The official start of the swimming season on Montenegro’s coast began on May 1, but many beaches in Tivat, Bar and Ulcinj remain unprepared, despite earlier promises from authorities that they would be ready for tourists.
Except for Budva, where beach furniture has been placed on most beaches, the situation at other coastal locations is less than ideal. Reports confirm that even with the start of the season, it remains unclear who will manage many of the beaches, especially on Ulcinj’s Velika Plaža.
Despite assurances from Morsko Dobro (the public enterprise responsible for beaches) that preparations would be completed on time, the beaches along the Tivat Riviera are far from ready. The reporter visited several beaches where Morsko Dobro had offered leases, but the expected infrastructure, including beach chairs, lifeguards, and other services, was missing. Some beaches, like Verige, Bankina, Waikiki, and others along the Tivat coastline, were in disrepair, with no amenities in place.
At some locations, such as Waikiki Beach, preparations have just begun with controversial and ecologically damaging practices like beach replenishment using sand and gravel from nearby quarries. Similarly, the beach in front of the Manor Hotel is completely empty due to disputes between the previous and new leaseholders.
The situation is particularly dire at the once-popular Plavi Horizonti Beach in Tivat, where visitors found piles of trash at the entrance, and heavy machinery was still working on the beach, making it unfit for tourists.
At Velika Plaža in Ulcinj, which has around forty beaches, only 10% were ready by the May Day holiday. Despite previous tender offers for beach leases, most beach operators have yet to sign contracts with Morsko Dobro. The leasing process has been delayed due to high guarantee requirements and uncertainty about who will be allowed to manage the beaches.
In Bar, preparations for the season are still in progress, with some beaches in Šušanj and Sutomore preparing to set up beach chairs, though no one knows exactly when this will happen.
In contrast, Budva is fully prepared, with beaches open and busy, especially during the international carnival. Most beach operators have already signed contracts, and the city is welcoming a significant number of tourists.
While the official start of the season was on May 1, the readiness of the beaches varies greatly across Montenegro, with some places still not prepared for the summer rush.
