Sarandë: Boat Tour Turtle Cave Kakome & Krorez Snorkeling

The best part of this Sarandë boat tour is the variety. In one half-day outing, you pass rock formations, old anchors, quiet coves, bright swimming water, and Krorez Beach, a coastal stop reached only by boat. The trip feels less like a simple cruise and more like a moving beach day.

I like the small-group feel, especially when the boat carries only a handful of people. I also like the practical mix of activity: you can snorkel at several stops, listen to music while cruising, or simply sit back and watch the Albanian Riviera slide by. The main drawback is the long Krorez stop. Two and a half to three hours is generous, but it may feel too long if you prefer constant sightseeing or if the beach is crowded.

The details that shape your day

• Six stops are usually selected from seven, with the captain adjusting the route for weather.
• Turtle Cave and the anchor cove are mainly photo stops, so do not expect swimming at every location.
• Gremina, Kakome, and Military Bay offer short swims, generally up to 20 or 25 minutes.
• Krorez Beach gets the longest break, with local food, umbrellas for rent, and cash-only payment.
• Kosta and Mario are among the captains and guides, with English, Albanian, and Greek available.
• The $37 price includes fuel, a captain, snorkel gear, seating, and Bluetooth music, but not food or alcohol.

Leaving Sarandë for the northern Riviera

You meet at the Saranda Boat 1 table across from Guma Restaurant on the promenade. This is a useful starting point because it is central and easy to find, but arrive with enough time to locate the table rather than wandering along the waterfront at the last minute.

The listed duration is 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. That gives you a compact coastal outing rather than a full-day charter. The route heads north from Sarandë, and the captain decides which six of the seven advertised places are practical on the day. Weather matters here. A captain may adjust the order or leave out one location to keep the ride safe and comfortable.

The boat has comfortable seating, fuel is included, and Bluetooth music adds a relaxed holiday mood. Several people especially appreciated the clean, well-kept boat, the lively music, and the smooth handling around narrow coves. This is not a quiet nature trip in the strictest sense. It is a social outing with swimming, scenery, and a soundtrack.

That social side works well for couples, families, and friends who like meeting people. It also makes this a good choice if you want to see more coastline without arranging your own boat, fuel, route, and swimming equipment.

Turtle Cave: a quick photo stop with unusual rock

The first named stop is Turtle Cave, also called Shpella e Milotit in the itinerary. Its rock shapes are said to resemble turtle shells, which gives the place its appeal. You get about 10 minutes for photos.

This is a short stop, so have your phone or camera ready before the boat arrives. The point is the shape of the rock and the secluded setting, not an extended swim. If you are hoping to snorkel immediately, you may find this part brief, but it works as a visual opening to the cruise.

A waterproof camera is worth bringing. You will be close to the water, and the best images are likely to come from low angles near the boat rather than from a distant viewpoint.

The forgotten anchors at Secret Beach

The next photo stop is described as a secret or hidden beach, known for old anchors left by local fish farmers. This is another 10-minute pause, and swimming is not allowed here.

The anchors give the stop a specific sense of place. Instead of being just another pretty cove, it offers a small glimpse into how people have used this coast. Still, keep your expectations realistic. You are stopping to look and take pictures, not to explore the beach or snorkel.

The two short photo stops at the start help keep the tour moving. They also break up the ride before the swimming portion begins. If you prefer a slow, beach-based day, these quick visits may feel rushed. If you want to cover several locations, they are a sensible trade.

Gremina and Kepi i Qefalit for the first swim

Gremina, listed as Kepi i Qefalit in the route details, is the first proper water stop. The rocky formation gives the boat a clear point to aim for, while the water is used for swimming and snorkeling. The scheduled time is about 20 to 25 minutes.

This is where the included snorkel gear becomes useful. You do not have to pack your own mask and equipment, which saves space and makes the tour easier to join on short notice. Bring your own towel and swimwear, though, and use biodegradable sunscreen as requested.

Twenty minutes passes quickly. I would get your mask adjusted before jumping in, then spend your time in the water rather than searching through a beach bag. If you do not want to swim, you can stay on the boat and enjoy the rock walls and open-water views.

The boat’s size is helpful around coves like this. It can move close to smaller swimming spots that would be less practical for a large excursion vessel. That does not mean every stop will feel private, but it gives the route more flexibility.

Kakome Beach and its clear water

Kakome is one of the main swimming stops, with about 20 to 25 minutes in the water. It is known for its clear sea and quiet beach setting, and it gives you another chance to snorkel without using up the long Krorez break.

I like having two shorter swim stops before lunch because they let you test the water and equipment early. You can also decide how much energy to save for Krorez. The water is the star here, while the beach itself is more of a backdrop during this short visit.

Keep your belongings organized. A charged smartphone in a waterproof pouch is more useful than a loose phone on a wet boat. The company specifically recommends a waterproof camera, cash, water, food, and beachwear, so treat those as part of your basic kit rather than optional extras.

