Sarandë: Boat Tour Turtle Cave Kakome & Krorez Snorkeling

Six coastal stops, one easy boat day. This Sarandë excursion gives you two things I especially like: access to coves and beaches you cannot reach easily by road, plus a friendly small-group feel with music, comfortable seating, and time to swim. The long break at Krorez Beach is another strong point, though the 2.5 to 3-hour stop may feel too slow if you prefer constant cruising.

The tour is a good value at $37 per person for 270 minutes, especially since fuel, a captain, and snorkel gear are included. I would bring cash for Krorez, keep expectations flexible about the exact stops, and remember that food and drinks are extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Turtle Cave is mainly a photo stop: The unusual rock shapes make a memorable opening, but swimming is not listed here.
• Krorez takes up most of the day: You get 2.5 to 3 hours for swimming, food, and an umbrella rental, with cash required.
• The captain chooses the final route: Weather decides which six of the seven listed locations you visit.
• Kosta and Mario receive especially warm praise: Their friendly manner, safety care, music, and local explanations add much to the trip.
• The boat suits swimmers and sightseers: You can swim at several stops or stay aboard and enjoy the coast.
• A small group can make the difference: The boat is described as comfortable, though one account warns that crowding can occasionally affect relaxation.

Setting out from Sarandë’s promenade

The meeting point is the Saranda Boat 1 table across from Guma Restaurant on the promenade. That is useful in a town where waterfront operators can blend into one another. You should arrive with your swimsuit already on or easy to reach, since the boat soon shifts from marina departure to coastal sightseeing.

The tour lasts 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours. The boat has comfortable seating, Bluetooth music, and fuel included in the price. You will also receive snorkel gear, so there is no need to arrange a separate rental for the swimming stops.

This is a group trip, but private and small-group options are also available. The group size can shape the experience. A smaller outing feels more personal and gives the captain room to respond to the group, while a fuller boat may make the swimming and seating areas feel less relaxed.

The captain has the final say over the route because of weather. The plan includes six of seven locations, so you should treat the stops as a strong outline rather than a fixed promise. That flexibility matters on an open-water trip, where conditions can change the safest and most enjoyable route.

Turtle Cave and the forgotten anchors

The first named stop is Turtle Cave, also identified locally as Shpella e Milotit. The boat pauses for about 10 minutes for photographs. Its rock shapes resemble turtle shells, which gives you a clear subject for your camera rather than just another generic sea view.

This is a quick visual introduction to the coast. You will want your phone or camera ready because the stop is designed for photos, not a long swim. A waterproof camera is useful later, but a charged smartphone is enough for the opening views.

The next stop is called Secret Beach in the tour description and Hidden Gem in the route details. It is connected with old anchors left by local fish farmers. The boat pauses for another 10 minutes, but this is a photo stop only, with no swimming.

That restriction is worth noting. If you are expecting to jump overboard at every cove, this stop may feel brief. Still, the abandoned anchors add a bit of local character and make the pause different from a simple swim break.

Gremina, Kepi i Qefalit, and your first swim

Gremina, listed locally as Kepi i Qefalit, is the first proper water stop. The boat stays for up to 20 to 25 minutes, giving you time to swim and use the snorkel gear.

A rock formation is the main feature here. The appeal is less about a long beach visit and more about getting into clear water beside the coast. If you enjoy short swims with several changes of scenery, this rhythm works well. You can also remain on the boat if swimming is not your priority.

The time limit keeps the trip moving, but it can feel short if your group has many swimmers or if you want to snorkel slowly. Think of this as a series of compact water breaks, not a full snorkeling expedition at one location.

The captain’s role matters here. Several accounts praise Kosta for choosing good positions around the coves and taking safety seriously. Mario is also singled out for being warm, helpful, and willing to explain the area. The quality of the outing depends partly on that human touch, since the stops themselves are reached by boat and need a confident operator.

Kakome’s quiet water and pale shore

Kakome Beach is one of the main attractions on the northern route. The water is described as clear, and the setting offers a more peaceful pause than Sarandë’s busy waterfront. You get up to about 20 to 25 minutes for swimming.

I like the way Kakome fits into the schedule. It gives you another chance to swim before the long beach break, so you are not forced to wait until Krorez to get into the water. It also breaks up the boat ride without asking you to spend half an hour on a crowded shore.

Do not expect a full beach afternoon here. The stop is short, and the captain may adjust the timing or route if conditions change. Bring goggles or use the provided snorkel equipment, but keep your camera secure when you move around the boat.

The coastline is the star at this point. You get a sense of why a boat is the best way to see this section of Albania, since the coves and shorelines are viewed from the water rather than from a road or town promenade.

Krorez Beach: the long stop

Krorez is the centerpiece of the excursion. The boat stays for 2.5 to 3 hours, far longer than at the other locations. This is your chance to swim, sit on the beach, eat at a local restaurant, and rent an umbrella.

