Personal Sailing Experience in Montenegro, stunning Kotor bay

One quite peaceful morning, the sun was rising behind our backs, bathing the mountain tops with their first rays. The mixed colors of gold, green cypresses, tall oaks made the scene amazing. After breakfast we will go to sea. We made plan a month ago. John, Dave, Mike, Juliet and Jamie. They heard many times from me about the beauty of Montenegro. I had the opportunity to meet them at a seminar in Rome.

Travelers, nature lovers, mountaineers and Kite surfers travel the world whenever the opportunity arises. During the evening hours in Italy we talked about everything. Dave, unlike the others, has repeatedly read about a new destination, very popular in Montenegro. A country where you can go ski and after that on sailing or kite surfing in an hour.

Organic food and hospitality of Montenegrin people

The plan is we will go to the sea via new Highway to Cetinje with two cars, we carry a lot of things, camping equipment, kite surfing and fishing so the cars are full. We will not stop this time and visit the mountainous landscape above the coast. The weather is great, the forecast says moderate NW, and at night a calm North. Just like in the good old days when the winds had some order. NW known as Maestral is best for sailing. Stable, and can take us anywhere. He is like a road sign to on the shore, but for us sailors great sign at sea. It means stable weather and not very big sea. After all, even though my guests are addicted to adrenaline, I have no intention of bringing them to race sailing. I have never sailed with them, we are not well versed in that.

A boat we rented was waiting us in Tivat. Marina Porto Montenegro. We chose Jeanneau 45, its price was OK, as well as the number of cabins. Although most of the day and night we will spent in the cockpit. Still, it is important that everyone has their own comfort. It will be sailing without a plan for where we will go simply.

Local sailing company in Tivat

We knew we wanted to visit Kotor and Perast as old capitals of Boka Kotorska and the pearls of the Mediterranean, the rest was of little importance. Out trip to the Tivat was pleasant and he passed in our conversation. Tivat was Navy center years ago. Today ex Navy base is Porto Montenegro. A luxury resort and best marina in Europe. Marines are no longer what they used to be, especially when it comes to mega yachts. They support hotels, restaurants, residential, healthier shops. So Montenegro and Tivat have something to boast about. We parked our cars in a well-organized marina parking lot with the passes we received. Since we were only a hundred yards from the ship, we transferred our belongings to the vessel in an hour.

Marian who greeted us in front of the company was tasked with working with me as the captain to check list of the ship. Tickets, navigation and safety equipment, radio station, inventory … During this time my guests arranged all the things not to be thrown around the ship and agreed where they would go first.

Sailing classes and tips

The wind was still NW and was just catching up. Have a fair winds, watch Channel 24 they have weather forecast throughout the day. Although he knew me well as a sailor Marjan had his own procedure and strictly adhered to, he was professional. I appreciate it, so I let him finish his job. Soon he let of our ropes. It was time to enjoy. The Yanmar engine on the boat was barely audible. The neatly organized moorings in Porto were divided by the size and length of the charter berth for the vessel. We were tied right next to the Regent Hotel.

Our decision was to sail first between Tivat, St. Marko Island and Flowers Island. This part of aquatory is used as a racing field. Our friend Maestral wind manages blowing from Krašići and from the direction of Herceg Novi, so good sailing was guaranteed. Each day of our sailing will be personal sailing experience Montenegro have what to offer.

Sailing is a personal experience

Sailing is a very personal thing. Up to me. Full button main sail, a big genoa, up to our request for better sailing. The dacron sails were lighter, so sails should respond well to weaker winds. One word. Time to sail. They raised firstly the main sail up to my command , then the Genoa. We switched off the engine very quickly and began to enjoy the wonderful sound of the wind, which swept through the sails.. We didn’t need the music anymore, it was redundant. Direction to s St. Marko Island, where we will drop the anchor and swim. The colout of the sea is turquoise, and if you come early it is very possible that you will be alone.

The anchor holds well here so I could have a swim with them too. I knew that after swimming they would be hungry, so I went out of the water before them. Served breakfast for domestic specialties, cold brandy, homemade bread. I also managed to boil a couple of eggs so that the pleasure was complete.

Sailing trough the stunning Kotor bay

Today, sailboats are equipped as fancy apartments. They literally have everything. A fridge, a good gas stove that is fast, a small part in the fridge that is an ice maker, a TV, good Wi Fi, DVD player you can listen inside and out. But me and my crew, we will need a fridge, a stove and music.Simply as that. The cabins were spacious nicely spaced two front two in the back. Spacious lounge (for sailboats) nice large dining table, two bathrooms. Coming out of the sea, a snack set in the cockpit of the boat was at everyone’s fingertips, so with a light story we ate everything and headed on.

Nowhere is man can be hungry like at fresh air. And we had it in abundance. After lifting the anchor, we passed the strait between St. Mark’s Island and Flower Island. We raise our sails again. Sailing experience mode is back. We are agreeing to sail over Kamenari and Lepetani because of the ferry that connects the two sides of the coast. At the time of Austro-Hungary, they controlled from two shores and who they would let to come in Boka Kotroska. At the bottom of the canal was a chain that would be lifted, stopping or lowering ships as needed. We sailed in silence, each in his own thoughts, but also on the task.

Perast and Our Lady of the Rock

A few crossings pass the channel. On our left hand side Island Our Lady of Rocks and St. George, as well as Perast, Capital city of ola Boka Kotorska Republic. It has not been disturbed, but preserved as a unique capital city. Pearl of the Mediterranean. We will not stop here now this time. Decision is Kotor, we have booked a berth in the marina for the night. Boka is one of the most beautiful and largest fjords in Europe. And literary every time when I sail try this fjord I fell so fantastic and proud.

