Skadar Lake to Adriatic Sea by SUP

After breakfast at the campsite we will drive an hour to our start point – Murići. Here we will visit the nuns on the island monastery of Beška, energise ourselves with some homemade pomegranate juice and set off on the first leg of our epic wilderness adventure. Meandering past tiny islands we will head to shore for lunch at a fisherman’s shack.

Following a rest and snacks we will paddle further south to the village of Bobovište, the penultimate settlement on the Montenegrin side of Lake Skadar, where we will end the day’s 8 km paddle. Here we will set up camp with the remainder of the day spent swimming, relaxing or exploring the surrounding nature before the dinner and an evening accompanied by amazing views of the stars.

After breakfast, the second leg of our voyage begins. We will head south to Ckla, a small village which is the last settlement on the Montenegrin side of the lake. The vast expanse of water and the views of the foreboding, yet epic, “cursed” Prokletije Mountain Range of Albania won’t make you forget where you are. Throughout the 9 km journey there are plenty of places to stop, jump and swim in the beautiful lake. The second night of camping will be just as beautiful as the first, with another dinner by the campfire.

After breakfast our day will start with a bit of paperwork to get our border transit documents stamped. Once complete we will be ready to dig our paddles into the lake once more! In the morning we will complete the final stretch of Skadar Lake before it turns into the River Bojana. Within 3 km of paddling we will officially enter Albanian territory, passing the beautiful village of Zogay on our way to Shkodra.

Before we reach the city, on our 10 km journey, we will stop at the well known fisherman’s village of Shiroka, famous for the amazing fish restaurants on the shores of the lake. Here we will dine on fresh fish accompanied by delicious Albanian white wine. After lunch/dinner we will enter the historical city of Shkodra, where we will be staying in a cosy house and you will have a free evening and the opportunity to explore the city.

On day 5 we make the most of staying in one of Albania’s oldest and most historic towns. Following breakfast, our first activity is a visit to Rozafa Castle which rises imposingly from a rocky hill, 130 m above sea level overlooking the city surrounded by the Buna and Drin rivers. After the castle visit it is time to leave this important economic and cultural centre and continue our SUP adventure.

This is the longest leg of paddling, 21 km, which will take us downriver towards the sea. We will paddle until we reach the border with Montenegro enjoying the wilderness and beauty of the river as we go. We will have dinner and spend the night camping under the stars again.

Day 6 is the moment we have been waiting for – our final destination, where the River Bojana joins the Adriatic Sea. The mouth of the River Bojana is 60 m wide and the water is wonderfully fresh and clean. This last day of paddling makes this adventure extra special travelling on the border (which runs through the middle of the river) for the majority of this 15 km leg. Three km before we reach the sea we re-enter Montenegro – a bittersweet moment. After all, this destination has been the whole aim of our trip, but it also means that the SUP adventure is almost over!

Our final destination is Ada Bojana and Velika Plaža – 13 km long sandy beach. Here we will soak up the sun, swim and relax and swim in the Adriatic Sea. For our final night we will have a bbq and sleep in a house on the river.

Breakfast on the house terrace over the river is where we will have our farewell meal. You’ll have time to take the opportunity to swim in the river before returning to Virpazar. If you’d prefer to stay a bit longer on the coast, we recommend that you visit Ulcinj, a haven for kitesurfers.

If you are staying longer in Montenegro you can always join us on another adventure 😊