Travel to Montenegro
Sailing in Montenegro
Nautical Adventure

From the sheltered waters of the Bay of Kotor to the open Adriatic — sailing in Montenegro offers 293 km of coastline, luxury marinas and favourable winds from May to October.

Sailing in Montenegro

Overview

A sailboat, the wind and the Bay of Kotor — a combination that has placed Montenegro among the top sailing destinations in the Mediterranean. Along just 293 km of coastline you will find sheltered fjords, hidden coves accessible only by boat, UNESCO sites reachable from the sea and marinas that satisfy even the most demanding skippers. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sailor, the Montenegrin coast has a route for you.

Montenegro has 293 km of Adriatic coastline, 240 sunny days a year and world-class marinas — the ideal combination for sailing at all levels.

sailingnauticalBay of KotormarinaAdriaticsailboat

Sunny Days

240 days per year

Marinas

5 towns (Tivat, Kotor, H. Novi, Budva, Bar)

Season

May — October

Coastline Length

293 km

Avg. Summer Temp.

27.4°C

Max. Yacht Length

250 m (Porto Montenegro)

Highlights

Porto Montenegro, Tivat
01
Fact 01

Porto Montenegro, Tivat

One of the leading luxury marinas in Europe, located in a former military arsenal in Tivat. It accommodates superyachts up to 250 m in length and hosts exclusive regattas and nautical events throughout the season.
01
04
Perast and the Islands
02
Fact 02

Perast and the Islands

The Baroque town of Perast in the heart of Boka Kotorska is surrounded by two small islands: Gospa od Škrpjela (17th century, a church built on an artificial island) and Sveti Đorđe (a Benedictine monastery). Accessible only by boat — a must-see stop on any route through Boka.
02
04
Blue Cave, Luštica
03
Fact 03

Blue Cave, Luštica

A natural sea cave on the Luštica Peninsula accessible exclusively by boat. The blue light is created by the reflection of sunlight off the sandy seabed through the surface of the water. A popular spot for diving and swimming — ideal for combining with a sailing route through Boka.
03
04
D-Marin Portonovi, Herceg Novi
04
Fact 04

D-Marin Portonovi, Herceg Novi

A world-class marina in Herceg Novi with 238 berths, accommodating yachts and superyachts up to 120 m in length. Part of the luxury Portonovi complex with five-star hotels and restaurants — an ideal base for exploring the entrance to the Bay of Kotor.
04
04

Top Routes

Best Sailing in Montenegro Routes

01EASY

Tivat — Luštica Bay — Perast — Kotor — Tivat

Circular Tour of Boka Kotorska

Tivat — Luštica Bay — Perast — Kotor — Tivat

Circular Tour of Boka Kotorska

A classic one-day route of approximately 8 hours of sailing. Departure from Tivat, passing by the Flower Island, a stop in Luštica for swimming, Perast with the islands of Gospa od Škrpjela and Sveti Đorđe, finishing in Kotor. Calm, sheltered waters — ideal for beginners and families.

02EASY

Porto Montenegro — Luštica — Herceg Novi

Tivat — Herceg Novi

Porto Montenegro — Luštica — Herceg Novi

Tivat — Herceg Novi

A route of approximately 25 nautical miles through Boka Kotorska to the entrance of the bay. An en-route stop at Luštica for swimming and exploring the Blue Cave (accessible only by boat). Herceg Novi offers the D-Marin Portonovi marina with 238 berths. Duration: 4–6 hours depending on the wind.

03MODERATE

Porto Montenegro, Tivat — Budva — Sveti Stefan

Tivat — Budva — Sveti Stefan

Porto Montenegro, Tivat — Budva — Sveti Stefan

Tivat — Budva — Sveti Stefan

An open coastal route of approximately 30 nautical miles. Leaving the sheltered Boka and sailing the open Adriatic. Budva offers a marina and a vibrant old town. Sveti Stefan is an iconic island-hotel best viewed from the sea. The afternoon maestral makes the return journey northward easier.

