The yachting°com Sailing Guide to Montenegro
Montenegro is a coastal country on the Balkan peninsula, neighbouring Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Albania. Its coastline is rugged but covered in lush vegetation. This is the mysterious and beautiful Montenegro.
Why sail in Montenegro?
The sheltered Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska) gulf creates lake-like conditions with regular thermals and no waves.
Virgin nature, high mountains, canyons and wild rivers, and pristine lakes.
Medieval towns.
Beaches with steep rocks and vegetation.
Sunken shipwrecks and a diverse undersea kingdom.
Relaxing undemanding yachting, and cheap restaurants.
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High mountains and ancient harbour towns provide the perfect backdrop for yachting. There are relatively few, well-sheltered harbours and bays. Although there are hundreds of larger islands along the Croatian coastline, there is not a single large island on the Montenegrin coastline, only fourteen small islands, seven of which can be found in the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska). The northern coastline and landscape have retained their character and are ideal for sailing, in contrast to the more secluded south where there are relatively few tourists.
The most beautiful bay in the region is the Bay of Kotor and the town of Budva is enchanting. The largest and most modern marinas are in Tivat (Porto Montenegro), Bar (OMC Marina) and Budva (Marina Budva). The service is not quite at the same level as in Croatia, but the prices are very reasonable. In smaller harbours, you will usually find only water, electricity, and some small food shops and restaurants. Yachting shops and technical services are only available at the larger marinas. Daily thermals, strong steady winds which start blowing in the morning and abate towards evening, work very well in this area.
The Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska) is one of the most beautiful bays in all the world. This deep bay penetrates 29 km inland and its appearance is reminiscent of a Norwegian fjord. Its backdrop is created by a majestic mountain range, which is reflected on the surface of the sea if the light is good. The bay is named after the town of Kotor and divided into four smaller bays - Herceg Novi, Risan, Kotor, and the Tivat bays. High mountains rise above the narrow strip of coastline, protecting Kotor from bad weather approaching from the north and against the Bora which blows in autumn and winter from inland.
Daytime thermals work very well in the Bay of Kotor. You can look forward to a powerful steady wind that starts to blow in the afternoon. Thanks to its strategic position and advantageous natural conditions, the bay has been inhabited since ancient times. During the Middle Ages, it provided shelter to fishermen, sailors, and naval vessels, and several important towns sprung up on its shores with massive ramparts and forts protecting the entrance to the bay. The most interesting towns and harbours in the Bay of Kotor are Herceg Novi, Kotor, Perast, Tivat, Risan, and Perast.
In Montenegro you will find many historic and culturally interesting towns and continually improving tourist facilities. The towns are vibrant with a unique oriental atmosphere, characterised by a peaceful and relaxed lifestyle.
Once a naval town, it is the only one in Montenegro with a Baroque heritage. In the 16th century, an important harbour was established here as well as a naval school (officers from Tsarist Russia were trained here). Over 400 sailors and 37 captains lived in and around the town, and 50 ships were anchored there. The wealthy captains and naval shipowners built luxurious palaces, many of which have survived to this day. Perast is one of the most valuable heritage reservations in the Adriatic and it is even on the UNESCO list.
Definitely worth a visit are the Perast City Museum, which has a large collection of historical and naval treasures (trophies, weapons, navigational books and so on), the Venetian fortress of St Anna (with stunning views), the Bujovič family palace, the Church of St Nicholas, and the Church of St George (St Dorde). You can anchor at the waterfront (depth is 3 m). The Perast waterfront is only sheltered against winds from the NE. If winds are blowing, there will be waves and you will either not be able to land at all, or at best, with great difficulty. This village is truly beautiful. Climb the bell tower for an amazing view.
Also of interest are the neighbouring islands of Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela), where a Baroque church and monastery still stands (it is possible to anchor at the waterfront). On the walls of the church are 68 paintings, among them gold plaques. The island was artificially made of stones that sailors carried here, to show their thanks for their safe return. Sailors dedicated the stones in gratitude for rescue from dangerous situations on long voyages.
Perast is a true architectural jewel. The harbour is still not well-known and is hardly visited. But that is beautiful, too. Before Perast are two ancient monasteries on two little islands. The easternmost is St George (St Dorde) and the westernmost is Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpelja). A magnificent pilgrimage church is on this island. At the church is a short pier with adequate depth. Anchoring at the pier is not permitted, although this is not signposted anywhere. When you land here at night, you can spend a quiet and romantic night near the church.
