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

The fastest way to see two of the Bay of Kotor’s best-known sights is by private speedboat. This 90-minute trip carries your group from Park Slobode in Kotor to Our Lady of the Rocks, then on to the old waterfront town of Perast.

I like two things here: the private format, which gives your group the boat to itself, and the simple route, which packs a church-islet visit and a Perast stroll into a short outing. Captains such as Milos and Mirko are also known for adding local stories, music, and a friendly touch.

The trade-off is time. Thirty minutes in Perast and 20 minutes on the islet are enough for a taste, not a full visit. You also pay an extra €2 per person to enter the church and museum, and the tour depends on calm weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to eight people: The $195.86 price is per group, so the value improves sharply when shared by a family or small party.
• Two famous Bay of Kotor stops: You visit Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast, with travel time between Kotor and the sites included in the 90-minute schedule.
• Only 20 minutes on the islet: The church and museum are the focus, with a little time for the gift shop and views.
• Perast gets 30 minutes: Use it for the waterfront promenade and quick photos, or visit the city museum if time allows.
• Useful extras included: Bottled water, onboard WiFi, and snorkeling equipment come with the boat.
• Good-weather activity: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, but poor conditions can also force a new date or cancellation.

Leaving Kotor from Park Slobode

The meeting point is Park Slobode E65 in Kotor, and the boat returns to that same spot. That is handy if you are staying in or near the old town, though you should confirm the exact departure details when booking because the information provided names the park rather than a specific pier or berth.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. From the water, Kotor’s setting makes more sense than it does from a narrow street. The Bay of Kotor wraps around mountains and old settlements, and a speedboat lets you cover the distance to Perast far faster than a road transfer.

You are booking a private activity, so only your own group participates. That matters more than it may sound. A family can keep together, a couple avoids sharing a boat with strangers, and a small group can enjoy a more relaxed pace. The listed capacity is eight people, with the price charged per group rather than per passenger.

The trip is offered in English. Past outings have featured guides and captains including Milos, Mirko, and Suncica in the booking process. Milos is known for an entertaining style, music, jokes, and plenty of information about the places along the way. Mirko has also been praised for taking good care of the group, including lending a jacket to a passenger on a cool October outing. Those names do not guarantee who will operate your boat, but they give you a useful idea of the personal service this company aims to provide.

Our Lady of the Rocks and its unusual origin

The first stop is Our Lady of the Rocks, a small artificial islet off Perast. It is not a natural island. Over centuries, local seamen built it by placing rocks in the bay and sinking old or captured ships loaded with stones.

The story begins with an icon of the Madonna and Child, said to have been found on a rock in the sea on July 22, 1452. Local sailors made an oath to add a rock after each successful voyage. The island gradually grew from that custom, which is still remembered today when people throw rocks into the water.

The church of Our Lady of the Rocks is the largest building on the islet. A museum is attached, and there is also a small gift shop near the church. At the western end, a navigation light adds a practical maritime detail to the postcard setting.

You have about 20 minutes here. The church and museum are the main reason for the stop, so keep your pace brisk. The admission charge is not included, and you should budget €2 per person for entry. The supplied details do not say how much time is allocated inside the church compared with the museum, so do not expect a long guided museum visit within this short stop.

I like this part of the tour because the island is more than a pretty photo stop. Its man-made origins and sailor’s legend give the place a clear connection to the Bay’s seafaring life. You can look across the water toward Perast, learn the basic story, and still have time for a souvenir if the group moves efficiently.

The limitation is that 20 minutes can feel tight. If your priority is religious art, museum displays, or a slow look around the islet, you would want a longer visit than this tour provides. The stop works best as an introduction.

A quick walk through Perast

After the islet, the boat continues to Perast, one of the most attractive old settlements on the Bay of Kotor. The town is often described as one of the quietest places in Boka Bay, and its waterfront setting gives it a calm, old Mediterranean character.

Perast was once linked with wealthy maritime families and a powerful local trading life. Today, the attraction is its waterfront, historic buildings, nearby islands, and sense of scale. The old town is compact, so even a short visit can give you a strong impression.

You have around 30 minutes here. My advice is simple: walk along the promenade first. The waterfront gives you the best mix of views, old buildings, bay scenery, and quick photo opportunities. If the Perast city museum is open and its displays interest you, you can use part of your time there, but a museum visit will reduce the time available for walking.

This stop is less about checking off many sights and more about seeing how the Bay’s settlements fit together. From the promenade, you can look back toward Our Lady of the Rocks and understand its position offshore. The short ride from Kotor, the islet, and Perast form one tidy visual story.

The drawback is the same one that affects the whole trip: 30 minutes passes quickly. You will not have time for a slow meal, an extended museum visit, and an unhurried exploration of every lane. Think of Perast as a sampler, not a full-day town visit.

