Ksamil · Beaches & Islands

Ksamil beaches & islands — the honest guide (and the easy way to see them).

Ksamil's four little islands and its shallow turquoise bays are the most photographed stretch of the Albanian Riviera. This guide covers each of the main Ksamil beaches, the four islands, and every way to get there from Sarandë — including the one most travellers wish they'd known about: a full-day boat tour that skips the ferry queue entirely.

Book on WhatsApp · €30 Sarandë boat tours

The four Ksamil islands

Ksamil sits in front of a small archipelago of four limestone islets. The two closest to shore (Ishulli i Parë and Ishulli i Dytë) are reachable on foot in summer via a shallow sandbar — chest-deep water, sandy bottom, quick swim. The third and fourth (Ishulli i Tretë and Ishulli i Katërt) sit further out and need a boat. Water between the islands is the calm, glass-clear turquoise you see in every postcard.

The main Ksamil beaches, ranked honestly

Pasqyra Beach (Mirror Beach) — the classic photo spot, but crowded and mostly sunbed-only in July/August. Bora Bora Beach — small, pretty, packed by 10am. Lori Beach — bigger and slightly quieter. Pulëbardha (Seagull) Beach — a little further south, more space. The main village beach in front of Ksamil town — the busiest and least scenic. Local tip: the water is the same colour everywhere; you're really choosing between crowd level and how far you want to walk.

How to get to Ksamil from Sarandë

Three options. (1) Bus — around €1, runs every 30 min from Sarandë's coastal road, 25 min ride, drops you at a crowded main road. (2) Taxi — €15-20 each way, quick and door-to-door. (3) Boat tour from Sarandë harbour — €30 all-in for the whole day, cruises the Ksamil island channel plus 7 more Riviera stops you can't reach any other way. For a single day of sightseeing, the boat tour is by far the best value.

Why we recommend seeing Ksamil by boat

From the water you see the four islands as they were meant to be seen — the shallow channel, the sandbar, the empty backsides of the islets that day-trippers never reach. You also get a swim stop in calm turquoise water without paying for a sunbed. And you're not stuck in Ksamil for the whole day — the boat continues to Turtle Cave, Kakome Bay, and our private Krorëz beach for lunch.

When to visit Ksamil

June and September are the sweet spot — warm sea, no crowds, no waiting for a chair. July and August are peak: the water is warmest but the beaches fill by 10am and hotels double their prices. May and October are quiet and cheap but the sea can be cool for long swims. The boat tour season runs late May to early October.

Booking a Ksamil boat tour — €30 all-in

DES Boat Tours runs one small-group full-day cruise per day from Sarandë harbour. €30 per person covers the boat, English-speaking local captain, snorkel gear, life jackets, unlimited drinks on board, and sunbeds and umbrellas at our private Krorëz beach. Message us on WhatsApp to lock in a date — no deposit, pay cash on the day, free cancellation up to 24h before.

What's included

✓All 4 Ksamil islands covered from the water
✓Swim stop in the turquoise Ksamil channel
✓7 more Riviera stops in the same day
✓Private Krorëz beach lunch — sunbeds ready
✓Small groups · no party boats
✓Free snorkel gear & drinks on board
✓€30 per person all-in · no upsells
✓WhatsApp booking · no deposit

Frequently asked

How many islands are there in Ksamil?

Four. Two are close enough to swim to from Ksamil village across a shallow sandbar; the outer two need a boat. All four sit inside a calm, shallow, turquoise channel that's ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Which is the best beach in Ksamil?

For water quality they're all similar. For crowd level, Pulëbardha (Seagull) and Lori are usually quieter than Pasqyra or Bora Bora in high season. For the best overall experience most travellers prefer seeing the islands from a boat and stopping at our private Krorëz beach for lunch.

Can you walk to the Ksamil islands?

To the two closest islands, yes — in summer the water between the shore and the first islet is chest-deep with a sandy bottom. Wear reef shoes; the bottom is patchy in places. The third and fourth islands are only reachable by boat.

How do I get from Sarandë to Ksamil?

Bus (~€1, 25 min, crowded), taxi (€15-20 each way), or full-day boat tour from Sarandë harbour (€30 all-in, includes Ksamil plus 7 more stops). For sightseeing, the boat tour is the best value.

Are Ksamil beaches free?

The sand is free, but almost every beach in Ksamil is packed with paid sunbed rows — €10-25 per bed in season, and the free strips are tiny. On our boat tour you get free sunbeds and umbrellas included at Krorëz.

How much time do I need in Ksamil?

Half a day is plenty for the main beaches and a swim to the closest islet. A full day is more relaxed. Our boat tour spends ~30-40 min cruising and swimming near Ksamil, then continues to Krorëz and the caves — most guests say it's the best way to fit Ksamil into a wider Riviera day.

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 →