The best time of year for a boat trip in Montenegro

There is no single best month for a boat trip in Montenegro. There is a best month for what you want: warm water, empty coves, good fishing or simply a calm day in the bay. This guide goes through the year so you can match the season to your plans.

The short answer

• For swimming: July, August and the first half of September.
• For fewer people and comfortable temperatures: June and September.
• For sightseeing rather than swimming: May and October.
• Winter: possible on a fine day inside the Bay of Kotor, but very few trips run.

Late spring: May and early June

The hills are green, the air is warm and the light is clear. The sea is still cool; some people swim happily and others last a minute. It is a lovely time for the Bay of Kotor, where the trip is about scenery, Perast and the islands rather than swim stops.

Not every owner has started the season, so there are fewer departures to choose from, but those that run are rarely full. Weather is more changeable than in summer: a day of rain or a windy spell is normal, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

High summer: July and August

This is the season most people picture. Days are long, hot and mostly dry, and the sea is at its warmest. Every kind of trip is running, from short hops to the islands off Perast to full days along the open coast.

It is also the busiest time everywhere: at the Blue Cave, on the islands, at the fuel docks and at beach restaurants. Two habits help a lot:

• Book several days ahead, especially for private boats and weekend dates.
• Go early. Morning departures get calmer water, softer light and quieter stops.

Heat on board

A small boat has little shade and the breeze hides how strong the sun is. Bring more water than you think you need, cover up and reapply sunscreen after swimming.

Early autumn: September and early October

Many locals call September the best month. The sea has had all summer to warm up and stays pleasant, the crowds thin out and the light turns golden. Prices and availability ease too.

From late September the days shorten noticeably and weather becomes less settled. By mid-October many owners take their boats out of the water, so check what is still running before you plan around it.

If your dates are flexible, aim for the second half of June or the first half of September. You give up very little and gain a great deal of space.

Winter

From November to April most boats are ashore. The coast gets a good share of its rain in these months and winds can be strong. Even so, the inner bay has calm, bright days when the mountains are capped with snow and the water is like glass. If you are here in winter and see a trip available, it can be a memorable one. Dress warmly and expect it to depend on the forecast.

Winds worth knowing

You do not need to become a sailor, but three names come up often, and they explain most changes of plan.

Maestral

A steady breeze from the sea that builds on summer afternoons and fades in the evening. It is a fair-weather wind, but it makes the open coast choppy later in the day. This is the main reason morning trips are smoother.

Jugo

A warm, humid wind from the south-east that brings cloud, swell and often rain. It is most common in autumn and spring. In jugo the open sea is uncomfortable, and trips usually stay inside the bay or are postponed.

Bura

A cold, dry, gusty wind that comes down from the mountains, mainly in the colder months. It clears the sky wonderfully but can be sharp and sudden. Skippers respect it.

The bay and the open coast are different

The Bay of Kotor is ringed by mountains and sheltered from the swell, so trips there are possible on many days when the open sea is not. The coast around Budva, Bar and Ulcinj faces the Adriatic directly and depends more on the day's conditions. If you are travelling outside high summer, or simply dislike a bumpy ride, a trip from Kotor or Tivat is the safer choice.

Planning tips for any season

• Put the boat trip early in your stay, so there is room to move it if the weather turns.
• Check the listing's free-cancellation period. On trips paid in cash on arrival, changing dates costs you nothing if you do it in time.
• Ask the owner the day before what the forecast means for your route. They watch the same stretch of sea every day.
• Pack for the season: an extra layer in spring and autumn, extra water and shade in summer.

Whichever month you choose, you can search trips by date to see what is running.