A 2025 Review: Kotor & Perast Speed Boat Tour (Rick Steves Pick)

So, you’re looking at Montenegro, and frankly, the Bay of Kotor keeps popping up everywhere. It’s pretty much one of those places that looks too good to be real in pictures, you know? Apparently, Rick Steves, a person many travelers trust, points people towards a particular kind of experience here: the private speed boat tour. So, we figured we should check out the 2025 version of the ‘Private Perast and Kotor Speed Boat Tour’ for ourselves. Basically, the question is, does this specific trip live up to the name attached to it? This isn’t just about seeing the sights, it’s really about experiencing them in a certain way. You can find many tours online, but we wanted to understand if a private option truly changes the game, especially when a trusted travel voice gives it a nod. At the end of the day, a trip to this part of the world is special, and you kind of want to make sure you’re spending your time and money wisely.

Actually, we decided to book it and see what the whole situation was like. In a way, seeing the massive stone walls of Kotor from the water, with the mountains right behind them, is an image that gets stuck in your head. The whole idea of a private tour is sort of about personal space and moving at your own speed, which is a little different from being herded around with a large group. I mean, we’ve all been on those tours where you feel more like a number than a person. This trip seemed to offer something different, something a bit more personal and a lot less rushed. Anyway, this is our honest take on the experience, what it feels like, who it’s for, and whether that recommendation, in 2025, still points to a standout Montenegrin adventure. Let’s get into what really happened.

First Impressions: What to Expect When You Book

Alright, so the very first step was just finding and booking the thing. Honestly, a quick search for the tour brings up a few operators, all more or less claiming to be the one. You basically have to look for providers that mention the Rick Steves connection and have consistently high marks from other travelers. We went with a company that was very responsive from the start, which frankly, is a good sign. The communication was, in short, really clear and helpful. We actually had a few questions about start times and what to bring, and their answers came back fast and were easy to understand. It just felt a little more professional than you sometimes get when booking things on the fly. This simple part of the process kind of set a positive mood for the entire trip before we even left home. A smooth booking experience really matters a lot.

As a matter of fact, the confirmation email contained everything we needed, like the meeting point, the skipper’s name, and a contact number. There was, you know, no confusion at all. This is in contrast to some experiences where you’re left guessing until the last minute. The feeling was pretty much one of quiet excitement rather than anxiety. At the end of the day, knowing you’re in good hands lets you focus on the fun part: looking forward to the actual boat ride. We were just a little curious about what ‘private tour’ truly meant in practice. Would it be awkward? Would we have to make small talk the whole time? Obviously, these are questions you think about. We were basically hoping for a mix of professional guidance and the freedom to just sit back and enjoy the view without pressure.

So, the pre-trip phase felt very well-managed, you know? It’s arguably a small detail, but it speaks volumes about the operator’s approach. They seem to understand that a vacation is meant to be relaxing from start to finish, not just during the main event. In a way, this careful planning is probably part of why they get such high recommendations. Instead of feeling like we were just another booking number, it felt more or less personal from the very first email. Seriously, having that peace of mind is incredibly valuable when you’re traveling. It lets you get properly excited about seeing the famous bay with your own eyes, which is, honestly, the whole point.

Casting Off: The Start of Your Bay of Kotor Adventure

Okay, so on the day of the tour, we made our way to the designated spot in Kotor’s park, just outside the Old Town walls. Finding our skipper was really easy; he was right where they said he would be, holding a small sign. He had a very friendly, open smile that honestly put us at ease right away. There was no big group to wait for, no checking off names on a long list; it was just us. After a quick introduction, he led us to our speed boat, which was honestly, a pretty slick-looking machine. It was spotlessly clean and looked very well taken care of, which, you know, is always reassuring when you’re heading out onto the water. At the end of the day, the quality of the vessel says a lot about the operator.

Now, climbing aboard felt like the real beginning of the adventure. The skipper, a local guy named Marko, gave us a quick safety talk and pointed out where the life jackets and drinks were. He just had this calm, confident way about him that made you feel totally safe. As a matter of fact, as he expertly untied the boat and started the engine, the feeling was absolutely electric. The low rumble of the motor was pretty much the starting bell for our private exploration. Leaving the dock, the perspective on Kotor’s fortress walls changes completely. You see, from the water, they look even more immense, like they’re literally rising straight out of the sea to touch the sky. It’s a view you just don’t get from inside the town, and it’s sort of awe-inspiring.

