Sarandë: Boat Tour to North side of Sarandë

The best part of this six-hour boat trip from Sarandë is the coastline itself. Steep cliffs, pine-covered hills, white-pebble coves, sea caves, and clear water make the northern shore feel far removed from the town. You reach places that have no easy road access, then stop for swimming and photos.

I like the small group of up to 10 people, which should make the boat feel more personal than a large excursion vessel. I also like the practical extras: a free sunbed and umbrella at Krorez Beach, snorkeling masks on request, one included drink, shaded seating, and music during the ride.

The main thing to consider is that the route may not match every detail of the advertised schedule. One booking included only the northern coast, with nearly three hours spent at a single bay, while another had to return to port and change boats. Sea conditions also matter, and rough water can make the ride wet and uncomfortable.

Key points before you book

• Krorez Beach includes a free sunbed and umbrella, giving you a proper place to settle in during the longest beach stop.
• The route visits Gremina, Qefal, Turtle Cave, Roidhe, Kakome, and Krorez, although timing and sea conditions can affect how many stops are possible.
• The group is limited to 10 people, with an English- or Albanian-speaking guide and professional skipper.
• Swimming and snorkeling are central to the day, so bring swimwear, sunscreen, sandals, and a towel if you have one.
• The price is $35 per person, including fuel, docking fees, safety equipment, water, light refreshments, and the boat trip.
• The boat ride can be rough, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people over 80, or people with motion sickness.

What the $35 boat trip really gives you

At $35 per person, this is priced as an affordable shared excursion rather than a private cruise. You are paying for six hours on the water, a skipper and crew, several coastal stops, swimming time, and access to places you cannot easily reach from land.

The value is strongest if you want a full day built around the sea. Fuel and docking fees are included, so you do not need to worry about extra boat charges. Bottled water and light refreshments are also provided, with seasonal fruit or soft drinks possible on some departures.

The free beach setup at Krorez improves the deal. A sunbed and umbrella can make a big difference when you plan to stay on a beach for a long stretch, especially since Krorez is expected to be the main relaxation stop.

This is not a luxury yacht experience. The boat has shaded seating and an area for sunbathing, but the focus is simple: move along the coast, stop in attractive water, play music, and give you time to swim. That is a fair trade at this price.

Finding the blue Vergo Tours stand in Sarandë

The meeting point is the large blue Vergo Tours stand. Look for the agency name on it rather than relying on a vague landmark.

The activity is offered in Albanian and English. The group limit is 10 people, which is useful if you want enough room to move around the boat and a better chance of speaking with the crew. Guide Mario is named in one account as especially friendly, although the guide on your departure may be different.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking. One useful bit of flexibility is that a late arrival was accommodated by moving the booking to an afternoon departure, though you should not count on that every time.

Leaving Sarandë for Gremina Bay

The first major stop is Gremina Bay, reached by cruising along the northern shore. The coastline opens between high cliffs and forest, with calm, deep-blue water below. The approach is likely to be one of the most scenic parts of the trip, since the view changes as the boat moves from the busy Sarandë area toward wilder shore.

Gremina is a good early stop for getting into the rhythm of the day. You can look back at the cliffs, take photos from the boat, and swim if the captain stops long enough. The appeal is quiet scenery rather than facilities, so bring what you need with you.

If the sea is rough, the ride to this first bay may feel more active than expected. One account described waves breaking into the boat and belongings moving around. Keep loose items secured and use the shaded seating if you prefer a steadier position.

A quiet swim at Qefal Bay

Qefal Bay is presented as a calm place to sit on deck or swim. It is also a strong photo stop, with open coastal views and clear water framed by rocky shore.

I would treat Qefal as a flexible swimming pause rather than a destination with a long list of things to do. The pleasure here comes from getting into the water, floating for a while, and enjoying the coast without a road, town, or large resort in view.

Snorkeling masks are available at no charge when requested. Ask early in the trip if you want one, since this is the sort of small item that can be easy to forget once the boat is moving.

Turtle Cave and the limits of sea conditions

Turtle Cave is small, but sunlight reflecting from the water creates bright patterns inside. Depending on the waves and the boat’s size, the skipper may enter only partway or may show you the cave from outside.

This is an atmospheric stop, not a long cave tour. You may get a close look at the rock walls and water, but do not expect a walk-through cave or a lengthy visit. The boat’s ability to approach safely comes first.

That condition is worth keeping in mind across the whole route. The published plan names several stops, but the exact sequence and length can change. A sea trip is less predictable than a bus tour, and the captain may shorten a stop or alter the route when the water turns rough.

Roidhe Bay, white pebbles, and clear water

Roidhe Bay is reachable only by boat and is described by its white-pebble beach, high cliffs, and wild olive trees. The water often appears blue-green, making this one of the best places for a swim and coastal photographs.

Pebble beaches can be harder on bare feet than sand. Sandals are specifically recommended for the trip, and they are useful here. Do not expect a developed beach scene. The attraction is the quiet shoreline and the chance to swim in a place with little obvious road access.