Krorez is accessible only by boat, which gives the stop a special appeal. The water and surrounding views are among the most photographed parts of the route. After several short swims, you can finally slow down, dry off, and spend time on land.

There is one practical catch: the restaurants and umbrella rentals require cash. Food and alcohol are not included, so bring enough lek or other accepted cash for the meal and any beach setup you want. The tour specifically advises packing food and drinks as well, which is sensible if you want to control your spending or avoid relying on the small local food selection.

The length of this stop divides people. I can see why many enjoy it. A half-day boat trip with only quick swims can leave you feeling rushed, and Krorez gives you room to relax. On the other hand, if you booked mainly for sightseeing, 2.5 to 3 hours in one area may feel excessive, particularly if the beach is crowded or the food options are limited.

This is the main decision point for the tour. Book it if you want a beach break built into your cruise. Choose a shorter or more active outing if you would rather keep moving from cove to cove.

Military Bay and Rrojdhes

The final swimming stop is Military Bay, also called Rrojdhes or Plazhi i Ushtarit. The visit lasts up to about 20 to 25 minutes. It combines another chance to swim with a setting connected to military history and coastal scenery.

The stop adds variety to the day. After the long pause at Krorez, you can cool off once more before returning to Sarandë. It is not presented as a museum visit or a formal history lesson, so the emphasis remains on the water and the setting.

This is also where your guide can add value. Some outings include clear and interesting explanations at the stops, while one account wished for more information about what the group was seeing. If local context matters to you, ask questions directly. Kosta and Mario are both praised for being approachable, and the guides speak Albanian, English, and Greek.

The boat then heads back to the Saranda Boat 1 meeting point on the promenade. Because the route depends on weather and the captain’s judgment, the return timing can be shaped by the day’s conditions and stop choices.

What the crew and boat add

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the crew. Kosta is described as friendly, professional, attentive, and safety-conscious. Mario receives similar praise for his kindness and energy. A good captain is not a minor detail on a small coastal boat. You are relying on that person to position the boat near coves, manage boarding and swimming, and adjust the plan when needed.

Music is another repeated part of the experience. Bluetooth is included, and several people enjoyed the relaxed soundtrack and upbeat mood. This makes the trip feel social rather than formal. If you want a quiet nature cruise, music may not be your ideal touch, but it suits couples, friends, and groups hoping to meet people.

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and well maintained, with seating designed for a few hours on the water. The compact size helps it reach small coves and pull close to swimming areas. At the same time, one account noted overcrowding and less relaxing conditions on a busier outing. If space matters to you, the private or small-group option is worth considering.

Who will get the most from this $37 tour?

At $37, the package offers solid value. You receive about four and a half hours on the water, fuel, a captain, snorkel gear, several swimming stops, and a long beach visit. Comparable value depends on what you want from a boat tour, but this is not simply a short sightseeing ride with one swim.

I think the price works best for visitors who want variety. You can see rock formations, old fish-farming anchors, secluded coves, several swimming areas, and an inaccessible beach in one outing. You also avoid arranging separate transport to each coastal stop.

The tour is a good match for:

• Couples who want a scenic day with swimming and a relaxed beach break
• Friends who enjoy music, social groups, and short snorkeling stops
• Families who want the option to swim or stay aboard
• Visitors without their own boat who want to see the northern Albanian Riviera
• People who value a friendly captain as much as the route

It is less suitable if you dislike boats, need a fully fixed schedule, or want extensive guided history. The tour is also not suitable for people over 70 or people over 209 pounds, or 95 kilograms, according to the stated restrictions.

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, food, drinks, beachwear, cash, and biodegradable sunscreen. A waterproof camera is useful, and your smartphone should be fully charged. Since the water stops are short, keep your essentials in a small, easy-to-reach bag rather than buried under beach supplies.

The company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. That is useful when your Sarandë plans depend on weather, though the main practical issue remains the captain’s ability to change the route.

Should you book Saranda Boat 1?

Book this tour if you want an easy, sociable route through the coast’s best swimming spots, with Turtle Cave photos, Kakome, Military Bay, and a generous Krorez break. The combination of scenery, music, friendly crew, and included snorkel gear makes $37 a fair price.

I would be cautious only if you want constant movement or a quiet, uncrowded beach day. The long Krorez stop will be a pleasure for some and a scheduling problem for others. If that sounds like your kind of afternoon, Saranda Boat 1 is a practical way to get beyond Sarandë without spending private-boat money.

FAQ

How long does the Sarandë boat tour last?

The tour lasts 270 minutes, which is about four and a half hours.

How many locations will the boat visit?

The route includes six of seven possible locations. The captain chooses the final stops based on weather and conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

How long is the stop at Krorez Beach?

The Krorez Beach stop lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours. You can swim, visit local restaurants, and rent an umbrella there.

Do I need cash during the tour?

Yes. Cash is needed for food and umbrella rental at Krorez Beach. Food, alcohol, and drinks are not included.

Where do I meet the boat?

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