Insider guide to Bay of Kotor and fun water activities there

Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska or Kotor Bay) in Montenegro is one of of the most picturesque bays in the Mediterranean region. It is surrounded by beautifully imposing mountains and rugged cliffs. The Bay of Kotor is a heaven for water activities with epic views for nature for adventure lovers.

Kotor Bay is one of the main reasons people visit Montenegro. 

Check out my guide for Bay of Kotor and all the activities you can do there.

Bay of Kotor map

Firstly, let’s look at the map of Bay of Kotor.

This map is very helpful to better visualize all the parts of the Bay of Kotor. Kotor bay forms a shape that looks like a butterfly with two parts connected by a channel. It is divided into four primary bays linked by narrow channels.

Where is the Bay of Kotor located

The Bay of Kotor is located in southwestern Montenegro, along the Adriatic Sea in Europe, near the border with Croatia.

This stunning natural inlet stretches from Herceg Novi to Kotor, with many small hilltop cute towns and villages along the way.

There is something worth exploring at each primary bay.

How narrow are the channels of Bay of Kotor?

The Verige Strait, which is merely 340 meters (1115 feet) wide, has the narrowest section.

Dramatic Mountains over Clear Waters of Kotor Bay

It is no wonder that Kotor Bay is quickly gaining popularity, it’s just so pretty! The turquoise waters of the bay are extension of blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. 

The bay is surrounded by stunning Mountain Orjen and Lovćen, and shorter cliffs around them. They create a dramatic backdrop contrasted with the clear waters of the Bay.

The sentence can be improved for clarity and flow. Here’s a refined version:
You might want to pinch yourself to make sure the beauty is real – I know I did!

History of Bay of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor area in Montenegro has been inhabited since ancient times and it was under the influences of various civilizations. There were the Illyrians, Romans, Venetians, Ottoman Turks and others. They’ve all left their own imprints on the area. Read my post on history of Montenegro and Kotor to learn more. 

We can see these marks in Montenegrin architecture, its unique Orthodox and Catholic churches and fortifications.

And, there is the medieval town of Kotor, Montenegro, itself – the 14th century UNESCO World Heritage site with the most notable historical significance.

Kotor’s narrow winding streets and secret passages of the Old town of Kotor, let you believe you’re in a different time, which is very exciting! Especially when you explore the medieval  Kotor City Walls. 

Explore Smaller Cute Towns Along the Bay

There are a few cute coastal cities and historic towns along the shores of Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. Each of these locations has its own unique character. The most notable is the mentioned above Kotor. Other costal towns worth visiting are Herceg Novi, Perast, Tivat, and Risan.

Beyond the well-known towns, the bay hides a few lesser known charming villages Lepetane and Morinj. Visit the attractive village of Njegusi and try its traditional delicacies.

These hidden gems will give you a sample the authentic Montenegrin way of life and it’s fun to visit them and their laid-back vibes!

The islands in the Bay of Kotor

There are a few islands in Kotor bay; some are natural and some are artificial islands.

Here are the surreally pretty islands – Our Lady of the Rocks and the Island of Saint George.

Below is the list of all the islands in the Bay of Kotor:

         Also, there are 4 islands off Tivat town’s coast.

•  Saint Mark’s Island (Sveti Marko Island). This is the largest island in the Bay of Kotor and it used to have a popular tourist resort. Back in the 1960s, it was created by the French company Club Med  and was famous for its pretty bungalows and beautiful environment. But, because of the               Yugoslav  Wars in the 1990s, the resort was left behind and has now, sadly, become rundown.
•  Island of Flowers  (Ostrvo Cvijeća). This islands is mostly known for lash plants and the ruins of a monastery.
• Island of Our Lady of Mercy (Otok Gospe od Milosti). This islands is great if you’re looking for peaceful atmosphere and it has a small church.
•  The Island of St. Michael  (Prevlaka Island). If you like medieval monasteries, you can check out the remains  of one there. 

Here’s a revised version for improved clarity and impact:
All of these islands are unique and enticing looking – don’t miss out on them!

Can you swim in Bay of Kotor?

You can swim in clear waters of the Bay of Kotor, but be cautious of boats and water depth as the water can reach around 60 meters deep quickly. That’s why cruise ships are able to enter and dock in Kotor.

Most beaches in the Bay of Kotor have pebbles or a mix of pebbles and sand. You can see colorful seaweed patches in some places, sometimes forming interesting patterns, like on my picture above. I wish I knew why there were clear borders between the seaweed colonies.

There are also shallow sandy beaches, like in Morinj and Igalo.

If you prefer to swim in the open Adriatic sea, you can swim in Blue Caves. But that is outside of the Bay of Kotor. When you wake the 4-hours boat trip to Blue Caves from Kotor, you will have 15 minutes to swim in Blue caves.

There are also other coves along the shore, including the Cave on Sveti Nikola island and others. They are all very exciting to explore.

Sport and water activities on the Bay of Kotor

Here are some top adventure and sport activities you can enjoy on the Bay of Kotor, along with their descriptions and where to find them:

Yachts and sailing

One of the best activity for luxury travel on the Bay of Kotor is to go sailing on a yacht or a sailing boat. You can sail on the stunning waters of bay, if you know how to (or can hire someone to do this for you). You’ll get to enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding mountains and the views of cute coastal towns.

