Bar – Petrovac – Sveti Stefan – Budva – St. Nicholas Island – Hawaii Beach – Kraljičina Plaza – Bar
The Montenegrin coast can be explored by car, strolling through ancient towns and stopping at popular beaches. But there’s another way to see the Adriatic: a boat cruise.
This journey allows you to see Montenegro from a completely different perspective. From the water, you’ll discover panoramas of mountains, ancient towns, islands, and small bays, many of which are virtually invisible from land.
Our route runs along one of the most beautiful parts of the Montenegrin coast: from Bar through Petrovac and Sveti Stefan to Budva, then to St. Nicholas Island with its famous Hawaii Beach, and then on to the secluded Kraljičina Beach, or Queen’s Beach, near the village of Čanj. Bar – the beginning of a sea voyage
Our journey begins in Bar, one of Montenegro’s main port cities.
We used one of the many companies organizing sea voyages. Our group was quite large, consisting of 10 people. We chose this route for several reasons: a two-hour stop on St. Nicholas Island, and departure around 8:30 a.m. (Other boats departed earlier).
Of course, we hoped that the boat would be less crowded at the end of the season, but our expectations were disappointed. Especially since it was Saturday and the weather was magnificent!
Bar is interesting because it offers several completely different worlds side by side. The modern city is located right by the sea, and a little further away, at the foot of the mountains, lies Old Bar with its medieval ruins and stone streets. But we leave the city behind and head out to sea. As soon as the boat leaves the port, the coastline gradually recedes. The Adriatic opens up before us, and behind us lies the city against a backdrop of towering mountains. It’s from this point that the main advantage of the sea route begins: we see Montenegro not from a car window, but from the water.
From the sea, the coastline looks completely different. Mountain slopes literally rise from the Adriatic, with small towns and resorts appearing between them, and numerous bays and beaches along the coastline.
Petrovac – a cozy seaside resort
We sailed to Petrovac along the beaches of Buljarica, past Lucice Beach, and the Petrovac town beach.
Our first stop was Petrovac. This small resort town is located in a picturesque bay. It’s easily recognizable by its red roofs, green slopes, and the old fortress Kastio, located right by the water. From a boat, Petrovac looks especially harmonious. The town seems hidden between green mountains and the sea, and its small bay provides a natural backdrop for a boat cruise.
We stopped here for an hour, where some people swam and others had time to have breakfast.
Sveti Stefan – Montenegro’s most recognizable panorama
We then sailed past Peražić Do Beach.
Our next stop was Sveti Stefan.
This small stone island with red roofs is considered one of the main symbols of the Montenegrin coast. Sveti Stefan looks impressive from the shore, but it’s from the sea that the view is especially beautiful. You can see the entire island, its stone houses, fortress walls, and the narrow isthmus connecting it to the mainland. Green mountains rise against the backdrop of the island, and the deep blue Adriatic stretches around. This spot is truly made for photographs. A boat allows you to approach Sveti Stefan from different angles, stop for photos, and enjoy the panorama at your leisure.
The captain anchored the boat right at the island’s walls, and we had 30 minutes to sail in the clear water.
Budva – the old town from the sea
The boat then heads towards Budva, one of Montenegro’s most famous resorts. The city’s main attraction is the Old Town, surrounded by medieval fortress walls. From the water, its architecture is especially visible: stone walls, towers, and ancient buildings are located practically at the sea’s edge. Budva combines several completely different characters. It’s simultaneously an ancient city, a popular seaside resort, a vibrant nightlife destination, and a starting point for coastal excursions.
All passengers were given a choice: a 2.5-hour stay in Budva or a 2-hour trip and walk around St. Nicholas Island. Our active group chose the island. Most of us hadn’t been there before, but we’d all been to Budva many times.
St. Nicholas Island – Montenegro’s “Hawaii”
St. Nicholas Island is located opposite Budva. It is the largest island off the coast of Montenegro. Due to its location directly opposite Budva, the island is perfectly visible from almost anywhere on the city’s waterfront. But it’s far more interesting to simply admire it from the shore; it’s worth taking a boat ride there. The island is approximately 1.7–2 kilometers long and is covered in dense Mediterranean vegetation. Its coastline consists of beaches, cliffs, and small coves.
