Budva: Mariolo Boat Tours – 3.5 hours panoramic tour

Budva looks best from the water. Mariolo Boat Tours gives you a broad view of both sides of Budva Bay, from Becici and Sveti Stefan to Jaz and Mogren, with time to swim directly from the boat. I like the flexible swimming stops, and I like the sturdy wooden Mariolo, which feels more traditional than a standard plastic excursion boat.

Captain Alex also earns praise for being friendly and informative, a useful touch on a sightseeing trip with many coastal landmarks. The main consideration is that this is a boat-based tour, not a beach-hopping trip with long shore visits. If you dislike swimming from open water or get seasick, the experience may not suit you.

Key points to know before you book

• A full circuit of Budva Bay: See beaches on both the eastern and western shores, plus Saint Nicola’s Island.
• Swimming is arranged around you: The usual plan includes two stops of about 20 to 30 minutes, with a possible third stop if time and the group allow.
• A wooden boat with room for 43 passengers: Mariolo is built from oak and a special pine, making it heavier and more stable than a plastic boat of the same size.
• Sveti Stefan is viewed from the sea: You pass the famous island resort, but the tour does not include entry to the peninsula or its hotel.
• The route covers a lot in 3.5 hours: You get wide coastal sightseeing rather than long periods at any one beach.
• Bring swimwear, a towel, and your own refreshments: Food and drinks are allowed, but you must take all packaging and waste with you.

Starting beside Budva’s Old Town

The tour begins at Budva Marina, near the last entrance and exit of the Old Town. Look for the main Marina Budva office, then walk to the end of the dock where the large yachts are moored. The meeting point is about 100 meters above the Big Bell, opposite the Old Fisherman’s Pub.

That location is practical if you are already exploring the Old Town. You do not need to arrange a separate ride to a distant harbor. Still, allow enough time to find the correct part of the dock. The marina has boats, offices, and waterfront activity, and the tour leaves from the end of the pier rather than directly from the Old Town walls.

The boat is officially registered for 43 passengers and two crew members. That makes this a fairly large boat excursion, not an intimate private cruise. The benefit is a stable platform with plenty of room, while the tradeoff is that you will share the viewing and swimming schedule with other people.

The Mariolo itself is part of the appeal. It is made from oak and a special type of pine, and it is described as twice as heavy, stronger, and more stable at sea than a plastic boat of the same size. You should still expect normal movement on the water, but a heavier wooden boat can make the ride feel less flimsy than a small speedboat.

Eastern Budva Bay: beaches, villas, and royal views

The first part of the route follows the eastern side of Budva Bay. You pass Slovenska Beach, the long urban beach closest to central Budva, then continue toward Becici and Rafailovici.

These early views help you understand how quickly Budva changes outside the Old Town. The central waterfront gives way to resort beaches, smaller coves, and steep hillsides. From the boat, you get a useful sense of the coast’s shape without spending the day walking between beaches or waiting for road traffic.

Next come Kamenovo and Przno. The scenery becomes more enclosed and less urban, with small beaches set below the coastal road and hills. Since the boat continues past each place, you should think of these stops as sightseeing points rather than opportunities to go ashore.

The route then reaches Queen’s Beach, known for the Queen’s Chair. The chair is a rock on the shore associated with Queen Marija, wife of Montenegro’s former king, Nikola the First. From the boat, the important detail is the view itself: the rock is visible from the water, and the bay opens around it in a way that is difficult to appreciate from a road.

You will also pass Milocer Beach and the former residence of Josip Broz Tito, the president of the former Yugoslavia. The villa’s gardens are visible from the sea. The same setting is also associated with Novak Djokovic’s wedding, which adds a modern celebrity detail to an already exclusive stretch of coast.

There is no claim that you will enter the villa or gardens. The value here is the coastal perspective, with the residences and beaches seen as part of one continuous setting. If you want detailed architectural or political history, this tour will provide only a light introduction. Captain Alex’s friendly and informative approach can add useful context, but this is not a formal history lecture.