This is a very lively town situated in the Bay of Kotor. It was settled in ancient times, a fact proven by archaeological finds from the seabed. During the Middle Ages, the town belonged to wealthy seafaring families who built their residences here. Points of local interest include the Church of St Anthony and the defensive tower of the Buća family with a chapel. The original seaport has been converted into the luxury Porto Montenegro Marina. There is a pump here offering duty-free diesel!
There are many beautiful beaches along the coastline of Tivat Bay—for example, near the Veritage strait, Opatovo Beach near the lighthouse (a sandy beach 200 m long), a beach about a kilometre long with a breakwater near the settlement of Donja Lastava with small sandy patches, a pebbled and sandy beach near the cape of Seljanovo, and the sandy beach called Belane. Opposite the town are several small islands boasting a rich history. The ruins of the Monastery of the Archangel Michael can be found on the island of Prevlaka, known as Flower Island. The French organisation Club Mediterranée, previously had a resort on the small island of Sveti Marco, built in the style of a Polynesian village.
Budva is the most popular tourist destination in Montenegro. Budva is situated in the wide Bay of Budva. The Lovćen and Pastrovići mountain ranges protect it from strong winds blowing from inland. The town’s history reaches back 2600 years when the town was, according to legend, founded by Cadmus, the son of a Phoenician king. The whole peninsula is surrounded by monumental fortifications dating back to the 14th century. The walls protect the citadel and the old town, you can walk around the whole town on them. Budva suffered during its troubled past, from sieges to a major earthquake in 1979. It does not excel in monuments of the highest order like Kotor, but it will charm you nonetheless with its special, Medieval town atmosphere. Seven castle gates lead into the city. The two most impressive are the Mainland Gate (Kopnena vrata) and the Sea Gate (Morska vrata), behind which you will find a maze of narrow little lanes, cafés, passages and little squares.
You can see the most beautiful historical monuments in the southern part of the old town. You will, for example, find the Church of St John the Baptist with a bell tower, the Bishop’s Palace, the Church of St Sava, and the fort with a Holy Trinity chapel. One of the oldest buildings is the Church of Our Lady which was built on the cape in 840 AD. In the northern part of the town is a modern gallery and the town museum where you can learn about the history of the town. The town has one of the best archaeological sites in Europe. Extensive ruins were discovered here from ancient and Greek times. Most of these ruins were uncovered by the major earthquake of 1979.
Budva is also famous for its beautiful beaches. Right by the citadel is Mogren Beach, which has been awarded a Blue Flag. This is made up of two parts linked by a path cut into the rock. Its length is roughly 400 m and the surface is rough sand. In the middle of the Bay of Budva is a long pebbled beach called Slovenska pláž. About 15–20 minutes north, is another lovely beach called Jaz.
Budva Marina is one of the largest marinas to be found in Montenegro. It offers 300 mooring berths with connections to water and electricity, showers, and toilets. Connection to WiFi, a shop with groceries, and several cafés and restaurants will make mooring there well worth it. There is also a doctor and pharmacy in town. Mooring here in high season (May to end of September) is relatively expensive and frequently fully occupied. For a 12 m boat, you will pay EUR 66, for a 14 m boat EUR 80, for a 15 m boat EUR 87, and for a 17 m boat EUR 107.
When navigating into the harbour, the best approach is from the southwest with the island of Sveti Stefan (St Stephen) about 250 m to starboard, and then you enter the channel marked with buoys (depth of the channel is 5 m). Access from the southeastern side is not recommended. There are shallows and rocks there. If a strong Bora is blowing, the channel into the harbour is unnavigable. It is possible however, to anchor in front of the entrance (depth of 8 m) to the marina. It is quite windy in the marina, but the sea is calm. There is also a fuel station here.
Opposite Budva on the other side of the bay, lies the island and stunningly beautiful fishing town of Sveti Stefan. It was founded in the 15th century on a rocky peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. The fishing village was established here by twelve families from the Pašrovic clan. With their hordes of food, each family had a small house here that served as a hiding place in dangerous times. The stone houses were surrounded by fortified walls and the whole town was built from the booty plundered from intercepted Turkish galleys. Today, it is home to the most luxurious resort in Montenegro, visited by politicians, athletes, and celebrities from around the world. This island is well worth sailing around as it is very photogenic. There are some beautiful beaches, marked off with chains in summer. You can anchor at a depth of 8-12 m.