Roidhe is also the sort of stop where your time may feel short if you want both swimming and photos. Have your camera ready before the boat reaches shore, then put it away securely before getting into the water.

Kakome Bay and the abandoned monastery

Kakome is a broad sandy bay surrounded by hills, with an abandoned monastery adding a note of mystery to the setting. The calm water and soft sand make it the most natural stop for relaxing onshore, playing simple beach games, or stretching your legs.

The monastery is part of the view rather than a guaranteed guided visit. The information provided does not promise access inside, so think of it as a striking backdrop, not a separate historical tour.

Kakome can appeal to people who want more than a series of quick swims. At the same time, the schedule may not allow generous time at every bay. One departure spent almost three hours at a beach, so the balance between short scenic stops and one long break can vary.

Krorez Beach is the main event

Krorez Beach is the most substantial stop on the northern route. It is isolated and reachable by sea, with pale sand, shallow turquoise water, and pine-covered cliffs behind it.

The free sunbed and umbrella are useful here. You can swim, sit in the shade, take photographs, or have snacks and drinks without needing to search for a place to settle. This is also where the trip feels less like a sightseeing circuit and more like a proper beach day.

Bring cash for anything beyond the included refreshments, and do not assume every food or drink purchase is covered. One complimentary drink is included, along with bottled water and light refreshments. Some departures may have fruit or soft drinks, but those extras are seasonal.

Krorez is also where expectations need managing. If you want to collect a quick photo at every named bay, a long beach stop may feel like lost sightseeing time. If you want several hours to swim and rest, it may be exactly what you hoped for.

How the boat ride feels in practice

The crew provides life jackets and safety equipment, and the skipper has local sea experience. There is shaded seating plus an area for sunbathing, so you can change position during the day.

Music plays onboard, creating a relaxed holiday mood. Several positive accounts single out the friendly, helpful crew and the music as part of the fun. Guide Mario was also praised for being pleasant and easy to talk with.

Still, this is an open-water trip, not a smooth lake cruise. One account described being soaked by waves and feeling that items were not secure. That does not mean every trip will be rough, but it is a real possibility. Wear swimwear under your clothes, protect phones and cameras, and keep bags low and closed.

People prone to motion sickness should skip this activity. The tour is also not suitable for pregnant women or people over 80. Those restrictions matter because the boat may encounter movement, spray, and uneven boarding conditions.

What to pack for six hours at sea

Pack lightly, but bring the basics that make a beach-and-boat day easier:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Swimwear and shorts
• Sandals
• A camera or phone in a waterproof case
• Cash
• A towel, if available, since one is not listed among the inclusions

Snorkeling masks can be requested onboard, and life jackets are supplied. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

I would also secure anything that can blow away or slide across the deck. Rough water can turn loose sunglasses, phones, and bags into a nuisance quickly.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this trip if you want a low-cost day on the water with several chances to swim and one longer beach break. It suits couples, friends, and active families who are comfortable with a small boat and do not need a tightly timed sightseeing schedule.

It is especially good for people who value scenery over formal guiding. You will see cliffs, caves, bays, and beaches from the water, but this is not a history-focused excursion. The abandoned monastery at Kakome is an interesting visual detail, not the subject of a guided cultural visit.

You may want another option if you expect to visit the Ksamil islands. A booking was disappointed because the actual trip followed the northern coast only. The title and route information point to Sarandë’s northern shore, so confirm the route before paying if the islands are your priority.

You should also think twice if you dislike sitting at one beach for a long time. The schedule can include nearly three hours at a bay, which some people will love and others will find too slow.

What the rating tells you about the experience

The overall score is 4.2 from seven ratings, which suggests a generally good but not perfectly consistent outing. The strongest praise centers on the beautiful stops, friendly crew, music, and the simple pleasure of swimming with friends.

The lower scores point to two practical issues: route clarity and boat handling in rough conditions. There was also one departure where the first boat failed a police check and the group returned to port to change vessels.

I would not ignore those details, but I also would not treat them as proof that every departure is troubled. They show why you should keep your plans flexible, confirm whether the tour is strictly northern coast, and protect your belongings from spray.

Should you book the Sarandë northern coast boat tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, social sea day with clear water, isolated beaches, Turtle Cave, and a generous stop at Krorez Beach. The small group, included beach chair and umbrella, snorkeling masks on request, and friendly crew make the $35 price attractive.

Skip it if you need a precise schedule, cannot tolerate boat movement, or mainly want the Ksamil islands. For the best experience, bring sun protection, sandals, cash, waterproof storage, and a flexible attitude. This is a scenic coastal outing, not a guaranteed checklist of six equally long stops.

FAQ

How long is the Sarandë northern coast boat tour?

The tour lasts six hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $35 per person.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the large blue Vergo Tours stand with the agency name on it.

Which languages are available?

The tour is offered in Albanian and English.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Which places does the boat visit?

The planned stops are Gremina Bay, Qefal Bay, Turtle Cave, Roidhe Bay, Kakome Bay, and Krorez Beach.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are available free of charge upon request.

Is a sunbed and umbrella included?

Yes. A free sunbed and umbrella are included for the time you stay at Krorez Beach.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.