A boat tour in Saranda is an all-day affair — six hours on the water, four to six swim stops, full sun, wind at speed. Pack well and the day is perfect. Pack badly and you'll spend it cold, salty or sunburnt. This is a local's checklist for any Saranda boat tour, written from years of watching guests get it right and get it wrong.
The essentials — pack these every time
- Swimwear (worn under your clothes). Saves you changing on board.
- Quick-dry beach towel. One per person. Microfibre is best — packs small, dries fast.
- Reef-safe sunscreen. SPF 30 minimum, SPF 50 for fair skin. Re-apply after every swim. The Albanian sun is intense even when it doesn't feel hot.
- Sunglasses with a cord. Polarised if you have them — the glare off the water is serious. A cord stops you losing them in the water.
- Hat or cap. Ideally with a chin strap, because wind at 30 knots takes unsecured hats overboard within seconds.
- A light layer. A T-shirt, hoodie or rash vest. The wind chill at speed surprises people — you can leave Saranda in 30°C heat and feel cold halfway to Ksamil.
- Water bottle. We carry water onboard, but having your own refillable bottle is better.
Nice-to-have — pack if you have space
- Your own snorkel mask. We carry masks onboard but a well-fitting mask of your own makes the swim stops much better.
- Water shoes. Many of the beach landings are pebble, not sand. Cheap water shoes from any Saranda souvenir shop are perfect.
- Dry bag (5–10L). For phones, wallets, dry clothes. Even on a calm day spray gets into bags.
- GoPro or phone clip. The water clarity is real — even an iPhone underwater shot looks unreal at Krorez or Pasqyrat.
- Snacks for kids. Children get hungry on the water even faster than on land.
- Motion-sickness pills. The boat is fast and stable, but if you know you're sensitive, take one before departure.
What to leave behind
- Hard suitcases or wheeled bags. A soft shoulder bag is much easier to stow on board.
- Glass bottles. If they break, broken glass on a wet teak deck is a real hazard. Plastic or aluminium only.
- Expensive jewellery. Salt water eats silver and gold-plate; rings slip off cold hands.
- Drone (without checking with us first). We're happy to coordinate drone flights if you let us know in advance — just don't pull one out unannounced.
What to wear on the boat
Layers, basically. Start in swimwear with a T-shirt and shorts on top. Bring a light layer for wind chill. Footwear should be flip-flops or barefoot — no street shoes on the teak deck.
For sunset tours specifically, bring a light long-sleeve top: the temperature drops fast once the sun is on the horizon and the boat's moving back to port.
Money on a Saranda boat tour
Bring euros in small denominations. Most beach bars on Pulebardha and Krorez accept cash only. €20–40 per person is usually enough for drinks and a snack if you want extra during a stop.
What we provide on every Nemo Boat tour
- Certified life jackets for every guest (children's sizes available).
- Snorkel masks.
- Drinking water and ice.
- Onboard music — bring your phone and pair to the Bluetooth.
- A captain who speaks English, Albanian and Italian.
- Towels for emergencies (not enough for everyone — bring your own).
If you're coming from Corfu
Day-trippers from Corfu often pack heavier than they need. The ferry crossing is short, so a small daypack with the essentials above is plenty. Read our Corfu to Saranda day-trip guide for the full ferry schedule and tour pairing.
Pick your tour
The right tour depends on your day. Group day with hidden coves? Go with the Hidden Coves Group Tour. Private Ksamil adventure? Book the Private Ksamil Tour. Couple at sunset? Private Sunset Cruise. Or see all the tours and pick one yourself.
