Saranda: Boat Tour to 7 Destinations with Beach Umbrella

The best part of this Saranda boat trip is the mix of fast open-water cruising and long swimming stops. You get four short breaks of roughly 20 minutes, two quick photo stops, and a generous two to three hours at Krorez Bay. I like the small group, capped at 11 people, and the practical extras: a snorkel, one bottle of water, a fridge for your own drinks, and an umbrella at the main beach.

I also like the easygoing character of the trip. Captains such as Altin and Fabian are praised for safe boat handling, friendly service, local information, and an enjoyable music playlist. The main drawback is that this is a speedboat, not a quiet sailing trip, and the ride can be bumpy when the sea is rough. Parking near the departure point is another nuisance.

Key points before you book

• Seven coastal stops: Swim at Gremina, Kakome, Soldiers Bay, Pllakator, and Krorez Bay, then pause for photos at Secret Beach and a small cave.
• A proper beach break: Krorez Bay gives you two to three hours, with a free umbrella and restaurants open from May through October.
• Small-group format: The boat carries no more than 11 participants, so boarding and swimming stops feel more personal than on a large cruise.
• Useful onboard extras: Bring your own snacks and drinks for the onboard fridge. A snorkel, life jacket, Bluetooth speaker, comfortable seating, and water are included.
• Guides make a difference: Altin, Fabian, Atlen, Fábio, and other Ava Boat Tours captains are known for friendly service, multilingual help, safe driving, and music.
• Good value at $39: For a half-day or longer on the water, with seven stops and beach equipment included, the price is attractive if you enjoy swimming and speed.

Why this boat trip works so well from Saranda

Saranda is a fine base for the Albanian Riviera, but the best coves north of town are much easier to reach by water. This trip lets you cover a string of beaches and rocky inlets in one outing, without hiring a car, finding remote roads, or trying to judge which shore access points are worth the effort.

The boat is small, quick, and built for movement rather than luxury. That matters because you spend less time getting from one place to another and more time in the water. The tradeoff is a livelier ride. If you want a calm cruise with plenty of shade and room to walk around, this is not that type of excursion.

The tour normally lasts about five to six hours, though the advertised range is four to six hours. The order and exact length of each stop can vary with conditions and the day’s timing. You should think of it as a flexible coastal outing, not a minute-by-minute sightseeing program.

I like the balance between active and restful time. The first part gives you repeated chances to swim and snorkel. Krorez Bay then supplies the long pause, so you are not simply jumping off the boat every 20 minutes before racing to the next cove.

Leaving Saranda and heading north

The meeting point is next to Limani bar and restaurant in Saranda. There is no parking directly at the departure point, so you need to search for private parking nearby or try street parking within a 10 to 15 minute walk. Build in extra time, especially in the summer heat.

The boat cannot wait for late arrivals. If you miss the stated meeting time, the booking can be treated as a no-show. That rule may sound strict, but with a small boat and several scheduled stops, one late arrival can affect everyone on board.

Once underway, the speed is part of the entertainment. The ride gives you broad views along the coast and a useful sense of how much of the Riviera sits beyond Saranda’s main beach area. Music from Bluetooth speakers adds to the holiday mood, though you can expect a social atmosphere rather than a silent nature tour.

The captains speak Albanian, English, Greek, and Spanish. Several names appear regularly among the crew, including Altin, Fabian, Atlen, and Fábio, with Lolli, Debbie, and Ava also associated with the operation. The exact captain depends on the departure, but the guiding style is generally friendly and informal.

Gremina, Kakome, Soldiers Bay, and Pllakator

The first four named destinations are the heart of the swimming portion. Each stop lasts around 20 minutes according to the planned schedule, although some outings provide closer to 30 minutes at selected locations. That gives you enough time for a swim, a few photographs, and a look below the surface with the supplied snorkel.

Gremina is one of the early coastal pauses. Here, the attraction is the water itself and the chance to get off the boat quickly after leaving Saranda. You will want your swimwear, towel, and sunscreen ready rather than buried in a bag.

Kakome offers another setting for a swim and photographs. The changing scenery is one reason this format works better than visiting only one beach. You see coves from the water, where the shape of the shore and the clear shallows are easier to appreciate.

Soldiers Bay and Pllakator continue the same pattern. They are not presented as long sightseeing visits, but as short, scenic swimming breaks. That is useful if you want variety. It is less satisfying if you prefer to settle in at one place, read a book, and spend the whole morning on the same beach.

You may find that the boat stops at five locations suitable for swimming, depending on how the captain counts the main beach and the day’s route. The supplied schedule clearly gives four stops of about 20 minutes, then Krorez Bay for two to three hours, with the final two locations reserved for pictures. The practical point is simple: bring gear for several swims, not just one.

Krorez Bay gives you the long beach break

Krorez Bay is the main destination and the place where the pace slows down. Plan on two to three hours here, enough time to swim, stretch your legs, use the beach, and have something to eat or drink.

A beach umbrella is included, which is a real benefit in the strong summer sun. Sunbeds and umbrellas are described as part of the beach stop, but availability can depend on the beach setup that day. The shade also gives you a place to keep your towel and take a break between swims.

Restaurants operate at Krorez Bay from May through October. Food is not included in the $39 price, so you should budget separately if you want a meal or drink ashore. You can also bring your own snacks and drinks and store them in the boat’s fridge, a useful touch for a long day in the heat.

This is where the tour earns much of its value. A shorter boat trip might show you the coast but leave you hungry, sunburned, or ready to go home before you have settled in. Krorez gives you enough time to enjoy a proper beach stop without paying for a separate beach club day.

