Kotor Bay Boat Tour: Herceg Novi, Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks

Summary

Boat ride from Herceg Novi to Kotor Bay’s old towns, island church and back

You’ll glide over Kotor Bay from Herceg Novi with stops in lively Kotor Old Town and postcard-perfect Perast before stepping onto Our Lady of the Rocks’ tiny island church. Friendly local guides share stories (and jokes), while you soak up mountain views and quiet moments on deck—just don’t be surprised if you find yourself wishing for more time out there.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the water to be that clear — almost glassy as we left Herceg Novi. There was this faint smell of salt mixed with something floral (maybe wild herbs from the hills?). Our captain, Marko, greeted us with a grin and handed out cold bottles of water from the little fridge. I kept thinking how quiet it felt compared to the town — just the hum of the boat and a few gulls overhead. We drifted past those old stone houses along Tivat bay; some had laundry flapping in the breeze, which made me wonder who actually lives there year-round.

Kotor Old Town was busier than I thought for a weekday — lots of voices echoing off those ancient walls. Marko gave us an hour to wander. I got lost in an alley chasing the smell of fresh bread (no regrets). The stones underfoot were slick from last night’s rain, so I nearly slipped near a little shop selling postcards. After that, we cruised toward Perast — honestly, it looked like something out of a faded postcard itself. The mountains crowd right up to the water here; it’s kind of dramatic but also peaceful in a weird way.

The stop at Our Lady of the Rocks was shorter (about 20 minutes), but it stuck with me. The church sits on its own tiny island — you can hear bells echo across the bay if you listen closely. Inside, there’s this cool blue light filtering through stained glass, and someone had left fresh flowers near an old painting. Marko told us about the legend behind building the island — he laughed when I tried to say “Gospa od Škrpjela” properly (I probably butchered it). On the way back, we passed Saint George Island but couldn’t go ashore — apparently it’s private — so we just snapped photos from the deck.

By then, sun was dipping behind those jagged peaks and everything went gold for a minute or two. I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy at home. Anyway, if you’re looking for a day trip around Kotor Bay that isn’t rushed but still hits all those classic spots, this boat tour feels like it gives you space to breathe.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat tour exploring Kotor Bay

• Panoramic sightseeing of Herceg Novi bay
• Panoramic sightseeing of Tivat bay
• Panoramic sightseeing of Kotor bay
• Visit Kotor Old Town for 1 hour
• Visit Perast for 1 hour
• Visit Our Lady of the Rocks church for 20 minutes
• Admire Island of Saint George from boat

Top questions

How long is the boat tour from Herceg Novi?

The tour lasts about 4 hours total.

Does this Kotor Bay boat tour include visiting Our Lady of the Rocks?

Yes, there is a 20-minute stop at Our Lady of the Rocks church.

Can I customize how long we spend at each stop?

You can adjust visit times as long as total stops don’t exceed 2 hours 20 minutes.

Is pickup included for this day trip from Herceg Novi?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; departure is from Herceg Novi port area.

Are drinks or snacks provided on board?

Bottled water is included; there’s a fridge on board but no mention of snacks.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, life jackets are available for children and infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a stroller.

Will we see Saint George Island during this boat trip?

You will see Saint George Island from the boat but cannot go ashore since it’s private.

Is WiFi available during this Kotor Bay boat tour?

Yes, WiFi is available on board during your cruise.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water kept cool in an onboard fridge, WiFi access throughout your journey across Kotor Bay, comfortable shaded seating with cushions under a bimini sunshade, life jackets for everyone including kids, music via radio or Bluetooth if you want it, plus handy extras like a shower and charging jack—so you can just relax between stops at Kotor Old Town, Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks before heading back to Herceg Novi.