Albania · KSAMIL TOURS
Ksamil is three small islands and a strip of sand that fills solid in August. The 13 below are the boats, the transfers and the combined southern days, with prices and a note on when the beach clubs take over.
Join Endri Memsuri’s boat team in Ksamil for a lively 150hp speedboat ride around five islands, then stop at the Twin Islands for swimming and beach time. Guides such as Santiago offer return pickups by WhatsApp, and you can stay for an hour, five hours, or all day.
“A very nice experience. Very kind, friendly and prepared staff!”
Leave Sarandë’s Limani harbour by speedboat for Turtles Cave, Solders Bay, Gremina, Kakome, Rojdhes Bay, and Kroreza Beach. Expect music, short swimming stops, snorkelling gear, umbrellas, and a friendly English or Albanian-speaking crew, including captains Antonio and Orgest on some departures.
“We enjoyed our day so much! Lovely guide and we visited amazing places!”
Sail from the Butrint area to working mussel beds, learn the farming process with guides such as Antonio or Elidon, then enjoy freshly prepared mussels, vegetables, bread, white wine, and water at a quiet lakeside restaurant.
“Our trip was great, the guide was soo friendly and knew so much to answer all of our questions. He made it fun and the mussels we got to eat were delicious. De bearding the mussels was fun and great to be able to get involved. Lots of time to relax on the island around dinner and we even made it back to catch sunset in the boat on our ride home!”
Meet guide Ari at Kristal Seafood Restaurant in Ksamil for a 1.5-hour stand-up paddleboarding trip around the islands. Beginners receive instruction, groups can choose morning or afternoon departures, and coffee or tea follows the outing.
“Great experience. Ari the instructor was brilliant. Very friendly and welcoming. The scenes were beautiful and even though we had never paddle boarded before he took us through the process and by the end we were all confident in standing. He even treated us to a coffee afterwards. Top experience by a top guy”
From Mango Beach in Ksamil, you ride a 350 to 500 horsepower speedboat around five islands before stopping at the twin islands. Swim, snorkel with your own gear, watch for friendly rabbits and birds, then return hourly whenever you choose. Life jackets are included, but masks and waterproof bags are extra.
“Not really a tour, but a great speedboat ride, around the bay and then to the very small twin islands, where we sunbathed, swam in beautiful turquoise sea and snorkelled (with our own gear). As we are women in our 60s, it was decided we couldn’t handle the speed part of the speedboat but they went a little faster for us on the way back after we’d asked. Fun day out.”
Start at noon with Emiliano and the Ksamil Water Sport team for a speedboat ride from Ksamil to Pigeon Cave, Mirror Beach, Gull Beach, an ancient monastery, and the Five Islands. Swim, snorkel, and choose whether to spend one hour, several hours, or all day around the islands.
“The boat tour is fun, we had a good time. I don’t give it 5 stars because it said they would give us waterproof bag and cell phone bag and they didn’t give us either.Auto-translated”
Join Ari from Private Tours Albania for a 100-minute stand-up paddle tour around Ksamil’s islands. You’ll receive beginner-friendly instruction, paddle past rocky coves and quiet beaches, and stop for coffee or tea. Choose sunrise or sunset, with morning water often calmer.
“If you want to escape the hustle of Ksamil, I can 100% recommend the early morning tour. Enjoy the water and the islands, before most of Ksamil wakes up. No jet skis or motor boats yet. Ari is a very patient and friendly guide who also doesn't shy away from philosophical musings. He can also provide you with great ideas for additional experiences or trips. It's an activity that is suitable for beginners and you don't need to be in the shape of your life to make the tour. If something happens, Ari will help you.”
Travel from Ksamil or Saranda to the Blue Eye spring and hilltop Lekuresi Castle with an English-speaking guide. Expect about four hours, a 17-minute walk to the spring, time for swimming or wading, castle views, transport, and admission for up to six people.
“Dennis was an amazing tour guide and this was a great tour. The blue eye and castle was the right mix of history and aesthetics. If you are on the fence about this tour, don’t be it was an amazing tour.”
From Saranda or Ksamil, join guide Denis for a six-hour trip to the Blue Eye spring and Gjirokaster. Walk through the nature park, see the Ottoman-era castle, browse the Old Bazaar, and enjoy traditional Albanian food at a local family restaurant. Pickup is flexible and groups are limited to five.
“Denis was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and we had a great time! He catered the tour to our request kind, ensured we were given history as we traveled, and took us to the best places for pictures at each stop.”
Meet the captain in front of the Ksamil Islands and set out on a small-group sunset cruise for up to seven people. You will sail past the islands, stop for a quick swim or rest, enjoy fruit and drinks, and watch the sun drop over the open sea.
“Activité au top ! Les personnes qui nous ont pris en charge étaient géniales : patientes, à l’écoute et très pédagogues. On s’est vraiment éclaté du début à la fin. Je recommande vivement ! Merci Santiago 🙏”
In Ksamil, you’ll meet a local Albanian mama, taste Narden, and prepare lakror from dough to filling. You’ll also help make Fërgesa with peppers, onions, tomatoes, and cottage cheese. This private English-language class lasts about two hours and returns to the restaurant.
“Wonderful experience learning to make traditional Albanian dishes! Our family had an excellent time making the lakror pies, a vegetable dish, salad and dolmas. Everything was really really tasty but the best part was spending time with the Albanian locals who were so friendly and hospitable. Highly recommend and one of the highlights of our trip!”
Leave Tirana in the late afternoon for Kruja with an English-speaking guide such as Mikel or Andrew. Walk the castle, learn about Skanderbeg, then browse the old bazaar under warm evening lights. The tour lasts about four and a half hours, with transport included.
“Goede communicatie met chauffeur Mikel. Erg leuke gids, sprak erg goed Engels en leidde ons goed rond. Leuke gesprekken met hem gehad. Niets was te veel voor hem. Toppertje. Was onze privechauffer en privegids. Het kasteel en vooral de zonsondergang was prachtig. Leuke excursie.”
Join guide Endri Memsuri for a fast-paced Ksamil speedboat trip to Kep Merli, Pulëbardha, Mirror Beach, Shën Gjergji Monastery, Pigeon Cave, and the Ksamil Islands. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera. The boat includes snorkeling stops, but dolphin sightings are never guaranteed.
Pick a harbour, a spring or a mountain road.
