Sailing Route · Montenegro
Bay of Kotor and Riviera Loop (beginner)
A gentle week-long loop exploring Montenegro's coast and the protected waters of Boka Kotorska, designed for beginners with short hops, varied overnight options, and a relaxed rhythm.
Is this route for you?
- Typical day
- 10.6 nm over 7 sailing days
- Longest day
- 20.4 nm, day 4 (09:00–12:44)
- Returns to base
- Yes — a loop from Marina Kotor
- Nights
- 5 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 Sail 9.0 nm to Porto Montenegro
- 10:50 Berth for the night, Porto Montenegro
The route begins with a short afternoon sail out of the inner bay to Porto Montenegro, giving the crew time to settle into the boat and complete provisioning if needed. This first leg keeps things simple while moving toward the open coast.
NW maestral at 35° · upwind on course 280° W — expect to motor or tack
The 280° course is upwind at 35° TWA in the NW maestral, requiring beating or tacking which cannot lay the course directly. The maestral builds from late morning and peaks mid-afternoon, making early morning departures under calm conditions most practical.
Most crews motor or motor-sail this leg because the 35° apparent wind angle prevents laying the course on a single tack without repeated tacking maneuvers.
Porto Montenegro monitors VHF channel 71 and offers excellent protection within the Bay of Kotor, with minimum depth 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
- 09:00 Sail 16.7 nm to Bigova
- 12:07 Berth for the night, Bigova
Leaving the bay behind, the route heads southwest along the Riviera to Bigova, the longest passage of the week but still manageable in a morning. The harbour offers a quieter contrast to the previous night's marina environment and a chance to anchor or pick up a mooring.
NW maestral at 144° · broad reach on course 171° S
A broad reach on course 171° S in the NW maestral is a fast and comfortable point of sail. The maestral builds from late morning and peaks mid-afternoon, making this passage workable once the wind establishes.
Long passages are usually started early under engine because mornings are calm before the maestral fills in. Crews may also motor if departing after sunset when the wind dies away.
Bigova offers shelter from N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, and W but minimum depth is 2 m, so check your draft before entering.
Bigova is a small fishing hamlet in Montenegro with a sheltered inlet offering mooring buoys, a village quay, and anchorage, known for its tranquility and fresh seafood.
Ashore
- Church of Saint Nikole
- Horizonti Beach (Blue Horizons) hike
Dining Grispolis on quay; Pod Volatom 50 m south
Anchor nearby Anchor north of buoys in 6-7 m sand and weed
If it's full, or the wind is wrong
Anchor north of buoys in 6-7 m sand and weed
- Lustica Bay Marina 2.6 nm away · marina berth
- Dobra luka 3.3 nm away · anchor, no fee
- 09:00 Sail 11.8 nm to Dukley Marina Budva
- 11:18 Berth for the night, Dukley Marina Budva
A mid-morning departure allows the crew to reach Budva by early afternoon, leaving time to explore the town or relax before evening. This leg continues along the coast and returns to marina facilities after the previous night's harbour stay.
NW maestral at 172° · run on course 127° SE
The dead run at 172° TWA in the NW maestral (F3–4, occasionally F5) is workable from late morning through mid-afternoon when the wind builds and peaks, then dies around sunset.
Crews typically motor early in the morning when conditions are calm, before the maestral establishes, to avoid the challenges of sailing a dead run in building afternoon winds.
Marina Budva offers shelter from NW winds and accommodates vessels up to 5 m draft.
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 20.4 nm to Port of Herceg Novi
- 12:44 Berth for the night, Port of Herceg Novi
The route turns back north toward the bay entrance, with the day's sail tracing the coast in reverse. Arriving at Herceg Novi by mid-afternoon gives the crew time to walk the old town before dinner.
NW maestral at 8° · upwind on course 307° NW — expect to motor or tack
The 307° NW course is upwind at 8° TWA in the prevailing NW maestral (F3–4, occasionally F5), requiring beating or close-hauled work. The maestral builds from late morning and peaks mid-afternoon, making afternoon sailing possible but demanding.
At 8° TWA the course cannot be laid without tacking, so most crews motor or motor-sail. Starting early under engine takes advantage of calm morning conditions before the maestral builds.
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
- D-Marin Portonovi 4.0 nm away · marina berth
- 09:00 Sail 2.0 nm to Marina Zelenika
- 09:40 Berth for the night, Marina Zelenika
A very short hop deeper into the bay to Zelenika breaks up the return journey and allows a late start or a leisurely morning. This brief passage keeps the pace relaxed and positions the boat for the inner bay stops ahead.
NW maestral at 137° · broad reach on course 92° E
The broad reach at 137° TWA on course 92° E is comfortable in the NW maestral (F3–4, occasionally F5). The maestral builds from late morning and peaks mid-afternoon, making this a good sailing leg during those hours before it dies at sunset.
Most crews start early under engine in calm morning conditions before the maestral fills in. Long passages are typically begun this way to take advantage of the settled early weather.
Marina Zelenika is poorly protected from strong southerly winds and becomes dangerous in those conditions. Minimum depth is 2 m with maximum draft 8 m.
Marina Zelenika is a port of entry and marina in Montenegro's Bay of Kotor with 30 berths, a crane, and limited protection from southerly winds.
Provisions Various shops and services available for provisioning
Dining Inn at marina serving local cuisine
If it's full, or the wind is wrong
- Lazure Marina 0.6 nm away · marina berth
- Marina - Škver 2.0 nm away · marina berth
- D-Marin Portonovi 2.6 nm away · marina berth
- 09:00 Sail 5.4 nm to Bijela
- 10:14 Berth for the night, Bijela
Another short sail continues the progression into Boka Kotorska, moving to Bijela on the opposite shore. The crew can take their time departing and still arrive with most of the day free.
NW maestral at 130° · broad reach on course 85° E
The broad reach at 130° TWA in the NW maestral is comfortable and fast. The maestral builds from late morning and peaks mid-afternoon, making this the best window for sailing this leg; it dies away around sunset.
Crews motor in calm morning conditions before the maestral fills in. Long passages are usually started early under engine for this reason.
No hazards, restrictions or depth limitations are recorded for either Marina Zelenika or Bijela.
Bijela is a town and maritime port in Herceg Novi Municipality, Montenegro, on the Bay of Kotor.
- 09:00 Sail 3.4 nm to Perast
- 09:54 Lunch and swim, Perast
- 11:24 Sail 5.8 nm to Marina Kotor
- 12:42 Berth for the night, Marina Kotor
The final day splits into two legs: a morning sail to Perast for lunch and a last look at the bay's narrowest section, then a short return to Kotor to close the loop. The timing allows for a midday stop without rushing the final approach to the home marina.
NW maestral at 88° · beam reach on course 43° NE
The beam reach at 88° TWA offers good sailing angles in the NW maestral, which builds from late morning and peaks mid-afternoon at F3–4, occasionally F5. This passage is workable once the wind fills in, typically from late morning onward.
Crews motor in calm morning conditions before the maestral establishes, which is why long passages are usually started early under engine. The wind dies around sunset, requiring engine again for late arrivals.
No hazards, restrictions or depth limitations are recorded for either Bijela or Perast harbours.
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
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
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.
