Boat trips

Picture the village in 1899. The steamers Mala Morača and Karatuna set off from here for Virpazar, Skadar and Plavnica. Regular shipping on the lake ended in 1981. The engines are smaller now, but the river is the same: slow, green and lined with reeds. You can read about the old port in our history of the river port.

Where the boats go

Boat trips from the village follow a few main routes:

• The canyon: the winding valley of the river itself.
• The “Amazon”: narrow channels where the boat pushes through water lilies and reeds.
• The open lake: out where the river meets Skadar Lake, the largest lake in the Balkans.
• Karuč: a fishing village with the “Karučko oko” spring and the deepest point of the lake, about 40 m.
• Dodoši: a village with watermills.

How long you spend on the water depends on the route you choose. Some places nearby, such as the old fortress of Žabljak Crnojevića, are mostly reached by boat or by car. Read more about these places on the nearby page.

Booking and prices

Several local boat operators run trips. Routes, boat sizes and times differ from one to another. Prices vary; confirm with the operator before you set off. We list operators neutrally, in alphabetical order, in our boat operators directory.

The national park charges an entry fee of €5 a day for visitors aged 15 and over. Ask your operator whether it is included. Fees can change, so check before you go on the national park page.

On the water

On a boat trip you are inside Skadar Lake National Park, part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve since June 2026. Keep your voice down near the reeds, give birds plenty of space, and take your rubbish home. Flying a drone needs official approval.

When to go

April to June and September to October are the most pleasant months. July and August are hot and busy. If you come in summer, arrive before 11:00 to find a place in the free car park at the village entrance. See getting there.

What to bring

• A hat, sunscreen and water in summer.
• Cash in euros. We could not confirm an ATM in the village.
• A charged phone, but don’t count on it: the mobile signal is patchy in the canyon.
• Binoculars, if you want to look for birds.