Perast Old Town & Our Lady of the Rocks: Speed Boat Tour

The best part of this 90-minute trip is the change of pace: you leave Kotor by speedboat and soon find yourself among steep bay walls, old churches, and fishing villages. I like the small group of up to 10 people and the tidy route, which gives you two worthwhile stops without eating half a day.

I also like that the tour joins a scenic boat ride with actual places to explore, not just a quick pass along the shore. The main caution is reliability: one verified booking in September 2025 reported that the organizer did not appear at the meeting point, while other recent bookings praised the friendly staff and attentive guides. Confirm the departure before setting out, and arrive early.

Key points at a glance

• Our Lady of the Rocks: Visit the island, church, and museum, with €3 church-museum admission extra.
• Perast in 30 minutes: See the old Venetian town, palaces, and churches on foot.
• Fast but scenic route: The boat ride takes 20 minutes out, 5 minutes between stops, and 25 minutes back.
• Small-group setting: No more than 10 participants share the speedboat.
• Simple meeting point: Start at the reception of Garni Hotel Tianis, Tabačina 16, Kotor.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can lead to a cancellation or a new departure time.

Leaving Kotor from Hotel Tianis

The tour begins at the reception of Garni Hotel Tianis on Tabačina 16. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself. If you have a car, give yourself extra time in summer because parking in Kotor can be difficult.

The route is compact and easy to understand. You spend about 20 minutes on the first boat ride, 20 minutes at Our Lady of the Rocks, 5 minutes crossing to Perast, 30 minutes in Perast, and 25 minutes returning to Kotor. That makes this a good choice if you want a taste of Boka Bay but still have most of your day free.

The boat is a speedboat, not a slow sightseeing vessel. That means you cover ground quickly and feel the wind and spray more directly. Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunglasses and a sun hat, and keep your camera secure. Spring and autumn can feel cool on the water, so a light warm layer is sensible.

An English-speaking skipper and guide lead the trip. Water and safety equipment are included. The small group limit should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions, though the experience will still depend on sea conditions and the person operating the boat.

The first 20 minutes across Boka Bay

The opening boat ride is the scenic heart of the experience. From the water, you see the bay from a better angle than you do from Kotor’s streets. Steep coastal slopes, old settlements, Romanesque churches, and Byzantine palaces pass by as the skipper points out the places along the shore.

This is not only transport between stops. The boat gives you a quick sense of why Boka Bay has long mattered to sailors and coastal communities. The water links small villages and historic towns that can feel separate when viewed from land.

The speedboat also helps the tour fit into a short morning or afternoon. You do not spend an hour each way making the crossing. The tradeoff is that the ride is less gentle than a larger boat, and anyone troubled by motion should think carefully before booking.

The route is especially appealing if you want photographs of the bay without committing to a full-day cruise. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole ride looking at a screen. The best views come and go as the boat rounds the shore.

Our Lady of the Rocks and its sailor’s legend

After about 20 minutes, the boat reaches Our Lady of the Rocks, the artificial island near Perast. The island is tied to a local story about sailors who found an image of the Madonna and Child on a rock in the sea. Over time, sailors built up the island as an act of thanks for safe voyages.

You have about 20 minutes here. That is enough to walk around, take photographs, and visit the church and museum if they are open. The church contains votive offerings, paintings, tapestries, and religious objects connected with the island’s long role as a place of devotion.

The €3 entrance fee per person is not included. It is a small extra cost, but you should carry it in your budget if seeing the interior matters to you. The island itself can still be visited when the church is closed.

Opening times change with the season:

• April, May, September, and October: until 5 PM
• June: until 6 PM
• July and August: until 7 PM

The church can occasionally close earlier. Check the timing of your departure if the interior is your main reason for booking. Also remember the modest dress requirement. Swimwear is not allowed inside.

Do not expect a skip-the-line arrangement. The church is small, and the tour does not include special line access. Your visit may feel brief, especially if other boats arrive at the same time, but the short stop works well as part of a wider bay tour.

Five minutes to Perast

The crossing from Our Lady of the Rocks to Perast takes only about five minutes. This short ride gives you a second view of the island and lets the boat pull into the historic town without wasting time.

Perast is one of the most attractive stops in Boka Bay, but the tour does not pretend to offer a full town study. You have roughly 30 minutes, so use that time with a plan. Walk along the waterfront, photograph the old facades, and look for the churches and palaces that reflect Perast’s former importance as a maritime town.

The town recalls several eras of Adriatic life, from the Illyrians to Venetian rule. Its baroque buildings and old churches show the wealth that once came from shipping and trade. You can get a real feel for the town in half an hour, but you will not have time to explore every lane or sit down for a long meal.

