Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h

REVIEW · KOTOR

Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h

  • 5.04 reviews
  • From $150.49
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Operated by Tide and Wave · Bookable on Viator

Boka Bay views are better from a boat. This private 90-minute loop pairs Our Lady of the Rocks with a walk through Perast, both reached by water so you skip the long wait-around feeling. You’ll get a calm start with a short panoramic ride, then time to explore on your own.

I especially like how it gives you just enough time at each spot: about 20 minutes on the island, then roughly 30 minutes in Perast’s old town, plus a scenic return. It’s a good fit when you want the highlights without spending half a day on transportation.

One thing to plan for: parts of the island experience cost extra. You can explore the island area, but museum/church entries and even the toilet aren’t included, so bring some small euros.

Key highlights in a nutshell

Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h - Key highlights in a nutshell

  • Private boat for up to 10: you’re not sharing the day with strangers.
  • Island time at Our Lady of the Rocks: about 20 minutes to explore the man-made island.
  • UNESCO-protected Perast: walk the 17th-century streets with Venetian-style architecture.
  • Snorkeling masks provided: you’ll have the chance to swim in the bay.
  • Small comforts included: bottled water for each passenger.

Why this 90-minute private boat loop works so well from Kotor

If you’re basing yourself in Kotor, it’s easy to lose time to roads and parking. This tour flips the script. You start in town, then spend most of your time on the water in Boka Bay, with short, well-timed stops that feel like a highlight reel—without feeling rushed.

The whole experience is about 1 hour 30 minutes. That matters because you can fit it into a busy trip day. If you’re also doing a walk in Kotor’s old streets or a separate trip, this boat route keeps your schedule sane. And because it’s private, you can move at your group’s pace (and the skipper can adjust if you have very young kids).

Value-wise, the price is $150.49 per group up to 10. That sounds like a group-based rate, and that’s exactly what makes it attractive. With a small group, you’re still paying a premium for the private boat—but with up to 10 people, the per-person cost can become surprisingly reasonable for an experience that includes time on the water, water for everyone, and snorkeling gear.

You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Kotor

Panoramic ride through the bay: the part you feel instantly

Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h - Panoramic ride through the bay: the part you feel instantly
Before you even dock, you get a about 20-minute panoramic ride through the bay. This is more than a warm-up. It’s the fastest way to get your bearings—watching the water, the coastline, and the way the bay opens up. If it’s your first time in the area, you’ll understand the geography quickly, which makes the rest of the day click.

This also tends to set the tone. One review mentioned good tunes and a fun atmosphere, and that fits what you want on a short boat day: relaxed, not stiff. If you’re traveling with kids, that first stretch of ride is often when everyone settles in, because the kids can see the water go by and you’re not immediately “stopping and starting.”

Our Lady of the Rocks: what you get in 20 minutes (and what costs extra)

Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h - Our Lady of the Rocks: what you get in 20 minutes (and what costs extra)
Our Lady of the Rocks is the star image people post from Kotor—an island built in the middle of the bay. On this tour, your island time is about 20 minutes, which is enough to walk the area and take your photos without feeling trapped on a tight schedule.

Here’s the practical part: the island entry/exploration area is free, but optional indoor stops cost extra. The museum entry is 3 EUR, the church entry is 3 EUR, and the toilet on the island is 1.5 EUR. So if you mainly want the views and the atmosphere of standing on the water, you’re fine. If you want interiors, plan on those small adds.

Also, keep your time expectations realistic. 20 minutes disappears fast once you factor in walking, photos, and checking out the waterfront feel. If you’re traveling as a family, this is still workable, but I’d treat it as a scenic stop first and a museum/ church stop second.

Perast old town in a tight 30 minutes: where the details matter

Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h - Perast old town in a tight 30 minutes: where the details matter
After the island, you head to Perast, and this is where you get the “slow down” feeling—at least briefly. Perast’s old town is UNESCO-protected, and you’ll get around 30 minutes to explore it.

The key vibe is what the streets look like. Expect a town that carries a 17th-century feel with Venetian architecture. In a short time, you won’t be doing full sightseeing circuits, but you can still do the most satisfying thing: walk without rushing and let the buildings, doorways, and waterfront viewpoints do the talking.

Practical tip: use your 30 minutes like a mini mission. Pick one direction and walk it, then backtrack only once. You want a few photos from the waterfront and a feel for those narrow old streets. If you try to “hit everything,” the clock will win.

One more helpful detail: the tour includes a bottle of water for each passenger. That’s a small thing, but it makes Perast’s walk more comfortable—especially if you’ve got sun and you’re hopping between boat and cobblestones.

The return boat ride: where swimming opportunities show up

Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h - The return boat ride: where swimming opportunities show up
Once Perast time ends, you’re back on the boat for roughly 20 more minutes to return to Kotor. This is a great stretch to relax because you’re not juggling tickets or finding your way—just letting the bay scenery roll by.

