Kotor and the Bay of Kotor are an excellent charter playground if you want to sail among dramatic mountains, protected waters, and charming Montenegrin coastal towns. One of the region’s biggest advantages is that even with shorter daily legs, you still get a rich mix of historic old towns, quiet bays, and stylish marinas. At the same time, if you head beyond the bay, you can build a more ambitious route with longer passages, even toward Dubrovnik. The itineraries below help you decide whether a relaxed bay circuit or a broader cruising week suits your crew better.
This article gives you an overview of the following topics:

• Weather in Kotor: The best time for sailing
• Ports around Kotor
• Sail in Kotor! Kotor sailing tours
• Marine gas near Kotor, boat gas stations around Montenegro

Weather in Kotor: The best time for sailing

The Bay of Kotor is characterised by pleasant, moderate weather with warm, dry summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is 14.9°C. The hottest months are July and August, the coldest is January. The nearby mountains make it easier to endure even the hottest days. The average temperature in July is 23.7°C and 6.6°C in January. Maximum rainfall occurs in November. Thanks to the pleasant climate, it is recommended to visit Kotor from April to October. Check the sailing conditions and wind rose diagram of Kotor.

Ports around Kotor

Port of Kotor

The port of Kotor is also known as Luka Kotor or Cattaro. It can accommodate up to 30 boats, up to 30 metres in length. The maximum depth of the seabed is 8.5 metres. The protected port offers many high-quality services. It has drinking water, electricity, a laundry, a bar, and a restaurant. You can refuel and do maintenance. Moreover, you can even get medical help if needed. Kotor sailing. Rent a boat in Kotor and experience what it feels like when everything is perfectly timed – the sunset, the sea, and freedom.

Port of Tivat

The Porto Montenegro has helped Tivat to become a prosperous town since it is visited by the richest people in the world. It has 450 berths, and it can accommodate the largest luxury yachts. The complex includes residences, restaurants, boutiques, the five-star Regent Porto Montenegro Hotel and many other facilities. Rent a boat in Tivat.

Port of Budva

This protected port is also known as Dukley Marina Budva. It has 300 berths, can accommodate boats up to 40 metres in length. The maximum depth is 4 metres, If you get hungry, there is a bar and a restaurant at the site of the port. The excellent services include a laundry, a refueling station, and maintenance. Rent a boat in Budva.

Port of Bar

It is the largest and most important port in Montenegro, in the southern part of the country. The place is also known as Luka Bar. The port consists of several sections: the port for scheduled vessels, the port for private vessels, commercial vessels and a military port. There are more than 600 berths for vessels up to 35 metres. The depth of the seabed is 8 metres. There is a restaurant on-site, WiFi and maintenance are available. Furthermore, a sailing school also operates in the port. Bar sailing, Rent a boat in Bar

Sail in Kotor! Kotor sailing tours

1-week Kotor sailing trip

A comfortable and well-balanced one-week route around the Bay of Kotor and nearby Montenegrin coastal stops, with shorter daily legs and plenty of cultural highlights. It’s a great option for a relaxed pace, though on the more exposed stretches toward Budva it is still worth watching wind and sea conditions carefully. Recommended level: beginner Open sea passages: no

Kotor sailing: 7 days sailing tour (longer)

A more varied 7-day route with an international feel, leaving the Bay of Kotor and reaching Croatian stops as well, which requires stronger planning and reliable weather windows. It is ideal if your crew wants longer sailing days, more destination variety, and some more open-water experience during the week. Recommended level: intermediate Open sea passages: yes

Day 1: Kotor – Tivat (Porto Montenegro) (8.3 nm – Sailing time*: about 1.5 hours), Day 2: Tivat (Porto Montenegro) – Herceg Novi (Harbor) (7.4 nm – Sailing time*: about 1.5 hours), Day 3: Herceg Novi (Harbor) – Cavtat (Harbor) (24.2 nm – Sailing time*: about 4 hours), Day 4: Cavtat (Harbor) – Dubrovnik (ACI Marina) (12.5 nm – Sailing time*: about 2 hours), Day 5: Dubrovnik (ACI Marina) – Sudurad (10 nm – Sailing time*: about 2 hours), Day 6: Sudurad – Mamula-island – Molunat (35.5 nm – Sailing time*: about 5.5 hours), Day 7: Molunat – Perast – Kotor (15.9 nm – Sailing time*: about 2.5 hours)

* – an average 43 ft sailing yacht, with average weather conditions, sails around 6-7 knots per hour.More Montenegro sailing tours.

How to choose a Kotor sailing route?

• If you prefer protected waters and shorter daily legs: choose the 1-week Kotor itinerary focused on the bay and nearby Montenegrin stops.
• If you want more variety and farther highlights: the 7-day Kotor sailing route is the better choice, linking Montenegrin and Croatian destinations.
• If your crew is less experienced or you are planning a family charter: stay closer to the bay and build in flexible stops that are easier to manage.
• If you want the feel of more open-water sailing: choose a route that lets you time the longer passages around good weather windows.

Marine gas near Kotor, boat gas stations around Montenegro

• KOTOR: Depth: 8, 5 m, Working time: 0-24 depending on the season (to be agreed upon before arrival) depending on the season (to be agreed upon before arrival), GPS Coordinates: 42.426348, 18.767266,
• TIVAT – Porto Montenegro: Depth: 12 m, Working time: 0-24 depending on the season (to be agreed upon before arrival) depending on the season (to be agreed upon before arrival), GPS Coordinates: 42.433897, 18.691430
• HERCEG NOVI – Portonovi Marina: Depth: 20 m, Working time: 0-24 depending on the season (to be agreed upon before arrival) depending on the season (to be agreed upon before arrival), GPS Coordinates: 42.433903, 18.603754
• BUDVA – Dukley Marina: Depth: 4 m, Working time: from May 1st through October 1st from 8-22, GPS Coordinates: 42.279906, 18.838321
• BAR – AD Marina: Depth: 5 m, Working time: 7-20, GPS Coordinates: 42.098617, 19.088010
• DUBROVNIK, ACI Marina: Depth: 4m, Working time: 8-20, GPS Coordinates: 42.670687, 18.127007
• DUBROVNIK, Orsan: Depth: 3, 7 – 4, 9 m, Working time: 6-22, GPS Coordinates: 42.660463, 18.079714
• SOBRA, MLJET: Depth: 5m, Working time: 6-22, GPS Coordinates: 42.740951, 17.598208
• LASTOVO: Depth: 2, 5 – 4, 5 m, Working time: 6-22, GPS Coordinates: 42.745218, 16.824718
• ACI Marina KORCULA: Depth: 3, 5m, GPS Coordinates: 42.956744, 17.138561
• VELA LUKA: Depth: 3-4 m, Working time: 6-22, GPS Coordinates: 42.959407, 16.714213

If you want to go sailing, Kotor is a great destination due to the pleasant weather. Visit other holiday resorts in Montenegro, and discover the nearby islands, which also have unforgettable attractions. Find more Montenegro sailing destinations

Request a quote for a Kotor charter and we’ll help you choose a route that matches your crew’s pace, experience, and travel style. Set sail well prepared and make the most of the Bay of Kotor.