A word of caution about Bar (and other Montenegran ports)

Visiting yachts, for whatever reason, fuel, water etc. will be required to clear-in and will be obliged to pay a one months cruising permit which for a 13.6-metre boat was 89 euros.

Dedicate half a day to “formalities” and you will not be left with time on your hands. Marina charge was 50 euros so it could be an expensive tank of fuel or water.

If you are wishing to visit the spectacular Kotor Fjord then the cruising permit cost may be justified as this fjord is quite spectacular and good to sail in. Otherwise, if just passing north or south between Greece and Croatia, it may be worth giving Montenegro a miss.

The situation is even worse!

The situation in Montenegro regarding cruising permit fee is even worse than described (above).

On June 29, 2008, we entered Kotor fjord, and moored to Kotor town dock. We were requested by the harbour master to pay Euro 120 for an ONE WEEK cruising permit, or Euro 750 for a yearly permit. This is on top of Euro 48 for the city dock mooring and other fees that were imposed.

My boat is a 42 feet sailing vessel, Familia. The harbour master was fair enough to tell me that if I do not want to pay, I could leave Montenegro altogether, which I indeed did right away.

My crew tried to buy some fruit and veggies at the market next to the dock and were shocked when asked to pay Euro 5 for a kilo of figs, and about the same for other products.

As nice as the country is, I opt to skip it.

Dan Kav

SY Familia

I am a liveaboard, anchored in the Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), Montenegro since December 2007. To follow up what another cruiser has noted here, a cruising permit here most certainly is not 750E for a year!

We are 44 feet and our annual permit was 98E.

And figs, which openly grow on many of the roadside trees here all summer, are definitely not worth buying for 5 Euros a kilo.

The market traders can try it on with the tourists – but that is quite ridiculous. I have no idea what the harbour master was up to either – I haven’t heard them trying this one before.

Katie Squires

New Prices for 2008/9

I have a Wharram 51′ moored on the river at Ada Bojana. I paid Euro 180 for a yearly transit permit Sept 2007/2008.

However, when I went to renew my permit at the port of Bar, I was told it would be Euro 740 and that I also needed to pay a separate fee for my 3m Rib!

It seems that Montenegro has introduced new laws which do not distinguish between Super Yachts and liveaboards – or cruisers passing through. Also, Marina fees are exaggerated for the standard offered.

I certainly will not be staying or encourage sailors with an average budget to stop by – especially Kotor which has become a tourist trap.

Martin Rekab