Sailing Route · Montenegro
Relaxed Coastal Route (beginner)
A gentle week-long loop from Herceg Novi that builds confidence through short hops, mixing sheltered anchorages with full-service marinas and a final open-water return leg.
Is this route for you?
- Typical day
- 11 nm over 7 sailing days
- Longest day
- 34.9 nm, day 7 (09:00–16:59)
- Returns to base
- Yes — a loop from Port of Herceg Novi
- Nights
- 4 in a marina, 2 at anchor, 1 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 2.0 nm to Marina Zelenika
- 09:40 Berth for the night, Marina Zelenika
The first leg is a short shake-down sail across the bay to settle into the boat and test systems before committing to longer passages. Arrive with enough daylight to complete check-in formalities and sort out any gear adjustments before the evening.
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 6.0 nm to Zlatna luka
- 10:20 Berth for the night, Zlatna luka
This stop introduces anchoring in a protected bay after yesterday's marina berth, giving the crew a chance to practice anchor work in forgiving conditions. Plan to arrive by early afternoon so there is time to reset the anchor if needed and swim before preparing dinner on board.
NW maestral at 146° · broad reach on course 169° S
The broad reach at 146° TWA in the NW maestral (F3–4, occasionally F5) offers good sailing conditions once the wind builds from late morning through mid-afternoon, making this a comfortable downwind passage on starboard tack.
Most crews depart early under engine during the calm morning hours to cover distance before the maestral fills in, avoiding the wait for wind and ensuring arrival with time to settle the anchor.
Zlatna luka has minimum depth of 0 metres, requiring careful approach and depth monitoring; the seabed is mixed sand, rock, algae and mud, so anchor selection and set should account for variable holding.
Zlatna Luka is an anchorage near Lustica in Herceg Novi Municipality, Montenegro, offering sheltered anchoring with depths up to 10 metres.
Ashore
- Blue Cave (Blue Grotto)
- 09:00 Sail 6.0 nm to Bigova
- 10:20 Berth for the night, Bigova
The route continues along the coast at the same easy pace, swapping the solitude of yesterday's anchorage for a small harbour with shoreside facilities. Arrive before lunch to secure a spot during the summer season, then explore ashore in the afternoon once the boat is settled.
NW maestral at 151° · run on course 106° ESE
The 106° ESE course is a dead run in the NW maestral at 151° TWA. The maestral builds from late morning and peaks mid-afternoon, making this passage workable under sail once the wind fills in, though it may reach F5 occasionally.
Most crews start early under engine during the calm morning conditions. Motoring avoids waiting for the maestral to build and ensures arrival before the wind peaks in the afternoon.
Bigova offers shelter from N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, and W with minimum depth of 2 metres.
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
This is the longest sail so far and introduces the crew to a busier marina environment after two nights in quieter spots. Departing mid-morning allows for a relaxed passage with time to handle the check-in process and explore the town before evening.
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
- 09:00 Sail 1.3 nm to Sveti Nikola
- 09:33 Berth for the night, Sveti Nikola
A very short hop across the bay offers a rest day with minimal sailing, ideal for crew who want to spend more time swimming or ashore. Anchor in the morning, then use the afternoon for water activities or a dinghy trip to the beach.
NW maestral at 164° · run on course 151° SSE
Dead run on 151° in the NW maestral means sailing directly downwind. The maestral builds from late morning and peaks mid-afternoon, making this passage workable once the wind fills in, though it dies around sunset.
Calm conditions most mornings mean long passages are usually started early under engine before the maestral establishes itself.
Watch for ferry lanes and swim zones around Sveti Nikola; use designated moorings or anchor on the lee side of the island for shelter.
Watch ferry lanes and swim zones
Sveti Nikola is an island anchorage off Budva, Montenegro, with lee-side coves, designated moorings, and ferry lanes to watch.
Ashore
- Sveti Nikola Hawaii side coves
- Budva Old Town
Dinghy landing Small beaches sea-access only; swim ashore in settled seas
- 09:00 Sail 15.0 nm to Marina Bar
- 11:50 Berth for the night, Marina Bar
The route pushes slightly further down the coast, extending the sailing time but still within comfortable limits for a beginner crew. Arrive by mid-afternoon to allow time for refuelling and restocking provisions before the final day's longer return passage.
NW maestral at 178° · run on course 133° SE
The dead run at 178° TWA in the NW maestral (F3–4, occasionally F5) is workable from late morning through mid-afternoon when the wind builds and peaks, though crews must manage the downwind angle carefully in stronger gusts.
Most crews motor this passage by starting early in calm morning conditions before the maestral establishes, avoiding the need to sail dead downwind in afternoon winds.
On departure from Sveti Nikola, watch for active ferry lanes and marked swim zones before setting course; Marina Bar monitors VHF channel 09 and offers 3m minimum depth with 5m maximum draft.
Marina Bar is a large nautical center in Bar, Montenegro, offering over 1000 sea berths for yachts up to 45m, max draft 5m, and full services including fuel, repair, and WiFi.
- 09:00 Sail 30.9 nm to Mamula
- 14:29 Lunch and swim, Mamula
- 15:59 Sail 4.0 nm to Port of Herceg Novi
- 16:59 Berth for the night, Port of Herceg Novi
The return leg is the most ambitious of the week, with an early start needed to cover the distance and include a lunch stop before reaching the home port. Depart Marina Bar by 08:00 to allow a two-hour break at the anchorage and still return to Herceg Novi with daylight for check-in and clean-down.
NW maestral at 8° · upwind on course 307° NW — expect to motor or tack
The 307° course is upwind in the NW maestral at only 8° TWA, requiring beating or tacking. The maestral is calm most mornings, builds from late morning, peaks mid-afternoon and dies by sunset, so early starts under engine are usual.
At 8° TWA the course cannot be laid without tacking, so most crews motor or motor-sail this leg rather than beat into the F3–4 (occasionally F5) headwind.
Open Adriatic conditions can apply outside the bay at Mamula; check wind and swell before arrival. Public access is limited to a small beach; the fortress interior is hotel grounds.
Open Adriatic conditions can apply outside the bay; check wind and swell
Mamula is a fortified islet anchorage at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, off the Lustica Peninsula, with a public beach and restricted hotel access.
Ashore
- Mamula fortress (Austro-Hungarian, WWII prison)
- Blue Cave (Plava Spilja)
- Lustica Peninsula headland
Dinghy landing Small public beach on sheltered eastern side
NW maestral at 26° · upwind on course 341° NNW — expect to motor or tack
The 341° course is upwind at 26° TWA in the NW maestral (F3–4, occasionally F5), requiring beating or tacking which cannot lay the course directly. The maestral builds from late morning and peaks mid-afternoon, making afternoon sailing workable but demanding.
Most crews motor or motor-sail this leg because the 26° wind angle prevents laying the course without tacking. Long passages are usually started early under engine when conditions are calm, before the maestral builds.
Check wind and swell before departure as open Adriatic conditions can apply outside the bay at Mamula. 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
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.
