Saranda has more spectacular beaches within an hour by boat than almost any other corner of the Mediterranean — but most of the best ones don't appear on a road map. They sit at the bottom of limestone cliffs, behind small headlands, or in coves that no road reaches. This is a local guide to the nine beaches worth the trip, what to expect at each, and which Saranda boat tour goes there.
Why you need a boat to see the best of the Saranda coast
The Albanian Riviera south of Saranda is a long, mostly undeveloped stretch of coastline. The cliffs drop straight into the sea and the few roads that exist climb inland. That has two consequences: most of the prettiest beaches stay quiet even in August, and almost all of them are only accessible by boat.
Renting a car gets you to Ksamil and a couple of well-known spots. A boat unlocks an entirely different coast — sea caves, hidden swim stops, white-pebble bays you have to yourself, and lunch anchorages where the water turns turquoise around the hull.
The 9 best beaches near Saranda, in boat-route order
1. Pasqyrat (Mirror) Beach
Pasqyrat — "mirrors" in Albanian — is named for the way late-afternoon light turns the water into a mirror. It's a small white-pebble cove just south of Ksamil with a sandy entry and the kind of glassy turquoise water that ends up on every Albania travel feed. There is a small footpath down but it's steep and parking is impossible in summer.
How to get there: 25 minutes by speed boat from Saranda port. Featured on our Private Ksamil Tour.
2. Turtle Cave (Shpella e Breshkës)
A small sea cave south of Ksamil with a tiny pebble landing inside. The water at the entrance is clear enough to see the seabed at four metres. Locals say sea turtles historically nested in the area, hence the name.
How to get there: Only by boat — the cliffs above are unclimbable. It's the first stop on our Hidden Coves Group Tour.
3. Roidhe Bay
A wide horseshoe bay framed by pines, with a sand-and-pebble shore and a few quiet anchorages. It's the first proper swim stop on most day boat trips out of Saranda because the water there is consistently calm even when the open sea is choppy.
4. Soldier's Bay (Plazhi i Ushtarit)
Named after a small military post that once watched the strait, Soldier's Bay is tucked behind a low headland with white pebbles and clear shallows. Snorkellers find small fish around the rocks at the bay's southern edge.
5. Gremina
The dramatic stretch of cliffs and sea caves between Soldier's Bay and Kakome. The water here can be the deepest blue you'll see anywhere on the riviera — drone shots of the boat against the cliffs always come out best at Gremina. Not a swimming beach so much as a scenery stop.
6. Kakome Bay
A long, undeveloped bay with white sand at the south end and a freshwater spring running into the sea. Water clarity is exceptional. Kakome has been earmarked for development for years but as of this year it remains gloriously empty in the morning hours.
7. Krorez Beach
Possibly the most photographed beach on the southern Albanian coast. White cliffs frame a crescent of white pebbles and improbably turquoise water. There's a small seasonal beach bar but in the off-season Krorez is empty. Reaching it overland is essentially impossible for most travellers; by boat from Saranda it's 45 minutes.
How to get there: Final stop on the Hidden Coves Group Tour.
8. Pulebardha Beach
One of the few hidden beaches you can also see from the coast road, but the boat approach is far more pleasant. Sandy entry, a small beach bar, and shallow water for kids.
9. The Ksamil Islands
Three small islands off Ksamil town — close enough to swim between in some conditions, but much better visited by boat so you can anchor in the channel between them. Iconic, busy in peak season, but unmissable on a first visit.
How to get there: Featured on our Private Ksamil Tour.
Which boat tour from Saranda visits which beaches?
We run four signature boat tours from Saranda. Each one is built around a different stretch of coast:
- Hidden Coves Group Tour (€30 / person) — Turtle Cave, Roidhe Bay, Soldier's Bay, Gremina, Kakome and Krorez. Best for first visits and travellers who want to see as many hidden beaches as possible in one day.
- Private Ksamil Tour — Pasqyrat (Mirror) Beach, the Three Ksamil Islands, Shpella e Pellumbave, Pulebardha and Arameras. Best for couples and families who want a private boat.
- Tongo Private Tour — Tongo Island and Pema e Thate. Best for a relaxed half-day with a focus on swimming and snorkelling.
- Private Sunset Cruise — Coastline south of Saranda at golden hour. Drinks included. Best for couples.
Practical tips for visiting hidden beaches near Saranda
- Go early. Krorez and Kakome are at their best between 09:00 and 11:00, before the day-trip boats from Corfu arrive.
- Bring water shoes. Most of these are pebble beaches, not sand.
- Pack a snorkel mask. We carry masks onboard, but a proper-fitting mask of your own makes the swim stops better.
- Take reef-safe sunscreen. The water is exceptionally clear; help it stay that way.
Ready to see them?
The easiest way to visit four to six of these beaches in one day is the group tour. If you want flexibility — pick your own route, your own pace, your own swim stops — book a private charter instead. Either way, you can check all our Saranda boat tours or message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we'll plan the day around you.