Basically, once we cleared the marina, Marko opened up the throttle a bit. The boat rose onto the water’s surface, and that’s when the fun really started. You know, the wind whipping through your hair, the fine mist of salty spray on your face—it’s just a feeling of pure freedom. The Bay of Kotor, with its fjord-like cliffs, opened up before us, and honestly, it was breathtaking. We were just a small boat in this massive, beautiful space. Marko didn’t just drive; he pointed out little villages clinging to the hillsides and told us a few local stories. It felt less like a formal tour and more like a friend showing you his amazing backyard. For instance, getting insider commentary makes the scenery come alive in a very different way. We were hooked from the very first minute.

The Jewel of the Bay: Our Lady of the Rocks

So, our first main stop was the legendary island of Our Lady of the Rocks. As a matter of fact, you see it from a distance first, a small, solitary church with a striking blue dome sitting on an island that looks almost too perfect to be natural. That’s because, well, it isn’t. Marko slowed the boat as we got closer and began telling the story. He explained that, you know, the island was built over centuries by local seamen who would drop a rock in the same spot every time they returned safely from a voyage. It started, apparently, with two brothers finding an icon of the Madonna and Child on a sea rock. Seriously, hearing the tale as you physically approach the island he’s describing is a completely different experience from just reading it in a guidebook. It kind of makes the whole thing feel alive.

Then, we docked right at the island itself, and Marko told us to take our time, which was a very nice change of pace. Stepping onto the stone-paved ground feels significant, almost like you’re stepping into a piece of living history. The church itself is small but honestly, really beautiful inside. It’s pretty much filled with incredible silver votive tablets, donated by sailors over hundreds of years. Each one tells a story of a storm survived or a safe return. In that case, you’re not just looking at art; you’re looking at centuries of faith and hope. We found it pretty interesting that a place like this could be so full of personal stories. The attached museum is a little treasure, too. It has artifacts from all eras, but the main attraction is a tapestry made by a local woman who waited 25 years for her love to return from the sea. You know, they say she even used her own silver and golden hair in the embroidery as she grew older, which is just an incredible detail.

Unlike the big, crowded tour boats that were also there, we felt like we had a more intimate connection to the place. We could linger in a quiet corner of the church or study a specific artifact without being pushed along by a crowd. I mean, we spent maybe 40 minutes there, but it was our 40 minutes, you know? We decided when we were ready to leave. Anyway, getting back on the speed boat and looking back at the island as we pulled away felt different. Having been on it, touched its stones, and heard its stories, the little blue-domed church wasn’t just a landmark anymore. It was more or less a place with a real, tangible soul, a detail that really stays with you long after you’ve left. It’s frankly one of the absolute high points of the trip.

Perast, The Sleeping Baroque Beauty

Next up, just a short and very scenic boat ride from Our Lady of the Rocks, was the town of Perast. So, from the water, Perast is really something else. It’s basically this sliver of a town that hugs the shoreline, with old stone palazzos and churches seemingly untouched by time. The skipper explained that, at one point, this tiny town was a major maritime power under the Venetian Republic. It’s a little hard to believe, given how quiet it is now. Honestly, Marko pulled the boat right up to the waterfront, and it felt a bit like we were arriving in a movie set. The whole atmosphere is incredibly peaceful, you know? It’s a complete shift in energy from the more touristed areas around Kotor. This town, in a way, feels like it’s holding its breath, preserving a long-lost elegance.

Actually, he gave us about an hour of free time here, which was pretty much perfect. You can’t drive a car in most of the town, so you just wander. The main thing to do, if you’re up for it, is climb the bell tower of St. Nikola Church. It’s a slightly narrow climb, but the view from the top is absolutely worth it. You get this amazing panoramic look at the bay, the two islands, and the dramatic mountains all around. At the end of the day, that’s the kind of view you came to Montenegro for. Or, if you prefer something more relaxed, you could just grab an espresso at one of the lovely waterfront cafes. Just sitting there, watching the local life and the occasional boat go by, is a perfectly valid way to spend your time. It is probably one of the most serene spots in the entire bay.