Kotor is located in the Bay of Kotor. It is the best, well-preserved Medieval city in Montenegro, and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. Kotor lies at the foot of the 1,749 m high limestone mountain range, Lovćen. As one of the northernmost cities on the Adriatic coast, it has retained the form of a Medieval town typical of the 12th-14th centuries. The city includes massive 4.5 km long city walls, in some places as high as 20 m and 15 m wide.
Most of the credit for building the city fortifications goes to the Venetians, who ruled Kotor for almost four centuries. The city even managed to survive a siege for several months. You can climb the walls high above the bay and to the terraces of the original medieval castle of St John (Tvrdjava sv. Ivan). The occasionally challenging climb will take 30-40 minutes but is well worth it! Along the way you will be treated to some enchanting views. The entrance fee for getting onto the walls is EUR 3 per person. The steps leading to the fortress are reached by a curving lane leading east from the Grbonja Palace. Three gates have been preserved in the fortification system, the oldest being the south gate (Vrata od Gurdića) dating back to 9th century (or earlier), the well-preserved main sea gate (Morska vrata), and the north gate.
The city was an important maritime centre of trade. The maritime tradition dates back to the 9th century, when the oldest association of sailors on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea was established here (The Brotherhood of the Seafarers of Boka Kotorská). This institution brought together the majority of sailors, built its own arsenal (shipbuilding and repair), had a large merchant shipping and military fleet, supported sailors and the families of those who had perished at sea, provided defence of the city and ship security as well as health inspections for boats. Outside the navy, it supported the population and other trades, such as goldsmithing. A famous painting school was also established here.
The Old Town is built in a triangular layout. Along the narrow streets and in the squares of the medieval centre, you will discover many historical buildings. The town’s biggest attractions are the extensive Arms Square, the renaissance clock tower (Gradski Toranj), Liberation Square (Trg Oslobodenja) where the Pima Palace stands, the Cathedral of St Tryphon (the most famous monument in the city, housing the martyr’s remains), the Drago family palace, Gurdić's Bastion, the Bizanti Palace (14th century) and the Beskuca Palace (19th century). The churches include, St Francis Church, St Paul's Church (built in the 13th century and used as an armoury in between wars, as well as a women’s prison), St Nicholas' Church and St Luke's Church. The famous Naval Museum is also definitely worth an hour or two of your time - you can study maritime artefacts from the 15th-18th centuries, ship models, old maps and plans, parts of ships, weapons and the portraits of important sailors.
Swimming - on the Kotor Riviera you will not find the sandy beaches common to other areas of the Montenegrin coast. There are mainly pontoons, piers, pebble beaches, and artificial concrete areas. Swimming is possible at Morinj Beach (about 1 km long, sandy-pebble beach), Risan Beach (between Risan and the village of Strp), and Bajova Kula Beach (a popular beach, 60 m long). In high season, the sea here may be polluted. Much nicer swimming can then be found around Budva instead.
This is a year-round customs port, where the port manager and customs offices can be found on the waterfront; the police are located in the city. The harbour offers mooring spaces with connections to water and electricity. The most pleasant and tranquil anchorage is near the mouth of the river, next to the harbour office. It is necessary to cast off with your bow against the current (when the current is strong, it is not possible to moor here). You can also land by the main waterfront or at anchor (depth 7 m) at the end of the bay. The harbour is well-sheltered. The price for a berth is approximately EUR 50 for a 46 m boat. It is also possible to anchor at the small Muo Marina. It is located on the west coast of the Gulf of Kotor, just about 1 NM from Kotor. Water and electricity are available here, too. There is a regular bus service to Kotor. Beware! The water in the harbour is safe to drink but not of the best quality.
Kotor is a beautifully placed town at the foot of the 1,749 m high Lovčen. The ancient town enclosed between the walls is truly beautiful. The fortress towering 200 m over the harbour is also worth visiting. Equip yourself with some slightly better shoes as the hike up to the fort is not that easy. At the pier, mooring lines and electricity are available. Kotor is a customs port, where you can also get customs clearance. I recommend doing your first point of entry clearance after arriving in Montenegro at Kotor and exit at Zelenice.
The town was founded by an Illyrian tribe with its warrior-queen, Teuta, once ruling here. In the times of ancient Rome, this town was the most important harbour in the bay, its commanding role later being assumed by Kotor. The oldest mint in the territory of the south Slavic countries was founded there. Today, several interesting monuments can be seen, for example, the excavation site of a Roman villa with its ancient floor mosaic (150 m from the harbour), the remains of two Turkish fortresses, and the palace of the Ivelich family (many famous sailors, traders and diplomats came from this family).
