Perast Old Town & Our Lady of the Rocks Boat Tour: Review

If you’re after a day trip that is super memorable from Kotor, Montenegro, visiting Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks is a totally brilliant choice. Doing it by boat, and in particular, by speedboat, is really, really the way to go. It offers a unique vantage point and, well, honestly, it’s just a really fun experience. This review breaks down my time on a Perast Old Town and Our Lady of the Rocks speedboat trip, hoping to give you all the lowdown, and hopefully to help you decide if it’s for you. We will be examining what makes it special, what to keep an eye out for, and if this aquatic spin truly does this trip justice.

The Allure of Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks

Perast, quite a charming little town, that’s right by the Bay of Kotor, and it gives you this immediate postcard feel. With old Venetian architecture, this spot is just rich with history and overflowing with a special atmosphere. It’s a quieter place than Kotor itself, meaning it’s often viewed as a more relaxed experience. That’s why plenty of visitors think it’s very attractive.

Our Lady of the Rocks, in a way it’s an artificial island. The island features a church with the same name, and is, as a matter of fact, steeped in local legend. The story says that sailors created the island way back when by dropping rocks in the water after, I mean really after, finding an icon of the Virgin Mary on a rock. That’s why you can appreciate the island, as it stands there, as a symbol of faith, tradition, and the area’s maritime history.

Why Choose a Speedboat Tour?

Now, I can definitely explain why a speedboat is the top choice. You might think it’s pretty self-explanatory, however, here are the specific factors. A speedboat trip is more than just a method to get there, you see. It adds a layer of thrills to the sightseeing. Picture yourself zipping across the beautiful bay, the wind playing with your hair, with impressive views. It is just incredible, isn’t it? I mean, the conventional tours can be, well, slightly slow and crowded. The speedboat gives you, arguably, more time to soak it all up because it makes the distances much shorter.

Another fantastic thing regarding the speed boat is it gives you access to certain smaller spots that you just would not see otherwise. You’re able to duck into little coves and sneak a peek at secluded shorelines. It actually lets you take in the landscape around Kotor Bay from a quite special and different position. Plus, getting a bit of speed while you are taking in the scenery adds some thrill. I mean, what can be bad?

My Personal Experience on the Tour

From the jump, you could just tell that our skipper knew what they were doing. We went at top speed but at no point felt like our safety was in question; actually it felt extremely safe and professional. This just gave all on board confidence and made the experience very relaxed, so, too it’s worth a mention.

As we pulled out of the harbor, Kotor’s cityscape faded back. As a matter of fact, you feel you are leaving civilization behind! The scenery really unfolded as we picked up some speed, and the change of pace was frankly just invigorating! The sun on our skin, coupled with splashes from the Adriatic, did leave me and everyone on board in high spirits. We were all soon smiling and just embracing it.

Our first pause came as we drew nearer to Our Lady of the Rocks. Approaching it from the water lets you appreciate the magnitude of it, yet that the setting is awesome. Going inside the church added historical perspective. The artworks, actually particularly the tapestries made by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović, had, arguably, unique and surprising stories to tell.

Then we headed back on the boat to Perast, and we really were just enchanted. The little baroque palaces and homes are lovely, that you are seeing from the shoreline is really cool. There was something especially fascinating to see, a stillness about the location. The atmosphere of it felt almost preserved in time. We disembarked for around an hour, which gave us enough time for a leisurely stroll. I went to a tiny cafe for an espresso.

What to Expect on a Speedboat Tour: A Detailed Look

Most speedboat trips to Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks are roughly around 2-3 hours long, but just in case you were wondering, that is typically enough time. Tours generally kick off from Kotor, yet sometimes other nearby cities based upon the tour operator. Before you agree, checking the fine details is arguably beneficial.

Many tours typically cover:

1. A thrilling ride along Kotor Bay.
2. A visit to Our Lady of the Rocks with adequate time to see the church and hear some history.
3. A stop in Perast, often lasting about an hour, that lets you wander through the town, get something to eat, and simply take it all in.

Usually guides share trivia during the ride, that gives context to the place. Verify that the tour is including things like life vests and possibly some bottled water too.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Tour

Here’s the part you need to plan for, or arguably think about! This may give you a seamless boat trip.

1. Remember to pack sunscreen, shades, and possibly a hat. Kotor Bay’s sun could be quite powerful.
2. Putting on a swimsuit underneath clothing may be worthwhile, specifically if the tour has swim stops.
3. Taking a little money can make life much easier if you want a souvenir or perhaps an easy treat in Perast.
4. Listen closely, so it is easy to grasp any directions or information your skipper provides.
5. Think about what is coming: You might encounter wind and splashes!

Photo Opportunities Galore

If you enjoy photography, I’ve just got to say that a speedboat trip similar to this has a lot of opportunities for unique shots, and not only photos of locations but friends, family. If the sun is up and out, the lighting conditions really create golden hour effects. Capture Kotor’s landscape when you are whizzing across the waves, get unique angles of Our Lady of the Rocks coming from the sea, or the narrow alleyways that are characteristic of Perast.

Is the Speedboat Tour Worth It?

I want to bring all of this together, right? If you’re considering a visit to Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks, I might suggest that the speedboat tour really does kick it up a notch, by several notches in fact. The speed adds thrill, you get those unbelievable sights, and it also generally really makes the best of your time.

It may cost a bit more than that conventional tour boat, but you are almost certainly paying for a more special, tailored, as well as frankly unforgettable experience. I recommend the boat trip for individuals, couples, including families. A bit of research looking at tour companies, plus what other people are saying may prove worthwhile. If, like your author, the trip is on a sunny day then this just improves the situation. Yet any visit when there are periods of clear sky will yield great results. Be certain not to hesitate booking, should a gap in your trip appear! Just do it.

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