Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h

The best part of this private Kotor Bay boat tour is its compact route: you get open-water views, the unusual man-made island of Our Lady of the Rocks, and the Venetian-style town of Perast without giving up half a day. The boat ride itself is part of the sightseeing, not just transport.

I like the easy group pricing, $150.49 for up to 10 people, and the skipper’s apparent flexibility. One family had the trip adapted for three very young children, and another group was still able to complete the route after running late. The main drawback is the tight schedule: 20 minutes on the island and 30 minutes in Perast give you a taste, not a leisurely visit.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 10 people: Your group travels together rather than sharing the ride with strangers.
• Two famous Boka Bay stops: See Our Lady of the Rocks and walk through historic Perast in one 90-minute outing.
• Only the island grounds are free: The church and museum each cost 3 EUR, while toilet use costs 1.50 EUR.
• Water and snorkeling masks included: You receive bottled water, and the skipper can provide masks for swimming.
• Flexible handling of real-world delays: The operator has been able to adjust arrangements when groups arrived late or needed a family-friendly pace.

A short boat ride with a lot packed in

This tour starts at Tide and Wave Boat Tours in Kotor and returns to the same meeting point. From the dock, you spend about 20 minutes riding across the bay toward Our Lady of the Rocks.

That first stretch is useful sightseeing time. You see Kotor from the water, with the bay opening around you as the boat moves away from town. The trip is short enough for children and for anyone who wants a quick introduction to Boka Bay rather than a full-day cruise.

Because the activity is private, you can focus on your own group. That matters if you are traveling with children, have a limited window before another activity, or simply prefer not to follow a large group at someone else’s pace. The skipper has shown flexibility with young children, and one delayed group was still able to complete the planned route.

The listing does not promise a long narrated tour, so I would treat the boat ride primarily as scenic transport with local handling rather than as a formal history lecture. If you want detailed commentary at every turn, ask about that before boarding.

Our Lady of the Rocks in 20 minutes

Our Lady of the Rocks is a man-made island in the middle of the bay. Its setting makes it special: this is not a natural island that happened to receive a church. The island itself was built over time, giving it a distinctly human story and an unusual appearance from the water.

You have about 20 minutes to walk around and look at the island. The outdoor island visit is included, so you can step ashore without paying an entrance fee for the grounds.

That 20-minute stop is enough to get a feel for the place, take in the position in the bay, and visit the church or museum if you move with purpose. It is not enough for a slow museum visit, extended photography, and a relaxed look at every detail. If the interior matters to you, decide before arrival how you want to spend your time.

Budget a few extra euros if you plan to enter. The church costs 3 EUR, and the museum costs another 3 EUR. Toilet use on the island is listed at 1.50 EUR. These small charges are easy to overlook when comparing prices, especially if you are traveling with a family.

The island stop also comes with a practical timing choice:

• Walk the island and enjoy the setting without paying extra.
• Enter the church for 3 EUR.
• Visit the museum for 3 EUR.
• Use the toilet for 1.50 EUR.

You may not have time for all of these in 20 minutes. I would carry small change and choose one priority rather than trying to squeeze in everything.

Perast and its 17th-century streets

After the island, the boat continues to Perast. You have 30 minutes to explore the old town, which is described as protected by UNESCO for its cultural and historical importance.

Perast is known for its preserved Venetian architecture and streets that retain the look of the 17th century. The pleasure here is simply walking. Thirty minutes lets you see the old town’s character, study the stone buildings, and get a brief sense of how different Perast feels from larger Kotor.

This is a walking stop, not a full town visit. You will not have time to wander without a plan, linger over a long meal, and inspect every church or building. The short visit works best if you want a first look at Perast or need to fit several sights into one day.

I would use the time for a steady walk through the old streets and a few photographs, then return to the boat promptly. Since the group is private, you can ask the skipper about the meeting point before you leave the dock. That is especially useful if anyone in your party walks slowly or needs a little help keeping track of time.

The pairing of Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks makes sense. The island gives you a distinctive stop in the middle of the bay, while Perast gives you a historic town to explore on foot. You get two different experiences without adding a second transport connection.

The return ride completes the 90-minute route

The ride from Perast back to Kotor takes about 20 minutes. Added together, the timing is roughly:

• 20 minutes from Kotor to Our Lady of the Rocks
• 20 minutes exploring the island
• 30 minutes in Perast
• 20 minutes returning to Kotor

That totals 90 minutes. The schedule is clear and efficient, but it leaves little room for delays at the stops. If you want a relaxed day on the water, this is not the right format. If you want to see two major bay sights during a short stay in Kotor, the timing is a strong point.

The boat also gives you a different view on the way back. Even without a longer stop for swimming, the return ride lets you see the bay from another angle. Bottled water is provided for each passenger, and snorkeling masks are available from the skipper for swimming.

