Review · SARANDE
Pelagic Boat Tour7 destinations:drink+Snorkel+Umbrella️
Saranda looks best from the water. Pelagic Boat Tours packs caves, rocky capes, secluded beaches, swimming stops, and three hours at Krorez Beach into a 270-minute speedboat outing. I like the mix of active stops and long beach time, and the included drink, snorkeling mask, umbrella, music, and captain make the $36 price easy to understand. The main catch is that this is not a gentle sightseeing cruise: non-swimmers and people prone to seasickness should choose another outing.
The route is built for warm-weather fun rather than formal sightseeing. You will see Turtle Cave, Anchor Cave, Rojdhe Bay, Soldier’s Beach, Kefali Cape, Kakome, Plakoto, and Krorez Beach, with time to swim and snorkel along the way. Captain Nikolla Vranadhima, also referred to as Nicolas or Nicola in guest comments, earns especially warm praise for being kind, funny, attentive, and clear when explaining the trip.
Key points at a glance

- Turtle Cave and Anchor Cave: Short stops give you time for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and close views of unusual coastal rock.
- Krorez Beach for three hours: This is the tour’s main rest period, with free time for swimming, lunch, sun, and shade from the supplied umbrella.
- A fast speedboat route: The boat cuts down travel time between Saranda’s coves and gives you broad sea views along the coast.
- Snorkeling gear included: Masks are provided, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.
- Good value at $36: A captain, drink, music, life jacket, umbrella, and boat ride are included, but food is not.
- Strong praise for the captain: Specific comments repeatedly single out Nicolas for his friendly manner and helpful service.
What this Saranda boat tour is really like

This is a coastal day built around water access. Instead of spending hours at one crowded waterfront, you move from one rocky cove or beach to the next, stopping for photos and swims. The 270-minute duration works out to four and a half hours, although the advertised schedule gives the largest block of time to Krorez Beach.
That timing matters. Many boat trips offer a quick beach stop, then rush you back aboard. Here, Krorez receives three hours, giving you enough time to swim, eat the snacks you brought, sit under an umbrella, and stop checking the clock every five minutes.
The shorter stops last about 10 to 15 minutes. That is enough for a quick swim, a few photos, or a look through a snorkeling mask. It is not enough for a long, quiet stay at each place. You should see the early stops as a series of snapshots, while Krorez is the main beach experience.
Music plays on board, and a free drink is included. That gives the ride a social, easygoing feel rather than the quiet mood of a nature boat. If you like a little sound while cruising between swimming stops, this will suit you. If you want silence and detailed commentary, the music may feel less fitting.
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From the Pelagic Boat Trip meeting point to the first coves

The outing begins at the Pelagic Boat Trip departure point. You board a speedboat, with the first ride lasting about 10 minutes. A life jacket is included, and the captain handles the route between the coastal stops.
The first locations are described as Turtle Cave and Anchor Cave, although the schedule labels them as hidden or secret stops. That wording suggests the appeal is visual and natural rather than a formal guided visit. You can expect a short pause for pictures, a swim, snorkeling, and views along the coast.
Turtle Cave is a strong early highlight because caves give a boat trip a sense of discovery. Crystal water and rock formations are the main attraction here. You should bring a camera, but protect it carefully around the water. A phone that cannot handle swimming is a poor substitute for attention to your belongings.
Anchor Cave offers a similar type of stop. The appeal is seeing the coast from water level, where rock, openings, and changing light look different from shore. With only about 15 minutes, keep your expectations realistic. You will have time to get into the water or take pictures, not both at a leisurely pace.
Soldier’s Beach and the appeal of short swim stops

Plazhi i Ushtarit, or Soldier’s Beach, is another 15-minute stop for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and coastal views. The beach is presented as quiet and secluded, which makes it useful as a quick break from the boat.
This is where the included snorkeling mask earns its keep. You can look beneath the surface without renting equipment or packing a full kit. The tour does not promise a particular range of marine life, so think of snorkeling here as a simple way to see the water from another angle, not as a specialist wildlife excursion.
The short stop also means you should be ready before the boat arrives. Keep your towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and camera close by. If you need a long walk from the boat to shore, or if you prefer dry land before swimming, this pace may feel brisk.
The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers. That warning is important because several stops center on entering the water, and the boat’s appeal depends on those swims. A life jacket is supplied, but that does not turn the trip into a learn-to-swim program.
Kefali Cape and Kakome from the water

At Kefali Cape, the main feature is the dramatic cliff scenery. A 15-minute pause gives you time to photograph the rock face, swim, or snorkel. From a boat, you get a clean view of the cliffs without buildings or roads interrupting the scene.
Kefali is also a good reminder that this tour is about coastal access, not museum-style interpretation. The captain may explain the stops in Albanian or English, but the supplied information does not promise a long historical talk. You are paying for the route, water time, and access to attractive places.
The boat then reaches Gjiri i Kakomes, or Kakome Bay. Kakome is described as secluded and visually appealing, with another short opportunity for pictures, swimming, and snorkeling. Bays such as this are especially useful on a boat tour because you can reach them without arranging separate transport by road.
You should not assume every stop has a shop, restaurant, changing room, or toilet. Those facilities are not specified, so bring what you need for the day. Snacks, water, sunscreen, and a towel are specifically useful. Food is not included, and you should plan to carry your own lunch or other provisions for the long beach stop.
Same coast, a different kind of day on the water:
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Plakoto and the white-pebble shoreline

