Saranda: Kakome, Caves & Beaches Boat Tour with Snorkeling

The best Albanian coast views come from the water. This $42 boat trip takes you from Saranda past rocky coves, clear swimming spots, caves, and boat-access beaches, with a long break at beautiful Kroreza Beach. I like the new 2025 boat, which offers both open sun seats and half-shaded areas, and I like the easygoing crew, especially Captain Rezi, whose friendly manner and photo skills receive repeated praise. The music also gives the ride a social, holiday feel.

The main thing to consider is the pace. You visit several places, but most stops are short, from 20 to 30 minutes, before the three-hour Kroreza break. High waves can also affect the schedule, and one trip ended earlier than planned in rough conditions. If you want a quiet sightseeing cruise with little activity, the music and party mood may be more than you want.

Key things to know before you book

• Kroreza gets three full hours: You have time for swimming, sunbeds, umbrellas, and a meal at a beach restaurant.
• The boat has two seating styles: Pick open seating for sun and views, or the half-shaded side for a cooler ride.
• Captain Rezi is part of the appeal: He is often praised for his warmth, humor, local tips, and willingness to take photos.
• You visit several boat-only places: Kakome Bay, Soldiers Beach, Roidhes Beach, Gremina, and Miloti Cave are reached from the sea.
• Bring cash for the beach stop: Food and drinks are not included, and local restaurants at Kroreza are an important part of the long break.
• This is a social trip: Music plays onboard, so it suits couples, families, friends, and anyone who enjoys a lively day on the water.

What the Saranda boat day feels like

You meet the crew near Saranda’s main port, with pickup points listed at Rruga Jonianet and Vodafone. The exact meeting point depends on the booking option, so check it carefully before setting off. The return is also listed at Vodafone or Rruga Jonianet.

The trip lasts about five hours, or up to 330 minutes according to the published timing. That includes travel between the stops, several short swimming breaks, and three hours at Kroreza. The boat is described as brand new for 2025, with a fridge for your drinks and snacks, onboard Wi-Fi, life jackets, and room to move between shaded and sunny seating.

I like this setup because you do not have to commit to one kind of beach day. You can sit in the sun when the coast looks its best, then shift to shade during the ride. The boat’s music keeps things cheerful, with the playlist ranging from French songs and Latin music to R&B and relaxed summer tracks.

This is not a silent nature cruise. It is closer to a floating beach party with scenic stops. That can be a real strength if you want to meet people and keep the day light. It can be a drawback if you hoped to hear only the water and seabirds.

First views at Kepi i Qefalit

Kepi i Qefalit is the first listed stop. You get around 20 minutes for photos, a short guided visit, swimming, and snorkeling. The stop helps you settle into the rhythm of the trip: pull in, hear a little about the place, grab your mask, then get into the water if conditions allow.

The short timing means you should be ready before the boat arrives. Keep your swimwear, sunscreen, camera, and towel where you can reach them. This is not the point to search through a large bag while everyone else is heading toward the rail.

The coast around Saranda is best appreciated from the sea, where steep rock faces and small coves appear in quick succession. At Kepi i Qefalit, the photo stop may be more valuable than the amount of time spent swimming. If you want long, unhurried snorkeling at every location, the schedule will feel tight.

Kakome Bay and its quiet corners

Kakome Beach receives a longer 30-minute stop. The crew provides a guided visit, free time, swimming, and snorkeling, and the area is one of the main reasons to choose this route.

Kakome is reached by boat, which gives it a more secluded feel than a regular beach beside a road. One useful tip from the trip is to ask Captain Rezi about the lesser-known corners around Kakome. He has been praised for showing small spots that are easy to miss from the main beach.

The water is the star here. Bring your own mask if you have one, or use the supplied snorkeling masks. Tubes are available on request, but they are not routinely used for hygiene reasons. The operator provides life jackets, which is reassuring for families and for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

You should still treat this as a quick stop. Thirty minutes disappears fast once you account for getting in and out of the water. Use Kakome for a swim and a look beneath the surface, not for settling into a full beach afternoon.

Soldiers Beach and Roidhes Beach

The route continues to Plazhi i Ushtarit, also called Soldiers Beach, for about 30 minutes. Like Kakome, this stop includes photos, a guided visit, swimming, and snorkeling. The name gives the location a distinctive character, but the practical attraction is simple: another chance to enter clear water away from Saranda’s busy shore.

Plazhi i Ridhës follows with around 20 minutes. This is another short stop for swimming, snorkeling, and photos. The repeated swim breaks are useful because you are not relying on one single beach to make the day worthwhile.

I see this part of the route as a sampler. You get several coastal views and several chances to swim, but you will not have time to settle into a book or order lunch at each beach. The short stops also mean the boat can show you more of the coast in one outing.

If you are taking children, explain the timing before you leave. They will need to climb aboard again just when they are enjoying the water. Keeping a small dry bag with goggles, sunscreen, and a towel makes these changes much easier.

Three hours at Kroreza Beach

Kroreza is the centerpiece of the day. The boat stays for three hours, giving you enough time to swim, relax under an umbrella, use a sunbed, and eat at one of the beachside restaurants. Several trip reports specifically praise the included umbrellas and sunbeds, though you should confirm the current arrangement when boarding.

This long stop changes the value of the tour. You are not simply racing from one viewpoint to another. You get a proper beach break, with time to choose between the water and the shore. The sand and turquoise water make Kroreza the place where you can finally slow down.

