Private Speedboat Tour to Lady of the Rocks and Perast Old Town

The bay is best seen from the water. This private speedboat trip from Kotor gives you a quick, lively look at two of the Bay of Kotor’s most famous sights: Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast. I like the small private format, which lets your group travel together, and I like the friendly guiding style associated with captains such as Mirko and Milos. The main drawback is the short running time, since an hour and a half leaves only about 20 minutes on the island and 30 minutes in Perast.

You pay $195.86 for the whole boat, for up to eight people, rather than paying per person. That can be good value for a family or group of friends. Bottled water, WiFi, and snorkeling equipment are included, but the church and museum on Our Lady of the Rocks cost an extra €2 per person. Good weather matters, and the trip may be moved or refunded if conditions are poor.

Key points at a glance

• A private boat for up to eight people: Your group has the boat to itself, with room for a more relaxed and flexible outing.
• Two famous Bay of Kotor stops: You visit Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast, each with a very different feel.
• Only 90 minutes total: The stated duration includes travel time, so this is a compact introduction rather than a full bay cruise.
• Captain-led atmosphere: Guides including Mirko and Milos have been praised for humor, music, local stories, and attentive service.
• Extra cost at the island: Entry to Our Lady of the Rocks is €2 per person and is not part of the tour price.
• Useful onboard extras: Bottled water, WiFi, and snorkeling equipment are included.

Why a private speedboat makes sense in Kotor

The Bay of Kotor is a place where the journey matters almost as much as the stops. Mountains rise around the water, old stone settlements sit along the shore, and the bay narrows and widens as you travel. A speedboat lets you cover the distance between Kotor, the island, and Perast without giving up a large part of your day.

I especially like the private setup for families and small groups. You are not sharing the boat with strangers, and the captain can give your party a more personal experience. One family found the arrangement easy and flexible, with children able to learn about the area without feeling lost in a large crowd. That is a real advantage when you are traveling with young people or want a quieter outing.

The boat carries up to eight people, so the $195.86 price works best when the seats are filled. At eight people, the cost is about $24.50 per person before the island admission fee. For two people, it is nearly $98 each, which makes the value less obvious. Compare the price with your group size, not just the headline total.

The trip is offered in English. Captains have been described as warm, funny, and generous with information. Milos, in particular, has been praised for entertaining presentations, music, and stories about the places along the way. Mirko has also received warm praise for looking after the group and keeping the mood relaxed. The exact captain may vary, so consider these names examples of the service style rather than a guarantee.

From Park Slobode to the open bay

The meeting point is Park Slobode on E65 in Kotor. The tour ends back at the same place, which keeps the outing simple. You do not need to arrange a separate return from Perast or find your way back after the boat ride.

Because the full duration is about 90 minutes and includes travel, you should expect a brisk pace. The boat ride itself provides the broadest view of the bay, while the land stops are short visits. This is important: you are not signing up for a leisurely afternoon with long museum visits and extended swimming time.

A speedboat also changes how you see Kotor Bay. From shore, you notice the stone buildings and church towers. From the water, you see how the settlements fit into the narrow coastal setting. You may also get a sense of why boat travel has long been so important here. The ride is part transportation, part sightseeing.

WiFi and bottled water are included. Snorkeling equipment is also available, although the supplied information does not promise a dedicated snorkeling stop. Treat the equipment as a useful extra, not the main reason to book this particular tour.

Our Lady of the Rocks: a man-made island with a living legend

The first stop is Our Lady of the Rocks, a small artificial island off Perast. Unlike a natural island, it was built over centuries by placing rocks in the water and sinking old and captured ships filled with more rocks. The result is one of the Bay of Kotor’s most unusual sights.

The local story says that seamen found an icon of the Madonna and Child on a rock in the sea on July 22, 1452. After successful voyages, they returned and added another rock to the bay. The tradition of throwing rocks into the water continues today, so the island is tied not only to the past but also to a custom that remains alive.

The Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rocks is the island’s main building. A museum is attached to the church, and there is a small gift shop nearby. A navigation light marks the western end of the islet. These details make the stop more than a photo break. You can look at the island as a piece of local faith, seafaring tradition, and practical maritime life all at once.

You have about 20 minutes on the island. That is enough for a short visit and a quick look around, but it is not much time for a careful museum visit. The €2 admission fee per person is extra. Bring small change if possible, and keep your expectations in check: the stop gives you a taste of the site rather than time for a slow, detailed examination.

