Locals call Sveti Nikola “Hawaii”, with the particular affection reserved for a good joke that stuck. It is the largest island on the Montenegrin coast, a green wooded ridge about a nautical mile off Budva, uninhabited except for a beach restaurant and a small population of semi-wild deer that wander down to inspect the sunbathers.
Getting there is half taxi ride, half ferry crossing in miniature. Taxi boats shuttle from the town marina and from Slovenska Plaža through the season, taking a few minutes each way; buy the ticket on the waterfront. Resist any temptation to swim across: the channel looks inviting and short, but the currents between island and mainland are genuinely strong.
Once landed, the island is simple pleasures. A string of pebble beaches with some of the clearest water around Budva, good snorkelling off the rocks, low ledges to jump from, and shoreline to wander when lying still gets old. The catch of all pebble paradises applies: bring water shoes, because the stones are hard on feet, and carry water and sun cover since facilities beyond the restaurant are minimal.
It works best as a half-day: over in the morning, swim and lunch, back before the afternoon boats fill up. Boats run mainly May to October; fares are posted seasonally at the marina, so check on the day.