Swimming is worth treating as an optional extra, not a guaranteed part of the schedule. The route description focuses on the island and Perast, while the masks are supplied for those who want to swim. Ask the skipper how much time is available before entering the water, since a swim could reduce your already limited time at the scheduled stops.

What the private format is worth at $150.49

The listed price is $150.49 per group of up to 10 people. That means the value improves sharply as your group gets larger. For 10 people, the cost works out to about $15 per person. For two people, it is about $75 per person, before any optional entrance fees.

For families or friend groups, this is the most convincing reason to choose the tour. You are paying for a private boat rather than ten individual seats, and you can keep the entire group together. A small group may still find the price worthwhile if privacy and a fixed 90-minute schedule matter more than the lowest possible fare.

The price includes bottled water and use of snorkeling equipment. It does not include the 3 EUR museum fee, and the church has its own 3 EUR charge. The 1.50 EUR toilet fee on the island is also separate.

You should also think about what the price does not promise. The supplied details do not specify a meal, hotel transfer, or a long guided explanation. Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting point is Tide and Wave Boat Tours at E65 in Kotor, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking.

A skipper who can adjust the pace

The strongest practical feature is flexibility. The trip has been adapted for a family with three very young children, and a delayed group was still able to complete the planned outing. Another booking was arranged at short notice by Alexa Miyanovic when the group thought no tour was available at that hour.

That does not guarantee every last-minute request, but it suggests you should communicate early if your party has children, a tight port schedule, or a delayed arrival. The booking contact has also been described as easy to reach through WhatsApp, which can help with meeting instructions and timing.

The boat operator is Tide and Wave. The supplied information does not name the skipper for every departure, so do not assume Alexa Miyanovic will personally captain your boat. The experience does promise a private group, and the captain is described as skilled and able to handle the route.

A private trip also makes it easier to ask for a small adjustment, such as slowing down for a photo or explaining where to meet after exploring Perast. The total duration remains about 90 minutes, so flexibility should not be confused with an open-ended cruise.

What to bring for this Kotor Bay outing

You do not need much, but a few simple choices will improve the experience.

Bring cash or a payment method for the optional island charges. The church costs 3 EUR, the museum costs 3 EUR, and toilet use costs 1.50 EUR. Since the stop is short, deciding in advance what you want to see will save time.

Wear shoes suitable for walking around an old stone town. Perast is explored on foot, and the island stop also involves walking. Bring sun protection and a phone or camera for the bay views, though the supplied information does not specify shade or onboard storage.

If you want to swim, bring the basics for getting wet. Snorkeling masks are available, but the tour details do not state whether towels, changing facilities, or other swim items are provided. Bottled water is included, one bottle for each passenger.

Finally, arrive with your timing under control. The tour can cope with some delays, but the schedule is compact. Being late can reduce time at the island or in Perast, even if the skipper manages to keep the full route.

Who should book this private boat tour

I would recommend this experience most strongly to a group that wants a quick, private introduction to Boka Bay. Families benefit from having their own skipper and avoiding a large shared boat. Couples or friends can also make good use of it if they value privacy and want to visit both sights in one short trip.

It is a good match for:

• Groups of up to 10 people
• Families with young children
• Visitors with only 90 minutes available
• People who want both a boat ride and a short old-town walk
• Anyone interested in swimming if time and weather allow
• Visitors who prefer a private outing to a shared excursion

I would be more cautious if you want extended time at Our Lady of the Rocks, a full museum visit, a long swim, or a slow afternoon in Perast. The route gives you an efficient sample of both places, not an unhurried cultural tour.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your main goal is to see Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast from a private boat without spending a full day on the bay. The price is particularly attractive for larger groups, and the skipper’s flexibility is useful for families and people working around a tight schedule.

Skip it if you want extensive time at either stop or expect a long, fully narrated cruise. For the right group, this is a focused Kotor outing: two worthwhile stops, a scenic ride, water included, and enough freedom to keep the experience comfortable without making the day complicated.

FAQ

How long does the private tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the private tour?

Up to 10 people can participate in one private group.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Tide and Wave Boat Tours at CQG9+J47, E65, Kotor, Montenegro, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking, since the stated meeting point is the Tide and Wave Boat Tours location in Kotor.

How much time do I get at Our Lady of the Rocks?

You get approximately 20 minutes to explore the man-made island.

Do I have to pay to enter Our Lady of the Rocks?

Access to the island is free. The church costs 3 EUR, the museum costs 3 EUR, and toilet use costs 1.50 EUR.

How much time do I get in Perast?

You get approximately 30 minutes to explore Perast’s old town.

Is swimming equipment included?

Snorkeling masks are provided for swimming, and bottled water is included for each passenger. The tour requires good weather, and swimming time is not listed as a separate scheduled stop.