Sarandë: Boat Tour Turtle Cave Kakome & Krorez Snorkeling

Turtle Cave, clear coves, and a long stop at hard-to-reach Krorez Beach make this one of Sarandë’s strongest half-day boat trips. You move between six coastal stops, with time for swimming and snorkeling rather than simply looking at the shore from the water.

I like the small-group feel and the friendly captains, especially Kosta and Mario, who are often praised for their safe handling and easygoing style. I also like the freedom built into the day: swim when you want, stay on the boat when you prefer, and use the long Krorez stop for lunch or a beach chair. The main consideration is the two-and-a-half to three-hour beach break, which some people may find too long in a small, busy beach area.

Key points at a glance

• Turtle Cave photo stop: See unusual rock shapes that resemble turtle shells, with about 10 minutes for pictures.
• Three swim stops: Gremina, Kakome, and Military Bay each allow roughly 20 to 25 minutes in the water.
• Krorez Beach pause: Spend up to three hours at a beach reached by boat, with local food and umbrellas available for cash.
• Comfortable small boat: Snorkel gear, fuel, Bluetooth music, and seating are included.
• Friendly local captains: Kosta and Mario are praised for careful driving, warm service, and useful information.
• Flexible booking: Choose a shared trip priced at $37 per person or reserve the boat privately.

A northbound cruise from Sarandë

The meeting point is easy to find on Sarandë’s promenade, at the Saranda Boat 1 table across from Guma Restaurant. From there, you board the boat and head north along a rugged stretch of the Albanian Riviera.

The trip lasts 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours. That is enough time to visit several coves without turning the day into a rushed checklist. The captain decides which six of the seven planned locations are practical, since sea and weather conditions can change the route.

That flexibility matters. A boat tour should respond to the water, not stubbornly follow a printed schedule. You may not visit every named stop, but the captain can choose the safer and more enjoyable combination on the day.

The boat is fitted with comfortable seating and Bluetooth music. The sound adds a relaxed holiday mood, though it may not suit you if you want a quiet nature outing. The boat is small enough to reach narrow coves, and the group size can be pleasantly limited. One group had only seven people, which left plenty of room to move between sitting, swimming, and taking pictures.

Turtle Cave and the first photo stops

The first named stop is Turtle Cave, also called Shpella e Milotit. This is a photo stop rather than a swimming stop, and you get about 10 minutes to take in the rock formations.

The appeal is visual. The rocks have shapes that suggest turtle shells, and the boat gives you a good angle for photographs without requiring a long walk or climb. Bring a charged phone and, ideally, a waterproof camera. You will be close to the water, and the best pictures often come from the boat itself.

A second stop is known as Secret Beach or the Hidden Gem in the route descriptions. It is associated with old anchors left by local fish farmers. This stop is for photographs only, with no swimming. That detail is easy to miss when you are packing, so do not expect to jump overboard at every cove.

These early stops help break up the ride. They also show a quieter side of the coast, away from Sarandë’s main waterfront. The guide may provide background about the places, but the amount of commentary can vary. Some people receive clear explanations at every stop, while others find the tour lighter on historical information. If you enjoy local stories, ask Kosta or Mario questions as you go.

Gremina and Kakome: the best water time

At Gremina, known in the route as Kepi i Qefalit, you get roughly 20 to 25 minutes for swimming. The cove has striking rock formations and clear water, making it a useful first chance to test the temperature and try the included snorkel gear.

The snorkel equipment is part of the price, which saves you from bringing your own mask and tube. Still, do not expect a full guided marine-life excursion. This is a sightseeing cruise with swimming and casual snorkeling, not a specialized underwater tour. The water and rock formations are the main attraction.

Kakome Beach follows with another swimming stop of about 20 to 25 minutes. The bay is known for clean-looking water and a peaceful setting. This is one of the places where you really feel the value of a boat trip. The coast is much easier to appreciate from the water, where you can see the curve of the bay and the contrast between pale shore and clear sea.

The stop length is enough for a swim and a little snorkeling, but not enough for a leisurely beach afternoon. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, keep your towel close, and avoid packing anything you do not want splashed. The boat is designed for getting in and out of the water, but you should still take care with phones, cameras, and wallets.

Krorez Beach takes up the middle of the day

Krorez Beach is the main stop, with a break of about two and a half to three hours. It is accessible by boat and has a picturesque setting that makes the long pause worthwhile for many people.

You can swim, sit on the beach, rent an umbrella, or buy food at one of the local restaurants. Food and alcohol are not included, and the beach businesses accept cash only. Bring enough Albanian lek or another accepted form of payment, since relying on a card here may leave you hungry or without shade.

This is also where the tour’s pace becomes a personal choice. If you love a slow beach stop, the extra time is useful. You can eat, swim again, and settle into the afternoon instead of rushing off after 20 minutes. I like that the schedule allows a proper rest after several short swims.

If you prefer constant movement, the pause may feel too long. The beach area is relatively small, with a bar and limited food options, so there is not an endless range of things to do. You might also find it busier than the quieter coves visited earlier. Bring a book, beachwear, and patience, or think of Krorez as your chance to stop chasing the clock.