Looks fascinating. The high slopes of the mountains that surround Boka Kotorska protected her for centuries from the Austro Hungarian Kindom, Turks and other invaders. Because of the sheer height of the mountains, the sun was setting here earlier. Perast, Orahovac , Dobrota and Kotor were bathed in Sun while other side of the bay was in the shade.

We take off sails, slowly moving by engine to the bottom of the bay where Kotor is located. Described by its medieval walls, it proudly made it known that it was a steal with a very old and respectable history. We moor at the marina, wash the boat of salt. We agreed that they would go ti visit Kotor till I to finish wit a boat.

Visiting Kotor by night

I’m the skipper on this journey, not the guest. The rules of the skipper’s behavior are clearly defined and the fine line between work and socializing can sometimes make a problem. This is exactly why I decided to stay. We leave early in the morning.So I must be ready, to wake up before everybody. Prepare brequast, and take a course. Mooring in the Kotor marina is not expensive, and is located just across the old town. It is not easy to find such marina in the front od medeval fortres.

Before they wake up, I start the engine and, slowly, not wake them up, took a course tofor Herceg Novi, which is a two and a half hour drive. Apparently tired of the previous day, my guests were sleeping deep. Nowhere you will sleep as on the boat. Through the hull of the vessel can be heard any wave, which further calms and relaxes everyone. At the Kotor market, I took domestic bread, homemade cheese from oils, olives, hand-developed noodles for pasta, organic tomato, goat’s curd, sour milk. I know they’ll be as hungry as wolves when they get up.Near Zelenika, they began to rise one by one.

Authentic coastal city Rose

They all found themselves in the cockpit when I anchored the ship at Rose. Another authentic coastal city. Rose was named after the wives of seafarers who, with tears, accompanied their husbands on ships and long voyages. That’s why they’re called Rose. Breakfast on board is really unique moment.Shrimps in domestic wine and olive oil were fresh, taken out last night so a person could eat them live without any worry. We were looking at the old Forte Rose Fort, which in the ancient past protected this small and charming place from pirates.

After breakfast and swimming we will sail along Herceg Novi Bay, sail Mamula, reach Prevlaka, after all, we have no goal but to be nice. Our day went on like this. During the rule of Austro-Hungary, the overlays of Mamula and Arza defended the entrance to Boka from intruders. The sight that was sailing in front of us seemed like we were going back centuries. Well preserved fortresses resisted the tooth of time. NW wind followed us all the time, so we managed to reach 9 knots of speed.

Mirista Monastery and spirituality

I knew they would like the Mirista. It’s safe for anchoring, so will spend the night under the stars. The agreement was that in the morning we will visit the Holy Virgin Monastery built in the 12th century by stranded Greek sailors who saved themselves there. Located on a small island, this small building looked fabulous. We drop anchor in turquoise blue water and the most beautiful bay in Montenegro. The sea is so clear that any fish or octopus can be seen. I set the anchor alarm in the case of anchor moving off during the night. Although the night will be peaceful, we can be calm. After so much sailing, we didn’t have the strength to go to Ribarsko Selo, a restaurant that has all the traditional fish specialties of fresh fish and seafood on the menu.

We stayed on the boat. There is no better sunset than on the Mirite. When the golden color spills over the beautiful sea, it feels as if you are bathing in gold. For a long time we sat with wine and talked on the boat. At night it became ripe, and fatigue took its toll. No one wanted to sleep in a cabin so they make a choice to be next to a star-studded sky. We spread out across the broad deck. Everyone pulled out his sleeping bags and immersed himself in his sleep for a moment. That’s how it is on board.

Early morning bathing, silence hugging the entire Kotor bay

Early morning bathing, silence hugging the entire bay and so selfishly guarded it. Only we were heard gliding through the sea, we all swam enjoying in a sunrise. Today we are fishing till we will sail to Lustica and the Bigova. There should be palamida fish. Maybe we will have fresh fish lunch. Taking out of anchor chain we collect broke up incredible silence. The guys take out and prepare the fishing rods. We decided on two rapalas and one straw.It is our fishing tactic.

Secret gems of Montenegro

Good bay to Miriste, Holy Virgin Monastery island, Arza and one wonderful night under the stars. Adio Miriste, I whisper to him, purely that it knows how much I love him. This time we are using engine, it’s too early so there is no wind.

We adjusted the speed to make our fishing sense. 4 knots. Since we are not going to change the direction I put auto pilot on, so I will be able to help if guys will need. The sea smells on fish. A sign that there is one. Just gonna be lucky? “This is a few days,” Dave said and it is not enough at all. Montenegro Wonders have a right. Still, my personal sailing experience is excellent. It is very important not to rush and make sailing plans that will make us to be as on the race. Then it all makes sense, I explained.

I wanted to show them the Blue Cave. Since it was early, there were no tourist boats that would spoil the whole impression. We assembled fishing tackle. I stopped at the Cave so I could swim easily. When you see guests who can’t get a smile off their face, you don’t need any other proof that they’re happy. This is how they looked. Now I want to take you to a place where you will meet the Montenegrin beauty on the other way. At Oblatno.

Party time

Next to the beautiful beach, I knew they had Lounge style, Dj a cocktails during the day. Whoever I brought there either married immediately or remained forever in love. In addition to all the natural beauty, women on this side of the world are widely known for their gracefulness. Our sailing ended there because they did not want to go any further. We spent that day and the next night on the buoy, the sounds of lagoon techno sound lasted until the morning . They did not even return to the ship until noon. I never asked what happened there. But it was clear. By taxi, they returned to Tivat with the agreement to continue where we left off in September.