside of swimming pools I have done is in the Kuang Si Falls in Laos. I have never swam in any caves, rivers, lakes or oceans.

Thanks

Posted by
5316 posts

I have not done this tour, but here are some thoughts.
1) It may be too cold to swim anyway.
2) Evaluate the situation when you get in the boat. I have gotten into some boats on these kinds of trips and wondered if I should have (like, no one wearing life vests, which should be done under any circumstances). Make a determination based on how safe you feel. If it just a handful of people, you may feel better about it than if it is chaotic.
3) I have not snorkeled, but I think it is less about swimming ability and more about coordination. It makes me feel claustrophobic, so I don't think I'd be good at it.
4) Always take your safety into your own hands!

Posted by
39 posts

I'm an experienced ocean swimmer/snorkeler. I would saw that you will probably feel much more confident with a life vest on. That way you can enjoy snorkeling (which is really just sticking your face in the water and breathing surface air through the tube) without worrying about treading water. Start close to the boat and periodically look up to make sure you aren't getting too far away. If you are going with someone else, stick with them. If you are solo, maybe ask the boat staff to keep an extra eye on you.

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