Montenegro Luxury yacht charter

Escape the crowds, tour breathtaking Medieval ruins and discover stunning Adriatic cruising grounds rich in Ottoman history on a luxury yacht charter in mountainous Montenegro. From the glassy stillness of the UNESCO-certified Bay of Kotor to the premier superyacht facilities at Porto Montenegro, it’s easy to see why this eastern Adriatic gem is often touted as the “new Monaco." With other Balkan countries like Croatia on its doorstep and the Ionian islands of Greece to the south, charters can also sample neighbouring cruising destinations with ease.

Credit: Pixabay

Montenegro yacht season and weather

The charter season in Montenegro runs from May to October. Average summer temperatures are between 26°C and 30°C with the hottest, driest months between June and September. July and August are the busiest months of the season, while June and September offer sunny skies and quieter anchorages.

Montenegro yacht charter itineraries

Porto Montenegro in Tivat is one of the region’s key superyacht marinas and along with high end boutiques and restaurants it offers berths up to 250 metres. There are also several newly opened marinas now that cater to superyachts including Portonovi overlooking Boka Bay, which can accommodate yachts up to 70 metres inside the marina and 120 metres on the outer piers, and Luštica Bay for yachts up to 45 metres.

No matter where you start your superyacht charter in Montenegro you should experience the calm fjord waters of the Bay of Kotor and drop anchor in Bigova Bay. Take a dip in the crystalline waters, visit the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks and tender in for lunch at Catovica Mlini in Morinj.

Towering mountains rise up on both sides of this majestic fjord, with the fortified town of Kotor at its head – a flurry of pantile roofs, spires, café-strewn squares and restaurants. Avoid peak times of day during the crowded summer season and head ashore to stroll around its cobbled streets and soak its museums, churches and Venetian palaces. The region is also renowned for scuba diving, with a number of wreck and cave dives on offer in the bays of Žanjic and Boka.

Budva lies around 35 nautical miles south of Kotor and offers a bustling seaside vibe with good restaurants, bars and nightclubs. En route to Budva stop at the famed Blue Grotto cave.

Superyachts can then strike north to sample the delights of Dubrovnik and the Croatian archipelagos. Or cruise south to Bar and visit Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula. From Bar, make an an overnight passage to the bustling waterfront town of Saranda in Albania. The Greek island of Corfu is just a six nautical mile hop across the bay, offering a wealth of possibilities for an extended Ionian cruise.

Montenegro by superyacht

Getting to Montenegro

Tivat is the closest airport to Porto Montenegro and Kotor (both 10 minutes by car). The airport serves commercial and private jets.

Dubrovnik airport is a one and a half hour drive and also serves commercial and private jet operators. Helicopter charters are available from Dubrovnik airport.

Typical routes in and out of Montenegro often include exploration of the Croatian coast.

Legal requirements

Foreign-flagged vessels must purchase a vignette (permit) to use in Montenegro.

On arrival, all yachts must proceed to the nearest Port of Entry using VHF Channel 16 and contact the harbourmaster prior to landing. Ports of Entry include Bar, Zelenika, Tivat, and Kotor. Craft must check-in and clear customs before proceeding to any other minor ports.