Sveti Stefan from the water

Sveti Stefan is the signature sight on the eastern route. The small, fortified peninsula is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land and is famous for its former luxury hotel.

The boat passes around the peninsula, giving you views that are difficult to get from the main road. The shoreline, stone buildings, and steep setting make Sveti Stefan especially photogenic from the sea. The area has long attracted famous visitors, including Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Orlando Bloom, and Sylvester Stallone.

Keep your expectations clear. This is a view from the boat, not a visit inside the resort. Access to Sveti Stefan has changed over time, and this excursion does not sell it as a walking stop. For many people, that is fine. You get the classic image without spending extra time on shore or dealing with access restrictions.

After Sveti Stefan, the boat continues to Drobni Pijesak, the last major beach on the eastern side of the bay. This is usually the first swimming stop, lasting about 20 minutes. You swim from the boat in deeper water, with the white sand of the beach visible nearby.

This stop is a good example of what makes the tour different from a normal coastal cruise. You do not simply photograph the beach and move on. You can get into the sea, then return to the boat when the agreed time is over. The water around the boat may be deep, so you should be a confident swimmer. Non-swimmers are specifically not suited to this activity.

Saint Nicola’s Island and Ploce Beach

After the first swim, the boat heads across the bay toward its western side, passing the southern side of Saint Nicola’s Island. The island is one of the major visual markers off Budva, and seeing it from the water helps place the city, bay, and beaches in relation to one another.

The boat then reaches Ploce Beach. This stop is shorter and focuses on the beach’s music and party atmosphere. You can listen from the boat and enjoy a taste of the setting without committing to a long beach visit.

That balance will suit some people more than others. If you want quiet nature, Ploce may feel livelier than the other stops. If you enjoy music and a social beach scene, the short pause adds variety to the route. It also breaks up the longer sightseeing stretch between swimming locations.

The tour allows some choice in how the time is used. The usual plan includes two swimming breaks, but you can ask for a third if the group and schedule allow. You can also request stops for photographs and videos from the boat. The operator says the itinerary can be adjusted to suit the people on board, including where to swim and how long to stay.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose Mariolo. You are not locked into a rigid minute-by-minute program. At the same time, choices must work for the whole boat, so you should not expect a completely private itinerary on a vessel that can carry 43 passengers.

Trsteno, Jaz, and the return to Budva

On the way back, the boat visits Trsteno Beach. This is normally the second swimming stop, lasting about 20 to 30 minutes. The setting is described as wilder, with boats anchoring near the beach and people enjoying the natural surroundings.

If you prefer a quieter coastal setting to the music at Ploce, Trsteno may be your favorite stop. It also gives you a second chance to swim if you chose not to enter the water at Drobni Pijesak. Bring a towel, since the operator asks swimmers to dry off before sitting down again. That small courtesy matters on a shared wooden boat.

The route then passes Jaz Beach, one of the larger beaches in the area. After Jaz, you see Mogren Two and Mogren One, two of Budva’s most attractive beaches. They are backed by green hills and natural sand carried by streams from the surrounding slopes.

Mogren’s access from land is narrow and cut through steep cliffs and rocks. From the boat, you get a clear sense of that setting without walking the access path. The view also shows why these beaches feel more enclosed than the broad resort stretches around Becici and Slovenska Beach.

Finally, the boat passes Avala hotel and beach, then the beach associated with Hotel Astoria. The southern walls and ramparts of Budva’s Old Town come into view on your left, followed by the small Old Town beach. You return to the same meeting point in Budva Marina where the tour began.

This final approach is a strong finish because it connects the coastal scenery with the city you may already be visiting. Seen from the water, Budva’s walls, beach, and marina form one compact picture. It is a better orientation to the city than a quick glance from the road.

How flexible is the timing?

The advertised duration is about 3.5 hours. The operator allows the trip to run half an hour longer without an extra charge, which is useful when swimming stops or photography take more time.

