Saranda: Full-Day Boat Tour with Beach Stops & Swimming

This is an easy, full-day way to see the Ionian coast around Sarandë without doing all the legwork yourself. You get multiple water stops where you can swim, plus photo time at places like Shpella e Breshkave (Turtle Cave). It feels like a sea day built for real relaxation, not a rushed checklist.

I especially like the mix of quick photo moments and real beach time. The Krorez Beach stop is long enough to swim, wander, and even plan a picnic. One thing to consider: food and drinks are not included, and several stops are short, so you’ll want to be ready to jump in when the boat stops.

If you want a smooth ride, a friendly English-Italian-Albanian host, and a clear plan for where to swim off the boat, this format works well. Some guests highlight that Angelo and the team keep the day organized and fun. The speedboat route is also not ideal if you have mobility limits or you’re sensitive to being on the water for hours.

Ionian Speedboat Day: What You Really Get in 6 Hours

This is a 6-hour full-day tour on a small boat, limited to 10 participants. You’ll spend part of that time cruising along the southern Albanian coast, then shift into a rhythm of short stops for photos and swimming breaks.

The best way to think about it: you’re not just sightseeing from land. You’re using the boat to access places you’d otherwise miss, like sea caves, calm bays, and the kind of cliff area where you can jump in and swim while the boat is anchored.

At $35 per person, the value is in the timing. One long stop at Krorez Beach (3 to 4 hours) plus several water swims means you’re paying for a lot of time on the water, not just a quick coastal drive.

Price and Value: Why $35 Makes Sense Here

Let’s be practical. You’re paying for:

• Boat time along the Ionian coastline
• Visits at Turtle Cave and the Bay of Spiranca
• Swimming stops at The Cliff (Gremina), Kakome Bay, and Krorez Beach
• A final short photo swim stop at Rroidhe Beach / Lovers Bay
• A host or greeter who speaks English, Italian, and Albanian

Food and drinks are not included, so you’ll need to budget for snacks or lunch yourself. But the tour gives you the structure: you don’t have to figure out transportation between coves, and you don’t lose your day hopping between locations.

Given the high satisfaction score (a 5/5 rating with 76 reviews), you’re also buying peace of mind about how smoothly the day runs, especially around timing of stops and comfort on the boat.

Meet the Crew: Small Group Energy With Angelo

This is a small group tour, capped at 10 people, which matters more than you might think. On a boat, too many people can mean cramped seating, slower movement when you’re getting ready to swim, and less flexibility.

From guest feedback, the host role often comes down to Angelo (also shown as de_anxhelo / Anhexlo). The vibe described is welcoming and energetic, with the guide keeping the day organized and upbeat, including help with timing at swimming spots and suggestions for less crowded photo moments.

If you like guides who blend local knowledge with a light sense of fun, this style fits.

Getting Ready for a Swim-First Sea Day

You’ll want to treat this like a beach-and-water outing, not a sightseeing day in the usual sense.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• A camera or phone (you’ll be stopping for photos)
• Cash (useful since food and drinks are not included)

Also, the tour is not for everyone. It’s listed as not suitable for people:

• Under 5 years old
• Pregnant women
• With heart problems
• Wheelchair users
• With respiratory issues
• Over 65
• With high blood pressure
• Over 95 kg (209 lbs)

If any of those apply, it’s worth thinking hard about comfort and safety before booking.

Starting With a Speedboat Ride: Settle In for the Coast Cruise

Right after the departure from Guida ditore me skaf (the full-day boat tour meeting point name), you cruise for about 30 minutes. This is where you get oriented, and it’s also when you start feeling the point of the trip: you’re leaving the land view behind and moving into open coastal water.

This segment also helps with timing later. Once the boat anchors, you don’t want to waste energy getting ready. A short cruise first keeps the day flowing.

Turtle Cave Photos at Shpella e Breshkave (30 Minutes)

The first major stop is Shpella e Breshkave, the Turtle Cave. You get a visit plus a photo/video window of about 30 minutes.

Here’s what I’d watch for. Sea caves can look dramatic from the water, but photos depend on angle and timing. Turtle Cave is perfect for:

• Quick shots of the natural rock shapes
• Video clips that show the coastline from inside the cave area
• Close-up photos where the rock texture fills the frame

A key consideration: the visit is brief. So if you’re the type who needs a slow, wandering pace, you may feel slightly rushed. If you’re happy capturing images and moving on, this stop hits the right note.

Bay of Spirancës Stop: Serene Water and Easy Photography (30 Minutes)

Next up is the Bay of Spirancës (Gjiri i Spirancës) for another short stop, around 30 minutes.

This is a calm, clear-water location where the main value is photo quality and peaceful scenery. Think of it as a “pause button” for your camera. You’re likely to get good light and clean water views without the pressure of long hiking or complicated logistics.

Because the stop is short, the smartest move is to decide what you want first. If you mainly want wide shots, stand in one spot and let the light work. If you want reflections, give your phone/camera a second to settle and aim slightly off the center of the water for more texture.

