First-timer's guide · 2026

What to expect on your first Sarandë boat tour.

A calm, honest walkthrough of the DES day — from the 09:30 boarding call to the sunset return — so you know exactly what you're stepping onto, what to pack, and what the €30 actually covers.

Book on WhatsApp · €30 Sarandë boat tours

The morning: boarding and the first hour

Board at 09:30 at Sarandë old harbour — look for the DES boat right of the ferry terminal. Bags stow under the bench seats, shoes off, sunscreen on. Engines on at 10:00; within 20 minutes you're rounding Kepi i Qefalit and the town skyline is gone. The first swim stop is usually within the first hour, whichever cove is calmest that day.

The rhythm: swim, cruise, swim

The tour is 8 stops but it never feels rushed. Each swim is 20–45 minutes; the cruising between stops is 10–20 minutes with cold drinks, the captain pointing out landmarks, and the coast getting quieter as you go south. The mid-tour Krorëz beach stop is 2 hours — long enough for a real lunch and a nap on a free sunbed.

What's included in €30

Full 8-stop route, fuel, captain, cold water and soft drinks on board, fresh fruit, snorkel gear (masks, fins, life jackets in every size), free sunbed and umbrella at Krorëz, and small-group boat (max ~15). Not included: lunch at Krorëz beach bar, tips, and drone flights (personal cameras and phones are fine).

What to pack — and what to skip

Bring: swimsuit worn under clothes, quick-dry towel, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a light layer for the ride home, and cash or card for lunch. Skip: hard suitcases, glass bottles, big speakers, and heels. The boat has shaded and open seating; you choose your pace.

Seasickness, kids and non-swimmers

The Sarandë–Kepi i Qefalit coast is one of the calmest Mediterranean stretches — 90% of guests never feel a thing. If you're sensitive, take a tablet 30 minutes before boarding and sit mid-boat. Kids from 3 up ride free-of-worry with parents; the captain adjusts stops for family days. Non-swimmers get a life jacket and float the coves — every cove has a shallow entry.

What's included

✓09:30 boarding · 17:30 return
✓8 stops · never feels rushed
✓Snorkel gear + life jackets included
✓Free sunbed at Krorëz (2h stop)
✓Marine toilet on board
✓Cold water & fruit — unlimited
✓Max ~15 guests · small-group feel
✓€30 all-in · no deposit

Frequently asked

What time does the Sarandë boat tour depart?

Boarding is 09:30 at the Sarandë old harbour, engines on at 10:00. We're back at the same jetty by ~17:30. Full-day means full-day — you get the full Ionian light window.

How rough is the sea on a Sarandë boat tour?

The Ionian between Sarandë and Kepi i Qefalit is one of the calmest stretches in the Mediterranean. Mornings are glassy; a light afternoon breeze can put small ripples on the water. If you're prone to seasickness, take a tablet 30 minutes before boarding — you'll be fine.

Do I need to swim well?

No. Every stop has a shallow entry and life jackets are on board in adult and child sizes. Non-swimmers can float and enjoy the cove; strong swimmers can snorkel the reef edges. The captain picks entries based on the group.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes — a clean marine toilet on board, plus proper facilities at the Krorëz beach stop (the 2-hour lunch stop mid-tour).

What food and drink is on board?

Cold water and soft drinks are free and unlimited on the boat. Fresh fruit is passed around mid-morning. Lunch is at Krorëz beach bar (pay-as-you-go — salads, grilled fish, Greek-style plates) or bring your own picnic.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes — the boat sells out most days in July and August. Book on WhatsApp; we confirm within minutes, take no deposit, and you pay the €30 in cash or card on the day.

Keep reading

Where to go next

Best Time to Visit Sarandë for a Boat Tour (2026)

Month-by-month guide: water temperature, crowds, prices, wind — and the shoulder weeks that quietly beat July.

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Full itinerary

The full 8-stop Sarandë boat tour itinerary

Hour-by-hour route from Sarandë harbour — every cave, cove and swim stop in order.

See the itinerary →

Related tours, stops and booking answers

Every DES Boat Tour from Sarandë shares the same all-inclusive €30 price and the same friendly captain — the differences are the angle and the stops. Pick a related tour, dive into a stop guide or read the top booking questions.

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Other Sarandë boat tours

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Related stops

Neighbouring stops on the route

See the full 8-stop itinerary →

Answers before you book

Everything about boat tours in Sarandë & the Albanian Riviera

Sarandë boat tours

The highest-rated Sarandë boat tour on the Albanian coast

Looking for the best boat tour in Sarandë or searching Google for Saranda boat tours? DES Boat Tours departs daily from Sarandë harbour and covers the wildest stretch of the Ionian coast, sea caves, hidden coves, and our own private beach at Krorëz. Small groups, expert local captain, everything included for €30.

Guests consistently rate us the #1 boat trip in Sarandë because we skip the crowded ferry routes and take you to spots most operators don't know about, including Secret Beach, only reachable by boat.

Sarandë boat tours →Book a Sarandë boat tour →

Albania boat tours

Why the Albanian Riviera beats Croatia, Greece & Ksamil ferries

The Albanian Riviera is the last unspoiled coastline in the Mediterranean. Water clarity rivals the Maldives, prices are a fraction of Croatia or Greece, and the coves stay quiet even in high season. DES Boat Tours is proudly local, an Albania boat tour run by Sarandë captains who grew up on these waters.

Compared to a packed Ksamil ferry, you get a small-group experience, real free time at Kakome Bay and Gjiri i Ushtarit, and a captain who actually pauses for photos.

About DES Boat Tours →See Riviera photos & videos →

Private boat itinerary

Private boat tours & custom itineraries from Sarandë

Prefer a private boat tour in Sarandë? We run private charters for families, couples and small groups, same 8 stops or a fully custom itinerary. Sunset cruises, wedding proposals, half-day snorkeling loops, or a Ksamil detour on request.

Every private itinerary still includes free drinks on board, life jackets, snorkeling gear, and access to Krorëz private beach with reserved sunbeds and umbrellas.

Request a private charter →Private tour FAQ →

Best 5-star guides

Local captains rated 5★ by travellers from 20+ countries

DES Boat Tours is run by 5-star rated local guides based in Sarandë. Every captain grew up on the Ionian, speaks English fluently, and knows every cove, cave and reef between Sarandë and the Greek border by name. That's why we consistently rank as the top-rated boat tour guide in Albania.

Read guest reviews on the home page, browse the full Riviera itinerary, or send a message on WhatsApp, we usually reply within minutes.

Meet the captain →Reserve your spot →