Boka Bay Full-Day Guided Cruise with Swim Stop Kotor

The Bay of Kotor by ship

The Bay of Kotor is a winding inlet of the Adriatic, framed by steep mountains and old stone towns that were once part of the Venetian Republic. Kotor and its surroundings are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A Boka Bay boat tour is the best way to understand its shape, because the bay opens out in several basins and no road runs along all of it.

On this cruise you travel on a comfortable ship with sundecks, toilets and showers, so you can move between deck and shade all day. A guide explains the places you pass, from fishing villages to fortresses. If you want a full-day cruise from Kotor with time to swim, this route is designed for that.

Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks

After leaving the boarding point, the ship passes Perast, a small baroque town whose stone palaces and church towers line the shore. Just offshore lies Our Lady of the Rocks, a man-made island built up over centuries by seamen who, according to local tradition, began dropping stones around an icon of the Virgin in the fifteenth century.

The ship stops here for about 30 minutes, which allows time to walk on the island and see the church and museum. Entry to the island's church and museum is optional and paid separately, and dress should be modest, with no swimwear inside the church. It is the most photographed place on the whole bay.

Mamula Island, Miriste and the swim stop

The route continues toward the mouth of the bay, past Mamula Island, a small round island with a nineteenth-century fortress that was used as a prison in the Second World War. The ship then stops for a swim, with about 75 minutes at the clear water of the Miriste lagoon, near a beach that has held a Blue Flag.

This is the time to use the sundeck, swim, and rest. Swimwear, a towel and sun protection are essential. The optional Blue Cave visit, about an hour, is paid separately and depends on the weather, so ask your guide when the ship arrives. The swim stop is included in the price for both options.

Herceg Novi and its fortresses

Herceg Novi, on the northwest corner of the bay, is a town of steps, small squares and sea walls. It is best known for three old fortresses: Forte Mare, a Venetian sea fortress; Kanli Kula, the Ottoman Bloody Tower; and Španjola, the Spanish fortress high on the slope. The cruise allows about an hour here for a walk in the old town.

You can wander the promenade, climb some of the steps, or take a coffee break. After Herceg Novi, the ship sets off on the return journey, and on the way back to Tivat you pass Porto Montenegro, a large marina for very big yachts, which makes a good final panorama.

Kotor or Tivat: which boarding point to choose

The Kotor option boards in Kotor at Park Slobode and departs at 10:30 AM; the whole day lasts about 8 hours. The Tivat option boards in Tivat, at the Pine area, and leaves at 9:00 AM for about 9 hours. Tivat is easier if you arrive by car, because traffic and parking around Kotor can be heavy in summer.

Hotel pickup is not included in either option. Please arrive early to board. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes and cash. The itinerary may be adjusted for weather or sea conditions.