Swimming in the Bay
The Bay of Kotor is not a beach destination in the traditional sense. There are no wide sandy stretches lapped by gentle waves. Instead, the bay offers something different: crystal-clear water beneath towering mountains, accessed from stone jetties, pebble coves, and concrete platforms with ladders bolted to the rock. The swimming is excellent — the water is clean, calm, and deep enough to dive into from the shore in many places.
A rental car is essential for reaching most of these spots. Several are nothing more than a widened section of the bay road with a ladder descending into the water. Others are proper beaches with facilities, but set back from the main towns where buses do not run.
Water temperature in the bay ranges from about 14 degrees Celsius in January to a comfortable 25 to 27 degrees in July and August. The inner bay warms slightly faster than the outer sections near the Verige strait, where tidal exchange with the open Adriatic keeps temperatures a degree or two cooler. Visibility is typically excellent — 5 to 10 metres on a calm day.
1. Orahovac Beach
Between Kotor and Perast, the small settlement of Orahovac has a pebble beach backed by a handful of trees. The water is deep and remarkably clear. A waterfront restaurant serves grilled fish and cold beer. Park on the roadside or in the small lot behind the settlement. Ten minutes from Kotor, yet it feels like a different pace entirely.
The beach faces west, which means it gets afternoon and evening sun — making it an ideal late-day swim spot. A stone jetty extends into the water at the southern end, providing a platform for jumping and easy ladder access. The restaurant, Konoba Orahovac, is one of the best-value seafood spots on the bay road — grilled fish with salad and wine for under 15 euros.
2. Markov Rt (near Dobrota)
A rocky promontory jutting into the bay about 5 minutes north of Kotor. Concrete platforms with metal ladders provide access to deep, clean water. Popular with locals who swim here after work. No sand, no facilities, just water and mountains.
3. Bajova Kula (Perast)
At the southern end of Perast's waterfront, a small concrete bathing area faces directly across to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks. The water is deep and the view while floating on your back — islands, mountains, baroque palaces — is hard to beat anywhere in Europe.
4. Blue Horizons Beach (Lustica Peninsula)
A 20-minute drive from Tivat through the Lustica peninsula brings you to Plavi Horizonti — the bay area's only proper sandy beach. Shallow, warm water makes it suitable for families with small children. A beachside bar rents loungers and umbrellas in season.
5. Stoliv Waterfront
The tiny village of Stoliv, on the bay's western shore between Kotor and Tivat, has stone steps leading directly from the road into the water. Virtually no tourists stop here. The water is deep, sheltered, and surrounded on three sides by mountains.
6. Morinj Inlet
At the head of the bay's north-western arm, Morinj sits where a cold freshwater spring meets the sea. The water temperature drops noticeably — refreshing on a hot day, startling if you are not expecting it. A couple of simple restaurants nearby make it a good lunch-and-swim combination.
Catovica Mlini, the restaurant beside the spring outlet, is worth the trip regardless of swimming. Set beneath ancient plane trees with a millstream running through the terrace, it serves traditional Montenegrin dishes and fresh trout from the spring. It has been operating since the 18th century and the atmosphere is extraordinary. Reserve ahead in summer.
7. Prcanj Waterfront
The village of Prcanj, between Kotor and Tivat, has several unmarked swimming ladders along its waterfront promenade. The massive unfinished cathedral of the Birth of Our Lady provides an unusual architectural backdrop for a morning swim.
8. Zanjice Beach (Lustica)
Further along the Lustica peninsula from Blue Horizons, Zanjice is a pebbly beach at the peninsula's tip. Boats to the Blue Cave depart from here. The beach itself is pleasant and less developed than Plavi Horizonti.
9. Risan Waterfront
Risan's long, quiet waterfront has several points where concrete steps lead into the bay. Combine a morning swim with a visit to the Roman mosaics, which are a two-minute walk inland. The water here is the stillest in the entire bay — the surrounding mountains block most wind.
Swimming Tips
- Water shoes: Essential at rocky and pebbly spots. The stone can be sharp and sea urchins inhabit some areas.
- Ladders: Many spots use metal ladders bolted to concrete. They are sturdy but can be slippery when wet.
- Depth: Bay water is often deep right at the shore. Do not assume shallow entry — check before jumping.
- Season: Water temperatures are comfortable from June through September. May and October are swimmable but cooler.
- Jellyfish: Occasional in late summer, particularly near the Verige strait where currents bring them from the open sea. They are rarely dangerous but can sting. Ask locals about current conditions before swimming.
A Full-Day Swimming Itinerary
Start at Markov Rt near Dobrota for an early-morning swim (08:00). Drive to Orahovac for a mid-morning dip and fish lunch at the waterfront restaurant. Continue past Perast to Risan for a quick swim and the Roman mosaics. Loop back to Stoliv on the western shore for a late-afternoon swim in the quietest water on the bay. Return to Kotor via the Vrmac tunnel. Total driving time: about 90 minutes across the whole day. Total swimming spots: four, each with a different character.
Getting Around
All nine spots are accessible by car from Kotor in under 30 minutes. The bay road connects most of them in a single loop. Pack towels, water shoes, and a cooler bag, and make a day of it. If the Vrmac ridge hike leaves you overheated, our guide covers the ridge trail between Kotor and Tivat.