Plakoto is presented as a calmer stop, with white pebbles and gentle waves. That gives the route a change of mood after the caves and cliff views. Instead of only chasing dramatic rock, you get a quieter coastal scene suited to a quick swim and photographs.
White pebbles can be hard on bare feet, so water shoes may be worth considering, although they are not listed among the required items. The official guidance asks you to bring swimwear, a towel, camera, snacks, sunscreen, and water.
Like the other short stops, Plakoto is not a place for a long beach afternoon. The value is variety. In one trip, you see caves, cliffs, bays, pebbles, and a larger beach. That variety keeps the outing from feeling like a simple boat transfer to Krorez.
Three hours at Krorez Beach
Krorez Beach is the center of the day. The schedule allows three hours here for lunch, free time, swimming, snorkeling, photos, and rest. This is the point where you can slow down and enjoy the coast without watching for the captain’s signal every few minutes.
An umbrella is included, which is a welcome practical touch. You still need sunscreen and water because the supplied shade may not cover everyone for the entire stay. The umbrella also makes it easier to treat Krorez as a proper beach break rather than just another swim stop.
Food is not included. Bring snacks or a packed lunch, and remember that the tour specifically recommends carrying water. The long stop gives you time to eat, but no meal is part of the $36 package.
The beach experience is likely to be most satisfying for people who enjoy simple seaside time. You can swim, snorkel, sit with a book, take pictures, or do very little. If you prefer constant movement and new sights every few minutes, three hours may feel too long. If you want a real rest period, it is one of the strongest features of the trip.
A Spanish-speaking guest praised the free drinks, the number of photo and snorkeling stops, the attentive captain, and the time spent at the beach. That matches the tour’s practical strength: you get both activity and downtime, rather than one long stretch of sitting on a boat.
The final secret stop and return ride

After Krorez, the boat makes one more secret stop lasting about 10 minutes. This is a final chance for a photograph, a swim, or a view along the coast before returning to the Pelagic Boat Trip departure point.
Because the stop is brief, do not count on it as a full extra beach visit. Think of it as a last scenic pause. The return ride completes the 270-minute outing.
Captain Nicolas and the onboard mood

The captain is a major part of this experience. Comments repeatedly praise Nicolas, Nicola, or Nikolla for being friendly, funny, attentive, and good at explaining what is happening. One guest specifically appreciated the clear explanations, while others liked his kind manner and helpful service.
That matters on a small speedboat trip. You are moving between several water stops, so a captain who communicates well can make the day feel organized instead of rushed. The available information does not state the group size, so I would not assume this is a private charter. The social atmosphere, music, and shared boat setting suggest that you should expect company.
Music is included on board. Some people will see this as part of the fun, especially during the fast rides between stops. Others may prefer natural sound. It is worth knowing before booking if you are seeking a quiet coastal outing.
Is $36 a good price?

At $36 per person, the package offers solid value for a four-and-a-half-hour sea outing. You receive the boat ride, captain, snorkeling mask, life jacket, umbrella, music, and a free drink. You also get access to multiple coastal stops and three hours at Krorez Beach.
The price is especially fair if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, snorkeling equipment, and beach shade. The main extra cost to plan for is food. You should also bring water, even though a drink is included, because one complimentary drink is not a substitute for a full day’s hydration.
The value drops if you dislike swimming, cannot tolerate a speedboat, or want a detailed cultural tour. Much of the experience depends on getting into the water and enjoying natural scenery from the boat. The tour is designed for recreation, not for an extensive explanation of Saranda’s history.
Who should book this experience?
I would recommend this tour to you if you want a straightforward way to see Saranda’s coast without organizing several separate trips. It suits swimmers, couples, groups of friends, and families with participants who are comfortable around open water.
It is also a good fit if you want a flexible beach day. You get short, active stops early in the route, then a long period at Krorez where you can set your own pace. The free drink, mask, umbrella, and life jacket remove several small costs and packing problems.
I would hesitate to recommend it to non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, or anyone looking for a quiet, slow cruise. Adverse weather or sea conditions can also lead to cancellation for safety reasons, so keep some flexibility in your plans.
The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your schedule depends on the weather, though the key practical issue remains the sea itself.
Final verdict: book it for water time and value
Pelagic Boat Tours is a strong choice for a half-day on the Albanian coast. The route gives you caves, cliffs, bays, pebble beaches, snorkeling, music, and a long stop at Krorez for $36. The captain’s friendly reputation adds to the appeal, and the included equipment keeps the outing simple.
Book it if your ideal day includes swimming, short scenic stops, and several hours on a beach. Skip it if you need calm seas, long cultural explanations, or a trip that does not depend on swimming. For the right kind of visitor, this is an efficient and affordable way to trade Saranda’s busy shore for the open water.
FAQ
Where does the Pelagic Boat Tour start?
The tour starts at the Pelagic Boat Trip departure point and returns there after the coastal route.
How long does the tour last?
The activity lasts 270 minutes, or four and a half hours.
How much does the tour cost?
The listed price is $36 per person.
What places does the boat tour visit?
The route includes Turtle Cave, Anchor Cave, Rojdhe Bay, Soldier’s Beach, Kefali Cape, Kakome, Plakoto, Krorez Beach, and a final secret stop.
How long do you spend at Krorez Beach?
The schedule allows three hours at Krorez Beach for lunch, free time, swimming, snorkeling, and rest.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Snorkeling masks are included with the boat tour.
Is food included?
No. Food is not included, so you should bring snacks or a meal for the Krorez Beach stop.
Is a drink included?
Yes. One free drink is included on the tour.
Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers?
No. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers because swimming and snorkeling are central parts of the route.
What happens if the sea or weather is unsafe?
The tour may be cancelled for safety if weather or sea conditions are adverse. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
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