Do not expect a completely private beach experience. The bay can attract other visitors, particularly in the high season. Still, the extended stop gives you more control than the short swimming pauses. You can swim, relax under the umbrella, buy food, or simply enjoy the coast without watching the clock every few minutes.

Secret Beach and Turtle Cave are quick photo stops

The return journey includes Secret Beach and a small cave, also described as Turtle Cave. These are brief stops, usually about five minutes each, designed mainly for photographs.

That short timing is worth understanding. You will not have a long beach visit at Secret Beach, and you should not expect to get out and explore the cave at length. Have your phone or camera ready before the boat slows down. The captain may position the boat for views and pictures, but conditions can affect exactly how close you get.

These final stops add visual variety after the long pause at Krorez Bay. They also work well for anyone who wants coastal photographs without giving up more swimming time. If caves and small coves are your main reason for booking, you may find the stops too brief. If you want a quick finish with more scenery, they fit the day nicely.

What the captain adds to the day

The captain is more than a driver on this outing. The small boat means you interact with the person steering, explaining the route, managing the stops, and setting the general mood.

Altin is praised for local information and for helping people feel welcome. Fabian is frequently associated with confident boat handling, a good music selection, and a fun but safe approach. Atlen and Fábio are also singled out for friendly service. Names and crew assignments can change, so you should not book based on one particular captain alone, but the repeated pattern is useful: the human side of this tour matters.

The guides speak several languages, which helps when the group includes people from different countries. You may hear background about Saranda, Albania, tourism, and the coastline while moving between stops. This is not a formal history tour, so expect short explanations rather than a lecture.

The music is part of the experience. Some departures have a lively party feel, while others feel more relaxed, depending on the captain and the group. You can enjoy the playlist, take photographs, or simply sit back. Just remember that Bluetooth speakers and a speedboat create a social setting, not a peaceful wildlife trip.

The $39 price and what you receive

At $39 per person, this is strong value for a five to six hour coastal outing. You are paying for the boat, captain, seven destinations, several swims, the long Krorez Bay stop, and a beach umbrella. The free water and snorkel make the package more useful, especially when compared with paying separately for equipment.

You still need to cover food and restaurant drinks. You should also bring more water than the single complimentary bottle if you plan to spend the full day in the sun. Snacks can go in the onboard fridge, which keeps your own supplies practical and easy to reach.

The price is especially appealing for couples and small groups who want to see more than Saranda’s town beaches. It is less of a bargain if you dislike speedboats, rarely swim, or would rather spend the day at one quiet beach. In that case, a land-based beach day may suit you better, even if it gives you fewer views.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Those policies are useful when your Saranda plans depend on weather, ferry schedules, or changing holiday arrangements.

Who should book, and who should skip it

You should consider this trip if you enjoy swimming, snorkeling, coastal views, and a little speed. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors comfortable joining a small group, and families with older children who can manage a boat ride.

The experience is not suitable for children under four, babies under one, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with heart problems, epilepsy, or a strong tendency toward seasickness. The operator also sets an upper age limit of 95. These restrictions are important because the boat can move quickly and the sea may be choppy.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and extra water. Wear sun protection even on cloudy days, since much of the outing takes place in open water. Nudity is not allowed.

The boat has comfortable seating and a life jacket for each participant. Even so, anyone prone to motion sickness should think carefully before booking. One departure had notably wavy conditions, and the captain handled them safely, but no boat can remove the movement entirely.

Booking advice for a smoother day

Choose a day with weather that suits you, and keep your schedule flexible enough for a four to six hour outing. If you are taking an afternoon departure, the swimming spots may feel quieter at times, but exact crowd levels depend on the date and conditions.

Arrive early enough to walk from nearby parking. Have your phone, towel, sunscreen, and swimwear easy to reach. Put valuables in a secure bag, and use the fridge for clearly marked food and drinks.

If you want the best use of the short stops, get in the water promptly and keep your camera ready. Save your slower beach time for Krorez Bay. That simple approach prevents you from spending the first four stops searching through bags and then missing part of the longer break.

Should you book the Ava boat tour?

Book it if you want a lively, good-value way to see the northern coast from Saranda and you are happy with repeated swims rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. The combination of seven destinations, a small group, and two to three hours at Krorez Bay is hard to beat at $39.

Skip it if you need a smooth, quiet ride, dislike open-water movement, or want a private beach with no time pressure. For most active visitors, though, this is a practical way to reach coves that are awkward to visit from land. Bring water, arrive on time, and expect the day to be about swimming, music, speed, and clear coastal views.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour leave from?

The meeting point is next to Limani bar and restaurant in Saranda.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is four to six hours, with the planned outing generally taking about five to six hours.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Gremina, Kakome, Soldiers Bay, Pllakator, Krorez Bay, Secret Beach, and a small cave also described as Turtle Cave.

How long do you stay at Krorez Bay?

The main beach stop lasts about two to three hours.

Is food included in the price?

No. Restaurants at Krorez Bay operate from May through October, but food and drinks there are not included.

Is an umbrella provided?

Yes. A beach umbrella is included at Krorez Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. A snorkel and life jacket are included, and you can use the equipment during the swimming stops.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. You can store your own snacks and drinks in the onboard fridge. One bottle of water is also included.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour is limited to 11 participants.

Who should not take this tour?

It is not suitable for children under four, babies under one, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with heart problems or epilepsy, people prone to seasickness, or people over 95.