SUP Trip: Karuč-Dodoši-Malo Blato-Karuč
Anja
3 min read
Living right next to Lake Skadar National Park and having a boat opens up so many possibilities for small weekly adventures. The lake is huge, and the roads are narrow and slow, so having a boat really helps — we can skip the traffic and reach the best spots easily. One of my favourite starting points is the old fishing village of Karuč. The view above feels magical. It’s surrounded by underwater springs, called “oko” in Montenegrin, and tucked between hills. It’s also the place where the first Montenegrin king once had his winter residence. Today, it’s a peaceful and picturesque spot — perfect for an amazing paddle. If you plan to come by car, there is a small park area in the village.
This time, we planned to paddle the Karuč–Dodoši–Malo Blato–Karuč route, passing through a channel locals call the "Amazon". The whole route is approximately 14 km long.
This Lake Skadar paddleboarding route takes you through some of the most beautiful and less crowded parts of the lake. About 2 km from Karuč, we enter a narrow channel, the "Amazon". It’s one of the highlights of paddleboarding in Montenegro — a green tunnel of trees, reeds, and calm water. If you arrive early, before the tour boats, you’ll have it almost to yourself. Just birds, wind, and silence. The “Amazon” is easily our favourite part. Starting early also helps avoid the strong summer sun. By midday, you’ll probably be ready to sit in the shade — ideally somewhere by the water, enjoying freshly prepared fish. In summer, there are a few family-run restaurants on the lake that you can reach only by boat.
After the channel, we continued left towards Dodoši, paddling upstream. The Karatuna River, which flows through the village, once served as the natural border between Montenegro and the Ottoman Empire. Due to fluctuating water levels, Dodoši is surrounded by lush green fields in the summer but transforms into a peninsula during the autumn and winter. Just past the village, there’s a small and cosy spot, Camping Dodoši, right by the water. They serve local food and even Montenegrin craft beer. Would love to camp there one day!
Further on, we reach a fork and keep left and pass Biševina, a popular swimming spot for locals. In peak summer, the water here can get very shallow, so you might need to step off your board and walk for a short section. Soon after, the water deepens again, and the landscape opens up as you enter Malo Blato.
Malo Blato (English translation: 'The small mud') is a quiet, hidden part of Lake Skadar – a kind of sub-lake with a wide, magnificent landscape. It’s one of those places that still feels untouched, with wide-open views and complete peace. We would have loved to explore further, but the sun was already starting to go down and we still had a long way back. Luckily, heading downstream made the return much easier.
On the way back, we were rewarded with one of those unforgettable sunsets — deep orange light, layers of hills, and the lake slowly calming down for the evening. A perfect ending to a long day on the water. Tired, but grateful for days like this.
Tips for Paddleboarding on Lake Skadar
Start early – best light, fewer boats, more wildlife
Put on sun protection – summers get very hot
Go plastic-free – sadly you can see plastic pollution on many places
Plan your return – some routes are easier one way than the other
Check opening times of water restaurants – many are family-run and work seasonally; you can find contacts on Google Maps and quickly check if they’re open and serving fo
Sup Adventure Lake Skadar
Discover Lake Skadar National Park on paddle board.
Virpazar, Montenegro
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