Reviewed · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
Private Boat Tour Adventure In Budva – Sightseeing & Snorkeling
Budva’s best views often appear from the water, and this two-hour trip gives you several of them without taking up your whole day. You cruise past the Old Town walls, pause at Sveti Nikola for snorkeling, and swim at more than one coastal stop with local host Balsha at the helm.
I like the small-group feel, with no more than 10 people, and I like the easygoing approach reported by the host’s past guests. Balsha has run the trip for just one person when that was the only booking, and he has adjusted plans when weather made the first date unsuitable.
The main consideration is time. Two hours passes quickly once you allow for the ride to Sveti Nikola, swimming, snorkeling, and the return to Budva. You will see several places, but this is a brisk coastal sampler rather than a full-day boat outing.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you book
- Setting out from Luchki Park
- The ride to Sveti Nikola
- Swimming and snorkeling at Sveti Nikola
- Mogren Beach from the sea
- A second swim near Jaz Beach
- Budva’s walls from the water
- Why the small boat matters
- The value of $83.88 per person
- Weather, timing, and what to bring
- Who will enjoy this Budva boat trip
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- How long does the Budva boat tour last?
- Where does the tour start?
- Where does the activity finish?
- Which places are included on the route?
- Is snorkeling equipment provided?
- Are drinks included?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
Key things to know before you book

- Sveti Nikola is about 20 minutes from Budva, giving you a proper stretch of open-water cruising before the first swim.
- You see Budva from a different angle, including the Old Town, city walls, beaches, and coastline.
- Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel.
- Two swim stops keep the trip active, with Sveti Nikola followed by time near another beach.
- The wooden boat and local guiding give the trip a more personal feel than a large harbor excursion.
- The tour is weather dependent, but poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.
Setting out from Luchki Park
The meeting point is Luchki Park in Budva, listed with the location code 7RJP+CQ9. The activity returns to this same point, which makes planning easier if you are staying in Budva and want to continue sightseeing afterward.
The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Public transportation is nearby, and confirmation is provided when you book. Since the group limit is 10 people, you get a better chance to speak with Balsha than you would on a large sightseeing boat.
I would arrive with your swimming clothes already on and your essentials packed in a small bag. Towels are not included, so bring your own. The tour includes soft drinks, but you should not expect a full meal or a long stop on land.
This is a boat experience first, not a formal sightseeing lecture. Balsha shares historical background while you are moving along the coast, pointing out what you are seeing and explaining parts of Budva from a local point of view.
A few more Budva trips to weigh up
- Budva Bay: Boat Tour with Snorkeling and Sightseeing
★ 4.8 · 41 reviews - Budva: Hidden paradise tour with snorkeling and lunch
★ 5.0 · 4 reviews
The ride to Sveti Nikola

Sveti Nikola is the first main stop, reached after roughly 20 minutes of travel from Budva. That ride matters because it gives you time to see the town from offshore rather than simply stepping onto a boat and stopping at the nearest beach.
From the water, Budva’s Old Town takes on a different shape. You can look back toward the stone walls and coastline, while the boat offers a broad view that is hard to get from the crowded waterfront. The ride also gives you a useful sense of how Budva’s beaches and coves fit together.
The trip is not only about getting from one swim stop to the next. Balsha provides local background as you go, so the movement between places becomes part of the sightseeing. The amount of commentary can vary with the pace of the outing and sea conditions, but the experience is designed to mix scenery, conversation, and time in the water.
For people who do not want a long organized excursion, this is a strong format. You spend enough time away from shore to enjoy the coast, but you do not lose an entire morning or afternoon.
Swimming and snorkeling at Sveti Nikola

At Sveti Nikola, snorkeling equipment is provided. You can use it to look at the underwater life, practice going below the surface, or simply swim without snorkeling at all.
That flexibility is important. You do not need to be an experienced snorkeler, and the host can explain the simple basics of using the equipment and breathing through the mask. If you prefer not to snorkel, the stop still works as a regular swim and rest break.
The coast around the island includes coves and rocky areas that give the water more interest than an ordinary beach swim. Past guests have especially valued the chance to explore coastal caves and smaller inlets, though the exact stops can depend on sea conditions and what works best on the day.
Do not expect a major reef excursion or a full marine biology lesson. This is an introduction to snorkeling during a scenic boat trip. The equipment is included, which saves you from renting it separately, and the stop gives you a chance to try something new without committing to a specialist tour.
You will want to keep your belongings secure while swimming. The supplied details do not specify storage arrangements, so bring only what you need and follow Balsha’s instructions once you board.
Mogren Beach from the sea

