Saranda Boat Tour: Krorez, Kakome, Gremina, Caves & Soldier

Five hours, five coastal stops. Aris Boat Tour gives you a brisk but rewarding look at the quieter side of Saranda’s coast, with clear water, rocky coves, beach time, and a long break at Kroreza. I especially like the extended two-hour stop at Kroreza and the chance to swim or snorkel at several locations rather than simply photograph them from the boat. I also like the choice between a private trip and a group outing.

The main point to consider is time. The tour is described as a full-day excursion, but the listed duration is about five hours, and most stops last only 20 to 30 minutes. That works well for a broad coastal sampler, but it may feel rushed if you want long swims at every beach.

Quick take: what makes this boat trip worthwhile

• Kroreza gets the most time: Plan on about two hours for swimming, beach time, snorkeling, or lunch at a local taverna.
• Several different coastal scenes: You see Kepi I Qefalit, Kakome, Soldier Bay, Rojdhe, and the surrounding coves in one outing.
• A practical mix of activity and rest: The trip includes swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, photo stops, and time to sit on the beach.
• English and Albanian guiding: The crew provides commentary, local tips, and safety help during the trip.
• Private or group choices: You can choose a more personal outing or join a shared boat.
• Good value at $44: The price covers the boat ride, guiding, and multiple coastal stops, but food, drinks, and sunbeds cost extra.

Leaving Aris Boat Tour for the open coast

The meeting point is the Aris Boat Tour sail stand, marked with the company logo. From there, you board a speedboat and head along the Saranda coastline.

The first ride takes about 10 minutes. That short opening run gets you away from the starting point quickly and begins the sightseeing before the longer beach stops. Since the boat is moving between several locations, you should expect a day built around changing views rather than one single beach stay.

The boat format matters here. A speedboat lets the crew cover more coastline in a few hours, but it also means a livelier ride than a slow cruising boat. If you prefer a calm, quiet crossing, ask about the private option before booking. If you enjoy moving from cove to cove, the speedboat is a good fit.

The crew speaks Albanian and English. Their role includes guiding, safety support, and commentary about the places along the route. A verified booking from Finland praised the captain as friendly and capable, which matches the practical character of this outing: you are not simply dropped at a beach and left to figure things out alone.

Kepi I Qefalit: your first clear-water stop

Kepi I Qefalit is the first main stop. You get about 30 minutes for photographs, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and free time.

This is a useful opening stop because it lets you settle into the rhythm of the tour. You can take in the coastal views, get into the water, or stay aboard and watch the cliffs and coves from the boat. The stop is long enough for a quick swim, but not long enough for a slow beach afternoon.

If you want photos, use the first few minutes. The boat is likely to move on while the light and water still look fresh, and you do not want to spend the whole stop searching for the perfect angle. For swimmers, this is a chance to test the water before reaching the longer stop at Kroreza.

The main limitation is simple: 30 minutes passes quickly. Treat Kepi I Qefalit as an introduction, not the main event.

Kakome Beach and its rougher coastal beauty

Next comes Kakome Beach, with another 30-minute stop. The plan allows time for photos, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and a guided look at the area.

Kakome is one of the places where the contrast between rock and sea makes the route feel more varied. The beach and surrounding cliffs offer a more secluded setting than a typical town beach, and the boat gives you a useful view of the coast before you step into the water.

You will want to keep your belongings organized here. With several short stops, there is little spare time for repeated trips between the boat, beach, and water. Pack your mask, towel, sunscreen, and phone in a small, easy-to-reach bag.

The tour information refers to clear water and snorkeling opportunities, but it does not promise snorkeling equipment. Bring your own gear if you want to make the most of the water. Food and drinks are not included, so carry water and a snack unless you plan to eat later at Kroreza.

Soldier Bay, known locally as Gjiri i Ushtarit

The next stop is Plazhi i Ushtarit, also called Soldier Bay or Gjiri i Ushtarit. You get about 30 minutes for a visit, a guided look, photos, swimming, and free time.

The appeal here is the combination of a clean beach and strikingly blue water. It is another short stop, so I would use it for the activity you most enjoy. If swimming is your priority, get ready before the boat arrives. If photographs matter more, stay aboard for wider coastal views and then use the remaining time on shore.

Three half-hour stops in a row give the tour a pleasant variety, but they also require a little discipline. You cannot linger at every spot. The benefit is that you see more of the coast in one morning or afternoon, instead of spending the entire trip at one beach.

After Soldier Bay, the boat makes another speedboat run of about 15 minutes. That is a good moment to rest, reapply sunscreen, and drink water before the longest stop.

Rojdhe and the route’s listed coastal coves

Rojdhe Beach is included among the destinations covered by the tour. The supplied route details do not assign it a separate stop time, so you should confirm with Aris Boat Tour how Rojdhe fits into the actual departure schedule.

That small detail is worth checking. The promotional description names Rojdhe, while the timed itinerary lists Kepi I Qefalit, Kakome, Soldier Bay, and Kroreza as the main stops. It may be visited as part of the route or included within the day’s coastal sightseeing rather than receiving a separate beach break.

The same applies to the caves named in the experience title. The information promises a route featuring caves and coastal coves, but it does not give a separate cave stop or a precise cave itinerary. Ask the crew at the meeting point if seeing the caves is important to you.

This is not a criticism of the trip. It is a useful planning point. Boat routes can depend on conditions and the captain’s judgment, and the difference between a photo pass and a proper swim stop matters when you are planning your day.

Kroreza Beach: the trip’s main reward

Kroreza is the long stop, with about two hours for a break, photographs, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and free time. This is where the tour slows down and gives you room to enjoy the coast rather than simply change locations.

