Reviewed · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
Saranda Catamaran VIP to Krorez and Kakome Beach with Lunch
The best part of this Saranda catamaran trip is its string of quiet Ionian coves, where turquoise water, bare rock, and green hills replace the town’s busy waterfront. You get four swim stops, a cooked lunch, and room to stretch out on a boat limited to 29 people.
I like the long swimming breaks and the easy pace, which leaves time for the beach rather than just a quick photo stop. I also like the onboard meal, especially the seafood linguini prepared by Mario, with useful alternatives such as caprese salad or modified pasta. The main drawback is uneven organization before departure, and drinks are not clearly included, so bring cash for the bar.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Four quiet beaches beyond Saranda
- Leaving Limion Port at 9:30
- Krorëza Beach and its turquoise water
- Kakome Bay for a longer swim
- Soldier’s Beach, also called Plazhi i Manastirit
- Qender and the shore at Qefal Beach
- Lunch cooked aboard the catamaran
- Sunbeds, nets, and choosing your place
- What the $106.92 price really covers
- Who should book this Saranda boat trip?
- Practical details, timing, and cancellations
- Should you book the Krorëza and Kakome catamaran?
- FAQ
- Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?
- What time does the tour leave?
- Which beaches and bays does the tour visit?
- Is lunch included?
- Are drinks included?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key points to know before booking

- Four coastal stops: You visit Krorëza, Kakome, Soldier’s Beach, and Qefal Beach, with most of the day built around swimming.
- Lunch is cooked on board: Seafood linguini is the main meal, with some substitutions available for dietary needs or preferences.
- A relaxed catamaran setting: Sunbeds, bean bags, shaded spots, and front nets give you several ways to spend time on the boat.
- Small maximum group: The catamaran carries no more than 29 people, though the exact feeling depends on how full the departure is.
- Bring cash for drinks: The onboard bar accepts cash, and the tour information does not include drinks in the price.
- Arrive at Limion Port: Departure is at 9:30 am, and the tour returns to the same meeting point after about six hours.
Four quiet beaches beyond Saranda

Saranda is known for its lively waterfront, restaurants, and easy access to the Ionian coast. This trip takes you away from that urban edge and toward bays reached most easily by boat.
That change of setting is the real reason to book. You are not simply paying for transport across the water. You are paying for a full day of swimming, shore time, lunch, and the chance to see coves that feel far removed from Saranda.
The catamaran format also matters. You can sit in the sun, claim a shaded place near the bar, stretch out on a sunbed, or use the forward nets when the boat is moving. If you want a party cruise, this may feel too calm. If you want a pleasant day with music, swimming, and food but without a packed schedule, the pace is a good fit.
A few more Saranda trips to weigh up
- Saranda: Discover Secret Bays with Prince Ennio Yacht Tour
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Leaving Limion Port at 9:30

The meeting point is Limion Port, listed at VXCQ+WQG in Sarandë. The scheduled start is 9:30 am, and the trip lasts roughly six hours, usually returning around 4 pm.
I would arrive early enough to find the port without stress and to sort out your place on board. One weak point is that pre-departure communication may not always be smooth. A date change has occurred for some bookings, and one departure had confusion over where to wait. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, but you should still check the final instructions before setting out.
The boat holds a maximum of 29 people. That is not a private charter, but it is a more manageable size than a large excursion boat. If the departure is not full, finding a comfortable spot is easy. If it is full, the best seating may go quickly, so early arrival helps.
The tour is offered in English, though communication on board may vary. One account described limited English from the staff and little explanation of the places visited. I would treat this as a scenic boat day rather than a guided history tour. The crew’s main job is to move the boat, serve lunch, and help you enjoy the swimming stops.
Krorëza Beach and its turquoise water

