Sarandë: Boat Tour at Kroreza & Hidden Caves with Snorkeling

Clear water, fast boat, long beach stop. This Sarandë outing packs a lot into one half-day, from the Cave of Turtles and quiet coves to the broad final stop at Kroreza Beach. I like the small-group feel and the freedom to bring your own food and drinks, while the main drawback is that Kroreza can be costly if you buy lunch, drinks, or beach extras there.

I also like the mix of calm swimming and lively boat rides. Captains such as Adi and Led are praised for friendly help, good music, and careful handling, but this is not a quiet nature cruise. The speedboat, speakers, and wave-hopping give the trip a party edge that will suit some people and annoy others.

At a glance

• Three main swimming stops: Plazhi i Ushtarit, Qefal, and Kakome offer clear water and time to snorkel.
• A long Kroreza stay: You get about two and a half to three hours for swimming, food, drinks, umbrellas, and sunbeds.
• The Cave of Turtles: Shpella e Milotit gives you a short photo stop among the coastal caves.
• Bring your own provisions: The boat fridge is available for snacks and drinks, which can save money.
• Music and speed are part of the fun: Expect lively playlists, quick runs between stops, and energetic arrivals.
• Strong value at $35: The price includes the boat, skipper, mask, life jacket, sunbeds, umbrella, and fees.

Why this boat trip works so well from Sarandë

At $35 per person, this is a good-value way to see a stretch of Albania’s Ionian coast that you cannot reach easily by road. You get a boat ride, several swimming stops, a snorkeling mask, and a long stay at one of the area’s most attractive beaches.

The real value comes from the range. You are not simply dropped at one beach and left there. The route includes rock-framed water, caves, several short swim stops, and a long final break when you can slow down.

The boat holds small groups, with one reported outing carrying around 10 or 11 people. That matters. You get more room than on a large excursion boat, and the skipper can usually keep the day feeling personal. Private and small-group options are also available.

Still, you should know what kind of outing this is. Music plays on board, the captain may make fast, dramatic runs across the waves, and the mood can become lively. If you want a silent boat ride with long talks about geology or local history, this is the wrong trip. If you want swimming, scenery, music, and a little speed, it fits nicely.

Meeting the boat beside Sarandë’s waterfront

The meeting point is on Bulevardi Hasan Tahsini, opposite Tipsy Cocktail Bar and near the entrance to Limani Restaurant. Look for the Brothers LR Boat Tours stand.

This is a central waterfront meeting point, but give yourself enough time to find the stand. One useful detail: when one party arrived late, the company called them and helped arrange a place on another boat rather than leaving them behind. That is encouraging, but you should still arrive on time because the boat departs from the waterfront.

Transportation to the meeting point is not included. Plan to make your own way there, and bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and shoes that can handle hot, stony beach surfaces.

Shpella e Milotit and the first coastal views

The first listed stop is Shpella e Milotit, also known as the Cave of Turtles. You get about 10 minutes for photographs.

This is a quick look rather than a full cave visit. The boat gives you a good angle on the rock formations and clear water, but do not expect to climb into a large cavern or spend a long time snorkeling here. The short stop works as an opening scene setter before the swimming begins.

Keep your phone or camera ready. With only 10 minutes, you will not want to search through a dry bag while the boat is already preparing to move.

Plazhi i Ushtarit brings the first proper swim

Plazhi i Ushtarit is scheduled for about 20 minutes and combines photographs with swimming. This is your first chance to get into the sea, test the water, and use the included snorkeling mask.

Twenty minutes passes quickly. If you want photographs, a swim, and a look beneath the surface, organize yourself before the boat arrives. The stop is best treated as a brisk introduction to the coast rather than a full beach break.

The water at this part of the coast is repeatedly praised for clarity. Snorkeling here is not about a guided marine-life lesson, but you may see fish in the clean, buoyant water. One person even spotted a moray eel during the day, which shows that the mask is more than a decorative extra.

Qefal offers another short water stop

Qefal follows with roughly 15 minutes for photographs and swimming. Like Plazhi i Ushtarit, it is a short stop designed to keep the boat moving and give you several different views of the coast.

The advantage is variety. You can compare several coves instead of spending the whole afternoon in one place. The tradeoff is that you need to be ready to swim as soon as the skipper gives the word.

For first-time snorkelers, the repeated short stops can be helpful. You can try the mask in one place, regain your confidence in another, and decide how much time you want to spend looking underwater. A life jacket is included, and people who are not strong swimmers can still enjoy the water with help from the crew.

Kakome Beach is the quieter pause

Kakome Beach receives about 45 minutes, making it one of the more substantial swimming stops before the final beach stay. It sits in a secluded bay and is a good place to enjoy the clear water away from the busier parts of Sarandë.

This stop gives you enough time to do more than take a quick dip. You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, and settle into the rhythm of the day. Several accounts single out Kakome and nearby swimming spots for exceptionally clear water.

Do not confuse this with a three-hour beach visit. Forty-five minutes includes arrival, swimming, and getting back on board, so keep an eye on the time. If the sea is moving, boarding can require care, especially after the boat has been bobbing beside the beach.

Kroreza Beach is the main event

The longest stop is Kroreza Beach, with about two and a half hours in the detailed schedule. The general description presents it as roughly three hours, so allow for slight variation caused by sea conditions, timing, and the route.

Kroreza is the place where you finally stop watching the clock. Boulders frame the turquoise water, and the beach has bars, restaurants, umbrellas, and sunbeds. Sunbeds and an umbrella are included in the activity, according to the supplied details, so confirm their location with the crew when you arrive.

