Saranda: Kakome, Caves & Beaches Boat Tour with Snorkeling

Krorezа Beach is the star of this five-hour Albanian Riviera cruise, but the route gives you much more than one pretty stretch of sand. You’ll stop at Kakome, Soldiers Beach, Roidhes, Gremina, and coastal caves, with time to swim and snorkel in clear water that is reachable only by boat.

I like the mix of short swim stops and a long three-hour beach break. I also like the practical setup: a new 2025 boat, half-shaded seating, open sunbathing space, a fridge for your drinks, Wi-Fi, music, and snorkeling masks. The main consideration is that this is a social boat outing, not a quiet nature trip. Music is part of the experience, and rough seas can shorten the route.

Key points to know

• Kroreza Beach gets three hours: You have time for swimming, lunch, sunbeds, and umbrellas rather than a rushed photo stop.
• Captain Rezi is a major part of the experience: He is known for friendly service, good photos, local tips, and a lively atmosphere.
• The boat suits mixed groups: Choose open seating for sun or the shaded section for a cooler ride.
• You visit several boat-only places: Kakome, Soldiers Beach, Roidhes, Gremina, and coastal caves form the route.
• Snorkeling is built into the day: Masks are provided, and tubes are available on request but are not used for hygiene reasons.
• The $42 price is strong value: Entrance fees, taxes, the guide, equipment, music, Wi-Fi, and the boat ride are included, but food and drinks are extra.

Why Kroreza Beach makes the day work

The schedule gives Kroreza Beach the time it deserves. You spend about three hours there, which changes the mood from sightseeing to a proper beach afternoon. You can swim, use the water, settle under an umbrella, or order food at one of the beachside restaurants.

Sunbeds and umbrellas are included with the company, a useful saving at a popular beach. If you want the best choice of spot, take the earlier departure when available. Several people found that arriving early helped them get a better position near the front row of sunbeds and a clearer view.

Kroreza is also where you’ll want cash. Food and drinks are not included, and the beach restaurants are your main chance for a proper meal during the tour. Bring enough Albanian lek or another accepted payment method rather than counting on a card.

The long stop has one small tradeoff. If you prefer constant movement, three hours in one place may feel slow. I think it is the right balance for a summer sea day, but you should choose another type of excursion if your ideal boat trip means nonstop cruising.

Setting out from Saranda’s main port

The meeting point can be at one of two spots on Rruga Jonianet, near Vodafone. Drop-off is also offered at Vodafone or on Rruga Jonianet, but check the exact option you book because the meeting point can vary.

You board at Saranda’s main port and choose between the open section and the half-shaded seating. The new 2025 boat is designed for comfort rather than a bare-bones transfer. You can sit in the sun, find shade, keep snacks in the fridge, and listen to music as the coast opens up.

The music is not background decoration only. The crew plays summer tunes, French music, R&B, Latin songs, and relaxed tracks, creating a party-friendly mood. That works well for couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people. It is less suited to anyone hoping for a silent cruise with only the sound of the sea.

Captain Rezi receives repeated praise for being warm, funny, and helpful. He also takes photos, points out special places, and has been known to adjust the mood of the ride for the group. On one off-season outing, he even arranged a sunset cruise for a solo passenger. That kind of personal touch depends on the day and conditions, but it gives you a sense of the crew’s style.

Kepi I Qefalit: your first swim stop

Kepi I Qefalit is scheduled for about 20 minutes. Use this stop to get into the water, take photos, and try the provided snorkeling mask before the longer stops arrive.

Twenty minutes is enough for a quick swim, not a full underwater session. If you want to see fish or inspect the rocky water near the boat, move efficiently after the captain gives the signal. Bring your own camera or use a waterproof phone case, since the coast is most impressive from the water.

The short stop also helps you understand the rhythm of the tour. This is a sightseeing cruise with several chances to swim, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition. You will get equipment and clear water, but the total time at each small cove is limited.

