Montenegro is a land of contrasts, an inevitable destination for cruising and sailing enthusiasts. Being located on the southwestern coast of the Adriatic Sea, it often gets referred to as “the pearl of the Adriatic” or “the hidden gem of Europe”

Right at the heart of the Balkans, Montenegro is the country of the high mountains with breathtaking nature and crystal-clear blue waters of the Adriatic. The Montenegrin coastline is dotted with enchanting islands and islets too.

Its cruising/sailing spots include: the Bay of Kotor, Herceg Novi, Tivat-Porto Montenegro, Budva, Sveti Stefan, Bar.

The diversity of landscapes makes Montenegro attractive to tourists from all around the world.

A hidden gem, yet to be fully explored by global travelers, Montenegro is truly an enchanting place that offers a captivating blend of the best of Balkan culture and heritage with stunning coastlines, medieval villages, ancient fortresses and majestic mountains. No matter what the age, everyone can find something they love here. From a variety of outdoor activities including all sorts of nautical activities to the tranquility and relaxation of the places to be explored, Montenegro has it all. 

Let yourself be charmed by the beautiful coastal towns, cultural heritage and unparalleled nature of Montenegro.

PROGRAM WITH EMBARKATION IN CROATIA AND CRUISING IN MONTENEGRO

Day 1 / Saturday: DUBROVNIK – EMBARKATION IN CAVTAT 

Arrival in Dubrovnik Airport. Head to Cavtat by land transportation to embark on your gullet in the pm hours of the day. Today is the embarkation day on the boat. Although embarkation is in Croatia, the suggested route will take you to neighboring Montenegro.

Cavtat is a small medieval harbor on the Adriatic Sea, which today stores magnificent examples of art and architecture interlaced with the local life style. Cavtat’s best-kept secret is the old harbor with the gorgeous seaside promenade lined with palm trees that hide many lovely restaurants. The town has mild climate, pine forests and there are beautiful beaches as well. It has been compared to France’s glamorous Saint Tropez. Nearby, there is the Tiha bay with numerous recreational and sport facilities, as well as restaurants.

Captain decides on the best anchorage, either at Cavtat port, the southwestern part of Cavtat’s harbour or the Tiha Bay can be considered.

Day 2 / Sunday: CAVTAT – HERCEG NOVI (16 NM)

After completing the paperwork for leaving Croatia in Cavtat, set to sail for the southeast and get ready for a nice distance of open sea navigation.  Our next stop is Herceg Novi, a medieval town only 4 NM north from the entrance of the Gulf of Kotor. Town is located in picturesque Mediterranean vegetation in one of the most beautiful parts of the Montenegrin coast. Herceg Novi is recognizable by its numerous stairs, narrow streets and the abundance of mimosa     trees. Thanks to a large number of sunny days all year round it is often called “The City of the Sun”. You can explore this beautiful town by visiting its citadel and fortresses.  Kanli Kula is one of those, a 16th-century prison during Herceg Novi’s years of Turkish rule. There is also the Spanish and Venetian citadels. The walk through the old town of Herceg Novi is most impressive when approached from the pedestrian section of Ulica Njegoševa, which is paved in the same shiny marble as Dubrovnik and lined in elegant, mainly 19th-century buildings. The town’s harbor offers many berths for yachts up to 25m. The sea here is also one of the clearest sea spots in the eastern Adriatic. Meljine beach and port of Zelenika is also a border crossing passage, the first port of entry for a yacht entering Montenegro from north where all entrance-exit procedures can be solved).

Day 3 / Monday: HERCEG NOVI – BUDVA (30 NM)

Continue this beautiful cruising program by heading to one of the most beautiful coasts in this part of the world, the Budva Riviera. This is a very pleasant cruising route and scenery, the coast is 21km long and comes up with numerous sandy beaches. Budva is often called “Montenegrin Miami”, because it is the most populated and most popular tourist resort in Montenegro, with beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. The Old Town of Budva is more than 2000 years old offering a great variety of beaches, hotels, clubs, and other tourist attractions. Enjoy a walk along its narrow streets or explore the stone walls of the medieval old town (Stari Grad) built by the Venetians. While in Budva, do not miss to see Sveti Stefan (St. Stephen), a small islet connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway which overlooks an impeccable beach and tempting turquoise waters. Of all the sights along the Adriatic shoreline, Sveti Stefan is the most photographed site of Montenegro.

