Sarandë: Boat Tour Turtle Cave Kakome & Krorez Snorkeling

Clear water, quiet coves, and a long beach stop make this a fine way to see Albania’s coast beyond Sarandë. The $37 group tour packs several swimming spots into about 270 minutes, with fuel, snorkel gear, a captain, music, and comfortable seating included. I especially like the small-group feel and the chance to reach places that are not practical to visit by road. The main thing to consider is the long stop at Krorez Beach, which some people will find wonderfully lazy and others may find too slow.

Captain Kosta and guide Mario receive repeated praise for being friendly, careful, and good at keeping the mood easy. You get short swims at several coves, a longer beach break, and a mix of photo stops and open-water views. Just remember that the captain may visit six of the seven listed locations, depending on weather and sea conditions.

Key points to know before you go

• Turtle Cave is mainly a photo stop: Its unusual rock shapes resemble turtle shells, but the planned visit lasts about 10 minutes.
• Krorez takes up most of the day: Expect roughly 2.5 to 3 hours for swimming, food, and relaxing on the beach.
• The group option is strong value: At $37 per person, fuel, a captain, snorkel equipment, seating, and Bluetooth music are included.
• The boat reaches quiet coastal stops: Gremina, Kakome, Military Bay, and other coves offer short swims away from Sarandë’s waterfront.
• Bring cash for Krorez: Beach restaurants and umbrella rentals are not included and are cash only.
• The tour suits active adults and families: It is not suitable for people over 70 or people weighing more than 95 kilograms.

Setting off from Sarandë’s promenade

You meet at the Saranda Boat 1 table across from Guma Restaurant on the promenade. That location is useful because it is right in the center of Sarandë and easy to find, but allow enough time to locate the table rather than wandering down to the water at the last minute.

The trip runs for about 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. You spend much of that time moving between coves, with several short swimming stops and one long pause at Krorez Beach. The captain decides which six of the seven possible locations are practical on the day. That flexibility matters on the Albanian coast, where wind and waves can change the plan.

You can book a shared boat and pay per person, or reserve the entire boat privately. The shared option offers the best price for solo visitors and couples. A private boat makes more sense for a family or group of friends that wants control over the pace.

The boat includes comfortable seating and Bluetooth music, a small detail that shapes the whole outing. Several people praised the music and the relaxed atmosphere, while others especially liked the boat’s size, which allowed it to slip into small coves. If you prefer a silent nature trip with long talks from a guide, this may not be your style. It is better suited to swimming, scenery, music, and an easy social mood.

Turtle Cave and the first photo stop

The first stop is Shpella e Milotit, commonly presented as Turtle Cave. The name comes from rock formations that look a little like turtle shells. You get around 10 minutes for photos, so keep your camera ready before the boat arrives.

This stop is about shape and setting rather than a long visit. You do not get a dedicated swim here in the planned schedule. That is worth knowing if the name makes you picture snorkeling inside a cave. Instead, you stay on or near the boat, take pictures, and enjoy the view before moving on.

The rock formations give the outing some character early on. Many coastal boat rides blur into a string of blue-water stops, but Turtle Cave gives you a recognizable subject for your photos. A waterproof phone case is a smart item to bring, since you will be handling cameras near the water throughout the trip.

The forgotten anchors and Gremina’s clear water

The next photo stop is a secluded spot known for old anchors left by local fish farmers. It is listed as a photo-only stop, with no swimming. That restriction may disappoint anyone eager to get in the water immediately, but it keeps the schedule moving and gives you a brief look at an unusual piece of local coastal life.

After that comes Kepi i Qefalit, identified in the tour description as Gremina. Here, you get roughly 20 to 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The rock formation is a key part of the stop, and the water is described as clear enough for looking below the surface.

This is where the included snorkel gear becomes useful. You do not need to pack equipment, although you should bring your own if you want a particular mask or fins. With only about 20 minutes, you will want to get changed and ready quickly rather than treating the stop as a full beach session.

The short swim format is one of the tour’s strengths and one of its limits. You see more of the coast than you would on a single-beach outing, but you will not have unlimited time at every cove. I would think of Gremina as a brisk swim and look around, not a place to settle in for the afternoon.

Kakome Beach, a peaceful swimming stop

Kakome Beach follows with another swim of up to about 20 to 25 minutes. The appeal here is the combination of clear water and a quieter setting. The beach is described as a calm retreat, and the stop gives you another chance to swim without giving up the day’s wider route.

Kakome is especially useful for people who want variety. You get a different view from Gremina, another chance to use the snorkel equipment, and a break from the boat without spending hours in one place. Couples may appreciate the quieter feel, while families can use the short stop for a manageable swim.

Keep your expectations sensible. The boat does not promise long guided snorkeling sessions or a naturalist talk at each location. The focus is on seeing several attractive places and giving you enough time to swim at each. One person found the tour would have been improved by more information about the sites, while another praised the captain for offering clear explanations. How much commentary you receive may depend on the captain and the day’s pace.

Krorez Beach, the main event

Krorëza Beach, usually called Krorez, is the centerpiece of the trip. It is reachable by boat and gives you roughly 2.5 to 3 hours for swimming, eating, and relaxing. The long pause changes the rhythm from sightseeing to beach time.

The water is the main draw. It is described as crystal clear, and the beach is one of the most photogenic places on the route. You can swim, sunbathe, and rent an umbrella, or eat at one of the local restaurants. Food and alcohol are not included, and payments at the beach are cash only, so bring Albanian lek or another accepted form of cash.

This stop will decide how much you enjoy the tour. If you like settling into a beach for a few hours, Krorez gives you time to slow down instead of rushing from cove to cove. If you want constant movement and a packed sightseeing schedule, the 2.5-hour pause may feel excessive. One person specifically found the lunch stop too long because the area is small and has limited food choices.

