Saranda Catamaran VIP to Krorez and Kakome Beach with Lunch

The best part of this trip is the chance to reach Krorez and Kakome, two quiet Ionian coves that are difficult to reach by land. The catamaran gives you a full day of swimming, beach time, and open-water views without the frantic party mood found on some Saranda boat trips.

I especially like the small maximum group of 29 and the lunch cooked aboard by Mario, with seafood linguini, fruit, wine, and some flexibility for special requests. I also like the useful spread of stops: you get two long beach visits, then two shorter swims at Soldier’s Beach and Qefal Beach.

The main caution is the uneven organization before departure. A few people had trouble with rescheduling and finding the right meeting point, and one person found that the staff spoke little English and gave few explanations. Bring cash for drinks, arrive early, and treat this as a relaxed boat day rather than a guided cultural tour.

Key points to know before booking

• Krorez and Kakome are the main prizes: Expect isolated bays, clear water, rocky shorelines, and little development.
• Lunch is cooked on the catamaran: Seafood linguini is the main meal, with some alternatives available for dietary needs.
• Mario is both crew member and chef: Special requests such as a caprese salad or modified pasta have been accommodated.
• You get four coastal stops: The longest visits are one hour at Krorez and two hours at Kakome.
• The boat is built for lounging: Sunbeds, bean bag chairs, shaded areas, and front nets give you several ways to spend the sailing time.
• Plan for a cash bar: Drinks are listed as extra, and the bar accepts cash only.

Why Krorez and Kakome make this boat trip worthwhile

Saranda has no shortage of boat excursions, but the appeal here is simple: the boat takes you to coastline that feels far removed from the city. Krorez sits above Kakome Bay, enclosed by rocks on three sides. Its turquoise water and isolated position give it a more natural feel than the busier beaches close to Saranda.

Kakome is even more stripped back. The bay is surrounded by green hills and has very little beyond the shore and a pier used for jumping into the water. That lack of facilities is part of the point. You come here to swim, sit in the sun, and enjoy a quiet stretch of coast rather than shop, eat at a beach club, or collect sightseeing tickets.

I would not book this trip expecting a narrated tour of Albania’s history or coastline. The boat ride is the focus. One account found that the crew offered little information about each stop, and the staff’s English was limited. If you like to learn facts from a guide, that may feel thin. If you want a day with few announcements and plenty of unstructured time, it can be a plus.

The catamaran carries up to 29 people, which is a useful middle ground. It is not a private charter, but it is also not a huge excursion boat. That size leaves room to move around and makes it easier to find a place to sit, especially if the boat is not full.

Leaving Saranda from Limion Port at 9:30

The meeting point is Limion Port, listed at VXCQ+WQG in Saranda. The scheduled start is 9:30 a.m., and the boat returns to the same meeting point after roughly six hours. In practice, the day has been described as running around 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so allow some flexibility around the stated time.

I recommend arriving early. The pre-departure communication has not always been smooth. There has been a case of a date change even though the original date still appeared available, followed by confusion at the port when no staff member arrived to direct the group. The issue was eventually resolved, but it is a good reason to save the operator’s contact details and confirm the port before leaving your accommodation.

Once aboard, the mood is more relaxed than rowdy. There may be music and dancing at points, but this is not presented as a dedicated party cruise. You can claim a place in the shade, stretch out on a sunbed, or use the front nets when available.

A practical seating tip is worth noting: the bean bag chairs are popular, but they leave you in full sun. A shaded spot near the bar may serve you better later in the day. After the first swim, the front nets may also open up as people move around.

Krorez Beach, one hour in a rocky turquoise cove

The first major stop is Krorëza Beach, also written as Krorez. It sits above Kakome Bay and is enclosed by rocks on three sides. The setting gives the beach a sheltered, secluded character, with turquoise water as the main attraction.

You have about one hour here. That is enough for a swim and some time on shore, but it is not a long beach stay. Bring what you need from the boat because the supplied information does not describe shops or other beach services at the stop.

This is the place to use your first burst of energy. The water is described as warm and clear, and swimming early in the day can feel especially appealing before you have spent hours in the sun. If you prefer a slow start, you can simply sit and take in the view from the beach.

The lack of development is both the charm and the limitation. You should not expect paved access, a line of cafés, or a formal beach setup. The catamaran is your base, and the stop works best for people who value clear water and quiet surroundings over facilities.

Kakome Bay, two hours for the longest swim stop

Kakome Beach receives the longest stay, about two hours, and that timing makes sense. The bay is isolated, green around its edges, and almost completely undeveloped. Apart from a pier used for jumping into the sea, there is little to do beyond swimming and relaxing.

For me, this is the heart of the experience. Two hours gives you time to swim without watching the clock every few minutes, return to the boat, dry off, and settle back into the day. If you enjoy spending time in the water, this longer stop is more valuable than a schedule packed with ten-minute photo pauses.

The pier adds a bit of fun for confident swimmers who want to jump into deeper water. You should still use your own judgment and follow any instructions from the crew. The supplied details do not promise a formal water-sports program, so think of the pier as a simple swimming feature, not an organized activity.

The beach is described as completely deserted, but that should not be read as a promise of private use. The boat carries other people, and other boats may be in the area. Even so, Kakome offers the least commercial setting on the route.

Fruit has been served after the first swim stop, including fresh watermelon and cantaloupe. That small touch matters on a hot day. It gives you something cool before lunch and breaks up the long period of sun and salt water.

Soldier’s Beach, a short stop with a historical name

The third stop is Plazhi i Manastirit, known in English as Soldier’s Beach. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so treat it as a quick swim and photo break rather than a full beach visit.