The route includes Mogren Beach, one of the most familiar coastal stops around Budva. Seeing it from the boat gives you a useful break from the usual shore-based view and lets you appreciate the shape of the coast around the beach.
Mogren is included as one of the swimming areas, so you are not simply passing it for a photograph. Depending on conditions and the timing of the day, you may have a chance to swim, pause near the beach, or enjoy the view before moving on.
The benefit of visiting by boat is access to a wider view with less walking between points. The drawback is that a two-hour schedule does not allow for a long beach stay. If you want to spread out a towel and spend half a day at Mogren, visit it separately.
For a first look at Budva’s shore, though, the stop works well. You get a sense of the beach, the surrounding rocks, and the town’s position along the water without having to make this a full beach day.
Same bay, a completely different day out:
- Budva: 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves
★ 4.8 · 568 reviews - 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro
★ 5.0 · 342 reviews - Budva Bay: Kayak & SUP Tour to Coastal Caves
★ 5.0 · 217 reviews - Blue Cave, Kotor, Lady of the Rocks from Budva, Tivat, Kotor
★ 3.9 · 187 reviews
A second swim near Jaz Beach

Jaz Beach is another scheduled stop and gives the outing a second chance for swimming. That makes the trip more appealing to people who care less about a formal sightseeing route and more about getting into the sea.
Two swim opportunities also help if the first stop does not suit you. Water conditions, personal comfort, and crowd levels can affect how much you enjoy one location, so having another place in the plan adds useful flexibility.
The details do not promise a particular amount of time at Jaz, and the overall tour lasts about two hours. You should think of this as a short stop within a moving coastal route, not an extended beach visit.
The ride between stops is part of the experience. Balsha may share more local history and point out features along the coast, and soft drinks are available if you want one. The pace is intended to stay relaxed rather than feel like a race through a checklist.
Budva’s walls from the water

The final listed sight is Budva’s city walls. From land, you see the walls as part of the Old Town. From the sea, you gain a wider view of the fortifications, shoreline, and buildings packed behind them.
This is one of the most useful parts of the trip for first-time visitors. A waterfront stroll shows you one side of Budva, but a boat ride lets you understand the town’s position and gives you a cleaner view for photos.
The walls also add historical context to what could otherwise be only a swimming trip. Balsha provides background about the area while you travel, so you can connect the modern beach resort with the older fortified town.
Do not expect entry into the Old Town or a walking tour through its streets. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and the city walls are seen from the boat. Plan a separate visit if you want to explore the alleys, churches, museums, or ramparts on foot.
Why the small boat matters

The maximum group size is 10 people, though the outing can apparently run with fewer. That limit is a real advantage in Budva, where the harbor has many boat operators and larger vessels can make a short trip feel impersonal.
A small group lets you ask questions, adjust the mood of the outing, and spend more time doing what interests you. You can focus on snorkeling, swimming, photography, or listening to local stories rather than following a rigid program.
The experience also appears to be personal in a practical way. Balsha has gone ahead with the tour for a single person when that was the only booking, which suggests that a small booking may not automatically turn into a cancellation.
The trade-off is that a small wooden boat may offer fewer onboard comforts than a larger vessel. The supplied information confirms drinks and snorkeling gear, but it does not list shade, a restroom, seating details, or onboard storage. If any of those matter to you, ask before booking.
The value of $83.88 per person