The beach is stony and can become very hot. Beach shoes are a smart choice, especially if you have sensitive feet. The water is the main attraction, but the shore is not a soft, easy-to-walk sandy beach.

You can buy food and drinks here, but prices may be higher than in Sarandë. A meal of two plain chicken skewers, chips, and a soft drink was reported at 1,500 lek. Cocktails were around 700 lek in another account. Those prices may change, but they make one point clear: use the boat fridge and bring your own lunch if you want to keep the outing inexpensive.

Kroreza works well for mixed groups. One person can swim, another can rent a beach umbrella or relax on a sunbed, and someone else can eat at the restaurant. The only caution is that some people may find two and a half or three hours a little long if they do not plan to swim or eat. Bring a book, cards, or another simple way to pass the time.

Snorkeling is casual, clear, and worth packing for

The included mask is useful because the water is one of the strongest parts of the trip. The stops are short, but the sea is clear enough for you to see below the surface, and the water is described as comfortable for first-time snorkelers.

You should not expect a formal snorkeling guide or a large collection of equipment. This is independent swimming with a mask supplied by the boat. If you own a better-fitting mask, bringing it may improve your comfort, but the included mask lets you try snorkeling without extra cost.

A life jacket is also included. The crew has helped nervous swimmers get comfortable in the water, and one non-swimmer enjoyed the trip by using a life jacket with assistance. Still, you should be honest about your ability and follow the skipper’s instructions, especially if waves are strong.

Music, speed, and the Brothers LR style

The boat experience has two personalities. Between stops, it can feel like a small coastal party, with modern music, strong speakers, and a crew that takes pleasure in keeping the mood high. At other moments, you are simply looking at empty coves and clean water.

Captains Adi and Led receive particular praise for friendliness, care, and good timing. Adi is also described as a strong driver and DJ, which tells you what the company is selling: not just transport, but a fun day on the sea.

The speedboat is part of the attraction. Fast runs and wave jumps create a burst of adrenaline, especially on the way back. One useful caution is that reboarding can be awkward when the sea is choppy. The crew has handled this safely, but you may need to wait for the right moment and use both hands.

The music will not suit every person. If you want to hear the sea and birds, choose a quieter excursion. If you enjoy a soundtrack, friendly crew, and a lively boat, this is one of the trip’s best features.

Timing your five-hour outing

The experience is advertised as five hours, or 330 minutes. The stop schedule accounts for about four hours, leaving the rest for cruising between Sarandë and the coastal stops.

Afternoon departures can be especially appealing. A 3:30 p.m. start has been praised for a less crowded final beach and a sunset on the return journey. You lose some of the strongest midday sun, though you also have less daylight for swimming.

Earlier departures give you more classic beach-day light. Later departures offer softer views and a chance to finish with a sunset. Check the available start time and choose based on your priorities.

Sea and weather conditions can affect the schedule. The operator may need to adjust stops or the pace of the day, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

What the $35 price really includes

The $35 price is strong for what is covered. You receive:

• Skipper and boat tour
• Use of the boat fridge
• Life jacket
• Snorkeling mask
• Umbrella and sunbeds
• All listed fees and taxes

Food, drinks, and transport to the meeting point cost extra. The fridge is a particularly useful inclusion. Bring water, fruit, sandwiches, and soft drinks, then avoid paying beach prices for every item.

The price also includes access to a long beach stop rather than charging you separately for each short swim. For a half-day on the coast, that makes the trip a good choice for budget-conscious visitors who still want a boat ride.

The value is weaker if you dislike music, speed, or organized timing. You are paying for a social, active outing, not a private captain who waits wherever you choose.

Who should book this Sarandë boat trip?

I would choose this tour if you want to see several coastal spots in one outing and spend plenty of time in the water. It suits couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who can manage a speedboat and swimming stops.

It is also a good option if you are staying in Sarandë and do not have a car or access to a private boat. The central waterfront meeting point keeps the plan simple.

The listed restrictions exclude pregnant women, people over 65, people over 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, and babies under one year. Those limits are important because of the boat size, swimming activity, and speedboat movement.

You should skip it if you need a very quiet boat, dislike loud music, or want a soft sandy beach. You should also think twice if you are uncomfortable boarding in moving water, although life jackets and crew assistance are available.

Final call: a lively and affordable day on the Ionian coast

I recommend Brothers LR for the right kind of beach day. At $35, you get clear-water swimming, several coastal stops, snorkeling equipment, a well-equipped boat, and a long break at Kroreza. The crew, especially Adi and Led, adds warmth and energy to the outing.

Bring your own lunch, water, sunscreen, towel, and beach shoes. Choose the later departure if you want sunset and a quieter final beach. Book this trip if you want scenery with a soundtrack and a little speed. Choose another boat if peace and silence matter more than fun.

FAQ

How long does the boat tour last?

The experience is listed as five hours, with a duration of 330 minutes. The exact timing can change because of sea and weather conditions.

Where does the tour start?

It starts on Bulevardi Hasan Tahsini in Sarandë, opposite Tipsy Cocktail Bar and near the Limani Restaurant entrance. Look for the Brothers LR Boat Tours stand.

What beaches and stops are included?

The route includes Shpella e Milotit, Plazhi i Ushtarit, Qefal, Kakome Beach, and Kroreza Beach. The stops include photographs, swimming, and a longer final beach visit.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and life jacket are included.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring snacks and drinks and store them in the boat fridge. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Are umbrellas and sunbeds included?

Yes. Umbrellas and sunbeds are listed as included, particularly for the long stop at Kroreza Beach.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.