Kotor: Our Lady of the Rocks & Perast Speedboat Tour

A Local Fisherman's Church Built on Water, and How to See It in One Morning

You cruise through Boka Bay on a speedboat with a licensed skipper, stop at the man-made islet of Our Lady of the Rocks to visit the Baroque church and its collection of paintings, then explore the UNESCO-listed town of Perast on foot. Groups stay small (10–25 people), and you get an audio guide in multiple languages, drinking water, and snorkeling masks if you want them. The whole tour runs every two hours, so you can pick a departure that fits your morning or afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bay of Kotor1h
2. Our Lady of the Rocks20m

Boat tour of Kotor Bay and nearby sites

• Cruise along Kotor Bay coastline
• Visit Our Lady of the Rocks islet
• Explore Baroque church and artworks
• Cruise to Perast town
• Walk Perast main street and sights

The experience

The boat operator in Kotor told us the story while we waited for departure: generations of local fishermen had been throwing stones into the bay for centuries, building up the islet where Our Lady of the Rocks now stands. It's not something you read in a guidebook. It's the kind of detail that sticks with you once someone who knows the water tells it. That's the tone of this speedboat tour through Boka Bay: you're not just passing through scenery, you're moving through a place where people actually live and have lived for a very long time.

The boat leaves Kotor every two hours, carrying groups of 10 to 25 people on one of the newer speedboats, and the first stretch is just cruising: watching the coastline unfold, the hills rising sharp behind the villages, the water staying calm enough that you can actually see down into it. Then you pull up to Our Lady of the Rocks, the man-made islet itself, and you step onto the dock and into the church. The Baroque paintings are real, the marble altar is real, and the icon of Our Lady that the fishermen built this whole thing around is still there. The church is small (entry is quick, no lines), and the dress code is straightforward: bring a cover-up if you're in swimwear. After that, you have time to walk around the islet itself, which you can do even if the church closes early (it stays open until 5pm in spring and autumn, 7pm in summer, but the island itself doesn't lock up).

From there the boat heads to Perast, a UNESCO town that looks like someone froze a Baroque port city in time: narrow streets, defensive towers, palaces with weathered stone facades, and the kind of quiet that only happens when a place stopped being strategically important about three centuries ago. You walk the main street, take in the view back across the water toward Kotor, and the licensed skipper (who doubles as your guide) fills in the history. There's an audio guide too. You bring your phone, scan a QR code, and get written insights in multiple languages, so you're not dependent on anyone's voice if the engine noise is loud or you want to move at your own pace. The whole thing takes a few hours, and you're back in Kotor by early afternoon.

Bring a light jacket if you're going in spring or autumn: the water stays cool and the wind picks up once you're moving. Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in, and if you're driving, get there early because summer parking in Kotor fills up fast. The tour runs unless the sea conditions turn unsafe, in which case they reschedule you, so check the weather the night before.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a licensed skipper who serves as your guide, an audio guide with written local insights in multiple languages (access via QR code on your phone), drinking water, snorkeling masks (subject to availability), life jackets and child-size life jackets on request, a first aid kit, safety equipment, and Wi-Fi onboard.
• Entry to Our Lady of the Rocks church and museum is included, and skip-the-line access is provided where available.
• You'll cruise through Boka Bay, visit the man-made islet and Baroque church, and explore the UNESCO town of Perast on foot.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDepartures at 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Senior (100 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Hebrew, Polish, Russian, Swedish and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 3

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Montenegro Submarine and Speedboat Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Bay of Kotor and its two most recognizable stops without arranging a private boat or navigating the timing yourself: the regular departures every two hours mean you can fit it into whatever part of your day works, and the small group size keeps the boat feeling intimate rather than crowded.

Traveler reviews

4.81★★★★★★★★★★

714 verified traveler reviews

5 ★626

4 ★57

3 ★19

2 ★5

1 ★7

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Kotor speedboat tour?

The tour takes a few hours total, including the cruise through Boka Bay, time at Our Lady of the Rocks, and a walk through Perast. Exact duration depends on the departure time and how long you spend in each location.

Can I enter Our Lady of the Rocks church in swimwear?

No. If you plan to enter the church, bring a cover-up or suitable clothing. Swimwear is not permitted inside.

What if the church is closed when we arrive?

The island itself can still be visited and explored even if the church or museum is closed. Church hours vary by season: typically until 5pm in spring and autumn, 6pm in June, and 7pm in July and August.

Is there a skip-the-line option at Our Lady of the Rocks?

No. The church is small and entry is usually quick, so skip-the-line access doesn't apply there. It may apply at other attractions depending on availability.

What should I bring?

Bring a smartphone with internet connection or mobile data for the audio guide. In spring and autumn, bring a light jacket or warmer layer because it can feel chilly on the water. Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour may be canceled or rescheduled if weather or sea conditions are unsafe. You'll be notified in advance.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling masks are provided subject to availability, but snorkeling is not a scheduled part of the tour. You can use them if you want to explore the water on your own time.

How many people are on each boat?

Groups are kept small, between 10 and 25 people per boat.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the location shown in your booking confirmation. Look for the staff and boat, and check in with your name. Arrive 30 minutes before departure.