Risan Harbour is a small harbour for yachts. You can tie up here at the head of the pier (depth 3 m) or by the shore (depth 2 m). There is space for 3-4 boats. You are not allowed to moor by the breakwater. The harbour is safe, though the effects of thermals at night may cause strong northerly winds. You can also anchor here at a depth of 8–10 m. Anchors hold well. There is no connection to the electricity at the harbour. At the southeastern corner is a tap where water can be drawn (you need a long hose). Fuel may be purchased in a cannister at the garage 200 m along the Kotor road. A relatively well-stocked mini market is near the harbour, as well as a restaurant and café with WiFi. A little further away is a larger supermarket.
Risan is a lovely ancient harbour with an excavation site of a Roman villa. The island of Stradioti is also worth visiting. On the southern side of this island in Boka is a pleasant and calm place to anchor.
For over two centuries, it was a feared location and stone-built nest for pirates who sailed from Valdanos Bay periodically attacking boats. The pirates were very powerful, building a fort here and occupying a large amount of land. Hand in hand with piracy, a slave trade also developed. The pirates mainly brought in slaves from Italy and Dalmatia and held them for ransom. African slaves on the other hand, were brought in to work as farmers or at sea. Some of them eventually became excellent skippers. Today, you can find a lot of interesting buildings and monuments in the area. The old town has retained its Medieval character, and in its narrow lanes you will discover small shops with hand-made products (hand-worked gold and silver, leather products and ceramics).
The atmosphere of the town has an oriental feel. There are mosques here and restaurants with the aroma of Turkish specialities drifting between them. Above the town, there are no majestic mountains, just hilly countryside with fertile soil. Organic, quality citrus fruits are grown here, pomegranates, apricots, peaches, grapes, melons and vegetables - all of the same high quality. On every corner, the locals sell fruit and vegetables in stalls or wooden booths. Near the town is a beautiful beach (Velika plaža) with fine, white sand containing a lot of iodine and other elements giving it therapeutic effects. The bay offers ideal conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Not far from the beach, at a depth of 15 m, is the sunken wreck of a ship.
A small harbour where you can park sideways to the breakwater (depth 3 m). Make sure you don’t moor in the area reserved for the ferry. When the wind is blowing, the sea by the quay surges. No water or electricity is available here but mooring here is free. You can also anchor in the middle of the bay at a depth of 4 m. Ulcinj is much better than Budva in terms of prices. There are some good pubs here with prices half that in Budva and a marvellous view of the sea.
Shipyards were established here and the little town you see today gradually grew around them. The boat builders learned their trade from craftsmen who came in from Korčula where there was a famous boat building school. The activities of today’s modern shipyards build on the ancient traditions of boat building. Today they repair small yachts and even ocean-going ships.
The youngest town in Montenegro, founded in 1382 by the Bosnian king Tvrtko to strengthen his control over the entrance of the Bay of Kotor. The inhabitants of the town made their living mainly by fishing and salt trading. A silk factory was also built here (the second in Europe), which attracted a lot of craftsmen. The old town was protected by fortified walls and forts which have been preserved to this day - by the sea is the Sea Fort (Forte Mare) and towards the inland stands the Upper Castle (Gorni grad).
Today, this harbour town is reminiscent of a garden in bloom. More than 200 types of plants have been cultivated on the island, brought here in the past by sailors from their travels. Over the centuries, plants have been brought to the town from every continent creating a unique atmosphere. Eucalyptus trees, pitch pines, cypresses, coconut palms, agave, magnolia, date palms, and mimosa grow here, along with many other types of plants. The town is diverse and home to many historical monuments. The most beautiful include the Turkish clock tower Salaat Kula, dating back to the 15th century, the Karandža Well, the Spanish fort Spanjola, Kahli Kula Fortress (the Bloody Tower), dating back to the era of Turkish dominance (it was used as a prison and currently serves as a theatre), and the Franciscan Monastery with its hospital.
In the centre of the old town is a nice square with cafés and the church of the Archangel Michael. Also worth visiting is the nearby fort on the island of Mamula (the fort was regarded as impregnable, protecting the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and later served as a concentration camp) and the Arza Fortress, which also once guarded the entrance. There is a Nautical Museum in the town (Pomorski muzej) which exhibits models of old boats and various artefacts of nautical equipment. The town riviera is 25 km long and there are many nice beaches dotted between the villages and olive groves. The Orjen mountain range rises above the town (the highest peak reaches 1,895 m).
