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Yachting in Montenegro
Tivat is home to Porto Montenegro, one of the largest superyacht marinas in the world, which has put Montenegro on the radar of many boaters and lifestyle enthusiasts. With the growing demand for recreational sailing and nautical tourism in general, the port infrastructure here and in the country’s other yacht marinas is constantly improving.
Marinas in Montenegro
Billionaire superyacht owners have many things to be concerned about. For instance, where to park a yacht that measures more than 100 meters? While not many ports can accommodate large superyachts, Porto Montenegro can handle vessels of up to 250 meters, making it one of the only choices in the Mediterranean.
In total, the marina has 481 berths, a modern port infrastructure with many marine services, and an abundance of fancy eateries and shops for the crew and the guests on board. Further round the Bay of Kotor, the brand-new and luxurious Portonovi comes with 238 berths able to handle yachts of up to 120 meters.
Another popular port is the Lustica Bay Marina which currently features 115 berths for boats of up to 45 meters in length. It plays host to numerous events throughout the year as well, including popular sailing regattas and sports events. Mooring costs in these marinas can be quite pricy so it is always worth comparing prices.
All of the marinas are continuously being updated with more berths and improved amenities to meet the needs of even the most demanding yachties. Montenegro’s marinas are places to relax, share a meal, go for a drink, shop, and be entertained, and many striking waterfront restaurants and refined shopping boutiques only waiting for you to be discovered.
Porto Montenegro
Porto Montenegro: The first superyacht marina in this part of Europe featuring many luxury boutiques, restaurants, and waterfront cafes.
Lustica Bay
Lustica Bay is one of Montenegro’s best marinas, being able to dock yachts of up to 45 meters. Good local restaurants line the picturesque harborfront.
Portonovi
Sitting within the Bay of Kotor, Portonovi is a sheltered marina in a stunning location with top-notch international hotels, restaurants, and designer brands.
Yacht Charter Companies
Montenegro’s marinas are home to a wide choice of yacht charter companies that offer all types of boats – from small sailboats to catamarans and even crewed luxury yachts. Whether you’re looking to spend a sunny day on the deck of a yacht in an intimate, picturesque cove or sail to neighboring Adriatic destinations on a catamaran, the specialized charters below will make you feel like you’re owning the boat (without the hassle of having to maneuver yourself).
IYC Luxury Yachts Sales & Charter
IYC is one of the leading yacht charter companies globally specializing in fancy superyachts and luxurious sailing yacht rentals. Its Porto-Montenegro-based subsidiary will plan private charters as well as bespoke group journeys for you, leaving you with one task only: to relax and enjoy your upcoming Adriatic adventure.
LXRY42 Yachting
Since 2023, this newcomer to the local charter scene launched a refined dayboat charter service on a pair of retro-style speed boats; further yachts are already in the pipeline. With smooth lines and custom wood and leather finishings, the Qnautic Q52 and the Scanner 1100 Envy are a modern fusion of classy design and modern comfort, perfect for idyllic cruises along Montenegro’s stunning shorelines.
S Nautica
Based in Porto Montenegro, S Nautica is a yacht brokerage that also offers a wide selection of vessels for charter. Whether you envision a legere day cruise on a Cranchi E26 Classic, a multi-day family holiday on a Ferretti 960, or pure hedonism on the 50-meter-long Philip Zepter superyacht, S Nautica will craft the ideal yacht charter experience for you.
CharterMNE
Situated in Tivat, this company specializes in crewed daytime charters and offers a sizeable fleet of catamarans and sailing boats. Its location within the Bay of Kotor makes a great springboard for trips along the Lustica Peninsula coastline as well as cross-border voyages to Dubrovnik, Croatia. CharterMNE is run by a team of avid sailors.
Yacht Brokerages
Boaters are a special bunch, blessed with the opportunity to enjoy fun and exciting weekend getaways and week-long trips when time allows. The lucky, successful few who can afford to buy a yacht have plenty of brokerages to choose from in Porto Montenegro and the other marinas. Avoid expensive mistakes new boat owners make by choosing a reputable brokerage.
Rockstar Yachts
Rockstar Yachts is dedicated to the buying and selling of power and sailboats (new & used). They have also teamed up with Prestige, Fiart, and Agilis Jet Tenders and are their official distributor for Montenegro. With 7 years of experience, they have gained an excellent reputation in the field of yachting services which includes insurance, registration, refitting, and legal support.
MennYacht Montenegro
MennYacht is one of the largest luxury yacht service providers in Europe and can assist with buying, selling, maintaining, and servicing motor and sailing yachts. MennYacht is an exclusive dealer for many iconic international brands such as Pershing, Ferretti, Riva, Mochi Craft, and CRN. They have a good number of new and used boats available for sale.
Maritime Training Centers & Sailing Schools
With such a long maritime tradition and a growing yachting industry, it is not surprising that yachting jobs are gaining momentum in Montenegro. Besides the locals for whom becoming a seafarer is often a childhood dream, learning the different aspects of seamanships and working aboard superyachts, is also increasingly popular with people from abroad.
To secure a job, crew members must pass a series of STCW-compliant training courses first. The Azalea Maritime Training Center in Bijela is currently the only facility in Montenegro where professionals can obtain certificates of competency and practical training is also offered on ship simulators.
