Anchor Cave, Sarandë. Why the second cave is the cinematic one
A deeper, moodier grotto than Turtle Cave — named for the ancient anchor discovered inside. Here's what to expect on the DES Boat Tour.
The legend behind the name
Locals call it Shpella e Ankorës — the Anchor Cave — after a stone anchor discovered deep inside the grotto decades ago. The find dates the site back to antique coastal trade routes that once ran between Butrint and Corfu. You won't see the anchor itself (it's long since been recovered), but the story sets the mood.
How the stop differs from Turtle Cave
Where Turtle Cave is bright and airy, Anchor Cave is narrow, tall and dramatic. The cliff walls rise above the boat and the light comes in a single hard beam, ideal for silhouette shots and slow-motion video. The water inside is deeper (6-8m) and remarkably clear, which is why the cave shows up in so many Albanian Riviera drone reels.
Cinematic photography tips
Face the entrance and shoot back toward the light. A single figure standing on the bow, backlit, is the frame most guests come away with. Video: shoot 4K 24fps at a low ISO — the natural motion of the boat sells the scale of the walls better than any handheld pan.
Where Anchor Cave sits in the day
Anchor Cave is stop 2 of 8. It's a 10 minute pause between Turtle Cave and the first swim at Kepi i Qefalit, and it's included in the flat €30 all-inclusive price. No swimming here — the cave is too narrow to be safe — but everything else about the moment (the light, the acoustics, the temperature drop) makes it a highlight of the morning.