The first major stop is Krorëza Beach, set above Kakome Bay on the Albanian Riviera. Rocks surround the beach on three sides, which gives it a sheltered, remote feel.
You get about one hour here. That is enough for a good swim and some time on shore, but not enough to treat it as a full beach afternoon. The water is the main attraction: clear, warm, and intensely blue-green in the shallows.
Krorëza works well as the opening stop because it quickly shows why the boat is useful. The beach is isolated, and reaching it by ordinary road transport is not part of this trip. There are no admission charges listed, and the appeal comes from the setting rather than shops, restaurants, or organized activities.
Bring sturdy sandals or water shoes if you have them. The supplied details do not specify the exact shore surface, but these remote coves are best approached with practical footwear. A towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a dry bag for small valuables are sensible additions to your day bag.
Kakome Bay for a longer swim
Kakome Beach gets the longest stop, about two hours. It sits inside Kakome Bay, surrounded by green hills and a quiet shore. The bay is described as completely isolated, with little more than a pier used for jumping into the water.
This is where the trip settles into its relaxed rhythm. You have time to swim without watching the clock every few minutes, and you can spend part of the stop on the beach or return to the boat. The pier gives you another way into the sea, but use ordinary care and follow the crew’s directions.
There is no long list of activities here, and that is the point. You will not find a row of beach clubs, a shopping street, or a packed program. Kakome is for clear water, open views, and a quiet break from Saranda.
The two-hour stop also gives you a chance to avoid the hottest part of the day on the boat. A useful seating trick is to claim a shaded place near the bar early, rather than choosing a bean bag in full sun. The bean bags look inviting, but they can leave you exposed for hours. The forward nets may become available later as people move around.
Same coast, a completely different kind of day:
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Soldier’s Beach, also called Plazhi i Manastirit

Plazhi i Manastirit is known locally as Soldier’s Beach. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so think of it as a short swim and photo break rather than a full beach visit.
The bay combines coastal scenery with a name tied to the area’s past. The supplied details do not provide a full historical explanation, so I would not book this tour expecting a formal heritage talk. Its value is visual and atmospheric: a small coastal pause between the longer beach stops.
Thirty minutes passes quickly. If you want to swim, change before the boat arrives or be ready to get in promptly. On a day with calm water, this stop can be a welcome chance to cool off. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay on board and enjoy the view, though the short stop leaves little time for anything more.
Qender and the shore at Qefal Beach
The final listed stop is Qender, described with reference to Qefal Beach. It lasts another 30 minutes and features clear water and golden sand.
The naming is worth noting. The tour information calls the stop Qender while describing Qefal Beach, so do not be surprised if the crew uses either name. The practical point is that you get another short coastal swim before the return to Saranda.
This stop rounds out the day nicely, but it is not as generous with time as Kakome. I would use it for one last swim, a few photographs, and a quick look at the shore. If you want long stretches of beach time, the two-hour Kakome stop matters more than this final visit.
Lunch cooked aboard the catamaran