04MODERATE

Herceg Novi — Bar — Ulcinj

The Entire Montenegrin Coast

Herceg Novi — Bar — Ulcinj

The Entire Montenegrin Coast

A multi-day route along the entire Montenegrin coast, approximately 100 nautical miles in total. It combines the sheltered Boka Kotorska, the Budva Riviera, the port of Bar (Montenegro's largest port) and Ulcinj with its Velika Plaža beach. 5–7 days are recommended for a relaxed sail with stops along the way.

05EASY

Bigova — Trašte — Maljevik — Kruče

Bigova — Maljevik Coves

Bigova — Trašte — Maljevik — Kruče

Bigova — Maljevik Coves

A route of hidden coves on the southern Montenegrin coast, between Boka and Budva. Bigova offers excellent protection from northerly winds and crystal-clear water for diving. Trašte and Maljevik are peaceful anchorages with sandy bottoms. Approximately 20 nautical miles in total — ideal for a weekend sail.

Set Sail on the Adriatic from Montenegro

240 sunny days, 5 marinas and the southernmost fjord in Europe await you

Set Sail on the Adriatic from Montenegro

Porto Montenegro accommodates yachts up to 250 m in length, while Boka Kotorska offers sheltered waters perfect for sailors of all levels — from a first voyage to multi-day routes.

The Bay of Kotor is the only true fjord in the Mediterranean and the southernmost fjord in Europe. You could spend an en

Did You Know?

The Bay of Kotor is the only true fjord in the Mediterranean and the southernmost fjord in Europe. You could spend an entire week cruising solely within Boka Kotorska without seeing everything it has to offer — it is that rich in historic towns, hidden coves and islands.

Plan Your Visit

Before You Go

Best Time to Visit

May to October is the main sailing season. September is ideal — warm sea (around 24°C), available berths in marinas and stable winds without the summer crowds.

Getting There

Tivat Airport (TIV) is 10–15 minutes from Porto Montenegro and most bases in Boka Kotorska — the most convenient entry point for sailors. Podgorica Airport (TGD) is approximately 1.5 hours' drive from the coast. From Dubrovnik (DBV) to Tivat or Herceg Novi is around 1.5–2 hours, including the border crossing — a popular option for international guests arriving from the north.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, sailing your own vessel requires navigation licences that may be requested by the maritime police. An ICC or national equivalent (e.g. RYA Day Skipper) and a VHF Short Range Certificate for at least one crew member are standard requirements. Always check with the charter company which documents are required for your type of vessel.
The classic Bay of Kotor route departs from Tivat, passes through Luštica Bay and Perast, and ends in Kotor — approximately 8 hours of sailing. For multi-day sailing, the route along the entire coast from Herceg Novi to Ulcinj passes through Budva and Bar, offering a combination of sheltered coves and open sea. Popular anchorages include Bigova, Trašte, Kruče and the island of Sveti Marko.
The season runs from May to October. May and June are excellent for fewer crowds and lush scenery. July and August are the busiest months — marinas are full and advance berth reservations are essential. September is considered ideal by many experienced skippers: warm sea, available berths and stable winds without the summer crowds.
Yes, the Bay of Kotor is ideal for beginners. The sheltered waters provide natural protection, distances between marinas are short and winds are predictable. Sailing with an experienced skipper or attending a sailing school is recommended — Delfin Sailing Club in Tivat has been offering programmes for all ages and skill levels since 1951.
Marinas with basic services are located in five cities: Tivat (Porto Montenegro and Kalimanj), Kotor, Herceg Novi (D-Marin Portonovi), Budva and Bar. Porto Montenegro is the largest and accommodates yachts up to 250 m in length, while D-Marin Portonovi has 238 berths for yachts up to 120 m.
In summer, the maestral (north-westerly wind) dominates, strengthening in the afternoon along the open coast and weaker inside Boka. The jugo (southerly wind) brings waves and reduced visibility, more common in spring and autumn, and can last 1–3 days. The bura (katabatic wind) is stronger outside summer, but summer bura events occur after atmospheric fronts — particularly inside Boka at night and in the morning.

Travel Assistant

Ask about Montenegro

Welcome!

Ask me about destinations, restaurants or activities.