Group Tour 7 stops Saranda to Krorez Free Drink and Umbrella

The Albanian coast is best seen from the water. This five-hour Santi Boat Saranda trip takes you by speedboat to seven bays, caves, and beaches that are difficult or impossible to reach by road. I especially like the generous two-and-a-half-hour pause at Krorez Beach and the chance to swim and snorkel at several quieter spots along the northern coast.

The $29 price is also hard to argue with, since it includes a drink, snorkel gear, and a beach umbrella at Krorez. The main thing to consider is that this is an active speedboat outing, not a quiet sightseeing cruise. Some people may find the boat crowded, and Krorez restaurants can be expensive, so lunch needs a little planning.

Quick take: what makes this trip worthwhile

• Seven stops in five hours: You get a good mix of caves, rocky bays, open-water swims, and a long beach break.
• Krorez gets real time: The two-and-a-half-hour stop gives you time to eat, swim, rent-free under an umbrella, and slow down.
• Captains bring strong local experience: Santi Boat says its captains have more than 30 years at sea, and guides such as Freddy, Santi, Remi, Andy, and Nino receive repeated praise for safety and energy.
• Swimming is built into the route: Most stops allow around 20 to 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.
• Useful extras are included: You receive one free drink, snorkel equipment, an ice box for personal drinks, and a free umbrella at the main beach stop.
• A few limits matter: The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one, people with epilepsy, or people over 110 kilograms. Posted age restrictions also exclude people over 65 and over 80.

Why this $29 boat trip offers strong value

At $29 per person, this is one of those outings where the value comes from the number of experiences packed into a single morning or afternoon. You are not paying only for a boat ride to one beach. You are getting transport to seven coastal locations, several opportunities to swim, a guide in English or Italian, snorkel gear, a drink, and an umbrella at Krorez.

The five-hour length is important. Shorter trips often rush past the coves or leave you with only a quick swim. Here, the itinerary gives you several small stops of around 10 to 20 minutes, followed by a much longer beach stay. That rhythm works well: see something striking, get into the water, then move on before the scenery becomes repetitive.

I would not call the experience luxurious. It is a group tour, and one rating specifically noted that 12 people felt slightly crowded on the boat. Still, the boat is described as a comfortable, well-maintained 2024 model, with safety presented as a central priority. For the price, that is a sensible trade.

Leaving Saranda for the northern coast

The meeting point is in Saranda at V2F5+HG Sarandë. From there, the boat heads north along the coast. The first ride takes about 10 minutes, giving you a quick change from the busy waterfront to a more open stretch of sea.

The speedboat is part of the fun. You get the wind, the sound of the motor, and changing views of rocky shorelines and clear water. Guides also play music, and the tone seems to be social and upbeat rather than formal. Freddy is often praised for keeping the mood light, while Nino is noted for his music choices and easy energy.

That atmosphere will suit you if you like a boat trip with conversation, music, and a little playfulness. If you want silence and a slow narration about geology, this probably is not your best pick.

The captains also adapt to conditions. Several accounts describe careful handling when the water became choppy or when waves made boarding at Krorez more difficult. That matters on a speedboat, especially if you are not a confident swimmer or have never taken this kind of trip before.

Turtle Cave: a short first look at the coast

The first stop is Turtle Cave, reached after roughly 10 minutes on the water. It is a brief visit of around 10 minutes, with free time for photos and a swim or snorkel.

This is a quick introduction rather than a full beach stop. You will not have time to settle in with a towel, but the short pause gives you a chance to see the color of the water up close. If conditions are calm, snorkel gear lets you look below the surface rather than treating the coast as a postcard only.

Bring your phone in a waterproof pouch if you want photos from the water. The guides are also helpful with photos and videos. Andy, in particular, is praised for checking that people were comfortable and helping capture pictures during the trip.

Anchor Cave: photos, water, and a little more time

A two-minute speedboat ride brings you to Anchor Cave. The second stop lasts about 10 minutes and again combines a photo stop with swimming and snorkeling.

The short distance between the first two sites keeps the tour moving. You spend less time crossing empty water and more time at the coast itself. That is one of the better choices in the route design, especially for a five-hour tour.

Do not expect each stop to feel like a separate beach day. These early locations are compact, and the point is to see several formations and swim in different settings. You may be stepping into the water from the boat, rather than walking onto a broad sandy shore.

A life jacket is available, and one non-swimmer specifically described feeling safe enough to enter the water with the captain’s help. That does not mean you need to swim. You can remain on board if you prefer, but tell the captain what you need.

Gremina e Qefalit and Kakome: clear water with time to swim

The next two stops are Gremina e Qefalit and Kakome. The boat reaches Gremina after about five minutes, and the stop lasts roughly 20 minutes. Kakome follows after another three-minute ride and allows another 20 minutes for photos, swimming, and snorkeling.

These stops create the middle section of the trip, where the focus shifts from looking at caves to spending more time in the water. The coast here is repeatedly described as exceptionally clear, with quiet bays chosen to avoid the heaviest crowds.

That crowd management is one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. The northern coast near Saranda can feel very different from the town waterfront, but popular beaches still fill up during summer. Captains such as Freddy and Remi are praised for reaching swimming spots early or selecting places with fewer boats.

The word quiet should be understood in relative terms. You are still on a group speedboat, and music may be playing. The appeal is not total solitude. It is having a more pleasant place to swim than a packed public beach.

Snorkel gear is provided on board. You can also bring your own drinks and store them in the ice box. That is useful because a cold drink after a swim can save you from buying every refreshment at a beach restaurant.

