5 Reasons to Go Sailing in Montenegro

Hello friends! This is Ivan Gureev and the Bora Sailing Club.

We sail in Montenegro, not in Turkey or Croatia — and here’s why:

1. Visa-Free Entry

Montenegro is one of the few European countries where Russian citizens can still enter visa-free. There’s no need to apply for a Schengen visa, which is a big plus these days! And although the country is preparing to join the European Union within the next five years, this convenient travel policy remains in place for now.

2. Great Climate

There’s a reason why cruise ships traveling from Venice to Dubrovnik often stop in the Bay of Kotor. It’s incredibly beautiful and — importantly — safe. Large sea waves can’t enter the bay, providing yachts with shelter from storms. Plus, the weather here is excellent year-round. In Montenegro’s mountain regions, it snows in winter, but along the coast, temperatures rarely drop to zero, usually staying between 10–15°C. The town of Tivat, located on the Bay of Kotor and home to our sailing club, is the sunniest place on the coast. Rain is rare, usually falling in Perast and Kotor. That’s why our sailing season never ends — we even host regattas on New Year’s Day!

3. Varied Sailing Experience

It’s not just the beauty of the southernmost fjord in Europe that makes Montenegro worth visiting. For beginner sailors, it’s a chance to gain diverse sailing experience. In one location you have both a safe bay and access to open sea. Heading out toward Herceg Novi, you might encounter waves up to 2–3 meters. It’s a great opportunity to challenge yourself and get comfortable in different sailing conditions. In Montenegro, sailing can be as extreme or as safe as you wish — it’s entirely up to your skills and preferences.

4. Real Mooring Practice

This is especially important for those studying for an international IYT skipper license, which we also offer here in Montenegro (learn more and sign up here). During skipper training, it’s crucial to give students a chance to practice mooring in “combat” conditions, meaning alongside other yachts. Without this experience, new captains often develop a deep fear of docking in crowded marinas. Since yachts are expensive assets, and the risk of costly accidents increases the anxiety.

But here’s the catch — marina yacht owners often don’t want beginners docking near their boats, even if the students are doing well. In places like Turkey, mooring practice is sometimes forbidden for this reason. In Montenegro, however, our students are officially allowed to moor in marinas during training. This dramatically improves their confidence and skill level. Here’s a stat: during our two-week IYT Bareboat Skipper course, each student moors their yacht between 17 and 25 times in real conditions. That’s why learning to sail in Montenegro with us is absolutely worth it.

5. Beautiful Nature

And finally — Montenegro is simply stunning. Here you’ll find abandoned submarine tunnels from the Yugoslav era, ancient 12th-century monasteries, remnants of Austro-Hungarian forts, and charming Venetian towns. Come sail with us and learn how to command a yacht in one of Europe’s most scenic and historic sailing regions. We’ll be happy to welcome you at Bora Sailing Club! So if you’ve been looking for new reasons to go sailing, Montenegro has plenty to offer. From visa-free travel to diverse sailing experiences, it’s the perfect destination for your next adventure on the water.