The island can also feel busy when several boats arrive close together, though this private tour gives your group a more personal base on the water. If your main goal is the church and museum, a longer visit would be better. If your goal is to see the famous island, hear its story, and take in the setting, 20 minutes can work.

Perast in 30 minutes

Perast is only a few kilometers northwest of Kotor, but it feels much quieter. Its stone waterfront and old buildings recall a time when the town held an important place in the Bay of Kotor. Today, its appeal is the calm promenade, the views across the water, and the sense that the town has not been built for speed.

You get about 30 minutes here. I would spend most of that time walking along the promenade rather than trying to force in too many sights. Take in the old stone facades, look across the bay, and enjoy the contrast with Kotor’s busier streets.

Perast also has a city museum, which you can visit if timing allows. Since the stop is short, check your watch before entering. A museum visit may leave little time for a waterfront walk, and the promenade is likely to give you the clearest feel for the town during this brief stop.

The short visit is both the strength and weakness of the tour. You can add Perast to a boat outing without committing half a day. But you will not have time to explore every historic corner, linger over a meal, or settle into the town’s slower rhythm. If you already plan to return to Perast by car or bus, this boat stop works well as a first look.

What the guides add to the ride

The best boat trips depend heavily on the captain. The route is beautiful, but a good guide turns the ride into more than fast transport.

Milos has been praised for a funny, energetic approach, plenty of information, and music chosen to suit the outing. One particularly distinctive detail is that his presentation and song choices helped make the views feel like part of a complete experience rather than scenery passing by. If you enjoy a lively guide, that style may suit you.

Mirko has been described as attentive and kind, with a strong focus on looking after the group. That matters on a private boat, where the captain is also your host and the person responsible for making the short trip feel comfortable.

Sunčica has been praised for helpful booking assistance and good service. If you need help arranging the outing, that personal contact may be useful.

You should not assume that a particular captain will operate every departure. Still, the repeated themes are clear: friendly service, humor, music, and useful stories. If you prefer a silent ride with no commentary, you may find the personality of the tour more than you need. For most people, though, those touches add warmth to a very short excursion.

Price, timing, and what you really receive

At $195.86 per group of up to eight, this is not priced like a simple shared ferry ride. You are paying for privacy, speed, a return to the same meeting point, and a guide focused on your group.

The value is strongest in these situations:

• You have six to eight people sharing the cost.
• You want to fit the two stops into a busy day in Kotor.
• You prefer a private boat to a larger group departure.
• You value a captain who provides music, humor, and local information.
• You want transport back to Kotor rather than arranging your own return.

The value is weaker if you are alone or traveling as a couple, unless privacy is especially important to you. It is also less suitable if you want a full swimming session, a long museum visit, or a slow afternoon in Perast. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, but the advertised route focuses on the two sightseeing stops, and no separate swim stop is specified.

The €2 island admission is modest, but remember to add it to your budget. Bottled water is included, so you do not need to plan around buying drinks during the short outing.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who want a private introduction to the bay. Children may appreciate the speedboat, the island story, and the chance to see two different places without a long road transfer. The private format also lets your group stay together from start to finish.

It suits first-time visitors who want to cover the highlights quickly. It also works well on a day when you have other plans in Kotor, since the tour does not consume an entire morning or afternoon.

You may want a different experience if you care most about museums, quiet time, or a long swim. In that case, look for a longer boat trip or plan a separate visit to Perast. This 90-minute outing is best understood as a lively sampler.

Most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided at booking, and you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a fast, private look at two major sights and have enough people to share the cost. The combination of Our Lady of the Rocks, Perast, and an entertaining captain makes good use of a short time in Kotor.

Skip it if you want to linger. Twenty minutes on the island and 30 minutes in Perast will feel brief to anyone who enjoys slow walks, museums, or long meals. For everyone else, this is a practical way to get out on the bay, hear local stories, and see more than you could from Kotor’s waterfront alone.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The total time includes travel between the meeting point and the two stops.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Park Slobode on E65 in Kotor, Montenegro.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to Park Slobode, so the activity ends at the same meeting point where it begins.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast Old Town.

How much time is spent at Our Lady of the Rocks?

The stop at Our Lady of the Rocks lasts about 20 minutes. Entry to the church and museum costs €2 per person and is not included in the tour price.

Is admission to Perast included?

Yes. The stop in Perast has no listed admission charge, and you have about 30 minutes there.

What is included in the tour price?

Bottled water, WiFi on board, and snorkeling equipment are included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.