Krorez Beach: the long stop

Krorez Beach receives the largest share of the day, usually two and a half to three hours. It can only be reached by boat, and the stop is intended for swimming, relaxing, eating, and enjoying the beach.

This is the heart of the outing for anyone who wants a proper break from Sarandë. The water is clear, the setting is scenic, and you have time to leave the boat rather than squeezing in another quick swim. Local restaurants serve food, but payment is cash only. Umbrellas are available to rent, also making cash useful.

Bring your own food and drinks if you want more choice or need to manage the cost. Food and alcohol are not included in the tour price. Water is especially important on a sunny day, since the boat ride, swimming, and beach time can add up.

The long stop is both a strength and a limitation. If you want to sunbathe, eat slowly, and swim without watching the clock, three hours feels generous. If you came mainly for coastal sightseeing, it can feel like too much time in one small area. One practical way to judge this is to think about your ideal day: this tour gives you a series of short stops followed by one extended beach stay, not seven equally timed visits.

Krorez can also be busier than the word secluded suggests. One account of the experience raised concerns about crowding and a less tidy seabed in places. That does not erase the appeal of the stop, but it is a useful reminder that a boat-access beach is not automatically empty or untouched.

Military Bay and Rrojdhes

The final swimming location is Military Bay, also called Rrojdhes or Plazhi i Ushtarit. It combines a military connection with another chance to swim, generally for up to 20 or 25 minutes.

This stop adds a different note to the route. The day is not only a string of beaches. You also get a coastal place linked to local history, though the amount of explanation can depend on the captain. Some guides, including Kosta and Mario, have been praised for sharing information and explaining the places clearly. At other times, the commentary may be lighter, so do not book this as a formal history tour.

The stop works best as a final swim before the return to Sarandë. You can cool off, rinse away the salt in the open water, and settle back into the boat for the ride home.

What the guides and boat add

The captain has a practical role beyond steering. The route depends on weather, and the captain chooses the stops, handles the boat around coves, and keeps the schedule moving. Kosta has been singled out for being warm, professional, safety-minded, and willing to personalize the outing. Mario is also noted as a friendly guide who can add useful information and keep the mood easy.

That said, the amount of narration may vary. If you want a detailed account of every rock and bay, ask questions as you go. You may get more from the experience by treating the captain as a local resource instead of waiting for a formal speech at every stop.

The social atmosphere is another plus. Bluetooth music, a comfortable boat, and a small group create an informal setting. People who enjoy chatting and making new friends will likely fit right in. If you want silence and solitude, a private booking is the better choice, though you pay for the boat rather than per person.

The group option costs $37 per person, which is strong value for four and a half hours on the water. Fuel, snorkel gear, the captain, and seating are covered. You still need to budget for food, drinks, alcohol, and an umbrella at Krorez. The private option may make sense for a family or close group that values control over the pace, but the supplied price information does not state the private boat cost.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples wanting a scenic half-day with swimming and beach time
• Friends who enjoy music and a sociable boat
• Families comfortable with repeated water stops
• First-time visitors who want to see several northern Riviera coves
• People who prefer a guided trip to organizing a private boat

You should think twice if you dislike boats, cannot swim, or want a very quiet outing. The tour is built around swimming, and the boat may be lively. The stated restrictions also make it unsuitable for people over 70 or people over 209 pounds, or 95 kilograms.

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, food, cash, a camera, a charged phone, and biodegradable sunscreen. Do not count on using a card at Krorez. A waterproof phone case will protect the device you are most likely to use for photos.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when booking.

Is Saranda Boat 1 good value?

At $37, this is an appealing way to reach coves that are difficult to visit from land. The price is especially fair if you use the snorkel gear, enjoy the long beach break, and value having fuel and route planning handled for you.

The tour is not perfect for every style of visitor. The shorter stops are necessarily quick, the captain may change the route for weather, and Krorez takes up more than half of the scheduled time at some departures. Still, the blend of rock formations, swimming coves, music, and a boat-access beach gives the day more range than a simple transfer to one beach.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want several coastal stops in one outing, with enough time at Krorez to swim and eat. It is a particularly good pick for couples, friends, and families who enjoy a friendly group setting and do not mind music on board.

Choose a private boat instead if you want control over the pace or more privacy. Otherwise, the group trip offers an easy, good-value way to see the northern coast from Sarandë, especially when Kosta, Mario, or another attentive captain is leading the day.

FAQ

How long does the Sarandë boat tour last?

The tour lasts 270 minutes, or four and a half hours.

Where does the boat tour begin?

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

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Turtle Cave, a secret beach with old anchors, Gremina, Kakome Beach, Krorez Beach, and Military Bay or Rrojdhes. The captain visits six of seven possible locations, depending on weather.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Do I need cash during the tour?

Yes. Food and alcohol are not included, and restaurants and umbrella rentals at Krorez are cash only.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.