And this is also where the snorkeling side can happen. The tour provides snorkeling masks, and you’ll have a chance to swim in attractive spots around the bay. One review specifically mentioned swimming in many attractive locations, and that matches the general idea of how a skipper uses the water time: stop when conditions and spots look good.

If swimming is part of your plan, bring a simple game plan:

  • wear swim-friendly clothing under basics if you can
  • bring a towel if you think you’ll get wet
  • be ready for a quick stop rather than a long instruction session (this is a short tour)

Even if you don’t swim, the masks are still a plus. You’ll see people gear up and it adds to the fun, especially on a lively boat day.

Skipper style and small-group flexibility (the stuff that makes it feel worth it)

Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h - Skipper style and small-group flexibility (the stuff that makes it feel worth it)
This tour works because of the human factor: the skipper. In one review, the captain was described as perfect and skilled, and another noted the boat trip had a crazy, fun atmosphere with great tunes.

Most importantly, the skipper can adapt. One review praised how the skipper adjusted the tour for a group traveling with three very young children. That’s exactly the kind of flexibility that matters on a short schedule. When kids are involved, you want a guide who doesn’t treat the plan like a rigid checklist.

There’s also a useful name to know from the booking side: Alexa Miyanovic. One review thanked her for arranging a boat when it was essentially a last-chance situation. If your trip timing is tight, it’s a signal that the operator can move quickly to solve problems.

Price and inclusions: is it good value for what you actually do?

Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h - Price and inclusions: is it good value for what you actually do?
Let’s break down what you’re getting for $150.49 per group (up to 10), because value is about the bundle—not the headline number.

Included:

  • Bottled water for each passenger
  • Snorkeling masks (gear provided)
  • Private boat time with the key stops: Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast
  • Pickup offered (availability is part of how you arrange your exact start)
  • Mobile ticket for the experience

Not included:

  • Museum/church access on Our Lady of the Rocks: 3 EUR each
  • Toilet on the island: 1.5 EUR
  • Anything else you personally add on top of the island area exploration

For a private 1.5-hour boat day, the inclusion of snorkeling gear and water reduces “extra costs” later. The optional fees are small, and because they’re optional, you can decide on the fly whether you want indoor stops. That flexibility is part of the value.

The biggest “value question” is who you’re traveling with. If you’re only 2 people, you’ll likely feel the private premium more strongly. If you’re 6–10 people, this becomes much easier to justify for a quick, water-based tour that’s hard to replicate on your own without coordinating everything.

Practical tips for a smooth day on Boka Bay

Private tour Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks 1.5h - Practical tips for a smooth day on Boka Bay
This is a boat tour, so you need to think like a sailor for a moment.

  • Weather matters: the experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.
  • Bring small cash in euros: if you want the museum or church at Our Lady of the Rocks, it’s 3 EUR each, and the toilet is 1.5 EUR.
  • Plan for quick stop timing: island time is about 20 minutes and Perast time is about 30. That means you should keep your must-dos simple.
  • Snorkeling readiness: if you might swim, wear something that dries and bring a towel if you have one.
  • Comfort on cobblestones: Perast’s streets are old-town style. Go for comfortable walking shoes.

Good news: the tour notes that most travelers can participate, service animals are allowed, and it’s near public transportation. If you’re coordinating pickup, confirm what works best for your group so you’re not sprinting with a phone full of expectations.

Should you book the Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks private tour?

I’d book this if you want a short, scenic boat day that hits the two big names—Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast—without turning it into an all-day production. The private boat angle is the big sell, especially if you’re traveling with family or a small group that prefers a little control.

Skip it or think twice if:

  • you want long stays in each place (20 minutes and 30 minutes are tight)
  • you’re only interested in museum/church interiors (those cost extra, and your time window is limited)
  • you’re traveling when weather looks shaky and you hate schedule uncertainty

If your goal is a fun, efficient taste of Boka Bay with water views, quick exploring, and the option to swim, this tour has a very clear purpose—and it does it well.

FAQ

How long is the private Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks tour?

It’s approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

What is the meeting point for the tour?

The start point is Tide And Wave Boat Tours Kotor at CQG9+J47, E65, Kotor, Montenegro. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How much does the tour cost and how many people can be in the group?

The price is $150.49 per group, for up to 10 people.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered.

What stops are included?

You visit Our Lady of the Rocks and then Perast, with a return boat ride to Kotor.

Is entry to Our Lady of the Rocks included?

The island exploration time is included, but museum entry and church entry are not. Museum and church entrances cost 3 EUR each, and using the toilet costs 1.5 EUR.

How much time do you have at each stop?

You get about 20 minutes on Our Lady of the Rocks and about 30 minutes exploring Perast.

What’s included with the boat ride?

Bottled water is provided for each passenger, and snorkeling masks are provided for swimming.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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