When it comes to professional and recreational sailing, there is no shortage of schools in the country. The Sail Band Sailing School in Porto Montenegro teaches you how to sail independently and become a skipper on a yacht. Take one of their course packages that will prepare you for the Bareboat Skipper Sail IYT (and Bareboat Skipper Power IYT) License with theoretical and practical 10-13 day courses.
Geared towards children and teenagers, the Porto Montenegro Yacht Club offers a Youth Sailing scheme, where the RYA-certified courses are completed in small Picos or J70 keelboats at an affordable price. Montenegro Outdoors in Herceg Novi offers 90-minute sailing sessions in English with a licensed instructor to learn sailing basics and improved techniques.
Boat License in Montenegro
Find out about the best ways to obtain a power or sailing boat license in Montenegro and start exploring the seas on your own or as a skipper on other yachts.
On-Board Catering
Luxuriating on board your luxury yacht in the Adriatic is all about celebrating life to the fullest. Dining together and sharing meals are some of the most precious, entertaining moments on board. That is why yacht catering companies are a staggering addition to every elevated yachting experience.
Fortunately, Montenegro is home to a good choice of local caterers who specialize in on-board provisions of tasty, high-quality local and international specialties. They can also arrange for corporate & private parties, weddings, and more bespoke events. Luxury Event Catering Tivat and Nar Catering are two local firms that can accommodate all your requirements.
Yacht Suppliers
With so many boat enthusiasts arriving in Montenegro to sail on their yachts or explore the beautiful coastal landscapes in style on a charter yacht, it is essential to have the right marine suppliers at hand – just in case. Yacht and Home in Tivat specializes in sailmaking & repairs and fully-tailored canvas and upholstery works, aiming at enriching living spaces on board yachts of all sizes.
In Tivat, the Lunamar Nautic Shop and Lalizas Montenegro offer all sorts of maritime equipment and nautical goods, including lubricants, lotions, and garments for your boat. In Herceg Novi, you’ll find Ancora and the Marine Center Zelenika. UNA Montenegro has a couple of nautic stores dotted around the country, catering to mariners as well as fishermen.
Yacht Maintenance
A crucial element of yacht ownership is maintenance. Your yacht needs to be professionally serviced to ensure operation and preservation of value. The Adriatic coast is prone to abruptly changeable weather and prolonged exposure to intense winds, rain, and UV rays can lead to severe cracking and fading of materials.
Luckily, there are dozens of yacht maintenance companies in Montenegro that can help you service and repair all of your sailing or motor yacht’s components and onboard systems. Navar is situated in Tivat and can help with engine service, winterization (washing, changing oil and filters, storing), priming & polishing, and teak treatments.
Yachting Events
Each year Montenegro plays host to several events related to the yachting industry. The Superyacht Rendezvous, crew awards, regattas & races draw visitors from across Europe and beyond to enjoy the nautical vibes and festive spirit. The regatta season lasts from March until October.
The Superyacht Rendevouz
The Superyacht Rendezvous has been a permanent fixture on Monaco’s event calendar for the last 25 years before it was permanently transferred over to Montenegro. It is focused on the social, human, and glamorous side of yachting and the yachter’s lifestyle.
This event welcomes both sailing and motor superyachts and provides a chance for yacht owners to meet and mingle with the wider yachting community. It is a 3-day event and includes gala dinners, stylish cocktail parties, unwinding at the Buddha Bar Montenegro, and boat jaunts.
The Fasinada Cup Regatta
The Fasinada Cup is the largest and most popular regatta in Montenegro attracting a high level of participation. It takes place on July 22nd each year and participants race in up to ten different classes. The Fasinada makes for a great day out by the sea to admire the sailing boats passing in and out of the bay at high speeds.
Match Race WMRT
The Match Race at the beginning of June each year is one of the highlights of Montenegro’s yachting calendar and is very competitive and fast-paced. Pairs of identical J70 sailboats with a crew of four or five race against each other over three thrilling days, and there can only be one winner!
Thousand Island Race
The Thousand Island Race is one of the most interesting and demanding regattas in the Montenegrin and Croatian Adriatic and starts every year from the Port of Rijeka. Organized by the Porto Montenegro Yacht Club and the Sailing Club of Rijeka, this regatta is all about finding the fastest way to sail from Rijeka to Tivat and back (there are two legs).
The Crew Awards
ACREW and Porto Montenegro have partnered up to organize the annual Crew Awards, where superyacht crew members are honored for their hard work and achievements in the year prior. The 2-day event takes place in October and attracts hundreds of yachting professionals and encompasses more than 10 award categories.
Yacht Agencies
For a start, it can be incredibly time-consuming and stressful to manage yacht-related logistics and operations all by yourself. Luckily, there are yacht agents for that matter who can assist with the most crucial tasks such as refueling, berth reservations, customs clearance, crew change, immigration formalities, provisioning, and many more.
Located in Porto Montenegro, A+ Yachting ensures that every detail of your trip to Montenegro is conscientiously considered. Their team will happily give you pre-arrival instructions and help with immigration authority clearance. They have an excellent reputation locally in the field of their work and have helped many visitors to Montenegro.
Yacht Agent Montenegro is headquartered in Bar but also handles operations in the ports of Kotor, Tivat, and Budva. From delivering provisions and (tax-free) bunkering to hotel reservations and crew transfers, they’ll be able to help you with your requests at affordable rates.