At $83.88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look at Budva’s coast. You are paying for a private-style, small-group format, a local host, boat time, two swim areas, snorkeling gear, and a return to the starting point in about two hours.
The price makes more sense if you value personal attention and efficient sightseeing. A public boat may cost less, but it may also carry more people and offer a less flexible schedule. Here, the cost includes more than transportation from one beach to another.
It is also a practical option for a short stay. You can fit the trip between a morning walk through the Old Town and an evening meal, or use it as a break from sightseeing on a hot day. Couples and small groups can split the cost of a private-feeling outing without paying for a full-day charter.
For a solo visitor, the value depends on your priorities. The host has operated the trip for one person, but $83.88 is a substantial price for two hours when you are paying alone. You will need to decide if the local guidance, boat access, and swim stops are worth more to you than a cheaper shared excursion.
The rating is 4.8 from 40 reviews, with 95 percent recommending the experience. Those figures suggest strong satisfaction, especially with the scenery, host, and flexible feel, but they do not change the basic point: this is a short outing, and the per-person price reflects its smaller scale.
Weather, timing, and what to bring
The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is helpful, but you should avoid placing the tour on the last possible day of your visit if the boat outing is a major priority.
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.
Bring:
- A towel, since towels are not included
- Swimwear and any sun protection you normally use
- A small amount of personal gear, rather than a large beach bag
- Your mobile ticket and booking confirmation
The tour is suitable for most people, and the supplied information says most participants can take part. Still, snorkeling and swimming require you to be comfortable in the water. If you have a specific mobility, medical, or water-safety concern, ask the provider before booking because the available details do not explain those arrangements.
Who will enjoy this Budva boat trip
I would recommend it most to couples, families, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who want a compact outing with several different elements. You get sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, coastal caves, local stories, and drinks without signing up for a long cruise.
It is especially useful for first-time visitors who want an introduction to Budva’s shore before choosing where to return on foot. The Old Town walls, Mogren, Jaz, and Sveti Nikola each give you a different view of the area.
It also suits people who prefer a calm host and a flexible tone. Balsha is described as laid back and communicative, and the trip has been adjusted around weather and group size. That does not mean every departure will be completely custom, but it points to a less rigid experience.
I would think twice if your main goal is a long snorkeling session, a full beach day, or extensive historical guiding. The two-hour schedule cannot provide all three. It is best understood as a well-packed coastal introduction with time to swim.
Should you book it?
Book this Budva boat trip if you want to see the Old Town from offshore, visit Sveti Nikola, swim twice, and try snorkeling without giving up half a day. The small group, wooden boat, local stories, and friendly host make it more personal than a standard harbor ride.
Skip it if you need guaranteed long stops, extensive facilities, or a specialist snorkeling program. Also keep the weather rule and 24-hour cancellation deadline in mind.
For most people with a spare two hours in Budva, the trip offers a useful mix of town views and sea time. Bring a towel, keep your schedule flexible, and choose it for the local boat experience rather than expecting a full-day cruise.
FAQ
How long does the Budva boat tour last?
The experience lasts approximately two hours.
Where does the tour start?
It starts at Luchki Park in Budva, Montenegro. The listed location code is 7RJP+CQ9.
Where does the activity finish?
The boat trip ends back at the meeting point.
Which places are included on the route?
The listed stops are Sveti Nikola, Mogren Beach, Jaz Beach, and Budva’s city walls.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the stop at Sveti Nikola.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Soda or pop is included.
What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.
Just added around Budva
- Visit Budva, Kotor and Tivat by private car ( 3 in 1 )★ 5.0 · 7 reviews
- Paragliding in Budva with Certified Pilot (Free Pick-Up Included)★ 5.0 · 6 reviews
- Relaxing flight in Petrovac★ 5.0 · 8 reviews
- Tour Cetinje, Lovćen & Mausoleum★ 4.5 · 3 reviews
- Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city★ 5.0 · 4 reviews
- Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Dubrovnik airport★ 5.0 · 8 reviews
- Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Tivat airport★ 5.0 · 6 reviews
- Kotor Tour: Budva Old Town, Sveti Stefan & Skadar Lake Boat Trip★ 5.0 · 6 reviews
Cruises & Boat Tours, compared.

From Dubrovnik: Montenegro Boat Tour from Perast to Kotor
Read our review →
Skadar Lake National Park: Guided Boat Tour to Kom Monastery
Read our review →
From Dubrovnik: Montenegro Day Trip with Boat Cruise
Read our review →
From Kotor: Boat to Blue Cave & Lady of the Rocks &Submarine Base
Read our review →
Skadar Lake National Park: Guided Boat Tour with Wooden Boat
Read our review →
From Dubrovnik: Montenegro Day Trip with Cruise in Kotor Bay
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in