Krorez Beach: the main event and the lunch stop

After another short ride, you reach Krorez Beach, where the boat stays for about two and a half hours. This is the anchor of the whole outing. You have enough time to swim, sit under an umbrella, eat lunch, and enjoy the beach without watching the clock every five minutes.

The free umbrella is a practical benefit, especially in the strong Albanian sun. Bring your own beach towel, since towels are not listed as included. The beach also has a restaurant, but lunch is not part of the tour price.

I would research the restaurant before you go, or at least ask the guide about current options. One meal account praised the sea bream, while another found the restaurant costly and disappointing. That is a useful warning: the boat tour can be excellent value, but your beach lunch may not be.

There is also a less glamorous detail. Bees and wasps can be present around food on the beach. Keep sweet drinks and snacks closed when you are not using them, and avoid leaving food uncovered. This is not a reason to skip Krorez, but it is the sort of small fact that helps you enjoy the stop without irritation.

Krorez is also where boarding can require care if the waves are high. The captains have helped people get on and off safely, but you should expect a beach landing to be less tidy than stepping onto a pier. Wear sandals or water shoes with a secure strap if you have them.

Soldiers Bay and Rojdhe Bay: two final coastal pauses

After Krorez, the boat heads to Soldiers Bay in about 10 minutes. You get another 20-minute stop for photos, swimming, and snorkeling. The final named stop is Rojdhe Bay, reached after another 10-minute ride, with a further 20-minute pause.

These last stops keep the day from ending with only a beach visit. You return to the boat and the open water, with two more chances to swim or simply take in the coast from sea level. Some outings add an extra swimming location when conditions and timing allow, so the exact feel of the route may vary slightly.

That flexibility appears to be part of the experience. The captain may choose a less crowded spot or adjust the route for water conditions. You should not expect every detail to run like a rigid timetable, but the main structure remains clear: seven locations, multiple swim breaks, and a long stay at Krorez.

The final ride back to Saranda takes around 10 minutes. By then, you will likely be ready for dry clothes, a proper shower, and perhaps a meal that does not involve beach prices.

The captains shape the whole experience

The boat and coastline are the obvious attractions, but the captain can make or break a group trip. Santi Boat lists more than 30 years of sea experience among its captains, and that experience shows up most clearly in the practical moments: handling choppy water, helping people board, checking on non-swimmers, and choosing less crowded places.

Freddy receives especially strong praise for friendly hosting, music, fruit, drinks, and patient help. Santi is described as fun, professional, and reassuring with nervous swimmers. Remi is praised for being polite and for helping the group reach good spots before other boats. Andy is noted for making sure people were comfortable and helping with photos.

You may not get a particular captain, so I would not book solely because of one name. The broader pattern is more useful: expect a guide who is involved in the group, not someone who simply drives the boat and points at the shore.

Fresh fruit and extra soft drinks have also appeared on some trips, but only one free drink is formally included. Treat fruit and additional refreshments as pleasant extras, not guaranteed services.

What to bring for a more comfortable day

The operator supplies snorkel gear, an ice box for your drinks, one drink, and a beach umbrella. I would still pack carefully:

• Beach towel, since one is not included
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Secure sandals or water shoes
• A waterproof phone pouch
• Personal drinks or snacks
• A small amount of cash for lunch and beach purchases
• Swimwear that is comfortable for repeated water stops

Keep sweet foods and soda closed at Krorez because bees and wasps may gather around them. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask for a life jacket before entering the water. You can enjoy the scenery from the boat without swimming at every stop.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with epilepsy, babies under one year, or people weighing over 110 kilograms. The published information also lists age restrictions for people over 65 and over 80. Those limits are unusually specific, so check them carefully before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those policies help if your schedule depends on weather or changing plans, but they do not remove the need to check the starting time and meeting point.

Who should book this Saranda boat tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see a lot of the coast in half a day and prefer active sightseeing to sitting at one beach. It works particularly well for couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy group energy, and families with older children who are comfortable around a speedboat.

It is also a good match for nervous swimmers if you speak up and use a life jacket. The captain’s role is more hands-on than you might expect at this price, and the swimming stops can be enjoyed at your own level.

I would think twice if you dislike music, group outings, or repeated boarding from the water. The boat can feel crowded when full, and the route includes several short stops rather than long, quiet visits at every location.

The tour is also less suitable if your main goal is a restaurant meal. Lunch costs extra, and the quality and price at Krorez may vary. Bring your own drinks and treat the beach restaurant as a convenience, not the centerpiece.

FAQ

How long does the Santi Boat Saranda tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including the speedboat rides, seven coastal stops, swimming breaks, snorkeling time, and the long stop at Krorez Beach.

How many locations does the boat visit?

The route visits seven locations: Turtle Cave, Anchor Cave, Gremina e Qefalit, Kakome, Krorez Beach, Soldiers Bay, and Rojdhe Bay.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. Krorez Beach has a restaurant, but you should budget separately for food and drinks.

Is an umbrella included?

Yes. A beach umbrella is included at Krorez Beach. Beach towels are not listed as included, so bring your own.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment provided?

You receive one free drink, and snorkel gear is available on board. You may also bring personal drinks and keep them chilled in the boat’s ice box.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Italian.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want strong value, clear-water swimming, and several hard-to-reach coastal stops in one outing. The long Krorez break, free umbrella, helpful captains, and frequent swimming opportunities give the $29 price real weight.

I would book with three expectations: the boat may be lively and fairly full, lunch is extra, and the trip is better suited to active passengers than to anyone needing step-free access or a quiet cruise. Bring a towel, close your snacks around the beach insects, and let the captain handle the route. For a practical introduction to Saranda’s northern coast, this is an easy recommendation.