Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h

The main pleasure here is seeing Boka Bay from the water, then stepping ashore at two of its best-known sights. The boat ride from Kotor to Our Lady of the Rocks gives you changing views of the mountains, villages, and calm inlets without taking up half your day.

I like the private format for up to 10 people, especially if you have young children or want a little flexibility. I also like the simple price structure: $150.49 per group, not per person. The trade-off is time. Ninety minutes passes quickly, and the 20-minute island stop and 30-minute Perast visit leave little room for a slow museum visit, a long meal, or extended swimming.

Key points to know

• Two famous Boka Bay stops: Visit Our Lady of the Rocks and the old town of Perast in one compact trip.
• Private boat for up to 10 people: Your group avoids sharing the ride with strangers.
• Short, scenic water time: The route includes about 20 minutes from Kotor to the island and another 20 minutes back from Perast.
• Extra fees on the island: The island itself is free, but the church and museum cost 3 euros each, and the toilet costs 1.50 euros.
• Useful family flexibility: The skipper has adapted the trip for a group with three very young children.
• Water and masks included: Each passenger receives bottled water, and snorkeling equipment is available for swimming.

A quick ride into Boka Bay from Kotor

This tour is built around efficiency. You meet at Tide and Wave Boat Tours at the Kotor location listed as CQG9+J47 on the E65, then board for a panoramic ride across the bay. The first leg takes about 20 minutes, followed by a 20-minute visit to Our Lady of the Rocks.

After that, you continue to Perast for 30 minutes. The return boat ride to Kotor takes another 20 minutes. Allow a little extra time around those figures, since the advertised 90-minute duration includes movement between stops and may depend on weather and the skipper’s handling of the boat.

I see this as a good choice when you want a taste of the bay but do not want to commit to a long cruise. It gives you two landmarks, a short boat ride, and the convenience of ending where you started. You are not spending the whole afternoon on the water.

The private setup matters more than it might at first appear. A group of two pays the same listed $150.49 as a group of ten, so the price is costly for a solo visitor but reasonable when divided among a full party. At ten people, it works out to roughly $15 per person before any optional entrance fees. A couple pays about $75 each, making the value less compelling unless privacy and flexibility are important.

Seeing Our Lady of the Rocks in 20 minutes

Our Lady of the Rocks is a man-made island in the middle of Boka Bay. Reaching it by boat is part of the appeal. You do not simply arrive at a museum by road, walk through a gate, and leave. The island appears as a small stop in the bay, so the approach gives you a sense of its unusual position and purpose.

You have 20 minutes to explore. That is enough for a quick look around the island and time to decide if you want to pay for the interior attractions. The island itself is free, but the church costs 3 euros to enter and the museum costs another 3 euros. Using the toilet costs 1.50 euros.

Those small charges are easy to overlook, so carry some euros if you want the full visit. The advertised tour includes access to the island, not the church or museum. If you are mainly interested in the setting and the views, you can keep your visit free. If you want to see the interior, plan for the extra expense and keep an eye on the clock.

The short stop creates a clear choice. You can spend the entire 20 minutes taking in the island, or use part of the time for the church and museum. You probably will not have room for a slow, detailed visit to both. This is one reason the tour works best as an introduction rather than a full cultural visit.

The boat ride also gives you a chance to ask about swimming. Snorkeling masks are provided, but the published schedule does not promise a separate swimming stop. Some departures may include swimming in attractive parts of the bay, yet you should confirm this with the skipper if swimming is important to you. The included equipment is useful, but it does not turn the tour into a dedicated snorkeling trip.

Walking through Perast’s 17th-century streets

The next stop is Perast, an old town protected by UNESCO as cultural and historical heritage. You have 30 minutes to walk through its streets and see its Venetian architecture. The town is known for retaining much of its 17th-century appearance, which gives the stop a strong sense of place even though the visit is brief.

Thirty minutes is enough for a compact walk and photographs. You can get a feel for the old town, admire the stone buildings, and enjoy the view back toward the bay. It is not enough for a leisurely meal or a serious museum schedule, so arrive with a simple plan.

I would use this time for a slow but focused stroll rather than trying to see everything. The value of Perast is in its scale and appearance. You are not being asked to cover a large city. The streets and buildings are the attraction, and the boat departure keeps the stop neatly contained.

The time limit can also be a drawback. If you want to pause often, read historical signs, shop, or sit down for food, 30 minutes will feel tight. Families with small children may need to keep moving, though the private format gives the skipper more ability to adapt than a fixed group excursion. One departure was adjusted for three very young children, which suggests that asking for practical help is worthwhile.

What the private skipper arrangement adds

A private activity means only your group takes part. That gives you a more personal ride than a large shared excursion, and it removes the need to coordinate with strangers at every stop. For a family, this can make the short schedule easier to manage.

