Boat rental in Vlorë — Sazan island, the Karaburun peninsula, Haxhi Ali cave, Orikum and tips for 2027

Vlorë, the city where Albanian independence was declared in 1912, lies on a wide bay where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea. Across the water rise the bare cliffs of the Karaburun peninsula and the island of Sazan, which together form Albania's only national marine park. Along the eastern shore, the long seafront promenade leads south past Radhimë to Orikum, and further on begins the Albanian Riviera with its white pebble beaches. This guide covers where boats leave from, where to go, the rules and when to come.

Where boats leave from

Boats leave from the new Vlorë marina and the piers along the seafront promenade (Lungomare), from the small harbours at Radhimë and from the Orikum marina at the southern end of the bay, which is closest to Karaburun. Many boat trips start from Orikum and Radhimë, especially to the caves and bays of the peninsula. Vlorë also has a commercial and ferry port, so keep clear of the ships at its entrance.

Where to go

• Sazan island (about 8 NM): the former military island at the mouth of the bay, with clear water, old bunkers and cliffs on its western side.
• Dafinë and Arushë bays (about 10–15 NM): small pebble beaches on the inner side of Karaburun, reachable only by boat, with turquoise water and no buildings.
• Haxhi Ali cave (about 15–20 NM): the largest sea cave in Albania, on the outer side of the peninsula, where small boats can sail inside in calm weather.
• Grama bay (about 20–25 NM): a remote cove on the western coast of Karaburun, where sailors have carved inscriptions into the rocks since antiquity.
• Orikum and Zvërnec (about 6–10 NM): the ruins of ancient Oricum near the marina in the south, and to the north the Narta lagoon with the monastery on Zvërnec island and flamingos in winter. See the boats in Orikum page.
• The Albanian Riviera (about 25–35 NM): Dhërmi, Jalë and Himarë beyond the Llogara pass, a long day trip best done with a skipper. See the boats in Dhërmi and boats in Himarë pages.

For more of the eastern Adriatic, read our guides to boat rental in Durrës and boat rental in Budva.

Rules and tips

• Licence and skipper. Most boats are rented with a skipper. To drive a boat yourself you need a recognised licence; check with the owner what documents are required.
• Marine park. The Karaburun–Sazan National Marine Park has zones where fishing, anchoring and diving are restricted; follow the skipper's instructions and the park's signs.
• Bathing areas. In summer, keep a safe distance from swimmers and slow down near the beaches of the Lungomare, Radhimë and Orikum.
• Seagrass. Do not anchor on Posidonia meadows; look for sand.
• Port traffic. Keep clear of ferries and cargo ships at the entrance to the port of Vlorë.

Wind and weather

The Bay of Vlorë is sheltered and the mornings are usually calm. In summer a north-westerly breeze picks up in the afternoon, and on the outer side of Karaburun, around Cape Gjuhëz, the sea can quickly become rough. The scirocco from the south-east, more common in spring and autumn, brings waves into the bay. Check the forecast every morning and plan trips to the outer coast for the morning hours.

When to go

The season runs from June to September. In August the sea reaches about 25–26 °C, but the beaches and boat trips are at their busiest. June and September offer warm water and fewer people, and May and October are often still pleasant. In town, the Independence Monument and the Flag Square recall the declaration of 28 November 1912.

A boat in Vlorë with Crystalium Booker

We are still building up our boat offer in Vlorë. Send us your date and number of people through the contact page and we will look for a suitable boat, and keep an eye on the boats in Vlorë page for new listings. Do you rent out a boat in or around Vlorë? List it with us.