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TRIP OVERVIEW

7 days
Classic
Up to 5km/day
Moderate

Trip Dates

2025
09 Jun - 15 Jun
1 Space
16 Jun - 22 Jun
Full
23 Jun - 29 Jun
1 Space
08 Sep - 14 Sep
Available
15 Sep - 21 Sep
Full
22 Sep - 28 Sep
Available

Tour Highlights

  • Do as the Romans did and summer in style with views over the bay of Petrovac, soaking up the sun and sea.

  • Explore the stunning Montenegrin coast and swim freely in the Adriatic, seeking out bays, coves and hidden beaches.

  • Journey north to uncover the treasures of Sveti Stefan and both King and Queen’s Beach - where Queen Marija, wife of King Alexander, used to stay at their family villa.

  • Walk to the local promenade and explore the 16th century Venetian fortress that still keeps watch over rocky shores.

There’s a reason the Romans built their summer villas in the bay of Petrovac. If sun and sea are two things you can’t go without then this may just be paradise.

Walk to the promenade by the beach and take in the Mediterranean plant life. Then explore the 16th century Venetian fortress that still stands sentinel over the stone port. There’s plenty to do even if you never left Petrovac – of course, we’ll be finding all kinds of other treasures on our daily outings as well.

During our time on the Montenegrin coast, we launch exciting sea swims, welcomed by the slow-flowing arms of the Adriatic. Our exploration will take us to the warm bays of Uvala Slana Luka and even through a tunnel to the beach of Ponta Petrova. You can feel something mystical in the air at all times. This is truly a historic part of the world and you’re never too far from reminders of the region’s rich culture and heritage.

So, breathe in the aroma of the pine forests, seek out secret coves and experience a swimming holiday entangled with Greek and Roman tales of adventure.


Who is this trip for?

This trip is ideal for guests who are keen to explore the Adriatic Coast of Montenegro. You will also have the opportunity to complete some circumnavigations as well as a short crossing.

Swimmers should have a basic understanding of open water swimming and be capable of completing the average swim distance and average daily swim distance (over the course of two swims) prior to the start of the trip.

The average swim distance is around 3km. The average daily swim distance is around 5km.

We have given this trip a ‘Moderate’ grading. Most swimmers comfortable in the open water will be able to take part and enjoy one of these trips.


Are you a Pioneer?

We are excited to share our entirely new Montenegro Coast trip for an action-packed 2025 of adventures.

Our first departures will be Pioneer Departures. These are perfect for those who want to get out first to experience the relatively unexplored waters that await us. You will have the opportunity to explore the destination in-depth with an amazing group of swimmers, opening our eyes to the possibilities for future trips.


What's included?

  • Fully guided swimming holiday (swimmers only)
  • Professional swim guides and full safety escort on all swims (swimmers only)
  • Six nights' accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • All lunches (except lunch on the half day) (swimmers only)
  • ABTOT Protection, in accordance with our terms and conditions.

What's not included?

Travel to and from the start of the trip

  • Lunch on the half day
  • Evening meals
  • Drinks and additional activities
  • City tax

Sample Trip Itinerary

Please note that the below daily itineraries are an example of the swims that may take place during your trip, however, actual swim locations and distances will vary according to local weather and swim conditions. Your SwimTrek guides and local boat pilots will determine the most suitable swim locations each day and will communicate the plan with all guests as soon as possible.

Trip Schedule

Start Point: Hotel Danica

Start Time: 17:00 on Day 1

Finish Point: Hotel Danica

Finish Time: 11:00 on Day 7

Day 1

We meet in the early evening at the hotel for a pre-trip safety briefing. This is a chance to discuss the week’s plan in more detail. We will then head down to the beach for an acclimatisation swim before going out for our first group dinner and an opportunity to ask any further questions.

Day 2

Today, we stay local to Petrovac and swim along the coastline to the south. The sweeping bay of Buljarica is the perfect starting location as we head back towards the coastal town. We regroup at the small harbour for lunch before heading back out and completing the coastline towards the hotel.

Day 3

After breakfast, we board the boat and travel further north towards the coastal bays of Uvala Slana Luka, which is known as the ‘Bay of Salt Port’. We start our swim here and take lunch halfway along the coast on the boat. After an opportunity to relax, we start our second swim with the hill range of Velja Rudina in the background and make our way back to the hotel.

Day 4

Today is our most exciting day as we head north to the popular locations of Sveti Stefan and King and Queen’s Beach.

Queen’s Beach is named after Queen Marija Karađorđević, wife of King Alexander, because she enjoyed spending time there in the summer at their family villa, called Miločer. The beach is beautifully maintained and almost always under shade of the cypresses and olive trees.