A relatively busy harbour in summer (with plenty of music from the surrounding bars, restaurants and ferries), and usually full. There are several mooring berths here and connections to water and electricity are subject to a fee. A fuel station is here, too. There is an ATM on the quay, several well-stocked supermarkets, a farmers’ market with fresh vegetables, fruit and fish, and numerous cafés and restaurants. There is also a doctor and pharmacy in the town. The harbour is well sheltered from winds from the N, NE, and E. The harbour is not sheltered from winds coming from the S (these create waves) and the W (dangerous wind). It is possible to anchor here on the western side of the harbour at a depth of 4-6 m. You are not allowed to anchor by the eastern part of the breakwater.
Bar is an industrial harbour town. The surrounding landscape has a long tradition of olive growing with vast olive groves encircling the town. A 2,000-year-old olive tree near the village of Mirovica is allegedly the oldest olive tree in the world. According to folklore, it is said that no citizen of Bar was allowed to marry until they had planted at least ten olive trees.
The town is the end point of the only Montenegro railway running from Podgorica and Belgrade. The railway is a unique construction, including several hundred tunnels and bridges necessary to overcome the challenging landscape. There are two beaches here - Topolica Beach (situated near the harbour) and Red Beach (north of the town). Red Beach owes its name to the unusual colour of the sand, which is explained in the legend of Nereid the sea nymph. A trip to Lake Skadar (by taxi or train - the fares are cheap) is also nice.
Stari Bar (the Ghost City), the predecessor of Bar, is certainly worth visiting. You will find several attractive historical sites here. The town of Bar has two marinas - A.D. Marina and OMC Marina. They are located inland, several kilometres from the sea. The town was built at the base of the Rumija mountains, which rise to almost 1,600 m above sea level. The town is protected by cliffs on three sides and city walls on the western side. In 1878 the Turks blew up the gunpowder stores and all but destroyed this beautiful town with the earthquake in 1979 finishing the job. The town has been nicknamed the Ghost City ever since. Today, you can see several restored buildings (the Archbishop’s Palace, the clock tower, part of the fortifications, an aqueduct and two churches).
A large marina and year-round port of entry (the customs breakwater is in the industrial OMC port). The harbour office (Lučka Kapetania) is located behind the park opposite the entrance to the main breakwater, next to the garden restaurant. There are 370 berths on the water with connections to water and electricity. Good quality technical services, a shop with yachting equipment, several supermarkets, a farmers’ markets with fruit and vegetables, and numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants—all near the port. A bank, post office, hospital and a pharmacy can all be found nearby, too.
An industrial port with a customs breakwater. The port offers 300 hard standings and limited space on water. We recommend you stay in the A.D. Marina. Beware! The harbour office in Bar is not permitted to collect vignette fees. You need to buy your vignette at the post office or in a bank. However, take note, these are closed from midday Saturday to Monday morning.
A year-round port of entry. Due to customs formalities, you must moor up to the quay with large black fenders hanging from it. To avoid damaging the hull, it is better to moor up bows-to or stern-to rather than side on. You can also anchor by the breakwater overnight (tip: to anchor approximately 10 m, tie two lines to the stern). During the Sirocco, it is better to handle the customs formalities in Kotor.
This mountainous peninsula divides the Bay of Kotor from the open sea. The southern part of the peninsula is very popular but the whole area is lined with beautiful bays and beaches. There is even a beautiful blue cave here (Plava Špilja) where in sunny weather, refraction creates some incredible lighting effects. You can also swim and sunbathe at Žanjica Beach or Pržna Beach, or at Rosa Beach (a nice rocky beach).
The new, beautiful and modern marina of Monte Negro has been built in Tivatu. The marina is architecturally well-suited to the local architecture and has transformed the old, unsightly military harbour into the centre of Boka’s yachting life. The old town itself, thanks to this, is gradually being restored to its original beauty.
As for food, you will certainly find some delicious dishes. Although the cuisine does not excel in its variety, you can be certain that it is always prepared using fresh organic ingredients. The basic ingredients are fish, olive oil, cereals and vegetables in the form of salads. The cuisine includes crayfish, octopus, mussels, clams, and other seafood. Fish is most often prepared here by grilling it with aromatic herbs and garlic, fried, or as a thick fish soup (brodet).
