Saranda: Kakome, Caves & Beaches Boat Tour with Snorkeling

The best part of this Saranda boat trip is the variety. In one outing, you move from rocky capes and sea caves to quiet coves, snorkeling stops, and a long stay at sandy Kroreza Beach. The coast here is difficult to reach overland, so the boat gives you access to places that would otherwise remain out of reach.

I like the new 2025 boat, especially its useful split between open seating and shade. I also like the easygoing setup: music, a fridge for your own drinks and snacks, Wi-Fi, snorkel masks, and a crew that keeps the day social. Captain Rezi is often singled out for his humor, photos, and friendly manner.

The main caution is the sea. High waves have shortened some trips, and this is not a good match for anyone with serious back problems or limited mobility. Also, food and drinks are not included, so bring cash for lunch at Kroreza.

Key points to know before you book

• Kroreza gets three hours: This is not just a quick photo stop. You have time for swimming, lunch, sunbeds, and umbrellas.
• Several stops are boat-access only: Kakome, Soldiers Beach, Roidhes, Gremina, and the caves are the real reason to choose this trip.
• The boat has both sun and shade: You can choose an open spot for sunbathing or a half-shaded place for a more comfortable cruise.
• Snorkeling is built into the day: Masks are supplied, and tubes are available on request, though they are not routinely used for hygiene reasons.
• Music is part of the experience: Expect a relaxed social mood rather than a silent sightseeing cruise.
• The $42 price is strong value: A long coastal route, multiple swim stops, equipment, beach time, and entrance fees are included.

Why this coast is best seen from the water

Saranda is easy to enjoy from the waterfront, but the most appealing coves lie farther along the coast. Roads do not reach every beach, and some of the rocky inlets are best understood from the sea.

From the boat, you get a changing view of the Albanian Riviera: pale stone cliffs, clear water, small beaches, and caves cut into the shoreline. The trip is less about one grand landmark and more about the pleasure of moving between many small coastal scenes.

The mood is informal. Summer music plays as you cruise, and the crew provides a local guide, with audio guide files available on request in English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German. If you want quiet commentary every minute, this may feel too casual. If you want to swim, take photos, listen to music, and learn a little about the coast along the way, the format works well.

Boarding at Saranda’s main port

You can meet the boat at one of two listed points on Rruga Jonianet, near Vodafone. Your exact meeting point depends on the option booked, so check the confirmation before setting out.

Parking deserves a little planning. Free street parking may be available near the meeting area, but the company’s designated parking location is at Hotel Adi-Vera, about a 15-minute walk away. If you are driving, allow extra time rather than arriving at the last minute.

The boat offers open and half-shaded seating. I would arrive early if you care about your position, especially if you want the first row for views or a particular amount of shade. One useful tip is to choose an earlier departure when available. That can help you reach Kroreza before the beach becomes busier and gives you a better chance at a preferred sunbed or umbrella.

Kepi I Qefalit: an easy first swim

The first listed stop is Kepi I Qefalit, with about 20 minutes for photos, swimming, and snorkeling. This is a good introduction to the rhythm of the trip. You are not expected to spend hours here. Instead, you get a short chance to get into the water and test the visibility.

Bring your mask as soon as the crew announces a swim stop. The supplied masks are included, while tubes are available on request but are not generally used for hygiene reasons. The short stop means you should be ready to swim rather than spend most of the time organizing your things.

Kakome Beach and its quiet corners

Kakome Beach receives about 30 minutes. It is one of the main scenic stops, with clear water and a more secluded feel than the central Saranda beaches.

The boat may point out smaller spots around Kakome that are not obvious from the main beach. This is where a local guide adds value, because the coastline can look like a series of similar coves when you first see it. Listen for the explanation, then use the stop for swimming, snorkeling, and photographs.

Thirty minutes is enough for a good swim but not enough for a slow beach afternoon. Keep your camera and sunscreen close, and do not expect to explore every corner on foot.

Soldiers Beach and Roidhes Beach

Plazhi i Ushtarit, known as Soldiers Beach, is scheduled for another 30-minute break. Like Kakome, it combines a photo stop with time in the water. The attraction is the setting itself: a small coastal beach reached by boat, with the chance to swim away from Saranda’s developed waterfront.

Plazhi i Ridhës, or Roidhes Beach, follows with about 20 minutes. This is a shorter stop, so treat it as a quick swim and camera break. The sequence of stops keeps the day moving, but it also means you should not assume every beach offers a long, relaxed stay.

Some departures also highlight Gremina. The exact order or emphasis can vary, particularly with sea conditions and the chosen option. The trip is designed around several coastal sites rather than one fixed beach visit.

Kroreza Beach is the main event

Kroreza is where the schedule slows down. You have about three hours here, giving you time to do more than jump overboard for a quick swim.

The beach has pale sand and turquoise water, and it is the most practical place to settle in for a while. You can swim, sunbathe, use an umbrella, and eat at one of the local beachside restaurants. Food is not included, so bring cash. Card payment is not confirmed, and one of the most useful pieces of advice for this trip is simply to carry money for the beach stop.

Several bookings include umbrellas and sunbeds at no extra charge. That detail makes the $42 fare more attractive, since a long beach stop can otherwise bring added costs. Confirm the current arrangement when booking, but the tour’s setup is intended to include access to these conveniences.

Three hours is generous if you want a proper beach break. It is also the point where the trip may feel less active. If you prefer constant sightseeing, you might find the long pause slow. If you want a full afternoon by the sea without arranging separate transport, Kroreza is a major advantage.

Arriving early can matter here. The first boat groups may have a better choice of sunbeds and umbrellas, and you can settle in before the beach becomes more crowded.