Next door to the Queen’s beach is the King’s beach, which sits directly in front of the villa. Just as beautiful, it is reserved for the now guests of the villa turned hotel, but we will be able to admire its beauty from the water.

We make our way past both beaches towards Sveti Stefan (Saint Stefan) and circumnavigate the small island before anchoring up for lunch, surrounded by its natural beauty.

Our afternoon swim takes us from the island back along the coast in quieter waters before returning to Petrovac.

Day 5

Today, we join the boat early after breakfast and head back towards Sveti Stefan, admiring it as we pass and continue towards Sveti Nikola – the island off the coast of Budva and locally known as ‘Hawaii’! This uninhabited island is a popular destination with day trippers from the neighbouring resorts, but we will be there to enjoy its surroundings early as we circumnavigate the island.

After our early start and longer morning swim, we travel back to Petrovac for an afternoon off. You will have an opportunity to explore what else the town has to offer. You can relax on the beach, enjoy the local restaurants or take a walk around the bay to the secret bar and tiny beach of Ponta Petrova, through a short tunnel.

Day 6

Today we re-group for our final day. We stay local with a crossing swim from the beach out to the unique island of Sveta Nedjelja Island (meaning Holy Sunday). The small island delicately showcases a beautiful church at the top (believed to be built in gratitude by a Greek Sailor who was shipwrecked here) with the small island of Katic just behind. These will be our points of circumnavigation before we head back to the beach. Once we return to Petrovac, we will take lunch in a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon we will swim an out-and-back coastal swim past a few small coves and the steep coastline.

Day 7

Our final morning sees us head down to the beach for one last swim before breakfast before we finally say our farewells.

Accommodation

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Hotel Danica

Situated amongst pine trees just 100m from the coast, Hotel Danica offers a friendly, relaxed environment to enjoy during your trip. The hotel is also situated close to the promenade of Perazica Do, one of the most scenic beaches on the Montenegrin coast.

Location Summary

Petrovac

The town's history traces back to Roman times, evident in the well-preserved mosaics and ancient ruins throughout the town. Above the small marina wall stands the 16th century Venetian fortress of Kastio Petrovac, overlooking the vibrant promenade lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops.

Sveti Stefan

This island was a fortress in the 15th Century, which was home to 12 families. In 19th century it became a fishing village with 400 inhabitants and a UNESCO heritage site. Although not open to the public, the small island is a fundamental attraction of Montenegro and stands out from the coast in all its beauty.

Budva

This town lies further along the coast and features a wide variety of cafes, restaurants and bars. Budva is surrounded by several beaches that offer scenic views out to the Adriatic Sea and contains one of the oldest towns in Europe. The medieval old town (Stari Grad) is surrounded by stone walls, built by Venetians, containing narrow streets that lead you to a seaside citadel and churches that have stood for over 1,000 years.

Trip Grading

We have given this trip a ‘Moderate’ grading. Most swimmers comfortable in the open water will be able to take part and enjoy one of these trips.

Swimming Distances

Swim Distances Swim Distances
Svetac Rock - Buljarica 2½km Petrovac - Bularica Beach 2½km
Uvala Slana Luka - Presjeke Beach 2km Presjeke Beach- Prerazica 2½km
Sveti Stefan Circumnavigation 2km Sveti Stefan beach - Uvala Slana Luka 2½km
Sveti Nikola Circumnavigation 3½km
St Nadjelja Church Circumnavigation 3km Coastal Patrovac 2km
Circumnavigation Ligia 3km Tálaros to Cape Mounda 2km

*Please note that these swims are an example of what may take place during your trip and should be used as a guide only. Actual swim locations and distances will vary according to local weather and swim conditions.

Swimming Conditions

Swimming in the sea is a fantastic experience, however you should be aware that certain marine life such as sea lice, jellyfish, sea urchins and coral could be present during the swims. In all cases we will work on reducing your contact with these creatures, however if you suffer from anaphylaxis, please consult the office prior to booking.

Walking Conditions

While there aren’t any significant planned walks, any walks that we do undertake will take place on recognised paths and tracks, however there may be cases where we walk along trails or other unsealed surfaces and care should be taken in these areas.

Temperatures

Month Water Temperature* Air Temperature*
June 20-26°C / 68-78°F 18-28°C / 64-82°F
July 23-28°C / 73-82°F 21-30°C / 70-86°F
September 22-27°C / 72-81°F 18-27°C / 64-81°F

*Please note that these temperatures are indicative and should be used as a guide only.

Weather Caveat

For safety reasons, we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out our swims. Therefore, open water swimming holidays require a certain degree of on-trip flexibility which can result in changes to the planned itinerary. These changes often add a touch of uniqueness to your trip and will be communicated to you by your SwimTrek guides as quickly as possible.

