All Images Credit AKUL Yachts
Montenegro’s coastline has long been a haven for those who live by the sea. What started as a practical stopover for yachts needing fuel and supplies has quietly transformed into a destination that demands attention in its own right. At the center of this shift is Porto Montenegro, a gleaming marina framed by the rugged beauty of the Bay of Kotor. This small country—barely larger than Connecticut—has moved from a footnote on nautical maps to becoming the jewel of the Balkan Riviera.
To truly appreciate this country and coastline, you have to be on the water. There’s where you’ll be able to appreciate its majesty, grand proportions, and beauty. Akul Yacht Company offers exactly that—a chance to experience the coast on your own terms, with a local crew who knows these waters and stories inside out.
Montenegro’s Adriatic coast runs nearly 300 kilometers, a landscape marked by sheer cliffs, hidden coves, and bays that feel almost fjord-like. From the deck of an Akul yacht, the meeting of earth and sea offers a front row seat to view its pine-covered mountains plunging into the calm waters. Elsewhere, the ancient ports of Montenegro still bear the weight of empires—Venetian stone, Ottoman shadow, Austro-Hungarian ambition—each leaving its mark in salt-slicked quays and bell towers weathered by centuries.
Founded with a deep appreciation for the art of yachting, Akul Yacht Company is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. With a fleet ranging from nimble day boats to luxurious cruisers, Akul makes it possible to glide through Montenegro’s turquoise waters in comfort and style. Although some guests charter for the day, many guests will further explore Montenegro’s coast and beyond to Croatia over a 3, 5, 7 or even a 10 day booking. Their knowledgeable, English-speaking crew members are trained not just to handle the technical aspects of navigation but also to curate unforgettable experiences tailored to each guest’s interests, whether it’s finding a secluded cove for a private swim, arranging a waterfront lunch at a hidden beach club, or pointing out historical landmarks that lie just beyond the well-trodden paths.
Among Akul’s fleet, the Cranchi Z35 stands out. Sleek and refined, it balances comfort with performance effortlessly. There’s a generous sunbathing space on the bow, the perfect place to catch the Adriatic sun, and a swim platform at the stern that makes slipping into the clear water easy. Inside, the cabin feels light and open, designed so the line between indoors and out blurs. It sleeps four comfortably, inviting those who want to stretch a day on the water into a longer journey.
Your day often begins in Porto Montenegro itself. The marina is a study in contrasts—polished yachts and superyachts, their hulls gleaming in the morning light, sit alongside waterfront boutiques featuring designer labels like Prada and Gucci. There’s a sense of understated glamour here, where international visitors mingle with local boat owners and the occasional celebrity. Cafés spill onto the promenade, and the hum of conversations in multiple languages drifts softly across the water.
As the yacht slips away from the marina, the buzz fades, replaced by the calm grandeur of the Bay of Kotor. Towering pine-covered mountains fall steeply into the sea, their reflection fractured only by the passing of boats.
Mid-morning, Perast comes into view—a town that feels almost suspended in time. This small settlement, once a Venetian stronghold, carries a history you can still see etched into its buildings. Look closely and you’ll spot the winged lion of St. Mark, Venice’s symbol, carved above doorways and on crests. It’s a reminder of the centuries Montenegro spent under Venetian influence, when Perast was a maritime power and the town’s sailors played vital roles across the Adriatic.
Anchoring here brings you close to Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial islet built painstakingly by generations of sailors who dropped stones into the bay as a vow of thanks or in hopes of safe passage. The small baroque church at its center is more than a place of worship—it’s a museum of maritime devotion. Inside, silver plaques and maritime artifacts line the walls, gifts from sailors past and present. Each offering carries a story: prayers for bountiful catches and safe returns, a tradition that still resonates with local fishermen today. The altar, richly adorned, shines softly under the church’s low light, a testament to faith interwoven with the sea’s unpredictability.
After Perast, the yacht may head toward Dobrec Beach, a secluded crescent reached only by water. Here, you can dive into crystal-clear waters or simply rest on the deck, surrounded by the rugged beauty of Montenegro’s untouched coastline.
Later in the day, Monte Palm Beach – Resort & SPA offers a different kind of retreat. Its infinity pool edges toward the horizon, the water melting into the sky. The atmosphere is quietly sophisticated, with lounge chairs shaded beneath canopies and a live DJ setting a gentle rhythm. At St. Jacques, the seaside restaurant, the menu is refreshingly simple yet refined. Freshly shucked Adriatic oysters arrive first, their briny sharpness perfectly balanced by a crisp Krstac white wine. The grilled branzino follows—its skin crisped to perfection, served alongside a salad of fennel, orange, and black olives. It’s the kind of meal that you look for when traveling abroad, great ambiance, authentic cuisine and switched on service.
As the sun begins to set, the return to Porto Montenegro is peaceful. The sky shifts through hues of lavender, tangerine, and rose, casting a warm glow over the marina’s luxury yachts. The sleek superyachts, their polished hulls reflecting the last light, as you drink from your final glass of Montenegrin wine on deck that closes the day—a quiet pause before the night takes over.
Montenegro has swiftly emerged as one of Europe’s most compelling new destinations for luxury travel, where cinematic Adriatic waters meet centuries-old culture and contemporary coastal elegance. Once known only to the yachting cognoscenti, the country now boasts world-class marina enclaves like Porto Montenegro, Portonovi, and Luštica Bay—each offering refined living, superyacht facilities, and a lifestyle attuned to both leisure and sophistication. This renaissance is further elevated by a suite of exceptional five-star hotels, including The One&Only, The Chedi, Regent Porto Montenegro, and the architecturally arresting Mamula Island.
What sets Akul Yacht Company apart is the way they make you feel less like a passenger and more like a navigator of your own experience. Their crews offer local insight and care that go beyond the expected—they create moments that stay with you. For those who appreciate slow days, open horizons, and the chance to immerse in a landscape shaped by sea and history, a charter along Montenegro’s coast is one that you’ll cherish long after the last anchor has been set.