The bay combines natural scenery with a connection to the area’s past, although the supplied information does not provide a detailed historical explanation on site. That point is important: you may appreciate the name and setting, but do not book this excursion expecting a history lesson.

Half an hour can be just right after the two longer stops. You get another chance to cool off without losing too much time to repeated boarding and disembarking. It also gives you a change of scenery before the final short stop.

Qender and Qefal Beach, a final half-hour by the water

The final stop is listed as Qender, with the beach description referring to Qefal Beach. It is described as having clear water and golden sand stretching along the coast. You have about 30 minutes here.

This stop seems designed as a final swim rather than a major destination. By this stage, you may prefer a short dip and a quiet place on the catamaran for the ride back. If you still have energy, the clear water and sandy shore give you one more chance to swim before returning to Saranda.

The naming difference between Qender and Qefal Beach is worth keeping in mind when checking directions or asking the crew where you are. It does not change the basic plan, but clear names are useful when several coves are visited in one day.

Lunch aboard, with seafood linguini and flexible alternatives

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package because it is prepared on the boat rather than handed out as a basic packed meal. Seafood linguini has been served as the main dish, along with a glass of local white wine.

The food has also been adapted when needed. A gluten-free diner received a caprese salad, while another person who did not want seafood was served pasta with pesto, tomatoes, and pecorino. These examples do not guarantee every request, but they show that it is worth telling the crew about dietary needs before lunch.

Mario has been singled out as both a friendly crew member and the chef. That personal touch helps the meal feel more like part of the boat day than a standard tour inclusion. Fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe has also been served, and coffee, including espresso, has been available later in the afternoon.

The drink policy needs careful reading. Drinks are listed as not included and available from a cash-only bar. One account described water as free, while another specifically complained that free water was not provided. Because the information is inconsistent, I would bring cash and confirm the water arrangement as soon as you board. Wine is included with lunch according to the supplied details, while a nonalcoholic replacement has been provided when requested.

Sunbeds, shade, and how to handle six hours in the sun

The boat includes sunbeds, and the seating layout gives you more choice than a basic day boat. Bean bags are available, but they sit in the sun. A shaded area near the bar may be more comfortable once the heat builds.

The front nets are another appealing place to sit or lie down. They may be occupied early, but they can become free after people settle into their preferred seats. If you want a particular spot, boarding promptly matters.

The trip includes plenty of time on the water, not just short transfers between beaches. That is a benefit if you enjoy sailing and open views, but it can feel long if you mainly want to sit on a beach. I would bring sun protection and a cover-up, since the schedule includes several stops and extended time aboard.

Snorkeling gear has been provided for everyone on at least one outing. The supplied tour details do not list it as a formal inclusion, so do not rely on it without confirming first. The clear water makes swimming the central activity, but the trip is otherwise fairly simple: no crowded activity schedule, no formal lessons, and no organized beach entertainment.

What the $106.92 price delivers

At $106.92 per person, this is more expensive than some comparable Saranda boat outings. The value comes from the combination of a smaller group, a catamaran with lounge space, four coastal stops, a cooked lunch, fruit, and wine.

I would consider the price fair for someone who wants comfort and a calmer pace. You are paying for more than transport to a beach. The long two-hour stop at Kakome, the proper meal aboard, and the room to move around the catamaran make the day feel less rushed.

The price is harder to justify if you do not care about lunch or prefer a crowded party boat. You should also remember that drinks are extra, with cash needed at the bar. That adds a small practical cost and means you should not board without some local money or another accepted cash option.

The rating of 4.3 from 41 ratings suggests a generally strong experience with some clear weaknesses. The most consistent positives are the beautiful swimming locations, friendly crew, spacious boat, and good food. The main negatives concern communication, meeting-point confusion, and the unclear water policy.

Who should book this Saranda catamaran day

I would choose this for couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a full day of swimming without a loud party focus. It also suits anyone who values food aboard and would rather not search for lunch during a beach stop.

Families with confident swimmers may enjoy the spacious boat and clear water, although the supplied information does not give specific child policies. People with dietary needs should contact the operator in advance and explain exactly what they require.

I would be more cautious if you need detailed guiding in English. The activity is offered in English, but one account found that the staff did not explain the stops or activities clearly. You may need to ask direct questions rather than wait for a running commentary.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can accept another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Limion Port in Saranda, Albania. The listed map reference is VXCQ+WQG, Sarandë.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m. Some timing information describes the operating day as roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so allow flexibility and arrive early.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts approximately six hours and returns to the starting point at Limion Port.

What beaches and bays are visited?

The route includes Krorëza Beach, Kakome Beach, Plazhi i Manastirit, also called Soldier’s Beach, and a final stop listed as Qender and described as Qefal Beach.

How long do you stay at each stop?

The schedule allows one hour at Krorëza, two hours at Kakome, 30 minutes at Soldier’s Beach, and 30 minutes at Qender or Qefal Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with seafood linguini listed as a main option. Fruit and a glass of local white wine have also been served.

Are drinks included?

Drinks are listed as extra and available at a cash-only bar. The supplied information gives conflicting details about free water, so confirm the water policy aboard and bring cash.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 29 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. Poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran if your ideal Saranda day means clear water, quiet coves, a cooked lunch, and enough time to relax rather than rush from stop to stop. The strongest reasons are Kakome’s two-hour stay, the comfortable boat, and the crew’s willingness to adjust lunch when possible.

Skip it if you need polished port logistics, detailed English commentary, or a fully inclusive drinks package. For everyone else, the $106.92 price buys a well-paced day along one of the most beautiful stretches outside Saranda, with enough food and swimming time to make the higher cost reasonable.