Saranda Catamaran VIP to Krorez and Kakome Beach with Lunch

Rocky coves and good food, all day. I love the long swim time at Kakome Beach and the crew’s lunch, often including seafood linguini. One thing to plan for: drinks and water are not included, and you may get only basic English about what to do at each stop.

This is a relaxed, small-group catamaran (max 29 people) with sunbeds and a lot of time on the water. You’ll start from Limion Port around 9:30am and cruise through some of the most isolated shorelines near Saranda, with crew chef Mario running the food and keeping things moving at a gentle pace.

Key highlights

• Kakome Bay time, not just a photo stop: you get about 2 hours to swim and hang out
• Krorëza’s rock-walled seclusion: deserted beach vibes with turquoise water
• Lunch cooked on board with options: local white wine included with lunch, plus accommodations reported
• Smart seating for shade later: skip bean bag chairs and aim near the bar for easier shade
• Snorkeling gear available: you can gear up without bringing your own kit
• Drinks are extra: bar serves drinks, cash only; no free bottled water

Setting sail from Saranda: what this day trip feels like

If you want a Saranda day that’s mostly sea air, swimming, and eating well, this catamaran hits the mark. It’s built around multiple beach stops, but the tempo stays calm. You’re not racing around town or trying to cram in attractions between photos.

The group size is capped at 29, and that matters. With fewer people on board, finding a spot you like is usually easier, and the day feels less chaotic when everyone heads toward the rail to watch the next cove slide into view.

The vibe is not a loud party cruise. The energy you’ll notice is more about people enjoying themselves in the sun. Think happy chatter, music at a comfortable level, and lots of time to simply float, swim, and reset.

Getting to Limion Port and the 9:30 departure

You meet at Limion Port in Sarandë (the tour uses a specific port location near the shoreline). The start time is 9:30am, and the tour returns to the same meeting point.

You’ll have a mobile ticket, which is handy if you don’t want to deal with paper. The area is near public transportation, so if you’re staying outside the most central hotels, you should still be able to get there without too much fuss.

Bring a bit of cash for what’s not included. The bar sells drinks, and the info you’re given says cash only. Also consider a small day bag for sunscreen, sunglasses, and anything you want to keep dry.

Stop 1: Krorëza Beach’s rock shelter and turquoise water

Krorëza Beach is the first swim stop, and it’s all about isolation. The beach sits on the Albanian Riviera above the bay of Kakome, tucked in so it feels cut off from the rest of the coast. Rocks seal off the shoreline on three sides, which helps it feel sheltered from wind.

You’ll spend about 1 hour here. That’s long enough to swim, float, and choose whether you want to lounge first or jump in right away. Since it’s deserted, the water-to-sand ratio tends to feel generous in the way you want on a catamaran day.

What to watch for: this is a “quiet cove” stop, so don’t expect much in the way of beach activities beyond swimming and hanging out. You’re coming for the water and the emptiness, not an entertainment program.

Stop 2: Kakome Beach for real time on the water

This is the stop that most people will remember, because you get about 2 hours at Kakome Beach (Kakome Bay). The setting is described as isolated and green around the cove, with clear, inviting water. If you like beaches that feel untouched, this is the one that does it.

There’s also a pier where you can jump in, which gives the cove a slightly playful feel without turning it into a theme park. And because Kakome is a proper bay, the water time feels productive. You can swim, snorkel, and then still have time left to relax.

A practical tip: plan your “shade moment.” One common piece of advice from people who’ve done this trip is to avoid the bean bag chairs early on. Instead, aim for a spot near the bar area so you have an easier path to shade later, and then use the nets when you want to lounge. It’s a simple seating strategy, but it can make the afternoon feel way more comfortable.

Stop 3: Plazhi i Manastirit, also known as Soldier’s Beach

After Kakome, you’ll head to Plazhi i Manastirit, sometimes referred to as Soldier’s Beach. This stop is shorter—about 30 minutes—so treat it like a fast swim and reset.

The appeal here is that it feels like a hidden pocket of the Ionian coast near Saranda, with a bay setting that keeps the water looking clear and calm. With only half an hour, you won’t have time to do anything complicated. You’ll want to be ready to get in, enjoy the water, then get back on board for lunch cycles and the next leg.

If you enjoy places with a little story in the name, Soldier’s Beach is the one that hints at history. If you prefer pure nature over context, that’s fine too—you’re still getting a scenic bay and a quick swim.

Stop 4: Qender and Qefal Beach’s golden sand

The final swim stop lasts about 30 minutes at Qender, connected with Qefal Beach. The description here focuses on crystal-clear waters and golden sand along the coast.

This one can be a perfect capstone if you still have energy for one more swim before the cruise winds down. Since it’s short, bring your essentials to the top deck area in the morning—sunscreen, a hat, and a towel situation that doesn’t turn into a scramble.