I would bring a packed lunch, plenty of water, and a little extra cash. The tour instructions also suggest bringing food and drinks, so you are not dependent on the beach restaurant. A towel, swimwear, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, and a charged phone belong in your day bag. There is no reason to carry more than you need, since the boat is designed for a simple day on the water.

Krorez can also become busy, and one four-star account raised concerns about overcrowding and a less-than-clean seabed. That does not erase the appeal of the beach, but it is a good reminder that a famous coastal stop is not always completely deserted. Go for the setting and the water, not for the promise of total solitude.

Military Bay and the last swim

The final listed stop is Plazhi i Ushtarit, also called Military Bay or Rrojdhes. The site combines coastal scenery with a military connection, though the tour data does not promise a formal historical explanation or a visit to specific remains.

You get another swim of about 20 to 25 minutes. By this point, the short stop can feel refreshing, especially after the long Krorez break. It also gives you a last chance to get in the water before the return to Sarandë.

The seven possible locations include Turtle Cave, the anchor site, Gremina, Kakome, Krorez, and Military Bay. The captain may visit six of the seven based on conditions. Do not treat the route as a fixed checklist. If the weather changes, safety and workable sea conditions come first.

What the captain and boat add

The captain is more important on this kind of trip than a long script. You are moving through coves, stopping near rock formations, and dealing with changing water conditions. Kosta is praised for professionalism, safety, warmth, and taking extra care with the group. Mario is also singled out for being friendly and helpful.

Some accounts describe clear explanations at every stop, while another wished for more background about what the group was seeing. I would book this primarily as a boat and swimming trip, with guiding as a useful extra rather than the main product. You may receive good local context, but the tour is not presented as a full history lesson.

The boat itself earns strong marks for cleanliness, maintenance, comfort, and maneuverability. It is small enough to get close to coves and spacious enough for a relaxed ride. Bluetooth music adds a holiday feel, and the atmosphere is generally social without requiring you to join in. You can swim at the stops or stay on the boat and enjoy the view.

Dolphin sightings are possible, but they are not part of the promised schedule. One person happened to see dolphins, so keep your eyes open, but do not book this as a wildlife tour.

Is $37 a good value?

At $37 per person, the shared trip is good value if you want several coastal stops without arranging a boat yourself. Fuel, a captain, snorkel gear, seating, and music are included. You also get access to beaches and coves that are not practical to cover on foot from Sarandë.

The strongest value comes from the combination of transport and access. A simple beach day costs less if you stay in town, but it will not give you Turtle Cave, Kakome, Gremina, Military Bay, and Krorez in one outing. The price also avoids the need to negotiate separately for fuel or equipment.

The cost does not cover food, drinks, alcohol, umbrellas, or anything you buy at Krorez. That is not unusual, but it means the real cost will be higher once you add lunch and beach extras. Bring your own food and water if you want to keep the day inexpensive.

A private booking offers a different kind of value. You pay for the boat rather than per person, so the calculation depends on your group size. For a larger family or a group of friends, privacy and control may justify the extra cost. For one or two people, the shared tour is likely the sensible choice.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, families, and solo visitors who like swimming and scenic boat rides. The social setting makes it easy to meet people, and the small-group format is repeatedly praised. It also works well for anyone who wants to get beyond Sarandë without committing to a full-day excursion.

You should be comfortable getting on and off a boat, swimming at open coastal stops, and spending several hours in the sun. The tour is not suitable for people over 70 or people over 95 kilograms, according to the stated restrictions. Those limits are important to check before booking.

This is less suitable if you want long historical explanations, a quiet luxury cruise, or a deserted beach at every stop. The music, short swim sessions, and shared-boat setting give it a lively holiday feel. The route also depends on weather, so anyone who needs every stop to happen exactly as advertised should choose a more fixed activity.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your day around it.

Practical packing advice for the Albanian Riviera

Bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, water, food, cash, and a charged smartphone. A camera or waterproof camera will be useful at Turtle Cave, the anchor site, and the clear-water swimming stops.

Use biodegradable sunscreen, and apply it before boarding so you are ready for the first stop. Keep cash separate from wet items, since Krorez restaurants and umbrella rentals require cash payment.

The boat provides snorkel gear, but you may still prefer your own mask if fit matters to you. Pack light, keep valuables secure, and expect to spend much of the trip in direct sun. A phone with a waterproof case is more practical than carrying an unprotected camera around the swim stops.

Should you book Sarandë’s Turtle Cave and Krorez tour?

Book it if you want a good-value coastal sampler with clear water, short snorkel stops, music, and a long beach break. The $37 price is fair for the fuel, boat, captain, equipment, and access to several coves. Kosta and Mario add a friendly human touch, and the small-group format appears to be one of the tour’s strongest features.

Think twice if you dislike long beach pauses or want detailed commentary at every stop. Krorez can take up most of the outing, and the captain may adjust the route because of weather. For most couples, families, and friends spending a few days in Sarandë, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see more of the Albanian Riviera without spending heavily.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

Meet at the Saranda Boat 1 table on the promenade, across from Guma Restaurant.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours.

How many locations will the boat visit?

The captain aims to visit six of the seven listed locations, depending on weather and sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel gear is included in the tour price.

Is food included?

No. Food and alcohol are not included. You should bring food and drinks, or buy them at Krorez Beach.

Can I rent an umbrella at Krorez Beach?

Yes. Umbrellas are available to rent at Krorez Beach, but the rental cost is not included and payment is cash only.

Is a private boat option available?

Yes. You can book a shared group tour and pay per person, or reserve the boat privately and pay for the boat.

Which languages are offered?

The live guide service is available in Albanian, English, and Greek.