Traditional Montenegrin specialities include lamb cooked in milk (jagnjetina v mljeku), Burek (pastries filled with cheese or meat), Kacamak (something like mashed potatoes from wheat and corn flour, served with cheese and milk), cheese prepared in numerous ways from the milk of goats, cows and sheep, sausages from the Cetinja area, Rastan (prepared from cabbage and potatoes), Kajmak (ripe cheese), hearty soups from meat and vegetables, fish soup (riblja čorba), or dill soup (čorba od koprive), Popeci (crispy and juicy pork fillets), goulash from octopus (gulaš od hobotnice), grilled squid (lignji na žaru), barbequed fish (riba na žaru), risotto with seafood, kebabs, pljeskavica (meatballs from beef or lamb) or ćevapčići. Njeguški pršut (dry cured ham, similar to prosciutto) is a renowned delicacy and symbol of the local cuisine. Montenegrin wines also have a long tradition stretching back many years. The most famous and best red is Vranac and the best white is Krstac.
burek
The coastal area of Montenegro is predominantly a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, winters mild and rainy. The average temperature in summer is 27°C, the average sea temperature is 25°C. Maximum air temperatures can reach as high as 40°C. Autumn is pleasant and usually sunny until the end of October, sometimes even mid-November. Winds in this area are greatly influenced by daytime thermals (a steady, strong wind that starts to blow in the afternoon and abates in the evening) and the high mountains. The winds most often blow from the NW and SE. The daytime breeze is unable to pass the high mountains and can be strengthened in the afternoon by a predominant NW wind from 3 BFT to 5 BFT. The northwesterly Bora (a cold gusty wind coming down from the mountains) also occurs in this area, as does the southerly to southeasterly Sirocco. The Bora and Sirocco create large waves. The dangerous Bora mainly blows in winter but may also be present in summer. It most frequently blows in the area of the Bay of Kotor, in the Bay of Risan. The Bora rarely blows in the area around Bar.
Montenegro offers superb fishing conditions. The waters here are full of fish and all types of fishing are permitted (with a rod, line fishing, with a harpoon, or net). However, you need a permit for recreational fishing. It costs EUR 15 for 10 days and you can buy it at a fishing club or tourist office. Line fishing along the coastline is usually tolerated even without a permit, but be aware, it is illegal.
There are also several specialised agencies here that offer 1-2 day trips on specially equipped boats with the latest fishing equipment. You can try various techniques such as heavy trolling (this can be used to catch a barracuda, tuna, or swordfish), light trolling (dentex, sea bream, small tuna, or barracuda), deep sea fishing, long-line fishing, or night fishing for squid. You can also try your hand at fishing for large fish, also known as BIG GAME FISHING (bases at: Budva, Pržno - the Maestral Resort, Sveti Stefan). This does, however, require a special and more expensive permit. Well-stocked fishing grounds can also be found in the rivers and lakes. We recommend the following agencies to arrange an unforgettable fishing experience: Active Travels Montenegro and Outdoor & More.
After arriving in Montenegro, all visitors are subject to registration with the respective police department within 24 hours. If you arrive on a boat, you are obliged to sail to the nearest customs harbour, register your boat at the harbour authority, request a permit, and pay the fee for the stamp or vignette (pratique). You must then display the vignette in a visible location (for example on a mast or window). The price of the vignette is dependent on the length of the boat and length of stay (from one week up to a year). The fee for a boat 7-12 metres long is EUR 40/7 days or EUR 95/month. The fee for a boat 12-17 metres long is EUR 120/7 days or EUR 220/month. You can find a detailed price list here.
To register your boat, you need a passport, boat documents, a yachtmaster’s certificate, boat insurance, the crew list, and confirmation that you own the boat (if you are the owner), or the authorisation to use it (power of attorney for use of the boat certified by a notary), or a contract with a charter company (charter agreement). Clearance takes about 20-30 minutes. If you are sailing in from Croatia, the first customs harbour is Zelenika, but it is usually tolerated if you sail all the way to Kotor for customs clearance. If you want to be absolutely certain, you can request permission from the customs harbour in Zelenika by calling +38 23 16 78 27 60. Larger customs harbours can be found at the towns of Zelenika, Kotor, Bar and Budva. But take note! The harbour office in Bar is not entitled to charge vignette fees. You need to buy your vignette at the post office or at a bank. However, these are closed from Saturday midday to Monday morning. Other than that, the respective harbour office will issue you a vignette.
The procedure is as follows. First, go the harbour office where they will confirm the crew list for you and issue the vignette (you will need these documents with you: the papers of the boat, a yachtmaster’s certificate, the crew list, and a document proving boat insurance). Then, with the confirmed documents from the harbour office, the vignette and passports, go to the port police and to the customs office.
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