Sarandë: Boat Tour Turtle Cave Kakome & Krorez Snorkeling

The best Albanian beach day starts offshore. This 270-minute cruise from Sarandë packs the northern Riviera into one easy outing, with clear-water swim stops and a long break at Krorez Beach. I also like the small-group feel, comfortable seating, Bluetooth music, and the chance to meet people without giving up much personal space. The main tradeoff is the long Krorez stop, which some people will find wonderfully lazy and others may find too long for a beach with limited facilities.

Kosta and Mario receive especially warm praise for being friendly, careful, and willing to explain the coastline. Still, the amount of information can depend on which captain is working, and the boat visits six of seven possible locations at the captain’s discretion. If weather changes the route, you may miss a favorite stop.

Six things to know before you book

• Turtle Cave is a photo stop: The rock shapes are the attraction, not a place to swim.
• Krorez takes most of the beach time: Plan on 2.5 to 3 hours there for swimming, food, and an umbrella rental.
• The boat reaches coves that roads cannot: Kakome, Gremina, and Military Bay are best seen from the water.
• Snorkel gear is included: You can use it at the designated swimming stops without bringing your own equipment.
• The group size can be pleasantly small: Private and small-group options are available, though the exact group size varies.
• Bring cash and your own picnic supplies: Food and alcohol are not included, and Krorez restaurants accept cash only.

Leaving Sarandë for the northern Riviera

Meet at the Saranda Boat 1 table on the promenade, across from Guma Restaurant. The location is easy to find, but give yourself enough time to get there, especially if you are carrying towels, water, and beach gear.

The boat leaves from the marina and heads north along the Albanian Riviera. The included fuel and captain keep the pricing simple, while comfortable seating and Bluetooth music make the ride feel more like a social outing than a formal sightseeing cruise.

The boat itself is suited to this kind of coast. It can move between small coves and stop close enough to the water for easy swimming access. Several people particularly liked its clean condition, steady handling, and exciting speed between stops. If you prefer a quiet, slow cruise, the music and engine noise may matter more to you than they would to a family looking for a lively day out.

The tour is offered in Albanian, English, and Greek. Kosta and Mario are names that come up often in connection with warm service, clear explanations, and extra attention to safety. One captain may offer more commentary than another, so treat the sightseeing talk as a useful bonus rather than the central purpose of the trip.

Turtle Cave: a quick start with good photo value

The first stop is Shpella e Milotit, known here as Turtle Cave. The name comes from rock shapes that resemble turtle shells. You get about 10 minutes for photographs, so have your camera ready before the boat arrives.

This is not a long exploration stop. You will not be walking through a cave or settling in for a swim. Instead, the captain positions the boat for views of the unusual stone formations, giving you a quick introduction to the coast’s more dramatic shapes.

A waterproof camera or charged smartphone is useful here. The light, water, and rock surfaces can make this one of the more memorable photo stops, but the short timing means you should avoid treating it as a relaxed photography session.

Secret Beach and the forgotten anchors

The second stop is described as a hidden beach, though it is mainly a photo stop. Its curious feature is a collection of old anchors left by local fish farmers. You will see the spot from the boat, but swimming is not part of this stop.

That distinction matters. If you have booked the trip mainly for repeated swims, this pause may feel brief. If you enjoy small coastal details and want to understand how people have used these coves, the anchors add a little character to the route.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes. Keep your towel packed and your swimsuit on, because the next locations offer the first proper chances to get into the water.

Gremina and the first 20-minute swim

Kepi i Qefalit, called Gremina in the tour description, is the first swimming stop. A distinctive rock formation gives the area a clear visual marker, while the water is used for swimming and snorkeling.

You have up to 20 or 25 minutes here, depending on the day’s timing. That is enough for a brisk swim, a look below the surface with the supplied snorkel gear, and a few photographs. It is not enough for a long sunbathing session, so you will want to get into the water promptly.

This stop shows the rhythm of the tour: a short ride, a quick look, and then a focused swim. I like that pattern because it lets you see several different coves in one day. The downside is that you may feel rushed if you need extra time to change, help children into the water, or get comfortable with snorkeling.

Kakome Beach and the clearest water

Kakome is one of the quieter parts of the route, with clear water and a less developed feel than Sarandë’s town beaches. The stop allows up to 20 or 25 minutes for swimming.

This is a good point in the trip to use the snorkel equipment. The water clarity makes it possible to look below the surface, although you should keep expectations sensible. This is a coastal swim stop, not a full guided marine-life excursion, and the captain’s schedule determines how long you stay.

The appeal of Kakome is the sense of space and calm. You are visiting by boat rather than arriving through a normal beach entrance, which changes the whole mood. Pack biodegradable sunscreen and apply it before boarding or between stops, since the boat provides little shade information and sun exposure adds up quickly.

Krorez Beach: the long pause

Krorez is the centerpiece of the day. It can only be reached by boat, and the tour allows approximately 2.5 to 3 hours here. That gives you time to swim, sit on the beach, eat at a local restaurant, or rent an umbrella.

The long stop is a major reason to choose this tour. You are not simply stepping ashore for a rushed photograph. You have time to settle into the beach, swim without watching the clock every few minutes, and enjoy a proper break from the boat.

