Sailing Route · Montenegro
7-Day Porto Montenegro Sailing Itinerary
The 7-Day Montenegro Sailing Itinerary is a 74.3nm balanced-paced loop exploring the Bay of Kotor's UNESCO heritage and Montenegro's Adriatic coast, starting and ending at Porto Montenegro.
Is this route for you?
- Typical day
- 10.5 nm over 7 sailing days
- Longest day
- 20.4 nm, day 4 (09:00–12:44)
- Returns to base
- Yes — a loop from Porto Montenegro
- Nights
- 6 in a marina, 2 alongside
- Deepest draft accepted
- 2.5 m — set by the shallowest stop on the route
Distances and times are sailing distances over water at 6 kn, computed from the charted route between each stop — not straight lines.
- 09:00 Berth for the night, Porto Montenegro
- 09:00 Sail 3.9 nm to Perast
- 09:59 Berth for the night, Perast
Starting from Porto Montenegro's superyacht facilities, a short 0.7-hour sail brings you to Perast, where the baroque village and offshore islets of Our Lady of the Rocks and St George provide an immediate taste of the bay's history. The gentle opening leg allows time to settle into the boat and explore both stops.
NW maestral at 52° · close reach on course 7° N
The close reach on this northerly course is efficient and comfortable in the NW maestral, which blows at F3–4 with occasional F5 from late morning through mid-afternoon at 52° TWA. Best sailing window is midday to late afternoon when the wind is established.
Most crews depart early under engine during the calm morning hours to cover distance before the maestral builds, then may motor-sail or motor again after the wind dies around sunset if still underway.
No hazards, restrictions or depth limitations are recorded for either Porto Montenegro or Perast.
Perast is a baroque village on the inner Bay of Kotor, famous for the islets of Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela) and St George just offshore.
Ashore
- Our Lady of the Rocks island church
- St. George island
Dining Conte Hotel & Restaurant: waterfront terrace dining
- 09:00 Sail 5.8 nm to Marina Kotor
- 10:18 Berth for the night, Marina Kotor
A 1-hour morning sail delivers you to Marina Kotor, positioned directly in front of the UNESCO-listed old town at the bay's innermost point. The 50-berth marina offers convenient access to Kotor's medieval streets and fortifications.
NW maestral at 175° · run on course 140° SE
The dead run on a 140° course with the NW maestral at 175° TWA is workable from late morning through mid-afternoon when the wind builds to F3–4, occasionally F5, then dies at sunset.
Most crews motor this short leg in calm morning conditions before the maestral establishes, allowing an early start and reliable arrival time.
Marina Kotor has 3 m minimum depth and accepts vessels with draft up to 4 m maximum.
Marina Kotor is a 50-berth marina in Montenegro located directly in front of the UNESCO-listed old town of Kotor at the end of the Bay of Kotor, offering depths of 3-7 metres.
Provisions Market across the street; supermarket 10-15 min walk north
Dining Restaurants in Old Town nearby
Anchor nearby Anchor in Kamenarovici cove or Orahovac cove
If it's full, or the wind is wrong
Anchor in Kamenarovici cove or Orahovac cove
- 09:00 Sail 15.0 nm to Port of Herceg Novi
- 11:50 Berth for the night, Port of Herceg Novi
The 2.5-hour passage to Herceg Novi marks the route's exit from the inner bay, arriving at a mountain-sheltered marina with 40 berths and fuel services. This is the longest leg so far, giving a proper sense of the bay's scale.
NW maestral at 36° · upwind on course 279° W — expect to motor or tack
The 279° course is upwind at 36° TWA in the NW maestral (F3–4, occasionally F5), requiring beating or tacking which cannot lay the course directly. The maestral is calm most mornings, builds from late morning, peaks mid-afternoon and dies around sunset, making early starts under sail impractical.
Most crews motor or motor-sail this leg because at 36° the course cannot be laid without tacking in the prevailing conditions.
Port of Herceg Novi has 3m minimum depth with 2.5m maximum draft and is sheltered by mountains but open to the west.
Port of Herceg Novi is a marina in Montenegro's Bay of Kotor, offering 40 berths, depths to 6.5m, and fuel services.
Ashore
- Old Town Herceg Novi
- Fortress Forte Mare
- Kanli Kula fortress
Provisions Nearby cafes and shops; details not specified
Dining Cafe on pier with toilets; restaurants nearby
Anchor nearby Anchoring not permitted in harbor; use nearby bays
If it's full, or the wind is wrong
Anchoring not permitted in harbor; use nearby bays
- Lazure Marina 1.7 nm away · marina berth
- Marina Zelenika 2.0 nm away · marina berth
- D-Marin Portonovi 4.0 nm away · marina berth
- 09:00 Sail 20.4 nm to Dukley Marina Budva
- 12:44 Berth for the night, Dukley Marina Budva
Today's 3.4-hour sail is the route's longest, leaving the Bay of Kotor behind and heading south along the open coast to Marina Budva. The 560-berth marina sits beside the old town and accommodates superyachts up to 70m, offering concierge service and a lively coastal atmosphere.
NW maestral at 171° · run on course 126° SE
The 126° SE course and NW maestral at 171° TWA make this a dead run. The maestral builds from late morning and peaks mid-afternoon, so this passage is workable from late morning onward when wind fills in, though it dies around sunset.