Food is one of the strongest parts of this outing. The main meal is seafood linguini cooked on the boat, and the meal may be served with a glass of local white wine. Fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe has also been served after an early swim stop.
The menu is not entirely rigid. A gluten-free guest received caprese salad, and a guest who did not want seafood was offered pasta with pesto, tomatoes, and pecorino. That does not guarantee every dietary request can be met, but it shows that it is worth telling the crew in advance and asking clearly on the day.
Mario, who also works as the chef, has been singled out for his cooking and friendly service. The crew has also prepared kebabs and fruit plates on some departures. Coffee, including strong espresso, may be available after a later swim stop, though I would treat that as an onboard purchase or extra service rather than a guaranteed inclusion.
There is one point to clarify before you board. The tour details say drinks are not included and can be bought at the bar with cash. Some meal descriptions include wine, soda, or water, while another account specifically notes that water was not provided free. To avoid confusion, bring cash and ask the crew what is included with your particular departure. Do not assume all drinks are covered by the booking price.
Sunbeds, nets, and choosing your place
The catamaran includes sunbeds, and the layout gives you a few ways to spend the hours between stops. Bean bags suit people who want to lie in the sun. The nets at the front are appealing when the boat is moving, but they may offer little shade.
I would choose a shaded seat near the bar first, especially if you are sensitive to heat. You can always move into the sun or use the nets later. On a six-hour trip, shade is not a luxury. It helps you enjoy the final swim instead of spending the afternoon looking for relief.
The boat has been described as spacious, with enough room to find a comfortable place when it is not full. Music and dancing may form part of the mood, but the overall style is laid-back rather than a high-energy party cruise. That balance makes it suitable for couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a boat day and swimming from shore or a pier.
Snorkeling equipment has been available on board, but the formal inclusions do not clearly promise gear for every departure. Ask the crew if you want to use it, and bring your own mask if snorkeling is important to you.
What the $106.92 price really covers
At $106.92 per person, this is pricier than some standard Saranda boat trips. The value depends on what you want from the day.
The price includes the catamaran outing, visits to several hard-to-reach beaches, swimming time, sunbeds, and lunch. You also get a smaller maximum group than a large ferry-style excursion. Add the meal cooked aboard and the amount of time spent at Kakome, and the cost is easier to justify for someone who wants an organized full-day coastal outing.
The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quick boat ride and one swim. You may find cheaper options for a shorter trip, or you may prefer paying for a private boat if you want complete control over the schedule. This tour is aimed at the middle ground: more comfortable and food-focused than a basic shared transfer, but not a private charter.
The strongest value comes from the combination of four stops and lunch. You do not need to arrange separate transport, find a beach restaurant, or plan a route between the coves. The tradeoff is that you follow the boat’s timetable and share the experience with other people.
Who should book this Saranda boat trip?
I would recommend it to you if you want to see quiet beaches outside Saranda without organizing a private vessel. It suits people who value swimming, warm water, a prepared meal, and time to relax on board.
It is also a good match if you want a social day without a full party atmosphere. There may be music and dancing, but the schedule is not built around loud entertainment. The six-hour length feels manageable: long enough to reach several coves, yet short enough to leave you with part of the evening in Saranda.
You may want another option if you need detailed guiding in English. The staff may not provide much explanation about each stop, and the emphasis is on scenery and service rather than interpretation. You should also think twice if you dislike sun exposure, since much of the day takes place outdoors and shade may be limited in the most popular seating areas.
The tour is suitable for most people according to the provided information, and it is near public transportation. Still, you should be comfortable boarding a catamaran, swimming from beaches or a pier, and spending several hours on the water.
Practical details, timing, and cancellations
The tour begins and ends at Limion Port. It is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and has a maximum capacity of 29 people. It is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 38 days, so I would reserve early for a specific summer date.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund.
Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, cash for drinks, and a phone case or dry bag. If you need a special meal, mention it when booking and remind the crew before lunch. The boat’s catering has shown flexibility, but substitutions should never be treated as automatic.
Should you book the Krorëza and Kakome catamaran?
Book this trip if your ideal Saranda day means four scenic coves, long swims, lunch on the boat, and a comfortable shared catamaran. The best moments are likely to come at Krorëza and Kakome, where the quiet shore and clear water give the trip its purpose.
I would skip it if you want a fully narrated coastal tour, guaranteed free drinks, or a private schedule. Also, confirm the meeting instructions and drink policy before departure, since those are the two areas most likely to cause confusion.
For a relaxed day beyond Saranda, the combination of remote beaches, a cooked seafood lunch, and a six-hour timetable offers solid value despite the higher price. Choose a shaded spot early, keep cash handy, and let the coast do most of the talking.
FAQ
Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?
The tour starts at Limion Port, VXCQ+WQG, in Sarandë, Albania. It ends back at the same meeting point.
What time does the tour leave?
The scheduled start time is 9:30 am. The activity lasts about six hours and may run roughly from 10 am to 4 pm depending on the day’s timing.
Which beaches and bays does the tour visit?
The route includes Krorëza Beach, Kakome Beach, Plazhi i Manastirit, also called Soldier’s Beach, and Qender, described as Qefal Beach.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included, with seafood linguini as the main dish. Alternatives such as caprese salad or modified pasta have been prepared for some dietary needs and preferences.
Are drinks included?
The tour information says drinks are not included. Drinks can be purchased at the onboard bar with cash. Some meal arrangements may include wine, soda, or water, so confirm the exact policy with the crew.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
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