Trip Information

Group Size

This trip has a maximum group size of 15. The group will be split into a maximum of three groups, based on speed, with each group being accompanied by their own safety vessel/escort. 

Boat Support

Boat support on this trip varies each day depending on the type of swim but includes one main boat and two support vessels to be piloted by your SwimTrek guides and a local boat pilot. Please note that this boat support is subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed.

Equipment Checklist

For your basic, essential packing list, please visit our Packing List page on the website.

There are no additional, specific items required for this location.

Getting There

There are several options to get to Petrovac.

As SwimTrekkers come from all over the world, and join our swimming holidays in numerous destinations, we don’t currently offer flights as part of our SwimTrek packages. We do however want to do as much as we can to ensure that our guests get the best deals when travelling to one of our trips so check out SwimTrek's tips to help you get the best deals for your flights page on the website.

The quickest way to reach Petrovac is to fly into Tivat (TIV) or Podgorica (TGD) and arrange a transfer from the airport to the hotel due to lack of reliable public transport. Dubrovnik (DBV) in Croatia is also an option but is further away so you may choose to book an extra night’s accommodation onto your trip.

Option 1: Travel via Tivat or Podgorica.

Private taxi services are available from either airport. The journey time from either airport to Petrovac is approximately 1 hour. You will be able to pick up a taxi outside the airport but ensure you agree on the price before you set off. A guide price is €40-€50 per journey (up to 4 passengers depending on luggage)

Option 2: Travel via Dubrovnik

Private taxi services are available from the airport. The journey time to Petrovac is approximately 3 hours and should cost around €150 per journey (up to 4 passengers depending on luggage).

Accommodation

Hotel Danica is a friendly and relaxed accommodation situated just 100m from the coast. Our allocation for this hotel is based on twin and double rooms with en-suite facilities, some of which have balconies with views over Petrovac. There are a limited number of single supplement rooms, which can be reserved during the booking process, subject to availability.

For more information about the hotel, please visit our Accommodation: Hotel Danica page on our website.

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation and Trip Extension Options

If you want to book additional nights either side of your trip, please contact the hotel directly at natasa.majstorovic@outlook.com .

Food and Drink

All breakfasts and four lunches are included in your trip price (swimmers only). The remaining lunch on the half day and all dinners are at your own expense. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to explore the menus and experience the local restaurants of your choice over the course of your trip. For more information, please visit our food and drink page on the website.

Travel Advice

For more information on any of the following sections please visit the Travel Advice page of our website.

Money, Extra Expenses and Tipping

You should bring extra money with you to cover such items as transfers, entertainment, dinners, souvenirs, etc. The local currency is the Euro (€).

In some countries tipping (gratuities) is not part of the culture - in others it has become an expected norm. We believe that tipping is entirely at your discretion. If you have been provided with excellent service, it may be something you wish to do. Your SwimTrek Guides can advise on local norms for service providers like boat crew, waiters, or taxis. Nothing is expected for your SwimTrek Guides, but many groups like to present something to the Guides at the end of the trip.

Responsible Travel

SwimTrek is conscious of the importance of protecting the world’s natural wonders. We are acutely aware of our responsibility to not only take care of the natural environments which we are lucky enough to explore, but also to educate our guests about the importance of conservation efforts and responsible tourism. It’s for this reason that we have worked so closely with our partners to ensure that our trips are conducted in the most responsible and sustainable way possible, working tirelessly to minimise the impact of our presence on local marine life and the natural habitat.

For more information, please visit our Responsible Travel page on the website.

Passports and Visas

Non-citizens of Montenegro require a full passport to enter the country, which should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. Citizens of all E.U. member states, U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand do not require a visa to enter Montenegro for less than 90 days. Please note that visa regulations are subject to change, and it is important that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Please note that visa regulations are subject to change, and we advise that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Travel Insurance

We consider comprehensive travel insurance to be essential, and we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance which includes, but is not limited to, cover for illness, accident, emergency repatriation, ambulance, air ambulance, helicopter rescue services, cancellation, lost luggage and delays. Your travel insurance should also cover you for open water swimming and any other activity listed in your trip itinerary (including races and competitions, where applicable). Please read your policy details carefully and remember to take them with you on your trip for your own reference.

For further information, please visit our Travel Insurance page on the website.

Here at SwimTrek, we pride ourselves on our focus on safety and the well-being of all our guests. As we operate in some beautiful and remote locations medical facilities are not always easily accessible. SwimTrek Guides, and many staff working for our local partners, are first aid trained. However, we ask that you read our Travel Health page to ensure that you are informed about general Travel and Swim Health precautions.

Travel Plugs & Electricity

There is free Wi-Fi at Hotel Danica.

For a useful source of information on the different electrical outlets, electrical plugs, and electric sockets, please visit www.worldstandards.eu.


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