You should treat the timing as flexible rather than exact. Two swimming stops can take 40 to 50 minutes by themselves, and a third break may be possible if people want it. The boat also pauses at locations for photos and videos when requested.

This is good news if you dislike rushed sightseeing. You can spend a little longer at a favored swimming place instead of being forced to leave after a strict few minutes. The tradeoff is that the return time may shift, so avoid scheduling a tight appointment immediately after the tour.

What the $58 price delivers

At $58 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to look at Budva’s coast, but it covers a lot of shoreline in one outing. You see beaches on both sides of the bay, Saint Nicola’s Island, Sveti Stefan, the Old Town walls, and several smaller coves. You also get two swimming opportunities without paying separately for beach access or arranging transport between coastal areas.

The value is strongest if you want an overview. A land-based day would require local transport, beach planning, and time spent moving between places. Mariolo lets you see the whole bay from one seat, with the added pleasure of swimming from the boat.

The value is weaker if you want a slow beach day. You will not spend hours on one beach, and most locations are viewed from the water. The boat also carries a substantial number of people, so this is not the right choice if your priority is a private cruise or silent solitude.

Fruit drinks, Coca-Cola, Fanta, and small snacks may be available depending on the number of people on the boat. Do not rely on that as a full refreshment service. You can bring your own food and drinks, except strong alcoholic drinks, but you must bring a bag for all waste and take it with you when you leave.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would recommend Mariolo to you if you want a broad first look at the Budva coast, enjoy swimming, and appreciate an operator willing to adjust the stops. It also suits people who want good photo opportunities without spending a full day on a boat.

The tour is less suitable for non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, and anyone with epilepsy. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, people using non-folding or electric wheelchairs, or babies under one year. Pets, oversize luggage, alcohol and drugs, climbing, fire-making, and explosive substances are not allowed.

Bring a swimsuit and towel, and keep your belongings compact. The booking information also advises bringing a child safety seat when needed. Since the boat is shared, dry seating and tidy packing make the ride better for everyone.

The experience has earned a perfect rating from two verified bookings, including praise for Captain Alex’s friendly and informative manner and a separate note describing the trip as great fun. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as proof that every departure will be identical. Still, it points to the two qualities this tour needs most: a pleasant crew and an easygoing atmosphere.

Should you book Mariolo Boat Tours?

Book it if you want one efficient coastal outing that combines sightseeing, swimming, and flexible timing. The route is unusually complete for 3.5 hours, and the wooden Mariolo gives the trip more character than a basic plastic boat ride.

Skip it if you want long shore visits, a private boat, or a quiet trip with no chance of open-water swimming. For everyone else, $58 is a fair price for a full circuit of Budva Bay, especially if you take advantage of both swimming stops and ask for the photo pauses that interest you most.

FAQ

Where does the Mariolo boat tour start?

The tour starts at Budva Marina, in front of the main Marina Budva office. The boat leaves from the end of the dock with the large yachts, about 100 meters above the Big Bell opposite the Old Fisherman’s Pub.

How long does the tour last?

The scheduled duration is about 3.5 hours. It may last up to 30 minutes longer without an additional charge.

How many swimming stops are included?

The usual plan includes two swimming stops. You may request a third stop, depending on the wishes of the people on board and the available time.

Can I choose where and how long to swim?

Yes. The tour allows people on board to request swimming locations and decide how long to stay, within the time available for the overall route.

Which beaches can I see?

The route includes Slovenska Beach, Becici, Rafailovici, Kamenovo, Przno, Queen’s Beach, Milocer Beach, Drobni Pijesak, Ploce Beach, Trsteno Beach, Jaz Beach, Mogren Two, Mogren One, Avala Beach, Astoria Beach, and the Old Town beach.

Will the boat stop at Sveti Stefan?

The boat goes around the Sveti Stefan peninsula for sightseeing. The tour does not state that it includes entry to the resort or a shore visit there.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. You may bring food and drinks, but strong alcoholic drinks are not allowed. You must also bring a bag for food waste and take all packaging with you after the tour.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, including people using non-folding or electric wheelchairs.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.