Food and drinks are not included in the $42 price. You can bring snacks and drinks for the fridge onboard, but you should also carry cash for the beach restaurants. Fresh food has been praised, and the local restaurant option saves you from packing a full meal, but your final cost will be higher if you eat there.

Arriving early may help if you want a preferred place on the beach. One useful suggestion is to take the earlier departure when possible, since reaching Kroreza ahead of other boats may give you a better choice of front-row sunbeds and umbrellas. That small timing advantage matters on a sunny day.

The three-hour pause may be too long for anyone who dislikes sitting on a beach. For me, it is a sensible balance after the shorter stops. You have already seen several coves, and Kroreza gives you time to enjoy the part of the day that cannot be rushed.

Miloti Cave and the return along the coast

After Kroreza, the boat stops at Shpella e Milotit, or Miloti Cave, for photos, a guided visit, and free time. The published schedule does not assign a specific number of minutes here, so the visit may depend on sea conditions and the day’s timing.

A cave viewed from a boat offers a different kind of coastal scenery from a sandy beach. You can expect a short look and photographs rather than a long cave walk, since this is a boat tour and no land access is described.

The return ride gives you another chance to watch the coast from the open deck. If you have spent the afternoon in the sun, the half-shaded seating becomes especially useful. Keep drinking water and apply sunscreen again, even if the breeze makes the heat feel mild.

Music, guides, and the human side of the trip

The crew is a major part of the experience. Captain Rezi is singled out for being friendly, funny, helpful, and good at taking pictures. Some visitors also praise Leonardo and the wider crew for quick organization and a welcoming manner.

You can request audio guide files in English, Italian, Spanish, French, or German. Headphones are not included, so bring your own if you want to use the audio. The live crew can also communicate in Albanian, English, Greek, and Italian.

The guide commentary adds context to the places you pass, but this is not a formal lecture-heavy excursion. The emphasis is on swimming, views, music, and a relaxed day at sea. I think that is the right expectation. You get useful information, but the boat’s atmosphere matters just as much.

Music is one of the most praised parts of the trip. The crew may play everything from Latin tracks to French music and R&B, and the mood can become quite lively. A solo visitor may find the social setting welcoming, while someone seeking peace should choose a quieter type of cruise.

What the $42 price includes

At $42 per person, this is good value if you plan to use the full day properly. The price covers the driver, local guide, swim and snorkel stops, snorkeling masks, life jackets, music, Wi-Fi, a fridge for food and drinks, entrance fees, and taxes. It also includes the boat ride to several places that are accessible only by sea.

The biggest value comes from the combination of short stops and the three-hour Kroreza visit. A simple sightseeing cruise would not usually give you that much beach time, while a private boat can cost far more. A private group option is available if you prefer your own party, though the shared tour is the more economical choice.

You still need money for lunch, drinks, and any extras at Kroreza. Free parking is available, but the operator notes that its parking location is about 15 minutes on foot from the meeting point, at Hotel Adi-Vera. You may find free street parking near the departure area, but check signs and allow time to walk.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your coastal plans depend on weather.

Who should take this boat tour?

I would recommend it to families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like a friendly social atmosphere. It also suits anyone staying in Saranda for only a short time, since one outing covers several beaches, a cave, multiple swimming spots, and a long beach lunch break.

You should be comfortable stepping in and out of a boat and spending time in the sun. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, back problems, people over 120 kilograms, or people over 95 years old. Electric wheelchairs and explosive substances are not allowed.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a camera, cash, and headphones if you want the audio guide. Snorkeling equipment is available, but your own mask may fit better. A small bag is easier than a large one, especially when the boat is moving between stops.

Should you book the Kakome and Kroreza tour?

Book it if you want a full coastal day with clear water, boat-only beaches, music, and plenty of swimming. The combination of a new boat, friendly crew, free snorkeling masks, and three hours at Kroreza gives the $42 price real value.

Skip it if you want silence, a slow private cruise, or a long swim at every stop. Also watch the weather forecast, since high waves can shorten the day. For most visitors who want to see the Albanian Riviera from the water without paying private-charter prices, this is an enjoyable and practical choice.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour depart from?

The listed starting points are on Rruga Jonianet and near Vodafone in Saranda. The exact meeting point can vary with the option booked, so check your booking details before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The tour is advertised as five hours, with the detailed duration listed as up to 330 minutes. The schedule includes travel, several short stops, and three hours at Kroreza Beach.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring snacks and drinks for the onboard fridge, or buy a meal at one of the beachside restaurants at Kroreza.

Are umbrellas and sunbeds included at Kroreza?

The tour information does not list them as a standard inclusion, but the operating details and trip reports indicate that umbrellas and sunbeds may be provided at Kroreza. Confirm the current arrangement with the crew.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included, and tubes are available on request. Tubes are not routinely used for hygiene reasons, so bring your own if you prefer.

Which languages are available?

The crew can host in Albanian, English, Greek, and Italian. Audio guide files can be requested in English, Italian, Spanish, French, or German. Headphones are not included.

Can I book a private boat?

A private group option is available. The $42 price is the listed per-person rate, so confirm the private-group price when selecting that option.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a camera, and cash. Headphones are useful if you plan to listen to the audio guide, and a personal snorkeling mask is optional.

Can everyone join the tour?

The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, people over 120 kilograms, or people over 95 years old. Electric wheelchairs and explosive substances are not allowed.