Saranda: Boat Tour to 7 Destinations with Beach Umbrella

The best part of this Saranda boat trip is its variety. In five or six hours, you get a fast ride along the northern Albanian Riviera, several clear-water swim stops, a long break at Krorez Bay, and quick photo stops at Secret Beach and Turtle Cave. It feels like a full coastal day without committing to a large cruise boat.

I like the small group of up to 11 people, which gives you more room and makes swimming stops feel less like a queue. I also like the practical extras: a snorkel, life jacket, cold storage for your own food and drinks, music, and a free umbrella at Krorez.

The main thing to consider is the speedboat itself. It can be fun and energetic, but the ride may feel rough on a windy day. This trip is not a good match for anyone prone to seasickness, pregnant women, very young children, or people who need wheelchair access.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven coastal stops: Visit Gremina, Kakome, Soldiers Bay, Pllakator, Krorez Bay, Secret Beach, and a small cave near the return route.
• Most of the day is spent in the water: Four early stops usually allow around 20 minutes for swimming and photos, while Krorez gets two to three hours.
• Krorez includes a free umbrella: You can settle on the beach, swim, and buy food or drinks at the local restaurants from May through October.
• Small speedboat setting: The boat carries no more than 11 participants, with comfortable seating, Bluetooth music, and a fridge for your supplies.
• Captains shape the experience: Altin and Fabian are among the captains praised for friendly service, safe boat handling, local information, and good music.
• Bring your own beach supplies: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and extra water. One bottle of water is included, but it will not cover a long hot day for most people.

Leaving Saranda for the northern Riviera

The meeting point is next to Limani Bar and Restaurant in Saranda. From there, the boat heads north, away from the city waterfront and toward a quieter run of coves and beaches.

You should arrive on time. The boat cannot wait for late arrivals because the schedule is tight and the heat can be intense. Parking is not available at the meeting point, so you need to search for private parking nearby or allow 10 to 15 minutes to walk from possible street parking.

The boat carries up to 11 people, a useful size for this kind of outing. You are not packed into a large sightseeing vessel, and the captain can keep the group moving without the delays that come with a big boat. Comfortable seating, onboard music, and a fridge for your own snacks make the ride more pleasant between stops.

A speedboat also changes the feel of the day. You cover more coastline than you would by swimming from a beach or hiring a slow boat, but you should expect movement, spray, and a livelier ride. If you want a quiet, gentle cruise, choose something else. If you enjoy speed and open water, the boat is part of the attraction.

Gremina and Kakome: early swimming stops

Gremina is one of the first places where the boat pauses. The pattern is simple: stop, jump into the water if you wish, use the snorkel, take photographs, and get back aboard when the captain calls time.

These short stops work well because they show you several different coves rather than asking you to spend the entire day in one place. The water is a major reason to come. The coast around Saranda is known for clear conditions, and the supplied snorkel lets you look below the surface rather than simply floating at the edge.

Kakome follows the same general rhythm. You get roughly 20 minutes at several of these early locations, enough for a swim and a few photographs but not enough for a long beach session. Bring your swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach. You will not want to unpack your whole bag every time the boat stops.

The short timetable is both a strength and a limitation. It keeps the day moving and gives you a broad taste of the coast, but anyone who likes to linger over one cove may feel hurried. The boat is designed for variety.

Soldiers Bay and Pllakator: clear water and open-air fun

Soldiers Bay and Pllakator continue the series of swimming and photo stops. Conditions can vary, so the captain decides how the boat approaches each place and how long the group can safely remain in the water.

This is where the included life jacket matters. You do not have to be a strong swimmer to take part, though you should be comfortable getting in and out of the sea from a boat. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, but it is sensible to bring your own if you want a particular fit or plan to spend a lot of time looking underwater.

Music is part of the mood. The Bluetooth speakers give the trip a social, holiday feel, and several captains, including Fabian and Altin, have been singled out for keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun. The music may be a plus for you, especially on a group outing. It may be less appealing if you are hoping for a silent nature trip.

The captains also add local information about Saranda and Albania. That makes the fast ride more than a transfer between swimming spots. Still, this is not a formal historical tour. Think of the commentary as useful context during the ride, with the main focus on the sea.

Krorez Bay gives the day its long break

Krorez Bay is the main destination and the place where the timetable slows down. Plan on two to three hours here, enough time to swim again, dry off, eat, and rest under the included beach umbrella.

That long stop gives the trip balance. The early bays are short visits, while Krorez lets you settle into the beach rather than constantly checking the clock. The free umbrella is a meaningful saving in the strong Albanian sun, especially if you are traveling with someone who wants shade between swims.

Restaurants operate at Krorez from May through October. Food and drinks are not included, so bring money if you want to buy lunch or refreshments. You can also bring your own snacks and drinks and store them in the onboard fridge, although the boat’s cold storage should not be treated as a full catering service for a large group.

Krorez may be the most important planning point for your day. If you prefer a proper beach break, this is where you get it. If you would rather keep moving, two to three hours may feel long. The boat does not turn the whole coast into a series of rushed snapshots. It gives you one substantial beach stay after the faster morning or afternoon run.

The beach stop also means you should carry a small day bag rather than leave everything scattered around the boat. Keep sunscreen, towel, phone, and any valuables organized. A waterproof phone pouch is a sensible extra, though it is not included.

