Sarandë: Boat Tour Turtle Cave Kakome & Krorez Snorkeling

The best part of this Sarandë boat tour is its steady mix of quiet coves and clear-water swim stops. In 270 minutes, you cruise north along the Albanian Riviera, pause for photos at unusual rock formations, snorkel in sheltered bays, and spend the longest break at hard-to-reach Krorez Beach.

I like the comfortable boat, included snorkel gear, and friendly captains such as Kosta and Mario. I also like the small-group feel, which makes it easier to move around the coves than on a large excursion boat. The main drawback is the long Krorez stop: two and a half to three hours is relaxing if you want lunch and beach time, but it may feel slow if you prefer constant sightseeing.

At a glance

• Six coastal stops in one trip: The captain chooses six of seven locations, depending on weather and sea conditions.
• Turtle Cave photo stop: See rock formations shaped like turtle shells, with about 10 minutes for pictures.
• Three swimming breaks: Gremina, Kakome, and Military Bay each allow up to about 20 to 25 minutes in the water.
• Krorez takes most of the afternoon: Plan on two and a half to three hours for the beach, food, swimming, and an optional umbrella.
• Small-group atmosphere: The boat has comfortable seating, Bluetooth music, and snorkel equipment.
• Bring cash and supplies: Food and alcohol are not included, and the restaurants and umbrella rentals at Krorez are cash only.

Sarandë to the quieter northern coast

The boat leaves from Saranda Boat 1, with the meeting table across from Guma Restaurant on Sarandë’s promenade. This is a convenient starting point if you are staying in town, but you should allow a little time to find the exact table before departure.

Once the boat pulls away, the busy waterfront gives way to a more open stretch of coast. The point of this trip is not simply transportation to one beach. It is a full half-day of changing scenery, short swims, rocky coves, and a long stop where you can set your own pace.

The boat includes fuel, a captain, comfortable seating, and Bluetooth music. That combination matters. You can sit back between stops instead of worrying about navigation, while the music keeps the ride from feeling too quiet or formal. At the same time, this is not presented as a lecture-heavy sightseeing cruise. If you want detailed information about every cliff and cove, ask the captain directly. Some outings include clear explanations, while one visitor specifically wished for more background about the places being visited.

The group option costs about $37 per person, which is fair for a 4.5-hour outing with fuel and snorkel gear included. You are paying for access to beaches and coves that are not practical to reach from shore, not just for a boat ride. A private option is also available if you want the boat to yourself and prefer control over the pace.

Turtle Cave and the first photo stops

The first named stop is Shpella e Milotit, known here as Turtle Cave. The rocks have rounded shapes that suggest turtle shells, making this a natural place for pictures rather than a long swim. You get roughly 10 minutes, so have your phone or camera ready before the boat arrives.

This stop works best as a quick visual introduction to the coast. You will see the rock shapes, take pictures from the boat, and then move on. It is not the place to expect a long walk, a developed beach, or a full explanation of local geology.

Next comes a short stop at a less-publicized cove sometimes described as Secret Beach. The unusual detail here is the collection of old anchors left by local fish farmers. You stop for photographs only, with no swimming planned. That restriction may disappoint anyone already eager to get into the water, but it keeps the schedule moving and gives the trip a little variety.

These early stops are brief. If your ideal boat trip means lingering at every cove, this itinerary may feel brisk at first. If you enjoy seeing several different places in one outing, the short pauses make sense.

Gremina and Kakome for swimming

At Kepi i Qefalit, known in the tour description as Gremina, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling for around 20 to 25 minutes. The area is marked by a distinctive rock formation, and the water is the main attraction. Snorkel gear is included, so you can look below the surface without arranging equipment in advance.

Twenty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim and a little time with a mask, but it is not a long snorkeling session. Bring your own waterproof camera if you want pictures, and use biodegradable sunscreen as requested. The boat moves between several locations, so each swim stop is designed as a taste of the coast rather than a full aquatic excursion.

Kakome Beach follows with another swimming break of roughly 20 to 25 minutes. This is one of the more peaceful settings on the route, with clear water and a beach that feels removed from Sarandë’s busy waterfront. The stop gives you another chance to swim without spending the entire day in one place.

You should keep your towel and swimwear easy to reach. The schedule moves quickly between water stops, and you will not want to search through a packed bag while everyone else is getting ready. A charged phone is useful for the photo stops, but protect it carefully around the boat.

Krorez Beach and the long pause

Krorez is the centerpiece of the outing. Accessible by boat, it offers the kind of shore access that makes this trip worthwhile. The water is clear, the views are broad, and you have two and a half to three hours to decide how to spend the stop.

You can swim, sit on the beach, eat at a local restaurant, or rent an umbrella. Food and alcohol are not included, and the restaurants and umbrella rentals use cash only. Bring enough Albanian lek or other accepted cash before leaving Sarandë. Do not assume you can pay by card once you arrive.

This long stop is a strength and a weakness. I like having time to slow down after several short swim breaks. You can eat without rushing, dry off, and enjoy the shore instead of treating the beach as another five-minute photo stop.