The facilities are limited. You may find a bar and a small selection of food rather than a full resort-style beach district. Food and alcohol are not included, and the local restaurants accept cash only, so bring Albanian lek or another accepted cash payment option. A packed lunch and water are wise even if you plan to buy something.

This stop will split people into two camps. I would enjoy the long pause if I wanted a relaxed beach day with some boating added. If I wanted constant movement, snorkeling, and new coves, I might find 2.5 hours too much, especially if the beach is crowded or the available food does not suit me.

Umbrella rental is also separate. Bring beachwear, a towel, and enough sun protection for several hours outdoors. A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch is practical because you will move between boat, water, and shore.

Military Bay and Rrojdhes

The final swimming area is called Plazhi i Ushtarit in the itinerary and Military Bay or Rrojdhes in the description. It combines a coastal setting with references to the area’s military past, though the exact amount of historical explanation depends on the captain.

You get up to 20 or 25 minutes for another swim. After the long Krorez break, this stop gives you one more chance to cool off before returning to Sarandë. It is also a useful place to take a final set of water photographs while you still have the snorkel gear available.

The short time frame remains the same issue as at Gremina and Kakome. You need to be ready to enter the water quickly, and you should follow the captain’s instructions about where to swim and when to return to the boat.

After this stop, the boat heads back to Saranda Boat 1. The return ride gives you a final look at the coast from offshore and a chance to enjoy the music and seating before stepping back onto the promenade.

What the $37 price really covers

At $37 per person, the tour offers good value if you intend to use the full day well. The price includes the boat, fuel, captain, snorkel gear, comfortable seating, and Bluetooth music. It also gives you access to several locations that would be difficult or impossible to reach by land.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. A normal beach day may give you more time in one place, but this cruise adds Turtle Cave, the anchor site, Gremina, Kakome, Krorez, and Military Bay in a single outing. You pay for access and transport as much as for the swimming itself.

Your extra costs are food, alcohol, and an umbrella at Krorez. Those expenses can remain modest if you bring your own lunch and water. If you buy everything at the beach, the total cost rises, and cash becomes essential.

Private booking is available if you want the boat to yourself and are willing to pay for the entire boat rather than a per-person place. A group booking makes the most sense for solo visitors, couples, friends, and families who like a social atmosphere. A private trip may suit a group that wants more control over the pace, but the supplied details do not guarantee that every stop or timing can be changed.

Group size, comfort, and safety

Small groups are one of the strongest features of this outing. A group of around seven people has been described as a comfortable balance, with enough company to feel social but not so many people that every stop becomes chaotic.

That said, group size is not fixed in the information provided. If you are sensitive to crowding, ask about the expected boat load before booking. One less-positive account described overcrowding and a less relaxing experience, so the small-group option may be worth considering during the busiest part of summer.

The boat is described as clean and well maintained, with comfortable seating. Captains have been praised for careful handling, clear safety attention, and helping people feel at ease. Still, this is an active boat-and-swim outing, not a gentle sightseeing bus tour.

The activity is not suitable for people over 70 or for anyone over 209 pounds, or 95 kilograms. Those limits should be treated seriously when deciding if the boat and swimming setup will work for you.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend it to you if you want to combine swimming, simple snorkeling, coastal photographs, and a relaxed beach break. Couples can enjoy the scenic stops, friends can make a day of the music and swimming, and families may appreciate having both active moments and free time.

It is also a good choice for solo visitors who want company without committing to a large organized group. The social setup makes it easy to meet people, while the route gives you plenty to look at between conversations.

You may want another type of excursion if you dislike boat motion, need extensive shade, want a detailed history lesson, or prefer to stay in one place. The guided information can be helpful, but the main attraction is the coast, water, and relaxed pace rather than a formal lecture.

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, food, cash, a charged phone, and a waterproof camera if you have one. Biodegradable sunscreen is the responsible choice for the coves, and a dry bag will help protect your phone and cash.

Should you book the Sarandë boat tour?

Book it if you want a good-value coastal sampler with several swim stops and one long beach break. At $37, the combination of boat access, fuel, captain, snorkel gear, and a 2.5 to 3 hour stop at Krorez makes sense for most people who want an active day outside Sarandë.

Before booking, decide how you feel about the long Krorez pause. If that sounds like the best part, this is an easy choice. If you want nonstop movement, ask about the group size and expected timing, then consider a private boat if your budget allows.

The weather controls the final route, and six of the seven locations are visited at the captain’s discretion. Go for the overall mix of clear water, quiet coves, music, and friendly service, not for a promise that every stop will be identical.

FAQ

How long does the Sarandë boat tour last?

The activity lasts 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours. The timing includes the boat ride, photo stops, swimming stops, the Krorez Beach break, and the return to Sarandë.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Saranda Boat 1 table on the promenade, across from Guma Restaurant.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel gear is included in the tour price.

Is food included?

No. Food and alcohol are not included. You should bring food and drinks, and remember that the restaurants at Krorez accept cash only.

How many locations does the boat visit?

The boat visits six of seven possible locations. The captain chooses the route based on weather conditions.

Can I book a private boat?

Yes. You can book a group place and pay per person, or reserve the entire boat privately and pay for the boat.