Boat Hire in Durrës — 2027 Guide: the Bay of Durrës, Sunset on a Yacht and the Road South Along the Albanian Coast

Durrës is Albania's biggest port and its biggest city on the sea, only about thirty kilometres from Tirana. Most visitors know it for its long sandy beaches and the Roman amphitheatre, but from the water you see something else: the wide bay, the harbour where the ferries to Italy leave from, and a coast that rises gently towards Cape Rodoni in the north. A boat in Durrës is not a mass-market excursion but a private charter for a group that wants a sunset, a day on the water or a starting point for a longer trip. This guide explains what you can book right now, what it costs, where you sail and where to go next by boat in Albania.

Where trips start

The offer on the Durrës page is a single yacht, the Azimut 46, with three trips on it. The owner is Azzuro Yacht Charter, and you board at Durrës Marina, at their desk. The Azimut is an Italian motor yacht about 15 metres long for up to 10 guests, with three cabins, a panoramic flybridge, air conditioning, a fully equipped galley and large sunbathing areas. A skipper is always included. To be upfront: Durrës has no wider choice of boats yet, so this is a charter for a group that wants comfort and privacy, not a place to compare a dozen offers.

Main routes

• The Bay of Durrës and sunset. The shortest trip follows the city coast and the port, past the long beaches of the bay, then anchors in a calm cove. Sunset over the bay is the favourite slot.
• North towards the Gulf of Lalzi and Cape Rodoni. A six-hour charter leaves enough time for the coast north of the city, with its sandy beaches and Cape Rodoni, where the ruins of Skanderbeg's 15th-century castle stand. You agree the exact route with the captain.
• South towards Golem. Golem is one of the longest sandy beaches in the bay, with shallow water, which makes it a good place for a swim and lunch at anchor.
• A full day at sea. The eight-hour charter allows several bays and swim stops and lunch on board.

Karaburun and Sazan: not from Durrës

The best-known boat destination in Albania is the Karaburun–Sazan National Marine Park near Vlorë, about 12,400 hectares in size. Sazan island was a military zone until 2015 and is now open to visitors. You sail there from Vlorë, not from Durrës: by road Vlorë is roughly two hours from Durrës, so with six or eight hours on the Azimut it is not a realistic route. Trips to the park usually leave from Vlorë and take a full day.

Further south: Dhërmi and Sarandë

The Albanian Riviera in the south has most of our offer. From Dhërmi there is Pirates & Caves Exploration, a two-hour cave tour from €30 per person (minimum 5 people), and the Gramma Bay Odyssey from €60 per person, plus a private speedboat or RIB with a skipper from €180. From Sarandë there is the full-day Group Tour – 7 Destinations from €20 per person, from 9 am to 4 pm, with a skipper, fuel, snorkelling gear and life jackets. Getting from Durrës to the south takes several hours by road, so treat it as a separate part of your trip.

Prices and what is included

Prices for the Azimut 46 are for the whole group of up to 10, not per person:

• Sunset, 4 hours: €1,320, with drinks, food and a skipper.
• Explore Charter, 6 hours: €1,870.
• Day on the Sea, 8 hours: €2,420.

With a full group of 10, the sunset cruise works out at about €132 per person. A deposit confirms the booking (we send the payment link after confirmation) and the balance is paid on board in cash or by card. Cancellation is free at least 48 hours before departure. Check the listing or ask in your enquiry exactly what is included in the six- and eight-hour charters.

Licence and rules

All boats in this guide come with a skipper, so you do not need any licence to sail, and the owner takes care of safety and the vessel's papers. Rules on navigation and documents can change, so the skipper confirms them when you agree the trip. The usual rules apply on board: life jackets for everyone who needs them, and children are always accompanied on deck.

Season and weather

• May to October is the swimming season. July and August are the hottest and busiest, so book weekend slots early.
• June and September are calmer, with warm water and fewer people, and for many the best time for a boat.
• Mornings are calmer. In the afternoon the wind over the open bay can pick up, so for a longer charter it is better to leave in the morning.
• Winter is unsettled and there are few trips.

Boat hire in Durrës with Crystalium Booker

For a short evening at sea choose the sunset cruise, for the coast and coves the Explore Charter, and for a full day Day on the Sea. Need help with a date or route? Send us an enquiry through the contact page. Do you hire out a boat in Durrës, Vlorë or elsewhere in Albania? List it with us.