Honest comparison · 2026

Boat tour: Sarandë or Ksamil?

Both towns run boat tours. They are not the same day out. Here's a straight comparison from a local operator — including the trade-offs we'd tell our own friends.

Book on WhatsApp · €30 Sarandë boat tours

From Sarandë you cover more coast

A Sarandë departure reaches the full Riviera in one day: Turtle Cave, Anchor Cave, Kepi i Qefalit, Kakome, our private Krorëz beach, Gjiri i Ushtarit, Rrojdhe, and the Ksamil archipelago on the way. From Ksamil, you mostly circle the local islands and back.

From Ksamil you get pretty islands and not much else

Ksamil boat tours are shorter, focused on the four Ksamil islands and nearby beaches. Beautiful — but you miss the sea caves and private-beach access entirely.

Price and quality

Both hover around €30–35 for a group tour. From Sarandë you get significantly more coastline, cave access, and a private-beach lunch stop for the same money.

What's included

✓Sarandë departure covers the full Riviera
✓Ksamil tours are shorter · less variety
✓Only Sarandë tours reach the sea caves
✓Private beach lunch only from Sarandë
✓Roughly equal price · more value from Sarandë
✓DES all-in Sarandë tour: €30
✓5★ Google rated · small-group
✓WhatsApp us if you're deciding — happy to advise

Frequently asked

Is a boat tour better from Sarandë or Ksamil?

Sarandë. You reach the full Riviera stretch — Ksamil archipelago plus the caves and private beaches south of Sarandë — in one day. From Ksamil you mostly just circle the local islands.

Are Ksamil boat tours cheaper?

Roughly the same price for a much shorter itinerary. From Sarandë you get twice the coastline for the same money.

Can a Sarandë tour still visit Ksamil?

Yes — most Sarandë full-day tours pass the Ksamil archipelago, then continue south to Krorëz, Kakome and the caves. The reverse doesn't happen from Ksamil.

Which is better for families with kids?

Sarandë departures — you get more variety across the day (caves, snorkel stops, private beach) which keeps kids engaged. Ksamil tours tend to be beach-hop only.

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.

Related tours

Other Sarandë boat tours

Sarandë boat tours →

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 →