REVIEW · KOTOR
Speed Boat Tour to Perast Old Town & Our Lady of the Rocks
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Tianis · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A speedboat on Boka Bay changes how fast you start smiling. What I like most is the speedboat ride through the heart of the bay and the way the tour pulls you straight into the stories of Our Lady of the Rocks. You get real time on the water, then quick, focused breaks on land.
There’s a lot packed into 2 hours, and I appreciate the small-group setup (up to 8 people) because it keeps the pace from feeling chaotic. One drawback to think about: time ashore is short, so you’ll want to arrive ready to walk quickly and pick what you care about most.
In This Review
- Key Things to Know Before You Go
- First Stop: Kotor to the Sea From Hotel Tianis
- The 2-Hour Plan: How the Timing Really Feels
- Gliding Through Boka Bay: Why This Boat Ride Matters
- Our Lady of the Rocks: Island Church, Museum, and the Stone-by-Stone Legend
- Perast Old Town: Short Walk, Big Payoff if You Choose Your Stops
- The “Photo Stop Outside Town” Moment: Nice, But Don’t Count on It
- What You’re Paying for: The $32 Value Check
- Comfort and Suitability: When a Speedboat Tour Is a Bad Fit
- Practical Tips I’d Use in Your Shoes
- Should You Book It?
- FAQ
- How long is the Speed Boat Tour to Perast Old Town & Our Lady of the Rocks?
- Where is the meeting point?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- What is included in the tour price?
- Do I have to pay for the Our Lady of the Rocks Museum?
- Is the tour guided, and in what language?
- How big is the group?
- What should I bring with me?
- Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues or wheelchair users?
Key Things to Know Before You Go
- Up to 8 people means you’re not sharing the boat with a crowd.
- Boka Bay speedboat views are the main event, with multiple water stretches.
- Our Lady of the Rocks island visit includes a museum stop, but tickets cost extra.
- Perast Old Town stop is timed for a stroll, photos, and a couple of key sights.
- An English-speaking guide is included, but the experience can feel more like point-to-point transfer on some departures.
- In busy season, double-check your route so you know your boat is headed to Perast and the islet you expect.
First Stop: Kotor to the Sea From Hotel Tianis
This tour starts at the reception of Hotel Tianis on Tabačina 16 in Kotor. You’ll meet your group there, then head straight to the boat for a ride that’s meant to feel efficient. It’s a good setup if you don’t want to spend half the day getting around by land.
What helps here is that the whole experience is built around one simple idea: see Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks without losing hours to travel. You’re not stuck in a long bus ride. Once you’re on the water, the bay does the work for you.
One more practical note: you’ll want ID or a passport with you. That’s not hard, but it’s one of those small details that can slow you down if you forget.
The 2-Hour Plan: How the Timing Really Feels
The tour is listed at 2 hours, with a mix of boat time and short stops. In real life, that means each moment on shore is “use it or lose it.” You’re not getting a slow museum day or an unhurried wandering afternoon.
The day flows like this in chunks:
- A speedboat segment of about 20 minutes
- Time on the Our Lady of the Rocks island (about 20 minutes)
- A short transfer by boat (around 5 minutes)
- A Perast break for photos and a walk (about 30 minutes)
- Then a final ride back by speedboat (about 25 minutes)
Also, there can be a bit of day-to-day variation in order. The general pattern stays the same: you’ll do the islet and Perast, but the sequence can feel slightly different depending on what your boat is assigned that day.
Gliding Through Boka Bay: Why This Boat Ride Matters
The best part is the part you can’t replicate on foot: the way the bay opens up once you’re out there. From the water, the scenery around Kotor looks sharper and more three-dimensional. You’re not looking at the coastline from one angle—you’re moving along it.
You also get a feeling for scale. Perast and its waterfront don’t seem as “distant” once you’ve actually crossed the water to reach them. It makes the rest of the day click: the towns feel connected by the bay, not separated by road.
One thing to keep in mind: speedboats are quick, and the ride can feel bouncy. The tour includes safety equipment and water, which is good, but you still should plan like it’s a fast, physical segment of your day. If you’re sensitive to motion, take that seriously.
Our Lady of the Rocks: Island Church, Museum, and the Stone-by-Stone Legend
Our Lady of the Rocks is the star stop. You’ll dock at the man-made islet, which is famous because it’s tied to a legend—and that story is part of why you’re going there at all.
On this stop, you’ll spend about 20 minutes exploring. You can expect two things:
- The church and interior spaces (the kind of place you’ll want to pause inside for a moment, even if you’re short on time)
- A museum visit tied to the island’s creation story, with artifacts preserved over centuries
There’s also a practical cost to know: museum entry is €3, and it’s not included in the tour price. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it does change the “final cost” a bit. If you care about the museum, bring cash or be ready to pay on site.
What I like about this stop is how it turns a quick boat trip into something meaningful. You’re not just collecting photos—you’re stepping into the reason the place is famous.