The skipper is also the person who controls the rhythm of the day. The available information does not provide a named skipper, so I would not book this expecting a particular captain. It does indicate that the boat team has handled delays and adapted plans for young children.

That flexibility is useful, but keep your expectations sensible. The tour is still only about 90 minutes. A skipper may help with timing or practical needs, but cannot add a full extra visit without changing the nature of the trip. If you arrive late, contact the provider as soon as possible. One delayed departure was still able to complete the planned trip, but that should not be treated as a guarantee.

One booking was arranged at a late hour by Alexa Miyanovic when no regular tour appeared to be available. That detail suggests the operator may be responsive when a last-minute solution is possible. Still, confirm the meeting time and pickup details directly rather than relying on a last-minute arrangement.

The views are the main event

The route is short, but the bay scenery gives the trip its character. From the boat, you see the water from a different angle than you do from Kotor’s old town or a roadside viewpoint. The first 20-minute crossing is not just transport. It is a compact sightseeing ride.

You can expect a mix of mountain views, waterfront settlements, and open water around the bay. The exact view changes with the route and weather. A calm day should make the ride comfortable, while poor weather can lead to cancellation or a change of date.

The boat atmosphere also seems to be part of the experience. Music was praised, and one outing was described as having a lively atmosphere. That may appeal if you want a relaxed coastal ride rather than a formal lecture. If you prefer a quiet, highly structured history tour, this format may feel lighter.

The skipper may provide information as you go, but the supplied details do not promise a formal guide or a set commentary program. I would choose this for the scenery and access to the two stops, not for an in-depth history lesson.

Water, snorkeling masks, and what to bring

Each passenger receives a bottle of water. Snorkeling masks are available for swimming, which is a nice extra on a warm day. Neither item changes the basic nature of the tour, but both are practical on a short boat ride.

Bring sun protection and comfortable footwear, though the tour details do not specify what surfaces you will encounter. Carry euros for the island’s optional charges. The church costs 3 euros, the museum costs 3 euros, and the toilet costs 1.50 euros.

You may also want a small bag for personal items. Keep valuables secure on the boat, especially if you decide to swim. Since swimming is not listed as a guaranteed timed stop, ask before departure if the plan includes time in the water.

The activity is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, and pickup is offered. The information does not spell out the exact pickup area or vehicle arrangement, so confirm those details when you book.

Is $150.49 a fair price?

The price is $150.49 per group of up to 10 people. That is the important figure. It is not a per-person fare, so the value depends heavily on your group size.

For a large family or group of friends, the cost is attractive. Ten people would pay about $15 each, while six people would pay around $25 each. For four people, the cost is about $37.60 per person. For two, it is roughly $75 per person.

That price buys privacy, a direct return to Kotor, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and visits to both main stops. It does not include the church or museum at Our Lady of the Rocks. You are also paying for convenience and a private boat, not an extended full-day cruise.

I think the cost makes the most sense for groups of four or more, especially if you value staying together and keeping the outing short. Solo visitors and couples may find a shared boat trip better value if one is available. On the other hand, a private ride can be worth paying for when young children, a tight schedule, or a preference for flexibility matters more than the lowest possible price.

Who should book this 90-minute tour?

I would recommend it to:

• Families who want a short outing from Kotor
• Groups of friends who can divide the fixed price
• Visitors with limited time in the bay
• People who want both Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast in one trip
• Anyone who prefers a private boat to a shared excursion
• Visitors who like a relaxed ride with music and a flexible skipper

I would choose something longer if you want extended swimming, a full meal in Perast, detailed church and museum visits, or a broad tour of the entire bay. The short duration is the point here, but it also limits what you can do.

The cancellation terms are simple: cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. Since the trip depends on good weather, the operator may cancel and offer another date or a full refund if conditions are poor.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a compact private introduction to Boka Bay and your group can share the fixed price. Our Lady of the Rocks gives you the unusual island setting, while Perast adds old streets and Venetian architecture. The boat ride links them neatly without taking over your day.

Skip it if you need lots of time at each stop or if you are traveling alone and watching every euro. For families, small groups, and visitors with only a free morning or afternoon, the mix of scenery, history, and private timing is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Tide And Wave Boat Tours Kotor, listed at CQG9+J47, E65, Kotor, Montenegro.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Kotor.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private tour is available for a group of up to 10 people.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, though the provided details do not specify the exact pickup locations or arrangements.

Is admission to Our Lady of the Rocks included?

Admission to the island itself is included and free. Entry to the church costs 3 euros, and entry to the museum costs 3 euros. These fees are not included.

Is Perast admission included?

There is no admission fee listed for the Perast stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are provided for swimming, and bottled water is supplied for each passenger.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.