Various sailing and yacht charter companies operate on Kotor Bay. I’ve been told that Porto Montenegro Yacht Club in Tivat and Sailing Club Delfin, with their own Marina. You can fly in straight into Tivat airdrom.

Kayaking and Canoeing

One of the best ways to explore Kotor and its surroundings is by sea kayaking around the Bay of Kotor. You can explore hidden coves, spot wild dolphins, and pretty views of the bay this way.

Kayaking and canoeing provide a great way to explore the hidden gems of the bay at your own pace, and just enjoy the water and peaceful serenity. This is also more suitable for budget travel.

You can either rent your own kayak, or go on a private guided kayaking tour, suitable for the beginners.

You can rent kayaks and canoes from various rental providers along the coastal towns in Bay of Kotor, such as:

• Kayak and Bike Rental Kotor Bay.  You can rent double kayaks for €15-30 there (2025 price). Boat rentals run for €140-600.
• Outdoor&More rents some kayaks as well. I’m not affiliated with any of them, just giving you some ideas! 

Boating and boat trip tours

Boating in popular on Bay of Kotor. You can either rent a boat to go by yourself, or you can go on a boat tour.

You can choose between a few different options for boat tours. Read here for more details on available boat trips from Kotor.

Standup Paddleboarding (SUP)

You can rent your own board and enjoy amazing and quiet time or explore the bay with a knowledgeable guide.

I know from my research that here is one standup-puddle boarding tour, with a pick up from Kotor or Tivat. You will be taken to Solila Beach, a 15-minutes trip from your starting point for 3.5 hours of standup paddle boarding with a tour.

Prices for guided SUP tours as of 2025 were:

1-4-hour tour – €40-100

   Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

The underwater world of the Bay of Kotor has plenty of fish, and even coral reefs and shipwrecks!

Several diving centers operate in Bay of Kotor, such as:

• Diving Montenegro. The club is located at Bay of Herzog Novi. You can get your certification with them if you still don’t have it.
• Blue Planet Diving Center.

    Hiking and Mountain Biking

If you like hiking or mountain biking, the scenic trails around the Bay of Kotor are perfect for hiking or mountain biking. You will see panoramic viewpoints with stunning vistas and the breathtaking landscapes.

The best trails are Vrmac Ridge Trail, Lovćen National Park trails, and Mount Orjen trails.

    Paragliding and Hang Gliding

Paragliding and hang gliding experiences on Kotor Bay can be arranged with companies like:

•  Paragliding Montenegro.
• Montenegro Adventure

Or, you can just watch out for signs, advertising a tandem paragliding tours. They are very popular in Montenegro, and I loved filming paragliding adventures of other people on my 2-month stay in Budva this year.

    Jet Skiing and Water Sports

Do you like water skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing? Jet ski rentals and water sports centers can be found along the coastline of the Bay of Kotor, particularly in towns like Tivat and Herceg Novi.

Bay of Kotor hotels

There are many cozy, or luxurious, or just cute hotels in Bay of Kotor area for any budget. There are villas to rent and historical houses. 

There are also a few hostels in the area.  Read my guide on where to stay on Kotor Bay.

Places to eat near Kotor Bay

Montenegrin cuisine is famous for fresh seafood, hearty mountain dishes, and local wines. You will find some international cuisine as well.

There is no shortage of restaurants around Kotor Bay. From cozy square restaurants in Kotor to elegant waterfront restaurant in Perast, there are too many to list, but they’re easy to find!

Day trips around Kotor Bay

Read a detailed description of all the day trips around Kotor bay in my other post about day-trips from Kotor.

Also, read my other post about where to stay longer: Kotor or Budva for your trip.

Wondering How to get around Bay of Kotor?

Some areas between towns of the Bay of Kotor are walkable and have long waterfront walkways. Others – not so much, and you won’t be able to walk on some stretches of the bay at all!

Here is on what you can use to get around.

Use local transportation or rent a car to get around

There is a bus going between towns of Bay of Kotor, served by Mediteran Express, that operates along the coast. It’s not very frequent, but it runs hourly.

There is always many local Montenegrin taxi companies or uber to get around.

Alternatively, rent a bike. It’s actually very nice to cycle around the Bay of Kotor.

How to get to Bay of Kotor?

Most people arrive on a bus. There are frequent (every 20 minutes) buses from Budva, Montenegro.  There are also buses from the neighboring countries, like Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Serbia.

You can also take a bus from Sarajevo to Podgorica, spend a night in Podgorica, and then take a 2-hours bus to Kotor. Or, you can just fly in to Podgorica. 

Alternatively, you can fly in to Tivat Airport. 

Tivat airport

Tivat Airport is a small international airport that serves the coastal town of Tivat and the surrounding region in Montenegro. It is located 3 km south of the centre of the town. Read my detailed post about Tivat airport and all the options of getting there (and from there) in my other post. 

Tivat airport is close to Porto Montenegro, the luxury yacht Marina, so it’s very convenient.

Ideally, you need at least 5 days to enjoy the most of what Kotor and Bay of Kotor offers. You will enjoy it greatly even if you came on a day-trip to Kotor. However, you will regret leaving, guaranteed! 😉

Also, you might want to split your time between Kotor and Budva, instead.

I hope you will be able to visit Bay of Kotor! Here is a link to other posts about Montenegro on my website.

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