Sarandë: Boat Tour Turtle Cave Kakome & Krorez Snorkeling

Turtle Cave, clear coves, and a long beach stop make this a strong way to see the Albanian Riviera from the water. The boat visits six of seven possible locations, with the captain choosing the route according to weather and sea conditions. Kosta and Mario are among the guides praised for friendly service, safety, music, and useful local advice.

I like the mix of short swimming stops and one proper beach break. I also like the small-group feel, comfortable seating, fuel, and snorkel gear included in the $37 price. The main thing to consider is the long stop at Krorez Beach. Some people love the extra time; others may find two and a half to three hours too long for a small beach area with limited food options.

Key points to know before booking

• Six coastal stops: The route can include Turtle Cave, Secret Beach, Gremina, Kakome, Krorez Beach, and Military Bay or Rrojdhes.
• The beach stop is the centerpiece: You get 2.5 to 3 hours at Krorez for swimming, lunch, and beach time.
• Snorkel gear is included: You can swim from the boat at several coves without bringing your own equipment.
• Small groups are available: Book a shared trip per person, or reserve the entire boat for a private outing.
• Music is part of the mood: Bluetooth audio, comfortable seating, and a clean boat create a relaxed day on the water.
• Bring cash: Krorez restaurants and umbrella rentals are cash only, while food and alcohol are not included.

Setting out from Sarandë for the northern coast

The meeting point is simple to find: look for the Saranda Boat 1 table on the promenade, across from Guma Restaurant. From there, you board near the marina and head north along the coast.

This is not a formal sightseeing cruise with a long speech at every bend. It is mainly a swimming and scenery trip, with time for photos, music, and easy conversation with the people around you. Guides speak Albanian, English, and Greek, and the atmosphere can range from quiet and relaxed to lively, depending on the group.

The boat is designed for short coastal stops. You can sit comfortably between locations, then move in and out of the water at the coves. The captain handles the route and fuel, and weather matters. The advertised plan covers six of seven possible locations, but the captain may change the sequence or skip a stop when sea conditions call for it.

That flexibility is useful on the Albanian coast. It also means you should treat the exact order as a plan, not a promise. If a certain cove is important to you, ask the captain about the day’s route before departure.

Turtle Cave and the first photo stop

The first listed stop is Shpella e Milotit, known here as Turtle Cave. Its rock forms look like turtle shells, giving the place its name and making it an easy early photo stop.

You get about 10 minutes here, enough for pictures but not a swim. The short visit keeps the trip moving, though photographers may wish for more time. The value is the view from the boat: unusual rock shapes, open water, and a sense of the rugged coast before the swimming stops begin.

Bring a charged phone or camera, and keep it ready. You may not have much time to frame a shot once the boat is positioned. A waterproof camera is particularly useful because the trip alternates between photography and swimming.

Secret Beach and the forgotten anchors

The next stop is listed as a hidden gem and is used for photos only. It is known for old anchors left by local fish farmers, which gives the otherwise quiet cove a small human story.

You do not swim here. That distinction matters because the tour includes several swimming stops, but not every beautiful place is a water break. Think of this stop as a quick look at an unusual coastal detail, followed by another short ride.

The photo-only rule also helps explain the pace of the first part of the trip. The boat visits several coves rather than spending the whole morning in one place. If you prefer a trip with long, uninterrupted time in the water, the two short photo stops may feel brief. If you like seeing several parts of the coast, they add variety.

Gremina, or Kepi i Qefalit, for a quick swim

Gremina is listed in the route as Kepi i Qefalit. This stop features another distinctive rock formation and allows up to about 20 to 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

This is a good place to use the included gear. The main appeal is not a formal underwater program, but the chance to look below the surface in clear water and swim close to the boat. You can also remain on board if you prefer not to get wet.

Twenty minutes goes quickly. Have your swimsuit on before the boat arrives, and keep your towel somewhere easy to reach. The crew needs to keep the schedule moving toward Kakome and Krorez, so this is a quick water stop rather than a full beach visit.

Kakome Beach and its clear water

Kakome is one of the more peaceful stops on the route. The beach has clear water and a quieter feel than Sarandë, with up to 20 to 25 minutes set aside for swimming.

I like this part of the trip because it gives you a taste of a remote beach without requiring a long hike or a separate transfer. You see the coast from the water, then get a short chance to swim in it. The stop works well for couples and friends who want a scenic break without spending the entire day on shore.

The limitation is time. Kakome is not the main beach break, so you will not have hours to settle in, read, or order lunch. Use it for a swim, a few photographs, and a look at the clear water. The larger pause comes later at Krorez.

Krorez Beach and the two-and-a-half-hour pause

Krorez Beach is the main stop, with approximately 2.5 to 3 hours for swimming, relaxing, visiting, and eating. It is accessible by boat, and the approach gives you broad views of the coast before you reach the beach.

This long pause changes the character of the tour. The first section feels like a coastal circuit, while Krorez gives you time to slow down. You can swim, sit on the beach, buy food at a local restaurant, and rent an umbrella if one is available. Bring cash, since the restaurants and umbrella rentals are cash only.

Food and alcohol are not included, so pack your own supplies if you want more choice or need to keep spending low. The activity information specifically recommends bringing food, drinks, and water. A biodegradable sunscreen is also a smart choice, since much of the day is spent exposed to sun on the boat or beach.

The length of the stop is both a benefit and a possible drawback. I like having enough time for lunch and a relaxed swim rather than eating in a hurry. But the beach area has limited facilities, and one of the strongest criticisms of the trip was that the 2.5-hour break felt too long for the size of the place.