Milot’s Cave and the return cruise

After Kroreza, the route continues to Shpella e Milotit, or Milot’s Cave. This is mainly a photo and sightseeing stop rather than a long beach break.

The cave gives you a change of scale. After several open-water swims and broad coastal views, the boat moves close to the rock and lets you see how the shoreline has been shaped by the sea. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and do not expect to walk into a large cave system.

The return to Saranda completes a full coastal loop of sorts, with drop-off at Vodafone or on Rruga Jonianet. The total duration is advertised around five hours, with the schedule also shown as 330 minutes. Allow roughly five to five and a half hours, since waves, boarding, and the pace of stops can affect the finish.

What the boat provides, and what you should bring

The boat has a fridge for drinks and snacks, but refreshments are not included. You can bring your own food and drinks, then buy lunch at Kroreza if you prefer a beach restaurant.

Included equipment and services are:

• Driver and local guide
• Swim and snorkeling stops
• Snorkeling masks
• Tubes on request
• Music onboard
• Wi-Fi
• Fridge space for personal snacks and drinks
• Entrance fees and taxes
• Audio guide files on request
• Parking arrangements

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a camera, and cash. A dry bag is not listed as provided, so use a small waterproof pouch if you want to protect a phone or wallet. That is practical advice for any open boat, especially when the sea is choppy.

The music deserves a specific mention. The atmosphere leans toward a friendly boat party rather than a formal sightseeing vessel. The playlist may include French music, R&B, Latin tracks, and relaxed summer songs. Captain Rezi is known for keeping the mood light and for taking photos, while other crew members may include Leonardo.

Shared cruise or private boat

You can book a shared trip or choose a private group. The shared option is the better value for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who like meeting people and do not mind a communal atmosphere.

A private group makes more sense if you want control over the mood, timing, and companions. The provided information does not specify the private-group surcharge or exact capacity, so check those details before paying. The same general route and sea conditions still apply.

Families can enjoy the swimming stops and the long beach break, but parents should be comfortable supervising children around open water. Life jackets are available for all participants. The boat is not suitable for electric wheelchairs, and the tour is not recommended for people with mobility impairments, serious back problems, people over 120 kilograms, or anyone over 95 years old.

The real value of the $42 fare

At $42 per person, this is a good-value way to see a difficult-to-reach section of the Albanian coast. You are paying for a long route, several swim stops, snorkeling equipment, a local guide, music, a three-hour beach stay, and entrance fees.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange separate transport to Kroreza or pay for a private boat. It is also helped by the reported inclusion of umbrellas and sunbeds at Kroreza.

The fare does not cover lunch or drinks, and you should budget for those. The boat is not a luxury yacht, and the music means the experience is not designed for silence. Think of it as a comfortable, good-humored day boat with a strong route, not a private expedition.

The rating attached to the experience is 4.9 from 379 reviews, and the repeated strengths are clear: friendly staff, a comfortable newer boat, lively music, striking beaches, and Captain Rezi’s warm personality. The most specific praise concerns the atmosphere and the beach time, not formal commentary or high-end service.

How weather can change the day

The sea is part of the adventure, and it also sets the limits. High waves have caused at least some trips to end earlier than planned. A crew may adjust the route or shorten the outing when conditions become uncomfortable or unsafe.

If you suffer from motion sickness, sit in a central shaded area if available, watch the horizon, and avoid a heavy meal before boarding. This is practical preparation, not a promise that the ride will be smooth.

The clearest water and warmest swimming conditions are likely during the main summer season, though departures have operated into autumn when temperatures allowed. Check availability and the forecast before you go, especially outside the peak season.

Who should book this Saranda boat tour?

I would choose this trip if you want several scenic stops in one day and do not want to organize taxis, beach transfers, or a private charter. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and groups that enjoy music and a relaxed social setting.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want to swim at more than one beach
• You enjoy snorkeling but do not need a guided underwater lesson
• You want several photo stops and one long beach break
• You like a friendly, informal boat atmosphere
• You value sunbeds and umbrellas at the main beach
• You want access to coves that cannot be reached easily by road

I would choose another option if you want a quiet boat, a short trip, a formal history tour, or a tightly controlled private schedule. The stop times are fixed enough to keep the day moving, but the sea and group setting mean the plan is not entirely in your hands.

Should you book it?

Book it if the thought of five hours along the coast, several turquoise-water swims, music onboard, and three hours at Kroreza sounds like a good day. At $42, the combination of access, equipment, and beach facilities is hard to fault.

Choose an early departure if you can, bring cash, and arrive ready to swim. If you are comfortable with waves and a social atmosphere, this is one of the more practical ways to see Saranda’s coves, caves, and beaches in a single outing.

FAQ

Where does the Saranda boat tour start?

The listed starting points are on Rruga Jonianet near Vodafone. The exact meeting point can vary by booking option, so check your confirmation before departure.

How long does the boat tour last?

The experience is described as lasting about five hours, with the schedule also showing 330 minutes. Plan for roughly five to five and a half hours.

What beaches and sites does the route visit?

Stops include Kepi I Qefalit, Kakome Beach, Soldiers Beach, Roidhes Beach, Kroreza Beach, and Milot’s Cave. Gremina or Turtles Cave may also feature in the route description.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling masks are included. Tubes are available on request, but they are not routinely used for hygiene reasons.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own snacks and drinks, and you can buy a meal at a beachside restaurant during the Kroreza stop.

Are sunbeds and umbrellas included?

Sunbeds and umbrellas at Kroreza have been included with the tour arrangement. Check the current details when booking, as beach services can change.

Is a private boat option available?

Yes. A private group option is available, alongside the shared boat experience.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a camera, and cash. You may also want a waterproof pouch for valuables and personal snacks or drinks for the boat.