Kakome Beach and the first real taste of the coast

Kakome Beach receives about 30 minutes. The cove is one of the reasons to book a boat rather than rely only on Saranda’s town beaches. You can photograph the shoreline, swim, and use the mask to look below the surface.

The boat gives you access to sections of Kakome that cannot be reached by road. That matters during a busy summer stay in Saranda, when the easiest beaches can feel crowded. The crew may also show you quieter corners and unusual angles along the coast, as Captain Rezi did for one solo visitor.

Keep your expectations practical. Half an hour disappears quickly once you account for getting in and out of the water. The best approach is to have your swimwear on under your clothes, keep sunscreen within reach, and avoid spending the entire stop arranging photos.

Soldiers Beach and Roidhes for more water time

Plazhi i Ushtarit, known as Soldiers Beach, gets another 30-minute stop. The pattern is familiar: photo time, a guided look at the area, swimming, and snorkeling. The changing scenery keeps the morning from feeling repetitive, even though each stop follows the same basic format.

Plazhi i Roidhes is shorter, at about 20 minutes. It is another chance to swim in clear water and see a quieter part of the coast from the boat. You might prefer this stop for a quick dip and photographs rather than trying to make it a full beach visit.

These stops are useful for families and mixed groups because nobody has to commit to one long swim. Strong swimmers can get in quickly, while anyone who prefers to stay aboard can remain in the shade and enjoy the view.

Life jackets are available for all participants. Use them if you are not a confident swimmer, and listen to the crew about where and when to enter the water. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments, and the operator lists a 120-kilogram weight limit.

Gremina and the coastal caves

Gremina is one of the route’s scenic photo spots. Depending on the exact operating conditions and route, the boat also visits caves such as Turtles Cave or Shpella e Milotit. The published route includes a stop at Shpella e Milotit after Kroreza, with time for photos and a guided look.

Caves are best enjoyed from the boat unless the crew clearly gives permission to enter the water. The dark openings, rock shapes, and bright sea outside create some of the trip’s strongest photographs. You will want a camera, but keep your hands free when moving around the boat.

The cave portion is not a long underground exploration. Think of it as a coastal viewing stop, with the captain bringing you close enough to see the formations and take pictures. The exact order of stops can change with sea conditions, traffic, and the day’s timing.

Snorkeling in the clear Albanian water

Snorkeling equipment is included, with masks supplied and tubes available on request. The tubes are not used for hygiene reasons, so bring your own if you prefer a traditional full set.

The underwater experience is a pleasant extra rather than the entire purpose of the tour. You might see small fish, rocky seabeds, or an octopus, as one passenger did. Water clarity can vary with wind and sea movement, so do not book this as a guaranteed wildlife trip.

The short stops favor simple exploration. At Kroreza, you have more time to swim at your own pace. If snorkeling is your priority, pack fins and your preferred mask if you have them, though the supplied masks give you a workable option.

Apply sunscreen before boarding and reapply during the long beach stop. The boat has both shade and open seating, but even shaded areas can reflect strong sun from the water.

What is included, and what you still need to pay for

At $42 per person, the tour offers solid value for a full sea day. The price includes the driver, local guide, swim and snorkeling stops, masks, music, Wi-Fi, entrance fees, and taxes. You also get access to the fridge for your own drinks and snacks.

Food and drinks are not included. Your three-hour Kroreza stop is the time to buy lunch at a beachside restaurant, so carry cash. Sunbeds and umbrellas are included with the company, an especially useful detail at a beach where hiring them separately could add to the cost.

Audio guide files are available on request in English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German, but headphones are not included. The live crew communication is in Albanian, English, Greek, or Italian. If you want the audio material, bring your own headphones.

Free parking is available, though the stated parking location is at Hotel Adi-Vera, about 15 minutes on foot from the meeting point. You may find free street parking near the port, but allow time to search. Do not arrive at the last minute with a car and expect to park beside the boat.