Perast Old Town: Short Walk, Big Payoff if You Choose Your Stops
After the islet, you’ll head to Perast Old Town. This part is timed for a stroll and a few sights, not a long sightseeing marathon.
You’ll have around 30 minutes to roam the narrow streets, take photos, and check out highlights like:
- The Maritime Museum
- Centuries-old churches
- Elegant palaces connected to local captains
There’s also time for something simple that you’ll be grateful for: a coffee by the sea (or at least a quick break near the waterfront). Perast is one of those places where even a short pause feels like it gives you the town vibe.
Two quick tips so you don’t waste your 30 minutes:
- Pick one church you want to see and treat it as your anchor.
- Spend your photos at the waterfront first. Once you’re inside streets and palaces, you’ll naturally take fewer wide shots.
The “Photo Stop Outside Town” Moment: Nice, But Don’t Count on It
The tour experience includes a scenic viewpoint component outside Perast, where you pause to take in views of the bay and the two iconic islands. That’s exactly the kind of stop that makes a short tour feel more complete.
That said, based on how the experience can run on different days, don’t assume you’ll get a long or perfectly timed photo moment. If getting those panoramic shots matters to you, be ready with your camera and your timing when you see the group slowing down.
In general, when a tour is compressed into 2 hours, those extra seconds matter.
What You’re Paying for: The $32 Value Check
At $32 per person for a 2-hour speedboat tour, the value is mostly about transport + access. You’re paying for:
- A speedboat ride across Boka Bay
- The Our Lady of the Rocks island visit
- A guide in English (in the way it’s supposed to be offered)
- Water and safety equipment
You’re not paying for a full-day wandering plan. You’re paying for efficient movement and a tight set of highlights.
Where the value can feel better or worse is the guide portion. The tour should include a live English guide, but some departures can feel more like a straightforward transfer. If you’re the type who wants constant storytelling and on-the-spot context, you should go in with realistic expectations: you’ll get a guide, but the structure may feel lighter than the description promises.
Also remember the museum ticket: €3 isn’t included. If you plan to visit the museum portion seriously, that’s part of your total.
Comfort and Suitability: When a Speedboat Tour Is a Bad Fit
This is not a “everyone welcome” kind of outing. It’s explicitly not suitable for:
- Pregnant women
- People with back problems
- People with mobility impairments or wheelchair users
That’s because the boat and the boarding/unboarding process can be tough, and motion on open water isn’t always gentle.
If you’re not sure whether you fit the limits, ask yourself two questions:
- Can you handle a short, bouncy boat ride without pain?
- Can you move comfortably and quickly between the boat and shore stops?
If either answer is no, you’ll likely enjoy the day more with a calmer alternative.
Practical Tips I’d Use in Your Shoes
Here’s how to make the day feel smoother and avoid surprises.
Double-check your boat’s route in busy season. During peak times, boat schedules can shift. Before you settle in, confirm that your trip is truly headed to Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast Old Town as promised. If you see the itinerary or boat assignments look different, speak up right away.
Pack for speed and sun. Bring sunglasses and wear comfortable clothes. You’ll be on open water and the sun can hit hard even when the day feels mild.
Leave big bags behind. Luggage or large bags aren’t allowed, along with alcohol and drugs in the vehicle. Keep it simple.
Wear shoes you trust on uneven ground. You’ll walk in and around old streets and waterfront areas, and the time on land is short enough that you’ll want your feet to feel steady.
Should You Book It?
Book this tour if you want:
- A fast, efficient way to see both Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks
- A speedboat experience that puts you on Boka Bay water instead of only looking at it
- A short, high-impact plan where you can still enjoy Perast on your own afterward
Skip it or choose something else if:
- You need a fully narrated, slow-paced history tour. The “guide and context” level can vary by departure.
- You’re uncomfortable with motion or have mobility limits that make boarding and short walks difficult.
- You’re hoping for lots of extra stops beyond the main islet + Perast pairing.
My take: at $32, this is a solid value if you treat it as a transport + highlight run. If you want a deeply guided, all-in-one cultural day, you’ll need to be pickier about what you book next.
FAQ
How long is the Speed Boat Tour to Perast Old Town & Our Lady of the Rocks?
The tour duration is 2 hours.
Where is the meeting point?
Meet at the reception of Hotel Tianis, Tabačina 16, Kotor.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
What is included in the tour price?
The tour includes the speedboat tour, Our Lady of the Rocks island visit, a guide, water, and safety equipment.
Do I have to pay for the Our Lady of the Rocks Museum?
Yes. Museum entry tickets are not included and cost €3.
Is the tour guided, and in what language?
Yes, there is a live tour guide, and the language is English.
How big is the group?
It’s a small group limited to 8 participants.
What should I bring with me?
Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and comfortable clothes.
Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues or wheelchair users?
No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and it’s also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.