Also: if you’re the type who likes to watch the water first and swim second, this last stop is ideal. In half an hour, you can do both without feeling rushed. And if you’re just done with the sun, you can enjoy the view from a shaded or cooler corner while others splash around.

On-board comfort: sunbeds, snorkeling gear, and where to sit

The boat is set up for lounging. Sunbeds are included, and you also have access to snorkeling gear. You don’t need to arrive with your own equipment in order to enjoy time in the water.

Boat layout is part of the experience. It’s spacious enough that people usually don’t feel packed shoulder-to-shoulder, which helps keep the day relaxing instead of stressful. You can move around depending on how hot the sun feels and whether you want to be near the bar for snacks and drinks.

The seating advice is real-world useful: skipping the bean bag chairs and putting yourself nearer the bar can help you avoid baking in the middle of the afternoon. Then, when you want to chill, the nets can be great for lounging. You’ll notice people who plan their seating early tend to have a more comfortable second half of the day.

Lunch on board: what you actually get, and how flexible it can be

This tour includes lunch, and it’s a major reason the day feels like a proper meal, not an afterthought. After the first swim stop, a fresh fruit course may be served—watermelon and cantaloupe have been mentioned as part of the onboard food rhythm.

Lunch itself is cooked on board. One common menu described is seafood linguini, and lunch includes a glass of local white wine. If you prefer a different option, you might get alternatives depending on the crew and what they have prepared. People reported that when someone couldn’t do gluten, they received a different lunch like caprese salad instead of pasta. Another report said wine was swapped for a non-alcoholic drink with no fuss.

One standout detail: crew chef Mario is credited with running the food, and the service tone is generally attentive without being fussy. Also, after a later swim stop, coffee requests were handled easily, including espresso for at least a couple of people.

So what’s the catch? Drinks are not included beyond what comes with lunch (the wine). And some people noted that the boat did not provide free water. That means you should plan to buy what you need at the bar or bring your own water if the rules allow it at your time of departure.

Drinks, water, and cash-only reality checks

Here’s the practical part: drinks are not included. The bar sells drinks, and the info you’re given says cash only.

That matters because it affects how you budget. If you like iced drinks all afternoon, you’ll likely spend more than the tour price. If you mostly stick to water and coffee and keep alcohol limited to lunch wine, costs stay more predictable.

It’s also worth remembering that shade and sun exposure can crank up thirst. If you tend to drink a lot on hot days, consider having cash ready for water and whatever cool-down drink you like best.

Price and value: why $106.92 can make sense here

At $106.92 per person for an approximately 6-hour catamaran day, this isn’t the cheapest option around. But the value isn’t only the boat ride.

You’re paying for:

• multiple swim stops along a remote stretch of coast
• sunbeds on board
• snorkeling gear access
• lunch cooked during the cruise
• a glass of local white wine with lunch

That combination adds up. If you tried to replicate the day independently, you’d likely spend time coordinating transport, paying for entry or transfers to each cove, and buying meals on the fly. Here, the day is packaged, paced, and timed for easy relaxation.

The other value factor is the style of day. It’s a calmer catamaran cruise rather than an all-out party. If that’s your preference, you’re effectively buying comfort and time with the water, not just a checklist of stops.

Who this tour suits best (and who might not love it)

This tour is a good fit if you want an easy day from Saranda with swimming that actually feels like swimming. You’ll get real time at the coved beaches, especially Kakome.

It also suits people who care about food. Lunch is part of the experience here, and the crew seems used to adjusting meals when needed.

Consider a different choice if you strongly rely on detailed commentary at every stop. One note from a past experience is that staff English can be limited and there may be minimal explanation about what you can do at each beach. For many people, that’s not a deal-breaker, because the beaches speak for themselves. But if you want a very structured guide narration, you might feel a little on your own.

Finally, if you hate sun exposure and want lots of guaranteed shade, plan your seating early. The bar-adjacent shade strategy helps, but the day is still a beach day.

My booking verdict: should you book Saranda Star Catamaran?

Yes—if you want a relaxed, small-group catamaran day built around isolated water stops. The strongest reasons are the swim time, the quality of onboard lunch, and the fact that you’re not just passing by beaches—you’re staying long enough to actually enjoy them.

If you’re budget-sensitive on drinks, bring cash and plan for extra spending. And if you need detailed English guidance throughout, don’t count on it being nonstop. But for a “sun, sea, food” day near Saranda, this one earns its place.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The tour starts at 9:30am in Sarandë and runs for about 6 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Limion Port in Sarandë, Albania (the listed meeting-point location is Limion Port).

What beaches do you visit and how long do you stay at each?

You stop at Krorëza Beach for about 1 hour, Kakome Beach for about 2 hours, Plazhi i Manastirit (Soldier’s Beach) for about 30 minutes, and Qefal Beach (listed under Qender) for about 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included as part of the tour.

Are drinks included?

Drinks are not included. The bar sells drinks and the information given says it’s cash only.

Do they provide snorkeling gear?

Snorkeling gear is available on board.