How the atmosphere changes during the ride

This boat tour is as much about the mood as the coastline. The crew uses music to keep the ride social, and Captain Rezi has a reputation for joking with the group and helping people feel welcome. That is a real benefit if you are traveling alone or want a cheerful day rather than a formal guided excursion.

The atmosphere also means you should pack with comfort in mind. Wear swimwear under light clothing, bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera. Keep cash in a waterproof pouch, especially if you plan to eat at Kroreza.

Reports of dolphins have also come from the route, but wildlife sightings are luck, not a promised part of the schedule. The same applies to sunset trips, which may be possible in special circumstances but are not the standard daytime plan.

Rough waves are the main weather concern. One outing ended earlier than planned because of high waves, although the crew kept the mood upbeat. If you are prone to seasickness, sit near the center of the boat, avoid a heavy meal before departure, and consider whether a five-hour ride is comfortable for you.

Shared boat or private group?

The shared trip is the best value for most people. You get the same coastal route, equipment, beach time, and onboard setup while sharing the ride with other groups. The music and social atmosphere make this option a natural fit for friends, couples, and solo visitors.

A private group is available if you want more control over the day. The supplied details do not promise a custom itinerary, so ask the operator what can change before booking. Private does not automatically mean silent or luxury, but it can suit a family or group that wants its own space.

Families should note the practical limits. The boat has shade, life jackets, and several ways to spend the day, but frequent boarding, swimming, and movement around the boat require care. People with mobility impairments, serious back problems, or a body weight above 120 kilograms should choose another activity.

Booking details worth knowing

The standard trip lasts about five hours, listed as 330 minutes, with starting times that vary by date. The long Kroreza stop takes up most of the relaxed part of the day, while the other stops are short and active.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. The activity is available as a private group, and the host or greeter can speak Albanian, English, Greek, or Italian.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 379 ratings, with especially strong praise for the crew, music, boat condition, views, and included beach umbrellas and sunbeds. The repeated enthusiasm should not hide the practical details: food costs extra, music is central, and sea conditions can affect the schedule.

Should you book the Kakome and Kroreza boat tour?

Book it if you want to see several boat-only coves without paying for a full private charter. The $42 price is particularly good when you count the snorkeling gear, guide, taxes, Wi-Fi, music, and beach sunbeds and umbrellas.

I would choose this trip for a summer day with friends, a couple wanting a scenic swim outing, or a solo visitor who enjoys a friendly crew. Captain Rezi can add a personal touch, and the combination of short coves plus three hours at Kroreza gives the day a useful pace.

Skip it if you want a quiet, highly private cruise, a serious snorkeling expedition, or a rigid schedule that cannot change with the weather. For most visitors who want clear water, music, hidden coves, and an easy beach afternoon from Saranda, this is a well-priced choice.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour has two possible starting locations on Rruga Jonianet, including the area near Vodafone. Your exact meeting point may depend on the option you book.

Where does the tour finish?

Drop-off is available at Vodafone or on Rruga Jonianet.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is five hours, or 330 minutes. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

What beaches and places does the boat visit?

The route includes Kepi I Qefalit, Kakome Beach, Soldiers Beach, Roidhes Beach, Kroreza Beach, Gremina, and Shpella e Milotit. Cave stops can include Turtles Cave depending on the route.

How long do you stay at Kroreza Beach?

You have about three hours at Kroreza Beach for swimming, relaxing, using the sunbeds and umbrellas, and buying food at a local beachside restaurant.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling masks are included. Tubes are available on request, but they are not used by the company for hygiene reasons.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring cash for the beachside restaurants and other purchases.

Is music played during the boat ride?

Yes. Music is played onboard, including summer, French, R&B, Latin, and relaxed tracks.

Is the boat suitable for a private group?

Yes. A private group option is available, as well as the shared boat experience.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a camera, and cash. Headphones are not included if you request audio guide files.