You can relax on the beach, swim, explore nearby areas, or eat at one of the beach tavernas. Food and drinks are not included in the $44 price, but you can bring your own snacks or buy food at Kroreza. Sunbeds are also extra and can be rented at the beach.

I like this setup because it gives you a choice. You are not forced into a paid lunch or a reserved sunbed. Bring what you need for a simple beach break, or spend a little more for a meal and a lounger. If you are trying to keep the total cost close to $44, pack snacks and skip the sunbed.

Two hours is long enough to make Kroreza feel like a real destination. You can swim without watching the clock every few minutes, and you have time to dry off before returning to the boat. It is also the best place to decide how active you want to be. Some people will head straight into the water, while others will be happier with a taverna meal and a quiet stretch on the beach.

The tradeoff is that Kroreza may be the busiest part of the outing simply because it is the longest stop and includes beach facilities. The tour description does not give crowd levels, so you should not expect a private beach. If privacy is your main goal, the private boat option may offer a more personal feel, but the beach itself is still a shared public destination.

The return ride and the five-hour rhythm

After Kroreza, the return speedboat ride takes about 20 minutes before you arrive back at Aris Boat Tour.

Taken together, the timing creates a compact coastal day:

• About 10 minutes from the start to the first stop
• Roughly 30 minutes at Kepi I Qefalit
• Roughly 30 minutes at Kakome Beach
• Roughly 30 minutes at Soldier Bay
• About 15 minutes of boat travel before Kroreza
• About two hours at Kroreza
• About 20 minutes back to the starting point

The exact schedule may include Rojdhe and other coastal sights as part of the route. The listed stop times add up to a little over four hours, so the five-hour duration leaves some room for movement, commentary, and additional sightseeing.

This is why I would call it a strong overview of the coast rather than a slow beach holiday. You get multiple viewpoints and several chances to swim, but only Kroreza gives you enough time to fully settle in.

What the $44 price really covers

At $44 per person, the tour offers a solid amount for the money. You receive a guided speedboat trip, several coastal stops, swimming and snorkeling opportunities, safety support, and a two-hour beach break. For someone with only part of a day available, that is a useful package.

The price does not include food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, or sunbeds. Those extras are not unusual for a beach boat trip, but they affect your final budget. Bring water and snacks if you want to keep spending down. At Kroreza, you can instead eat at a taverna and rent a sunbed for a more comfortable beach stop.

Private and group departures also change the value calculation. A group tour is the sensible choice if you want the lowest per-person cost and enjoy meeting others. A private tour makes more sense if you care about personal timing and a quieter atmosphere. One verified French booking described the boat as not overcrowded and praised the care taken by the Aris crew, but that should be treated as one positive experience, not a guarantee of every departure.

Who will enjoy this route most

I would recommend Aris Boat Tour to you if you want to see several coastal places in one outing and do not want to spend your entire day at one beach. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who enjoy swimming, photographs, and short bursts of sightseeing.

It is also a good choice if you value a friendly captain and direct guidance. The crew can help you understand the stops, manage the boat safely, and point out places worth noticing along the way. The high ratings from Okko of Finland and Zinédine of France both emphasize the captain and crew’s friendly, caring approach.

You may want another type of trip if you need step-free access, a wheelchair-friendly boat, or a very slow pace. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with epilepsy, or babies under one year old. Those restrictions should be taken seriously before booking.

I would also hesitate if you dislike moving between stops. Thirty-minute visits are enough for a swim and a look around, but not enough for a long walk, a full meal, and relaxed beach time at each location.

Simple tips for making the most of the boat

Bring water, snacks, swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. Since food and drinks are not included, you should plan ahead unless you intend to eat at Kroreza.

Keep your snorkeling gear handy rather than buried in a large bag. The route includes snorkeling opportunities at Kepi I Qefalit, Kakome, Soldier Bay, and Kroreza, but the supplied details do not say that equipment is provided.

Use the short stops wisely. Pick one main goal at each place: swim, snorkel, photograph, or explore. Trying to do everything in 30 minutes will leave you hurried.

Ask about Rojdhe and the caves before departure if those are essential to your plans. The named destinations and the timed route do not match perfectly, so a quick question can prevent disappointment.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when you book.

Should you book Aris Boat Tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, active look at Saranda’s coast, with several swim stops and a proper two-hour break at Kroreza. The friendly captain, English-language guiding, private or group choices, and strong verified ratings add confidence.

Skip it if your ideal beach day means staying in one quiet place for hours, or if you need accessible boating. Before paying, confirm how Rojdhe and the caves fit into the day, then bring your own water and snorkeling gear. For most visitors who want variety without spending a full day at sea, the $44 price offers good value.

FAQ

How long does the Aris Boat Tour last?

The tour duration is listed as five hours. It includes the boat rides, coastal sightseeing, several short stops, and about two hours at Kroreza Beach.

Where does the boat tour start?

The meeting point is the Aris Boat Tour sail stand, which has the company logo.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $44 per person.

Which destinations are included?

The tour includes Rojdhe Beach, Soldier Bay, Kepi I Qefalit, Kakome Beach, and Kroreza Beach. The route also refers to coastal coves and caves, but no separate cave stop time is provided.

How long do you stay at Kroreza Beach?

The scheduled break at Kroreza lasts about two hours. You can swim, snorkel, relax, explore, or eat at a beach taverna.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring snacks or buy food at one of the Kroreza tavernas.

Are sunbeds included?

No. Sunbeds are available to rent at Kroreza Beach for an additional cost.

Can I swim and snorkel during the tour?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are listed as activities at selected stops, including Kepi I Qefalit, Kakome, Soldier Bay, and Kroreza.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in Albanian and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also allows you to book without paying immediately.