What the 90-minute schedule really means

The advertised duration is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, and travel time is included. The two stops account for about 50 minutes altogether: 20 minutes at Our Lady of the Rocks and 30 minutes in Perast. The remaining time is used for the boat ride from Kotor, transfers between stops, and the return.

That schedule is efficient, but it leaves little room for delays. If boarding takes longer, the water becomes rough, or your group spends extra time at the church, the visit in Perast may feel even shorter. I would treat the listed stop times as a guide and avoid booking another fixed activity immediately afterward.

The speedboat format is especially useful if you have limited time in Kotor. A road journey to Perast can be slowed by traffic, while the boat takes a direct route across the bay. You also get the changing views from the water rather than seeing the bay only from the road.

The boat includes bottled water, which is a small but welcome convenience in warm weather. WiFi is also available onboard, though the most valuable feature is the private setting. Snorkeling equipment is included as well. The supplied schedule does not promise a swimming stop, so consider the gear an available extra rather than a guaranteed part of the route.

Price and value for a private group

The price is $195.86 per group of up to eight people. For one or two people, that is a sizeable cost for a 90-minute outing. For six to eight people, the per-person price becomes much more reasonable, especially if you value privacy and a direct route.

The private arrangement also gives you a kind of flexibility that a standard shared cruise may not. You can ask questions without competing with a large crowd, keep children close, and enjoy the boat with people you already know. Past trips have also included family groups, with children learning about the area while having space to themselves.

Still, the price does not include entry to Our Lady of the Rocks. Add €2 per person for the church and museum. Bottled water, WiFi, and snorkeling equipment are included, but there is no stated inclusion for meals, additional admissions, or other purchases on the island.

For a small group that mainly wants transport, the tour may feel expensive. For a family or group of friends splitting the full boat price, the calculation is better. You are paying for a private captain, a fast route, and a compact visit to two key places rather than simply buying a ticket on a large sightseeing boat.

The human side of the trip

The strongest part of this experience may be the captain. The supplied experiences describe captains as accommodating, funny, and attentive. Milos is associated with energetic presentations, songs, and stories about the places you pass. Mirko is described as warm and helpful, including lending out a jacket when the weather turned cool.

That personal style can change the feel of a short tour. With only 90 minutes, a silent transfer would leave the outing feeling thin. A captain who explains the sites, answers questions, and keeps the mood light adds real value.

You should also know that the tone may vary by captain. The experience is offered in English, but no fixed guide is promised, and the names connected with past outings may not be on your boat. If having a particular guide is important to you, ask the provider before you reserve.

Music has been part of some outings, including selections made by Milos. That could be a pleasant touch for a relaxed group, while someone seeking a quiet, formal history tour may prefer to set expectations in advance.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would recommend it most to families, couples, and small groups who want a private look at the bay without spending half a day on the water. It also suits anyone with a short stay in Kotor who wants to see Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks in one outing.

Children may appreciate the speedboat, the island visit, and the informal setting. The supplied information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is also near public transportation, making the meeting point practical for many visitors.

It is less suitable if you want a slow cultural day. The schedule does not leave room for lingering in Perast, extensive museum time, or a long swim. It may also disappoint you if you expect a guaranteed snorkeling session, since equipment is included but swimming is not specifically listed as a scheduled stop.

Weather matters. This is a boat activity, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. If you are visiting Kotor on a tight schedule, consider taking the trip early enough in your stay to leave room for a weather-related change.

Booking and cancellation advice

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you do not need a printed voucher. The activity begins and ends at Park Slobode E65 in Kotor.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local time. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

For the best experience, bring sun protection and a light layer. The jacket story from a cool October trip is a useful reminder that conditions on the water can feel different from conditions on shore. You should also keep your phone ready for photos, but do not let the short stops turn into a race from one picture to the next.

Should you book this Kotor speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a private, fast introduction to the Bay of Kotor and your group can share the $195.86 cost. The combination of Our Lady of the Rocks, Perast, a friendly captain, and a return to Kotor makes good use of a short morning or afternoon.

Skip it if you need long visits, formal museum time, or a guaranteed swim. The tour gives you a clear taste of both places, but it does not pretend to be a full exploration. For a compact first look, especially with family or friends, it offers a practical route and a personal feel that can be worth the price.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, including travel time between Kotor, Our Lady of the Rocks, Perast, and the return to Kotor.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $195.86 per group of up to eight people.

What places does the boat visit?

The tour visits Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast Old Town before returning to the meeting point in Kotor.

Is admission to Our Lady of the Rocks included?

No. Entry costs €2 per person and is paid separately.

What is included with the boat trip?

Bottled water, onboard WiFi, and snorkeling equipment are included.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The meeting point is Park Slobode E65 in Kotor, Montenegro. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your own group participates, with a maximum group size of eight people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.