The long break also affects the meaning of the $37 price. You are not paying only for fuel and a boat ride. You are paying for access to a beach that is difficult to reach independently, plus several swim stops and a captain who handles the route. For a half-day on the Riviera, that is a fair price, especially when snorkel gear and fuel are included.

Military Bay and the ride back

The final water stop is Military Bay, also called Rrojdhes or Plazhi i Ushtarit. It combines coastal scenery with traces of the area’s military past, although this is not presented as a formal history tour.

You get another swimming period of about 20 to 25 minutes. By this point, the stop works well as a final chance to cool off before returning to Sarandë. If you have spent the day swimming, you can simply remain on board and enjoy the view instead.

The captain then turns the boat back toward the marina. The return ride gives you a different angle on the coast and a little time to relax after the stops. Dolphins have been seen during some outings, but they are a lucky possibility, not a promised part of the trip.

What the crew adds to the experience

The boat operators are a major part of the appeal. Kosta is repeatedly singled out for professional boat handling, safety, warmth, and an ability to make the trip feel personal. Mario is also praised for being kind, attentive, and helpful.

That does not mean every departure will feel identical. Captain commentary can range from detailed explanations at each stop to a lighter approach focused on music, swimming, and scenery. If you want more information, ask direct questions about the coves, old anchors, military sites, or local beaches.

The crew also appears comfortable adjusting the day for the group. Some people want to swim at every opportunity. Others prefer to sit on the boat, listen to music, and take pictures. That balance makes the trip suitable for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who are comfortable around open water.

The tour is not suitable for people over 70 or people over 209 pounds, or 95 kilograms. These limits should be taken seriously before booking, since they are part of the operator’s conditions.

Music, seating, and the small-group feel

The boat has comfortable seating and Bluetooth music. Several departures have been described as relaxed and fun, with a good soundtrack and an upbeat captain. The mood is social rather than formal.

That makes this a good choice if you enjoy meeting new people. A shared cruise lets you chat between stops, and the small-group format is less impersonal than a large sightseeing boat. If you are traveling with a private group, you can also reserve the entire boat instead of paying per person.

The private option costs more because you pay for the boat, not individual seats. It may make sense for a family or group of friends that wants control over the music, swimming rhythm, and general atmosphere. For solo visitors or couples, the shared trip is the better value.

There is one practical tradeoff. The boat’s music and social setting may not suit someone seeking a silent nature cruise. Likewise, the route has several scheduled stops, so you should expect a day built around movement, not a private beach escape from start to finish.

What to pack for the four-and-a-half-hour trip

Keep your packing simple and water-friendly. You should bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Water and any food or drinks you want during the ride
• Cash for lunch and an umbrella at Krorez Beach
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Beachwear and a camera
• A waterproof camera or protected phone
• A fully charged smartphone

Food and alcohol are not included. Water is particularly useful because swimming, sun, and sea air can leave you thirsty before the beach stop arrives.

Use sunscreen before boarding and reapply it during the day. The boat, coves, and pale beaches reflect plenty of light. A waterproof pouch is also sensible for keys, cash, and phones, even though the boat has seating and is kept in good condition.

Plan on getting wet. You may be able to remain dry on board, but the whole point of the route is to swim at several coves. A light cover-up helps when moving between the boat, beach, and restaurant.

Timing, weather, and practical limits

The captain chooses six of seven locations at his discretion, based on weather. This means the exact route is not guaranteed. Strong wind or rough water may change the order or remove a stop.

That is a normal part of a coastal trip, but you should book with some flexibility. The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

The boat trip begins and ends at Saranda Boat 1 on the promenade. There is no separate transfer included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself. The tour is offered in Albanian, English, and Greek.

The rating is listed at 4.9 from 286 reviews, and the pattern of praise is clear: people value the scenery, clean water, comfortable boat, friendly captains, and small groups. The one useful warning is overcrowding at some points, along with seabeds that may not always be perfectly clean. Conditions at popular beaches can change, so do not expect every cove to feel untouched.

Who should book this Sarandë boat tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to see several coastal spots in one outing and care more about swimming than formal sightseeing. It gives you a strong mix of short coves, photo stops, snorkeling, music, and a longer beach pause.

It suits couples, friends, and families who are comfortable boarding a small boat and spending time in the sun. It is also a good option if you want a social day and like the idea of meeting people without joining a very large group.

I would think twice if you dislike fixed beach stops, prefer long guided explanations, or want a quiet, private day on the water. The Krorez break may feel excessive if you would rather visit another cove, and some stops may be busier than expected.

For most visitors, the price is reasonable. You get fuel, a captain, snorkel gear, seating, music, several swim stops, and access to a boat-only beach for $37 per person. Book it for the water and the coastline, not for a museum-style history lesson. If that sounds like your kind of Sarandë day, this is a smart and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

How long does the Sarandë boat tour last?

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

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes Turtle Cave, a second photo stop known for old anchors, Gremina, Kakome Beach, Krorez Beach, and Military Bay, also called Rrojdhes or Plazhi i Ushtarit. The captain visits six of seven possible locations depending on weather.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Is food included?

No. Food and alcohol are not included. At Krorez Beach, local restaurants and umbrella rentals require cash.

Where is the meeting point?

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

Can I book a private boat?

Yes. You can book a shared tour and pay $37 per person, or reserve the entire boat privately and pay for the boat.