On the other hand, Krorez is a small area with limited facilities. If you are mainly interested in seeing the coastline from the boat, two and a half hours can feel excessive. One practical way to handle it is to treat the stop as your main beach afternoon. Bring food if you want more choice, or budget for the local restaurant and an umbrella.

The beach can also become crowded. One otherwise positive account pointed to overcrowding and a seabed that was not always as clean as expected. That is a useful reminder to keep your expectations realistic. The setting is beautiful, but it is not an untouched private beach.

Military Bay and the ride home

The final swimming stop is Plazhi i Ushtarit, also called Military Bay or Rrojdhes. The location brings another change of mood, combining coastal scenery with a military connection. You get up to about 20 to 25 minutes for swimming before the boat turns back toward Sarandë.

The captain may adjust the exact route. Six of the seven listed locations are visited, depending on weather and sea conditions. That flexibility is sensible on an exposed coast, but it means you should not treat every stop as guaranteed. Strong wind or rough water can change the order or remove one location.

The return ride gives you time to sit, listen to music, and look back at the coves from the water. Several people especially liked the boat’s speed, comfortable seating, and clean condition. A dolphin sighting was also reported on one outing, but that is a lucky possibility, not something to book the tour expecting.

Captains, group size, and atmosphere

The people running the boat are a major part of the experience. Kosta is repeatedly singled out for being warm, professional, safety-minded, and attentive. Mario is also praised for a friendly approach. The exact captain depends on the departure, but the available guides speak Albanian, English, and Greek.

The tone is informal. Music plays through Bluetooth, and the crew may give local information as you travel. You can expect a social setting rather than a silent, formal cruise. That makes the tour a natural fit for couples, friends, and families who want to meet other people without committing to a large party boat.

Group size can vary, but several outings were described as small, including one with seven people. A smaller boat makes it easier to pull into narrow coves and gives you a better chance of receiving direct help from the captain. It also means the seating and swimming schedule depend on the people sharing your boat.

There is a private booking option if you want more control. The group tour is the better value for most people, while a private boat makes more sense for a family or friend group that wants its own music, timing, and space.

What to pack for a comfortable half-day

Keep your packing simple but practical:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Water and food, especially if you want choices beyond the local restaurant
• Cash for lunch and an umbrella at Krorez
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• A waterproof camera or protected phone
• Beachwear and a charged smartphone

Snorkel gear is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately. You should still bring your own equipment if you have a preferred fit.

The boat is not suitable for people over 70 or people over 209 pounds, or 95 kilograms. The supplied information does not describe wheelchair access, so you should ask the operator before booking if you have mobility concerns.

Is $37 a good value?

At $37 per person, this is a strong value if you want several coastal stops in one outing. Fuel, the captain, seating, and snorkel gear are included. You also avoid arranging separate transport to beaches that are difficult to reach overland.

The price does not cover food, alcohol, or an umbrella. Those extras are easy to overlook, especially because the Krorez stop is long. Bring cash and decide ahead of time if you want to buy lunch or pack your own.

The value is lower for someone who dislikes fixed schedules. You will have short swimming windows at Gremina, Kakome, and Military Bay, plus a long beach break that you cannot shorten simply because you have seen enough. For a private boat, the price structure changes because you pay for the boat rather than a single seat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times for your date, since the 270-minute duration does not tell you when the boat leaves.

Who should book this Sarandë boat tour?

I would choose this outing if you want to see several northern Riviera coves in one day and do not have a car or boat. It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, families, and small groups of friends. You do not need to be an expert in the water, since the swim breaks are short and you can remain on the boat.

It is also a good choice for people who enjoy a friendly atmosphere. Kosta and Mario are associated with the warm, personal style that makes a small boat trip pleasant, and the music adds a relaxed holiday feel.

I would think twice if you want long, serious snorkeling sessions, a quiet nature trip, or guaranteed solitude. The water is often the star, but the beaches can be busy, and the long Krorez stop may test your patience if you prefer constant movement.

Should you book it?

Book this Sarandë boat tour if your priority is a good-value day on the water, with multiple swim stops, an accessible price, and a generous beach break. The route gives you more variety than a simple ride to one beach, and the small-group format makes the experience personal.

Skip it if you want a fully narrated history tour or complete control over every minute. For most visitors who want clear water, scenic coves, music, and an easy way to reach the coast north of Sarandë, this is a well-balanced choice. Bring cash, accept that weather may change the route, and treat Krorez as the main beach stop rather than a quick photo opportunity.

FAQ

How long does the Sarandë boat tour last?

The tour lasts 270 minutes, or about 4.5 hours.

Where does the boat tour meet?

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

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Turtle Cave, a photo stop at the anchors, Gremina, Kakome Beach, Krorez Beach, and Military Bay or Rrojdhes. The captain visits six of seven possible locations depending on weather.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel gear, fuel, the captain, comfortable seating, and Bluetooth music are included.

Is food included?

No. Food and alcohol are not included. At Krorez, local restaurants and umbrella rentals are cash only.

Can I book a private boat?

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

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.