The Cliff (Gremina) Swimming Stop: Jump In and Swim With the Deep Blue (30 Minutes)

This is where the day turns more active. At The Cliff (Gremina), you get about 30 minutes that include a swimming break and the chance to jump off the boat.

The appeal is simple. You’re in deep blue water, and the boat gives you a high, safe starting point compared to trying to find your own access from shore.

A practical drawback: 30 minutes is enough time to swim and cool off, but not enough for a long “hang and float forever” session. So if you’re planning to swim hard, do it early in the stop. If you’re more cautious, ease in first, then swim shorter lengths.

Also, this is the kind of stop where you’ll want to be comfortable with getting in and out smoothly.

Kakome Bay for a Calm Swim and Relax Break (30 Minutes)

Then the tour heads to Kakome Bay. You get another short 30-minute break for swimming and relaxing in calm, clear water.

This stop often feels like the relief after The Cliff. Instead of a more intense, jump-in experience, Kakome Bay is described as serene and easygoing. It’s the kind of place where you can:

• Swim at a slower pace
• Float a bit and enjoy the water clarity
• Use the time to reset before the longer beach stop

If you’re traveling with friends who want different intensity levels, this timing helps. One person can swim briskly while another just enjoys the water.

Krorez Beach: The 3 to 4 Hour Anchor Stop That Makes the Day Worth It

The big payoff comes next: Krorez Beach with 3 to 4 hours of free time.

This is not a quick stop. You’ll have time to:

• Sunbathe
• Swim
• Explore
• Enjoy a beach picnic or lunch (food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly)

In value terms, this is the heart of the itinerary. Boat tours can feel like a carousel when every stop is 20 or 30 minutes. Krorez Beach breaks that pattern. It gives you room to actually feel like you’re on a beach holiday, not just passing through coves.

If you want to make the most of it, think in blocks:

• First 30 to 60 minutes, swim and settle in
• Mid stretch, wander and take photos
• Last stretch, slow down, snack, and decide if you want a final swim before the boat returns

Because it’s one of the most peaceful-feeling stretches of sand mentioned for this area, this stop is also where you’re most likely to feel like you’re far from the crowds, even though you’re only a short boat ride from the main region.

Rroidhe Beach / Lovers Bay: One Last Swim and Photo Window (30 Minutes)

After Krorez Beach, you get one final short stop at Rroidhe Beach / Lovers Bay for about 30 minutes.

This is a last chance to:

• Take final photos and videos
• Get one more dip
• Capture those last-color coastal shots before heading back

For many people, the end-of-day photos are the best. Light may be softer, and your brain is already in vacation mode. But again, the time is short, so be ready to move once the boat anchors.

Comfort and Practical Notes: What Matters on a Boat

From guest comments, the boat itself is described as clean, comfortable, and spacious enough to relax during the ride. People also mention a smooth ride, which matters because sea conditions can make or break a day on the water.

Still, you should pack the basics:

• Sunscreen, because stops are outdoors
• Sunglasses for glare off the water
• Swimwear and a towel ready to go quickly
• Cash for snacks if you’re not buying them with the tour

And keep expectations realistic. This is a swim-and-photo day. If you’re looking for long historical explanations or a slow stroll vibe, you may not find that here.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Think Twice)

This tour is best for:

• Nature lovers who want to see coastline spots only reachable by boat
• People who like water time and are comfortable swimming
• Photo enthusiasts who appreciate quick, well-timed scenic stops
• Groups of friends who want an easy plan with limited logistics

It’s probably not your best match if you:

• Need long on-shore walking time between stops
• Want food included as part of the price
• Have the health conditions listed as not suitable in the tour info

If you’re healthy and mobile, this format is a strong way to experience the southern Albanian coast without hiring separate transport for each location.

Photo and Swim Tips That Make a Difference

You’re stopping at Turtle Cave, Bay of Spirancës, The Cliff, Kakome Bay, Krorez Beach, and Lovers Bay. That’s a lot of water and rock scenes in one day. So your strategy matters.

• Keep your swim and photo gear simple. One camera or phone setup is better than constantly switching cases and bags.
• At photo stops, commit fast. 30 minutes goes quickly.
• For cave and rock formations, take a few wide shots early, then try tighter framing once you see how the light behaves.
• At swimming stops, be conservative at first. Your body adapts and you’ll enjoy the water more when you’re not rushing.

If you want a fun memory rather than just a folder of photos, take a moment at each stop to soak it in before you start shooting everything.

Should You Book De Anxhelo’s Sarandë Boat Tour?

Book this if you want one day that mixes multiple swims, a real beach stretch at Krorez, and photo stops that are made for the water. At $35 for 6 hours with a small group limit, it’s a strong value for the time you get on the Ionian side, especially if you’re traveling without a car.

Skip it or think twice if you don’t like being on the water for hours, you need food included, or any of the listed health and age limitations apply. Also, if you hate short stops, remember that most stops are around 30 minutes, with the main exception being Krorez Beach.

If your ideal day is sun, swim time, and easy access to coves, this is the kind of tour you’ll be glad you booked.