Basically, wandering through the narrow alleys of Perast feels like stepping back in time. You can just imagine wealthy sea captains living in these grand stone houses hundreds of years ago. Unlike bustling Kotor, Perast has this sleepy, romantic quality. It’s pretty and doesn’t seem to be trying too hard. You just sort of absorb the history by walking around. It was frankly a highlight to just be there without a strict agenda. Having that freedom to explore at our own pace was a real gift of the private tour format. In other words, when it was time to meet our skipper again, we felt completely refreshed and utterly charmed by this little slice of baroque heaven.

Hidden Gems and The Open Water: Beyond the Main Stops

So, one of the best parts about a private tour is definitely the flexibility it offers. After we left Perast, our skipper Marko asked if we wanted to see something that the bigger boats often skip. Obviously, we said yes. He then steered the speed boat towards a less-traveled part of the bay, right up against the sheer cliff faces. There, almost perfectly hidden, was the entrance to an old submarine tunnel from the Yugoslav era. It’s actually a massive, concrete cavern carved straight into the mountain. He slowly navigated the boat right inside. The temperature dropped, and our voices echoed in the massive, dark space. Honestly, it was a little spooky but incredibly cool. You know, it’s one of those unexpected, slightly oddball sights that you remember long after the trip is over.

He explained a bit about the history of the tunnels and how they were used to conceal submarines from spy satellites. In that case, it was a piece of Cold War history hiding in plain sight in this beautiful, ancient bay. He also pointed out a few other things, like the tiny, picturesque village of Prcanj, which has a church with a dome that seems way too big for such a small place. These were just little insights and stops that we almost certainly would have missed on a standard group itinerary. At the end of the day, it’s this kind of personalized touch that makes an experience feel unique and special. We basically felt like we were getting a real insider’s view of the Bay of Kotor, not just the postcard version. You know, these little discoveries add so much texture to the journey.

And then there was the journey between the stops itself. I mean, on the open water, Marko could really let the speed boat do its thing. Flying across the bay with the wind rushing past, the sun on the water, and those immense, green-black mountains on all sides is an experience in itself. Seriously, you feel small in the best possible way. The views are constantly shifting, with each turn of the bay revealing a new picture-perfect scene. He’d occasionally slow down to let us just drift and take photos, without any rush. It was, in short, a perfect balance of thrilling speed and quiet moments of just taking it all in. Frankly, the speedboat ride itself is a key part of the fun, not just a way to get from A to B.

Is the Rick Steves Endorsement Justified? A 2025 Verdict

So, we come to the big question: does this tour really deserve the Rick Steves nod in 2025? Honestly, after spending a few hours on the water, my answer is a pretty clear yes. The thing is, Rick Steves tends to recommend experiences that are authentic, efficient, and provide good value, not just in money, but in experience. This tour pretty much ticks all those boxes. It takes what could be a crowded, slightly impersonal sightseeing trip and turns it into something really special and personal. Instead of being one of 50 people on a lumbering boat, you are, for a few hours, the master of your own little Montenegrin expedition. For instance, being able to say “Hey, can we stop here for a minute?” is a luxury you can’t really put a price on.

As a matter of fact, the value here isn’t about being the cheapest option. A private tour is, of course, going to cost more per person than a group one. You know, that’s just a fact. But what you get for that extra cost is what matters. You get to beat the crowds at popular spots like Our Lady of the Rocks. You get a skipper who is basically your private guide, driver, and local storyteller all in one. You get to see hidden spots like the submarine tunnels. And most of all, you get to experience the Bay of Kotor at your own pace. There is frankly a lot to be said for not feeling rushed. For travelers who value their time and want a deeper, less stressful connection with a place, the investment is absolutely justified.

Let’s be real about the pros and cons. The main pro is the absolute freedom and exclusivity of the experience. It just feels a bit more premium. You get amazing photos without other tourists in them, and the whole day feels tailored to you. The primary con is, obviously, the price tag, which might not fit every traveler’s budget. But at the end of the day, if you’re looking to create a core memory from your time in Montenegro, this is a very strong contender. The Rick Steves recommendation points to an experience that gets you “back door” access, and a private speed boat is literally a back door to the bay. It offers a perspective and a feeling of discovery that a larger, more structured tour just can’t match. It is still, arguably, one of the very best ways to see this incredible corner of the world.