Crews typically motor this leg early in the morning when conditions are calm, before the maestral builds. Long passages are usually started early under engine for this reason.
Marina Budva offers shelter from NW winds and has a maximum draft of 5 meters.
Marina Budva is a 560-berth luxury marina in Budva, Montenegro, accommodating superyachts up to 70m, with concierge service and direct access to the old town.
Ashore
- Budva Old Town (UNESCO)
- Dukley Gardens
- Dukley Hotels & Resort
Provisions Provisions available; specific shops not named in sources
Dining Dukley restaurants nearby; specific names not in sources
Anchor nearby Anchor in 8-12 m sand 0.5 nm SE of the marina entrance
If it's full, or the wind is wrong
Anchor in 8-12 m sand 0.5 nm SE of the marina entrance
- Sveti Nikola 1.3 nm away · anchor, no fee
- 09:00 Sail 12.8 nm to Lustica Bay Marina
- 11:28 Berth for the night, Lustica Bay Marina
A 2.1-hour passage brings you to Lustica Bay Marina on the Lustica Peninsula, a modern 115-berth facility with yacht-friendly non-EU tax benefits including duty-free fuel. The marina village includes luxury boutiques, harbour-front dining, and a five-star hotel.
NW maestral at 6° · upwind on course 309° NW — expect to motor or tack
The 309° NW course is upwind at 6° TWA in the prevailing NW maestral (F3–4, occasionally F5), requiring beating or tacking which cannot lay the course directly. The maestral builds from late morning, peaks mid-afternoon and dies around sunset, with calm conditions most mornings.
Most crews motor or motor-sail this passage because the 6° true wind angle makes it impossible to lay the course under sail alone. Long passages are typically started early under engine to take advantage of calm morning conditions before the maestral builds.
Lustica Bay Marina has a narrow entrance that should be avoided during strong winds and heavy swells from SW, S, or SE; call ahead on VHF 68 and note the 4m minimum depth with 5m maximum draft.
narrow entrance,avoid entering during strong winds and heavy swells from SW, S, or SE
Lustica Bay Marina is a modern 115-berth marina on Montenegro's Lustica Peninsula accommodating yachts up to 45 meters with full services and yacht-friendly non-EU tax legislation.
Provisions Supermarket in Marina Village
Dining Harbour-front dining and bars in Marina Village
Anchor nearby Not specified in sources
If it's full, or the wind is wrong
- Dobra luka 2.5 nm away · anchor, no fee
- 09:00 Sail 9.5 nm to Rose
- 10:55 Berth for the night, Rose
The 1.7-hour sail to Rose takes you to a small historic village at the peninsula's tip, offering a sheltered anchorage and proximity to the Blue Cave sea grotto. This quieter stop contrasts with the previous days' larger marinas.
NW maestral at 18° · upwind on course 297° WNW — expect to motor or tack
The 297° course is upwind at 18° TWA in the NW maestral (F3–4, occasionally F5), requiring beating or tacking which cannot lay the course directly. Mornings are calm; the maestral builds from late morning, peaks mid-afternoon, and dies at sunset, so early starts under engine are typical for long passages.
Most crews motor or motor-sail this leg because the 18° true wind angle makes it impossible to lay the course without tacking.
Lustica Bay Marina has a narrow entrance and should not be entered during strong winds and heavy swells from SW, S, or SE.
Rose (Forte Rose) is a small historic village at the tip of the Luštica peninsula, offering a sheltered anchorage and easy access to the Blue Cave sea grotto nearby.
Ashore
- Blue Cave
- Zanjice beach
Dining Forte Rose restaurant: fresh fish, Peka, pasta
- 09:00 Sail 6.4 nm to Porto Montenegro
- 10:24 Berth for the night, Porto Montenegro
A final 1-hour leg closes the loop back to Porto Montenegro, where the route began. The return to Tivat's superyacht marina completes the 74.3nm circuit of Montenegro's bay and coastal highlights.
NW maestral at 130° · broad reach on course 85° E
The broad reach at 130° TWA in NW maestral (F3–4, occasionally F5) offers good sailing conditions once the wind builds from late morning through mid-afternoon, then dies around sunset.
Most crews start early under engine during calm morning conditions to cover distance before the maestral fills in, making this a common motor-sail or motor passage.
Porto Montenegro monitors VHF channel 71 and offers excellent protection in the Bay of Kotor with depths to 5m and maximum draft 12m.
Porto Montenegro is a superyacht marina in Tivat, Montenegro, on the Bay of Kotor, offering 580 berths for vessels up to 250m length.
Provisions Marina village with shops and provisioning services
Dining Gourmet and casual dining options in Marina Village
Anchor nearby Anchor in designated docks; Jetty 4 shallow waters and buoys
If it's full, or the wind is wrong
Anchor in designated docks; Jetty 4 shallow waters and buoys
- Navar Marina (Bonici) 1.4 nm away · marina berth
- Airport Marina Tivat 2.4 nm away · shelters from N · marina berth
- Marina Solila 2.7 nm away · marina berth
Explore next
Destination guide
Montenegro
Sail Montenegro's Adriatic coast, where deep fjord-like bays meet open sea. Base yourself at Porto Montenegro or Marina Budva and explore the Bay of Kotor's fortified towns.