Locals often call the island “Hawaii” after one of its most famous beaches. And this name is no coincidence. As the boat approaches the island, green slopes, cliffs, small beaches, and clear water appear before your eyes. In some places, the island looks almost tropical, especially on a sunny day, when the sea takes on a vibrant turquoise hue.
Hawaii Beach
The main stop on St. Nicholas Island is Hawaii Beach. It is a small, picturesque cove with a pebble shore and clear, transparent water. You can stop here for a swim. The water off the island is especially attractive for snorkelers: the rocky bottom and clear water allow you to admire the underwater world. But even if you don’t snorkel, a stop at Hawaii Beach is a great time to simply swim, sunbathe, and relax.
But then we were in for a surprise: our rather large boat couldn’t dock at the island, so we had to swim to the island, taking a can of beer each and leaving our phones and money on the boat. Therefore, you won’t see photos of the island itself, its beaches, or its infrastructure in this article.
So, we had two hours to swim and stroll around the island. But even here, we were in for a surprise: there was no walking trail from one end of Hawaii Beach to the other. It’s long been overgrown, and besides, at the very beginning of the trail there’s now someone’s plot of land, well fenced in and with a locked gate.
What else is interesting on the island?
St. Nicholas Island is not only interesting for its beach. In its northern part is the Church of St. Nicholas, which gives the island its name. The interior of the island is covered with Mediterranean vegetation. Wilder stretches of coastline remain here, and some small bays are accessible almost exclusively by sea. Prickly pear cacti grow right on the rocks, and the fruit can fall on tourists’ heads at any moment.
Our adventures on the island didn’t end there. Throughout the trip, clouds had been gathering in the mountains. And just as we were on the island, a storm began. It suddenly turned cold, the wind picked up, and it began to rain. Our boat was drifting further and further from the shore, and the waves were getting higher. So we decided to turn back.
Our group bravely sailed against the waves, and the boat crew kept a close eye on us, ready to help if needed. Everything ended well. We made it. And we didn’t envy the guys who stayed on board, because the rocking on deck during the storm was quite good. By the time we returned to Budva to pick up the bulk of the passengers, the storm had completely subsided, and it was warm and sunny again.
Kraljičina plaža—a true Queen’s Beach near Čanj
Kraljičina plaža, or Queen’s Beach, is located near Čanj on the Bar Riviera. It’s important not to confuse it with the other famous Queen’s Beach near Miločer and Sveti Stefan. This is a small, secluded cove near Čanj, hidden among the rocks. The main feature of Kraljičina plaža is that it’s practically impossible to reach by regular car. The main way to get to the beach is by boat. That’s what all the guidebooks say. In fact, there’s a fairly comfortable, short trail leading to the beach from the village. We highly recommend taking it. Why is the beach called “Royal”?
Kraljičina plaža is associated with a local legend about the Montenegrin queen Milena Petrović-Njegoš, wife of King Nikola I. According to local tradition, the queen loved to relax and swim in this secluded bay. High cliffs hide the beach from the main coastline, creating a sense of privacy. It was this feature, according to legend, that attracted the queen. Kraljičina plaža is an excellent place to stop for a swim. The water here is clean and clear, and the bay itself is protected by the surrounding cliffs.
The route Bar – Petrovac – Sveti Stefan – Budva – St. Nicholas Island – Kraljičina plaža combines several different experiences.
This is not a typical excursion where you simply move from one attraction to the next. Here, the sea itself becomes part of the journey. This route combines everything that makes Montenegro so beloved: mountains, sea, ancient cities, islands, beaches, small bays, and the sense of freedom that only comes when a boat takes to the open sea.
And most importantly, after such a trip, Montenegro is remembered not only for its cities and landmarks. It remains in your memory as a country you want to see again from the water.
