#16 MONTENEGRO [Bay of Kotor]

UltraSwim 33.3 Montenegro 2026 – four days, six swims and a total of 33.3 km 

Supported by Herceg Novi Tourism Organisation.

Magical Montenegro

The weather, the ocean and the vibrant community.

During the past four days, 102 swimmers from 22 nationalities took on the iconic 33.3 km English Channel distance in and around the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. Based at the Lazure Hotel & Marina in the town of Herceg Novi the swimmers experienced glorious conditions each day.

The Bay of Kotor is where the first UltraSwim 33.3 event was held in 2022. This year’s fifth edition of UltraSwim 33.3 Montenegro united swimmers from all over the world and swimmers from the age of 15 to the age of 85! Each and every one with different backgrounds and experience. As usual for UltraSwim 33.3 events, more than 50% of all swimmers were women. A very unusual gender split compared to other Ultra endurance events.  

As with most Ultra endurance events there are some that come to race hard for the front but with a majority who come to finish, which in itself is a major feat. With four days of racing the community of swimmers come together as a vibrant group of people, supporting each other, finding their tribe and sharing their life stories.

The 2026 event saw many newcomers of which most had never completed a 10 km swim in open water. To have the daunting distance of 33.3 km in front of you before starting four days of swimming could fill the heart with fear and self-doubt. By the end, after completing the equivalent of the English Channel, hearts are brimming with pride and self-confidence.

The community and the locations are what sets UltraSwim 33.3 events apart from others. Every swim is an adventure and a journey, every location is stunning, and the overall feeling is an outstanding experience.

Four days. Six swims. 33.3 kilometres. The equivalent of the English Channel distance.

Impressive feat:

Achille Gobet, winner of the men’s skins category and second overall is 15 years old. He is a South African living in Switzerland with a beautiful swim stroke and a bright future. He swims with poise and self-confidence in the sometimes quite tough front pack. On the last swim he led from the beginning to the end with no one able to catch up with him.

Day 1 – Two swims

The first swim of the event is one of the toughest. 6.7 km from the Croatia border, across the channel to Zanjice.

The second swim is from the Lazure Hotel & Marina to the Herceg Novi 17^th century Forte Mare fortress – 2,7 km.

A well-deserved swimmer lunch is served in local restaurants. 

Day 2 – Two swims

The morning starts with a boat & minibus transfer to Lustica Bay for an in-water start and a tough 7.4 km swim in and out of the bays swimming north along the coast. For an in-water finish at Tijesna and a boat transfer to Mamula island – a five star Banyan tree resort on an old fortress island. Here, the swimmers eat lunch with beautiful views over the coast.

The second swim is an untimed swim of two laps around the island for a total of 1,8 km, now an integral part of the event – often referred to as the washing machine.

Day 3 – Marathon Day

The longest swim of the event: 10.8 km along the coast with a start through the iconic Blue Cave via spectacular waters, in and out of a Cold war submarine pen to the finish in the quaint village of Rose. A major milestone for most swimmers, and an emotional challenge for all.

Day 4 – The Final Swim

3.9 km from Lazure Hotel & Marina towards the historical town centre of Herceg Novi and then back again along two laps of a square course. All swimmers finish and unite with their friends, fans and families back at the Lazure beach for champagne, celebrations and the prize-giving.

Winners – Skins Category - no buoyancy material / wetsuit‍

Women: Debora Puzzi Fernandes 🇧🇷 (BRA) - 09:09:36

Men: Achille Gobat – 15 years old - 🇿🇦 (ZAF) - 08:46:04

Winners – Wetsuit Category

Women: Lisanne Boets 🇳🇱 (NLD) - 09:18:08

Men: Pim Vogel 🇳🇱 (NLD) - 08:45:40

UltraSwim 33.3 Montenegro 2026 in numbers

• 33.3 km 

• 4 days / 6 swims

• Fifth edition

• 102 participants

• 77 first-time participants

• 25 returning swimmers

• 22 nationalities

• 57% women

• Oldest swimmer: 85 years old

• Youngest swimmer: 15 years old

• Average age: 55

• 76 participants completed the distance

Quotes:‍

Peggy McDowell - Cramer, USA -  85 years old

• The last swim was fantastic! Flat, calm waters made for my easiest swim.
  

The experience, the support and the organisation has been exceptional. It is just so much more than a swim.

Martin Empacher, Denmark

• This is by far the most well-organized event I have ever experienced in my more than 30 years of swimming. The location, the logistics, the care and the community is beyond expectations.

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DAILY HIGHLIGHT VIDEO PLAYLIST

FIND PHOTOS OF YOURSELF (via HONCHO facial scan)

Plus all our professional photos from each day on google drive - please just credit UltraSwim 33.3 if you publish them.

OVERALL RESULTS + our Chatbot Captain Webb on the website is also able to compare for example your average speed between #16 and a previous event you did, give it a go!

FULL REPLAYS OF THE TRACKING - in the order they were swum - and perfect for screenshots and sharing!

Friday Race 1 - Friday Race 2 - Saturday - Sunday - Monday

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