Boat transfer Dubrovnik to Kotor, private boat to Montenegro (2–3h).

Dubrovnik to Kotor boat transfer: what you pass

A Dubrovnik to Kotor boat transfer runs south-east along the whole Croatian coast below Dubrovnik. After Cavtat the shore turns into the high Konavle cliffs, with almost no villages, until Cape Oštra and the Prevlaka peninsula mark the border. The boat then enters the Bay of Kotor through the strait between Oštra and the Luštica peninsula, with Herceg Novi on the hillside to the left.

Inside the bay the water opens into a series of connected basins. You pass through the Verige strait, the narrowest point, where the car ferry crosses between Kamenari and Lepetane, and then reach Perast with its two islets, Our Lady of the Rocks and St George, just offshore. The last basin ends at Kotor, where the old town walls climb the mountain to the fortress of St John. Kotor’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Border formalities at sea

Leaving Croatia and entering Montenegro by sea means passport control at official ports of entry rather than at the Karasovići road crossing. The skipper handles the boat’s paperwork; you show your own documents to the officers when asked, so keep them in your hand luggage rather than in a case stowed below. The same applies on the way back into Croatia. Montenegro uses the euro, so you will not need to change money.

Wind and sea on the Konavle coast

The stretch along the Konavle cliffs is the exposed part of the trip, with no islands to block a south-easterly swell. Jugo is the wind to watch here, especially in spring and autumn. Once inside the bay the water is far more sheltered, although bura can funnel down from the mountains in strong gusts. The skipper confirms the plan the day before; if the sea is unsuitable, the arrangements in the FAQ above apply, and the road is the fallback.

Tips for the crossing

• Tell us whether you want to land at Kotor or Perast; many smaller hotels around the bay sit closer to Perast.
• Soft bags are easier to stow on a speedboat than large hard cases.
• Bring sun protection and a layer; there is little shade on an open deck.
• If you want a swim on the way, the coves of the Luštica peninsula near the bay entrance are an option to ask about.

To make the trip by road instead, see the Dubrovnik to Kotor car transfer. If you only want to see the bay and come back the same day, the Montenegro private boat tour covers Perast and Kotor. All sea routes are on the boat transfers page, and quotes are itemised and sent by email or WhatsApp.