Yacht Charter Montenegro

Montenegro is not one cruising zone. The Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska) is a deep, sheltered bay ringed by mountains, and it is where most yachts are based, provisioned and boarded. Beyond its entrance lie the Luštica Peninsula, the open coast towards Budva and Sveti Stefan, and international routes north to Dubrovnik and south to Corfu.

We plan a Montenegro charter in four parts: the bay, the bay entrance, the open coast and cross-border extensions. Each has its own sea conditions, berthing and paperwork.

• Bay of Kotor: Tivat, Porto Montenegro, Kotor, Perast, Portonovi / Kumbor and Herceg Novi.
• Luštica and the bay entrance: the Luštica Peninsula, Luštica Bay and the move into open water.
• Open coast: Budva, the Sveti Stefan area, Petrovac and, where relevant, Bar.
• International extensions: Dubrovnik and Southern Croatia, Corfu and the Ionian, and longer Adriatic routes.

Porto Montenegro is the working heart of most Montenegro charters: boarding, provisioning, crew changes and clearance. Pilotage, customs and arrival arrangements are handled by the yacht and its agent and confirmed before arrival.

Duty-free fuel has been available to qualifying yachts in Montenegro. Eligibility and current terms depend on the yacht and its status, so treat it as something to confirm, not an assumed saving. Lund Group is independent and is not affiliated with Porto Montenegro or any marina named on this page.

The bay is calm, compact and scenic, so short hops leave plenty of time ashore and for swimming.

• The signature bay day: Tivat to Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks, then on to Kotor for the evening.
• Portonovi and Herceg Novi: the western bay, the old town of Herceg Novi and the narrows at Verige.
• Bay plus open coast: out past the Luštica Peninsula to swim off its bays, then down the coast to Budva.
• One week in Montenegro: the inner bay, Perast and Kotor, Luštica, Budva and Sveti Stefan, then back to Tivat or on to Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik is a short passage from the Bay of Kotor, and many charters combine both. Corfu and the Ionian are a longer run south past the Albanian coast.

Crossing a border on a yacht is a formal process. The yacht must clear out of one country and into the other at an official port of entry, with crew and guest lists in order, and its commercial charter permissions must cover each country visited. A yacht allowed to charter in Croatia or Greece is not automatically allowed to charter in Montenegro, or the other way round. We verify this for every yacht and route before contract.

• Dubrovnik to Montenegro: often a one-way week, clearing in at Montenegro's port of entry before the bay.
• Montenegro to Corfu and the Ionian: a longer extension that needs suitable weather and time.
• Albania: possible on some routes, with its own entry and permit requirements confirmed in advance.

The base rate covers the yacht and crew, but it is not the total. Add an advance provisioning allowance (APA) for fuel, food, drinks, berths and port fees, reconciled at the end; applicable taxes; any delivery fee if the yacht repositions; clearance costs for cross-border routes; and a crew gratuity at your discretion. Prices are shown in the yacht's own currency.

The bay suits motor yachts, superyachts and families thanks to its calm water and short distances. Sailing yachts come into their own on the open coast and longer routes.

Tivat airport is minutes from Porto Montenegro, and Dubrovnik and Podgorica airports are alternatives. We can arrange private flights and ground transfers to meet the yacht.