A yacht with children: what to pick and how to get it right

With children it is the stability of the vessel and the shade on deck that decide the day, not the route. Which is why the answer is almost always a catamaran: two hulls barely roll, the deck is wide, and the net strung between the hulls is where children spend half the trip.

Why a catamaran

It does not roll. On a monohull even a light swell registers as heel; on a catamaran it does not. For a child prone to seasickness that is the difference between a treat and a ruined day.

There is room to move. A wide, level deck can be walked across without holding on to everything in reach.

There is shade. Catamarans usually have a bimini over the cockpit. An open motor boat has almost none, and a child will not last four hours in the sun.

A catamaran for up to eight guests runs from €520 for four hours for the whole vessel; one for twelve guests, from €780. What the price covers is in what a yacht charter costs.

How many hours to book

With children under seven, three to four hours and no more. After that tiredness sets in and the remaining time works against you.

With school-age children half a day goes well: four or five hours with two swimming stops. A full eight-hour day only makes sense with teenagers.

About life jackets

Children’s life jackets are not on every vessel and not in every size — that is the first thing to confirm at booking, giving the child’s age and weight. An adult jacket will not fit a small child, and on the water you find that out too late.

If the child cannot swim, bring your own armbands or vest: the boat anchors in deep water with no bottom underfoot.

Where to go

Into the bay, not out to sea. The Bay of Kotor is closed in by mountains on every side and almost never has a swell. The open coast south of Budva feels the wind in full, and after midday it moves noticeably.

Good targets with children: the islets off Perast from Kotor and Tivat, the Luštica coves from Herceg Novi, the nearby coves from Budva. There is no need to go far — children prefer the anchorage to the passage.

The places are in coves with no road.

When to set out

In the morning. The water is calmer, the sun is not yet overhead, and you are back by lunchtime — which lines up with a nap for the youngest. The evening trip is prettier but falls when small children are already spent.

On wind by the hour, see when to charter a boat.

What to bring

High-factor sunscreen and hats for everyone: on the water the sun reflects and works twice as hard. A windbreaker — under way there is airflow even at thirty degrees. Plenty of water. Your own food, if the operator allows it: with children you will not be skipping lunch.

Light-soled shoes or bare feet: dark rubber marks the deck.

What to keep in mind

There is usually no age limit, but rules differ by company — ask in advance, especially if the child is under three.

In a swell the trip is moved or refunded. With children that is rather a plus: there is no point going out into chop.

The boats, with prices and free dates, are on the yacht charter page, or by town: Tivat, Kotor, Budva.

Prices are indicative “from” figures, per vessel, checked in September 2026. Check the availability of children’s jackets and any age rules with the company. Services are provided by independent companies; booking and payment happen directly with them.