Cruising the Bay of Kotor for Best Views (and ease)

What is the one word that comes to mind when I say “cruise”? Expensive? Stuffy? Maybe,  but that is not always the case. After being stuck in traffic too many times around the Bay and seeing how much better the views are from the water, we are definitely fans of the water approach.

Consider taking day cruises in the Bay of Kotor or even to the beautiful Adriatic Coast. There are a number of ways to go. For example, you can catch the 420-seat “Le Coche d’Eau” tourist boat, which is the largest day excursion boat in Montenegro. This two-tier boat is ideal for groups or a single that wants to just tag along on a bigger excursion. There are also public “speed boats” available in front of Old Town Kotor at the water’s edge. Our favorite, by far for family or romantic travel is a private boat tour. While the private boat tour usually launches from Kotor, special pickup options are available from places like Dobrota or Perast.  While the standard tour takes place in the Bay area (where there is so much to see) there’s is also an option to boat out of the bay and around the Lustica Peninsula to the to the blue cave. It is well worth it, too. As you swim in the caves, you understand why it is called the blue cave, as everything underwater looks blue.

Probably the most picturesque spot on the bay is tiny, perfectly preserved Perast, overlooked by the islets of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks. We docked on Our Lady of the Rocks, the only artificially built island on the Adriatic and walked through the local museum, which pays homage to the sailors who passed through the Bay. All three of the boating possibilities listed will take you to this destination. Of course if you want to skip it to focus on other sights or adventure, that is only possible through the private boat tour.

Strict planning laws have kept the baroque buildings along the Bay of Kotor almost perfectly intact.

Finally, we navigated to Kotor, where we disembarked and visited the local attractions in Old Town Kotor, with walls skillfully crafted into the natural steep slopes of the hill. The view of this town on approach is one of the amazing sights, not only of the Mediterranean but also of the world.

Tickets for the Le Coche d’Eau are €10-15 to board the boat with an additional cost should you wish to dine. The public speed boats are 10 euros per person. And the private boat tour starts at 100 euros for up to 12 guests.

Thank you to Spark.Me organizers for introducing us to the boating possibilities as a better way to see the Bay of Kotor and coast. It is definitely a must-do when you visit Montenegro.