You should book this tour expecting Krorez to be the main event, not a quick stop between coves. If you enjoy sunbathing and a slow lunch, the timing works well. If you would rather keep moving, a private boat may give you a better chance to discuss the schedule with the captain.

Military Bay and Rrojdhes

The final listed coastal stop is Military Bay, also called Rrojdhes. It combines a historical setting with natural scenery and allows up to about 20 to 25 minutes for swimming.

The name hints at the area’s past, but the tour information does not promise a long historical talk. This is mainly another swimming stop with a story attached to the place. One guide may offer more explanation than another, and this is worth asking about if local history matters to you.

The short stop provides one last chance to swim before the return to Sarandë. It also breaks up the longer ride home. Depending on weather and the captain’s decision, the exact route may change, so Military Bay is best understood as one of the possible stops rather than a guarantee on every departure.

What the boat experience feels like

The boat includes comfortable seating, Bluetooth music, fuel, and snorkel gear. Those details matter more than they may seem. You spend several hours moving between locations, so a cramped or poorly arranged boat would quickly wear you down.

The atmosphere is casual. Music helps create a holiday feel, and several visitors especially liked the upbeat mood and the crew’s friendly manner. Kosta received particular praise for being professional, safety-minded, and willing to personalize the experience. Mario was also singled out for his warm manner and guidance.

The level of explanation may vary. Some departures include clear information about the places you visit, while one person wished for more commentary. If you want background on every cove, ask questions as you go. The guides can speak Albanian, English, and Greek, so communication should be straightforward for many visitors.

Dolphin sightings are possible but not promised. One person saw dolphins during the ride, but you should treat that as luck rather than part of the schedule.

Shared trip or private boat?

The shared option costs $37 per person, which is good value if you mainly want access to the coast, several swim stops, a boat ride, fuel, and snorkel equipment. The price is especially fair when you make full use of the Krorez stop and bring your own water and snacks.

A shared outing also makes it easy to meet people. The group size can be small, and one departure had only seven people, which allowed plenty of room to sit and move around. Still, group size can vary, and a larger boat load may feel less peaceful. One person found overcrowding reduced the relaxed feeling and noted that the seabed was not always as clean as expected.

A private booking costs more because you pay for the boat rather than by the person, but it may suit families, couples, or friends who want more control. You can ask about the pace, music, swimming time, and beach stop. The supplied information does not give a private-boat price, so you will need to check the current rate before booking.

Practical advice for a better day

Wear your swimwear before you leave. The early stops are short, and changing on a small boat is not likely to be convenient.

Pack these items:

• Towel and dry beachwear
• Water and food
• Cash for Krorez
• Waterproof phone case or camera
• Charged smartphone
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Sunglasses and a hat

Food, drinks, and alcohol are not included. You can buy some food at Krorez, but choices may be limited and payment is cash only. Bringing water is particularly important because you may spend several hours in sun and salt air.

The activity is not considered suitable for people over 70 or people weighing more than 209 pounds, or 95 kilograms. Children are not specifically excluded in the supplied information, but families should consider the repeated boat movements, short swim stops, and long beach break before booking.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability. These flexible terms help if your Sarandë plans depend on weather, though a calm forecast is still worth checking before you commit to a boat day.

Is the $37 price worth it?

For a 270-minute coastal trip, $37 is a solid price. You are paying for the captain, fuel, boat, several stops, and snorkel gear, rather than simply renting a seat for a short harbor ride.

The value is strongest for people who want a ready-made day on the water. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Kakome or Krorez, and the captain takes care of the route. The long Krorez stop also gives you enough time to enjoy the beach instead of rushing through it.

The value is weaker if you dislike fixed schedules or do not want to spend up to three hours at one beach. Food, drinks, and umbrellas cost extra, and the exact number of stops depends on weather. A private booking may be worth the additional cost for a group that wants more say in timing, but the shared trip is the sensible choice for most people watching their budget.

Who should book this Sarandë boat tour?

I would choose this outing if you want swimming, clear water, coastal photos, and a friendly half-day on a comfortable boat. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and families who can manage the boat schedule.

It is less suitable if you want a serious historical tour, a long guided snorkeling session, or a nonstop sightseeing cruise. The guides can provide useful information, but the main purpose is swimming and relaxation.

You should also think about the Krorez timing. If you like a slow beach lunch, it is a major advantage. If you prefer many short stops, you may find the long pause frustrating. Ask about the expected group size and route before boarding, especially during busy periods.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable way to reach several beautiful coastal spots north of Sarandë, with music, swimming, and a generous break at Krorez. The captain’s friendly approach, comfortable boat, and small-group option add real value.

Skip it if you need a tightly structured history tour or dislike spending several hours at one beach. For everyone else, the combination of Turtle Cave, Kakome, Gremina, and Krorez gives you a lively and practical taste of the Albanian Riviera in one outing.

FAQ

How long is the Sarandë boat tour?

The advertised duration is 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours. The schedule includes short photo and swimming stops, plus a 2.5 to 3-hour break at Krorez Beach.

Which places does the boat visit?

The possible route includes Turtle Cave, Secret Beach, 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, and a captain are included in the booking price.

Is food included?

No. Food and alcohol are not included. You may buy food at a local restaurant at Krorez Beach, and you should bring cash because the restaurant and umbrella rentals are cash only.

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 choose a shared trip priced per person or reserve the entire boat for a private experience. The current private-boat price is not provided, so check it when booking.