On this route, Žanjic beach (5 NM from Herceg Novi), Mirišta (6 NM from Herceg Novi) are beaches and places of anchorage closer to Herceg Novi. Depending on the weather, Jaz beach (closer to Budva), Cape Zavala, St Nicolas Island can be considered as possible places of anchorage too.

Day 4 / Tuesday: BUDVA – BIGOVO (12 NM)

Leaving Budva Riviera today, we head towards Bigovo, the small fishing village located on a reliably sheltered bay with rocky beaches and crystal-clear seas. The village of Bigova is a quiet place where in the past, pirates used to hide from storms and now fishing boats and yachts find it to be a convenient place away from the noisy crowds. There are only a few villas and holiday homes around and the sea water is very clean.  The main occupation of the inhabitants of Bigovo still remains fishing, that is why it would be a good place to try some local food such as fish soup (chorba) along with some of the freshest fish in Montenegro. Possible anchorages would be Dobra Luka and Oblatna.

Day 5 / Wednesday: BIGOVO – KOTOR (22 NM)

Continuing our cruise, head to the beautiful Kotor area. Located in the Bay of Kotor, the town is a true jewel of the Montenegrin coast. It contains so much rich but turbulent history of battles and wars. The nature is amazing and the whole area is full of numerous tourist attractions, all of which were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. One would not be surprised to hear that Bay of Kotor is placed among the ten most beautiful bays in the world, as it is guarded by high mountain peaks and filled with traditional architecture (especially in the Old Town) Wandering through Kotor’s narrow, medieval cobblestone streets would definitely make you feel the spirit of Venetian culture and architecture. The tunes of the street performers playing their musical instruments can be heard in every corner. The old Clock Tower, the palaces of the noble families, the squares, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (patron and protector of Kotor) will all appear in front of you as you continue to walk around and amaze you with their eternal beauty. The Maritime Museum, home of the long naval history and tradition of Kotor and the whole Boka bay is well worth the visit.  Possible anchorage would be Port of Risan, Prčanj, Dobrota, northwestern part of the port of Kotor.

Day 6 / Thursday: KOTOR – PERAST – TIVAT (8 NM)

Moving from the Bay of Kotor to another breathtaking Montenegrin bay, the Boka Kotorska bay. On the way, see Perast. With its lavish architecture and history, it is one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in Montenegro. This 1 km long village is full of churches, grand aristocratic residences from 16th and 17th centuries. There, you also encounter two neighboring islets, the islet of St. George and the artificial but enchanting island of Lady of Skrpjel “Our Lady of the Rocks”. 

Our Lady of the Rocks is a reliable keeper of the secrets of sailors and local legends for 6 centuries. The history and legends impress any visitor, the paintings covering the walls and ceiling as well as the fantastic view that opens in front of you would be fascinating! Passing through Verige Straits, a narrow passage between Tivat Bay and Kotor Bay, you would arrive in the attractive town of Tivat that lies right at the center of the bay. Tivat has two ports: marina Kalimanj (natural) and Porto Montenegro (built). Porto Montenegro is well known for its luxurious architecture and yachts, as it is one of the fanciest marinas on the Adriatic. This marina combines spectacular lifestyle and a luxury residential village with a world-class marina in this part of the Mediterranean.

Day 7 / Friday: TIVAT – CAVTAT (35 NM)

After spending some time in Tivat and getting ready for the return journey, head back to Cavtat area visiting bays on the way. There the sailing route ends, but it does not stop you from exploring the town in the evening.

Day 8 / Saturday: DISEMBARKATION IN CAVTAT 

Today, after breakfast disembark the boat in Cavtat with fond memories.