Our Lady of the Rocks at a glance
Our Lady of the Rocks, also called Gospa od Škrpjela, is the artificially enlarged church island off Perast in Montenegro. A boat crossing brings you to the island; a longer excursion can combine the visit with Perast or the Blue Cave on Luštica. Start by deciding whether the church and its art are your main interest or part of a day exploring the bay.
For a focused visit, travel to Perast and arrange an island crossing. From Kotor, boat excursions connect the island with other stops. The three-hour Perast combination includes an extended stay in the town, while the two-hour speedboat excursion leaves from Park Slobode in Kotor. Neither should be treated as an airport transfer.
Boat trips and island visits
For time in Perast, choose the island and Perast boat trip. For church and museum entry with a cable car ride, consider the combination from Kotor.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Island church and cable car excursion
- Boat tour to island
- Church and museum entry tickets
- Cable car ride
An English-speaking driver-guide accompanies the trip in an air-conditioned vehicle.
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Full-day bay and island boat trip
- church and museum entrance fee
- transportation by boat
- welcoming drinks
A professional guide leads the trip in English or Russian. Check the meeting point for your selected option.
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Bay speedboat trip with island option
- Licensed captain
- Licensed tour guide
- Safety equipment
Choose the island-stop option when booking; island, church and museum admission is extra.
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Kotor Bay excursion from Dubrovnik
- Sightseeing cruise
- Local guide in Kotor
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup and drop-off depend on the selected option. Montenegro entry and church admission are extra.
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Island excursion from Kotor
- Skipper/guide service
- Safety equipment
- Insurance coverage
This excursion starts in Kotor. Island access is extra.
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Island and Perast by boat
- 1.5h visit of Perast
- Audio Guide link
- Life Jackets
The island stop is included; island, church and museum admission is extra.
Check availability →Island visits and wider bay trips
Match a Perast stop, an island-and-cable-car combination or a full boat day to the time you have available.
Plan an Our Lady of the Rocks visit
Our Lady of the Rocks planning starts with the departure point and the kind of island visit you want. These guides separate the cultural visit from longer routes and the practical arrangements on shore.
Boat trips compared
Perast visits, bay routes and the costs to separate.
Church, museum and history
Island building, Kokolja's paintings and maritime gifts.
Blue Cave combinations
Longer routes with an island stop and the cave-area rule.
From Dubrovnik
Road travel, border planning and the boat section.
Private boat trips
Kotor departures and the island stop for your group.
Getting to the island
Reach Perast or a Kotor departure, then continue by boat.
Perast or Kotor as a base
Choose by waterfront access, luggage and departure point.
When to visit
Seasonal planning, evening options and return boats.
The island and its Catholic church
Our Lady of the Rocks houses a Catholic church with a painting programme by Tripo Kokolja and maritime votive gifts. Stones and old ships were used to enlarge the reef into an island. The traditional story associated with 22 July 1452 concerns its origins, rather than the completion of everything visible today.
The paintings depict the lives of Mary and Christ, while silver votive tablets express seafarers' thanks. Allow attention for the interior rather than treating the landing only as a photo stop. The church-and-cable-car combination includes the island boat and entry to the church and museum, alongside the cable car ride. Read the church and history guide for the cultural visit.
Costs and time on Our Lady of the Rocks
Our Lady of the Rocks costs depend on the chosen excursion and its entry inclusions. The three-hour trip with an extended Perast visit was listed from EUR 27 per person in November 2026, with admission extra. Its time in Perast is 1.5 hours. The three-hour Blue Cave speedboat combination has an optional island stop: select that option expressly if landing is essential.
The eight-hour bay cruise includes boat transportation and church and museum admission. Meeting points depend on the option, so plan the journey to the named departure separately. Travellers focused on the island and Perast can choose the three-hour town-and-island trip; those wanting a full boat day can choose the eight-hour bay combination. Compare the boat routes by their stops as well as their total length.
Perast and St George are separate places
Perast is the waterfront town, while Our Lady of the Rocks and St George are separate neighbouring islands. A view of St George from a boat does not include a landing there. Keep church and museum plans tied to Our Lady of the Rocks, and choose a route with an explicit island stop rather than a simple sail-past.
For a visit from Croatia, the Dubrovnik day trip combines road travel and a sightseeing cruise. Hotel transfers on the option-based departure need to be selected. For the Blue Cave, the maritime authority confirmed a motorboat ban in the Plava špilja area on 17 June 2026. Arrange the cave-area programme with that rule in mind, rather than expecting a motorboat entrance.
Questions about Our Lady of the Rocks
Is this the official church website?
No, this Our Lady of the Rocks guide is independent of the church, museum and tourism authorities. The pages help you compare boat routes and prepare a visit. For arrangements affecting your travel date, use the selected excursion's booking details and contact the relevant operator about the actual departure and access.
Which visit suits a church-focused trip?
Our Lady of the Rocks suits a focused visit by crossing from Perast or joining an excursion with an explicit island stop. Choose church and museum admission separately where excluded. The island-and-cable-car combination includes both, but also spends part of its itinerary away from the church, so consider the whole route.
Can the island and Blue Cave fit into one trip?
Yes, Our Lady of the Rocks and the Blue Cave feature in combined bay excursions. Select the island-stop option where required and distinguish admission from landing. The cave lies on Luštica, and the motorboat ban confirmed on 17 June 2026 applies to its area. Swimming depends on conditions and local instructions.