Secret Beach and Turtle Cave on the way back

The final part of the route includes Secret Beach and a small cave, commonly described as Turtle Cave. These are short photo stops, around five minutes each, rather than full swimming breaks.

That distinction matters. You will have time to point your camera, take in the rock formations, and capture the boat’s position along the coast. You should not expect to land at both places or explore them on foot. The value comes from the view from the water and the chance to finish the trip with two different coastal scenes.

Because these stops are brief, have your phone or camera ready before the boat arrives. Keep a secure grip on it, especially if the sea is moving. The captain will likely keep the boat in position only long enough for photographs before returning toward Saranda.

What the $39 price really covers

At $39 per person, this is a strong value if you plan to use the swimming stops and stay at Krorez for the full break. You are paying for four to six hours on a small speedboat, a route covering seven destinations, a captain, fuel, a snorkel, a life jacket, music, and an umbrella at the main beach stop.

The price does not include lunch or drinks from the restaurants. One bottle of water is provided, but you should bring more water for a hot day. The onboard fridge is useful because you can keep your own supplies cold, reducing the need to buy everything at Krorez.

The value is also tied to group size. A larger cruise may cost less per person, but it can feel less personal and take longer to load, unload, and move between locations. Here, the limited group of 11 helps the itinerary stay active.

I would compare this trip with a private boat hire only if you have a larger budget or want full control of the schedule. The shared tour gives you a polished route at a much lower cost. The tradeoff is that you follow the captain’s timing and share the boat with other people.

The captains make a practical difference

The captain is not just driving. He controls how the boat handles waves, explains the plan, manages the swimming stops, and sets the tone onboard.

Altin is praised for friendly hosting, multiple languages, local information, and making people feel welcome. Fabian is also noted for safe boat handling, a relaxed manner, and a strong music selection. The available languages are Albanian, English, Greek, and Spanish, which is helpful for mixed groups.

Names and individual staff may vary on your departure, so do not book expecting a particular captain unless the operator confirms it. What you can reasonably expect is a captain-led small group trip rather than an independent rental.

Safety matters most when the sea becomes choppy. One account describes a captain handling rougher conditions carefully, which is exactly what you want from a speedboat outing. Even so, sea conditions are not fully within the operator’s control. If you feel uneasy on fast boats or often get seasick, this is not the right experiment.

Who should book this boat trip

I would choose this tour if you want to see more of the coast than Saranda’s main beaches allow. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors comfortable joining a small group, and families with older children who can manage a boat and sea swimming.

It is especially good for people who want:

• Several swim opportunities rather than one long cruise
• A fast ride with music and a social atmosphere
• A long beach break with shade included
• Snorkeling without bringing all your own equipment
• A set route that removes the work of planning separate coves
• A relatively low-cost way to see the northern coast

You should think twice if you dislike speed, need a quiet boat, cannot swim comfortably from a vessel, or want a fully private schedule. The trip is also not suitable for children under four, babies under one, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with heart problems or epilepsy, people prone to seasickness, or anyone over 95.

Nudity is not allowed. That is a small rule, but it is worth knowing because the day includes repeated swimming stops and a shared boat.

Timing, weather, and what to pack

The trip lasts between four and six hours, depending on the departure and conditions. The route is the same in broad terms, but the time at each location can vary. Four stops are generally short swimming and photo breaks, Krorez gets the long rest, and the final two locations are for photographs only.

Morning and afternoon departures can feel different. An afternoon trip may find some coves quieter, with lower activity at certain spots. You should check the available start times and choose based on your preferred pace, not just convenience.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Extra water
• Personal snacks or drinks
• A secure phone or camera
• Any motion-sickness remedy you normally use, though the tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness

One bottle of water is included. That is welcome, but I would not rely on it as your only drink in the heat. Sunscreen is particularly important because the boat offers little protection while moving, and the beach umbrella is reserved for the Krorez stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. These terms help if your Saranda plans depend on weather or changing arrival times.

My call: a lively, good-value day on the water

Book this tour if you want a coastal sampler with real swimming time, not a slow sightseeing cruise. Seven stops, a small group, snorkeling gear, a fridge, music, and a free Krorez umbrella make the $39 price easy to justify for an active day.

I would skip it if you are sensitive to boat motion or prefer long, quiet hours at one beach. For everyone else, the combination of speed, clear water, short coves, and a generous Krorez break makes this one of the more efficient ways to see the coast north of Saranda.

FAQ

How long does the Saranda boat tour last?

The activity lasts between four and six hours. The exact duration depends on the departure time and conditions during the route.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is next to Limani Bar and Restaurant in Saranda.

Which destinations does the tour visit?

The route includes Gremina, Kakome, Soldiers Bay, Pllakator, Krorez Bay, Secret Beach, and a small cave known as Turtle Cave.

How much time do you get at Krorez Bay?

Krorez Bay is the main stop, with approximately two to three hours for swimming and relaxing on the beach.

Is a beach umbrella included?

Yes. You receive a free umbrella at Krorez Bay.

Can I buy food and drinks during the tour?

Restaurants are available at Krorez Bay from May through October. Food and drinks from these restaurants are not included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkel and life jacket are included.

Can I bring my own snacks and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your own supplies and store them in the fridge onboard. One bottle of water is also included.

Is the tour suitable for children and people with medical conditions?

The tour is not suitable for children under four, babies under one, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with heart problems or epilepsy, people prone to seasickness, or people over 95.