That short stop is both a strength and a limit. I like it for a first look, especially if you are staying in Kotor and want to see more of the bay. If Perast is high on your list, you may prefer to return independently for a longer visit on another day.

You can use the break for coffee, ice cream, or a local souvenir. These purchases are not included, so allow for them separately. The tour gives you enough free time to pause, but not enough to turn the stop into a leisurely afternoon.

The 25-minute ride back to Kotor

The return crossing takes about 25 minutes. By now, you will have seen the bay from several angles, and the ride back works as a final scenic sweep rather than a simple transfer.

This part of the route can be relaxing, but it is also the section most affected by weather. The tour may be canceled or rescheduled if the sea is rough. That is a sensible safety rule for a small speedboat, though it means you should avoid placing an important connection immediately after the tour.

The provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your plans are still shifting. They do not solve a same-day weather problem, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

What the $32 price really covers

At $32 per person, this is priced as a short sightseeing outing rather than a full guided day. You are paying for the speedboat, the route from Kotor to two notable stops, an English-speaking skipper and guide, water, and safety equipment.

The value is strongest if you want three things in one short experience: a boat ride through Boka Bay, a stop at Our Lady of the Rocks, and a quick walk through Perast. Booking these separately could take more planning, and the boat keeps the travel time short.

The price does not include the €3 entrance fee for the church museum, food, drinks beyond the provided water, souvenirs, or transport to the meeting point. None of those extras are surprising, but they matter if you are comparing the cost with a simple public boat transfer.

The group limit of 10 improves the value. You are not signing up for a large party boat with dozens of people. The skipper can keep the group together and offer a more personal explanation of the sites. A smaller boat also makes the ride feel more direct, though it may be less comfortable for people who need extra support or dislike motion.

Who will enjoy this speedboat tour

I would choose this trip if you have limited time in Kotor and want to see beyond the old town. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who enjoy coastal views but do not want a long cruise.

It is also a good fit if you like mixing scenery with culture. Our Lady of the Rocks gives you a legend and a church visit, while Perast provides old streets, waterfront views, and a glimpse into the bay’s maritime past.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, have back problems, or have limited mobility. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, and large bags or luggage are not allowed. Assistance dogs are allowed, but ordinary pets are not.

The boat is also a poor match if you want a slow, highly detailed walking tour. The visit to Our Lady of the Rocks lasts about 20 minutes, and Perast gets about 30 minutes. You will see the highlights, not every historical corner.

The recent feedback is mixed. Two July 2025 bookings gave the experience five stars, describing attentive guides, friendly staff, and a worthwhile trip. One verified booking from September 2025 reported that the organizer failed to appear at the meeting point. That serious complaint deserves attention, especially because the tour is short and a missed departure can ruin a day.

For that reason, I would confirm the meeting arrangements with Tianis before departure and arrive at Hotel Tianis early. The tour’s published rating is 3.2 from five reviews, so the positive service reports are encouraging, but the no-show complaint means you should not treat the booking as completely risk-free.

Practical advice before you book

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a camera. The boat is on the water for about 50 minutes in total, so sun protection matters even when the air feels mild.

Avoid bringing suitcases or large bags. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and pets are not permitted except assistance dogs. Modest clothing is important if you plan to enter the church.

Try to book a departure that reaches Our Lady of the Rocks while the church and museum are open. In the cooler months, carry warm clothing. In summer, arrive early because Kotor parking can be hard to find.

Most important, keep your schedule flexible around the weather. A calm bay can make this a smooth, pleasant ride. Rough seas can change the plan, and the operator may need to reschedule or cancel.

Should you book the Perast speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a short, well-packed introduction to Boka Bay and value a small group over a large cruise boat. The combination of speed, scenery, Our Lady of the Rocks, and Perast gives you a lot in 90 minutes.

Skip it if you need a wheelchair-accessible outing, dislike speedboats, want a long visit in Perast, or need firm same-day reliability for a tight schedule. If you do book, confirm the meeting point, arrive early, check the church hours, and allow for the €3 admission fee. With those details handled, this is a practical way to see two of the bay’s most recognizable sights without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 90 minutes, including the boat rides and visits to Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the reception of Garni Hotel Tianis at Tabačina 16 in Kotor.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the meeting point yourself.

How many people can join the speedboat?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

What languages are available?

The tour is conducted in English with a live English-speaking guide and skipper.

Is admission to Our Lady of the Rocks included?

The island visit is included, but entrance to the Our Lady of the Rocks Church Museum costs €3 per person.

Can I visit the island if the church is closed?

Yes. The island can still be visited even when the church is closed.

What are the church opening hours?

In April, May, September, and October, the church is open until 5 PM. In June, it is open until 6 PM, and in July and August, until 7 PM. It may occasionally close earlier.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. Large bags, ordinary pets, and smoking in the boat are not allowed.