Sazan Island Tour: Explore Sea Caves & Cliffs

179 Ratings

Vlorë

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Embark on an all-encompassing 360° tour of Sazan Island and Karaburun, featuring snorkeling, exploration of sea caves, secluded bays, striking cliffs, and the island’s intriguing military history. From the dramatic Hell’s Gorge to the captivating Haxhi Aliu Cave, this adventure is one of Vlorë’s most memorable sea experiences.

Duration: 4 hours, 20 minutes

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Vlorë - Spot 1 — Departure from Vlorë
Hotel Bologna → Sazan Island | 20 minutes
Join the guide at the tourist harbor adjacent to Hotel Bologna in Vlorë and embark on a delightful boat journey towards Sazan Island.
As the boat departs the bay, take in the stunning views of the Karaburun Peninsula, the expansive sea, and the vibrant hues of the…

Vlorë - Spot 1 — Departure from Vlorë

Hotel Bologna → Sazan Island | 20 minutes

Join the guide at the tourist harbor adjacent to Hotel Bologna in Vlorë and embark on a delightful boat journey towards Sazan Island.

As the boat departs the bay, take in the stunning views of the Karaburun Peninsula, the expansive sea, and the vibrant hues of the Marine Park.

What to expect:
Scenic boat journey · Karaburun vistas · Beginning of the marine park adventure

Sazan Island - Spot 2 — Sazan Island Western Coast & Devil’s Gorge

Coastal exploration + snorkeling | 1 hour

The adventure begins on the untamed western side of Sazan Island, navigating near the coastline and exploring dramatic gorges, sea caves, and hidden rock formations.

This segment features the Treasure Cave of Haxhi Aliu, situated on Sazan Island’s western shore, distinct from the renowned Haxhi Aliu Cave in Karaburun.

The journey includes a snorkeling stop at Hell’s Gorge, one of the island’s most picturesque and untouched spots.

What to expect:
Western Sazan coastline · Treasure Cave of Haxhi Aliu · Hell’s Gorge snorkeling · Cape of Seagulls · Devil’s Gorge

Sazan Island - Spot 3 — Sazan Island Landing

Free exploration or beach time | 1 hour

Upon landing on Sazan Island, enjoy an hour to tailor your experience.

Choose to follow the Ghost Town Trail, exploring bunkers, deserted buildings, forest paths, and remnants of the island’s military history.

Alternatively, relax near Saint Nicholas Bay, enjoying swimming, snorkeling, or beach leisure.

What to expect:
Abandoned village · Military history · Bunkers · Saint Nicholas Bay · Free time on the island

Shpella e Haxhi Aliut (Haxhi Ali Cave) - Spot 4 — Haxhi Aliu Cave, Karaburun Peninsula

Crossing + cave visit | 30 minutes

Following Sazan Island, cross the Mezokanal Strait towards the Karaburun Peninsula.

The crossing lasts about 15 minutes, leading to the famous Haxhi Aliu Cave, a prominent landmark of the Albanian Riviera.

Enter the cave by boat, spending around 15 minutes inside to admire the vast sea cave, blue reflections, and natural rock formations.

What to expect:
Mezokanal Strait crossing · Haxhi Aliu Cave · Photo opportunity · Pirate legend

Note: Cave access and swimming are subject to sea conditions and local authority regulations.

Karaburun Peninsula - Spot 5 — Karaburun Coast & Saint George’s Bay

Coastal excursion + beach/snorkeling stop | 45 minutes

After exploring Haxhi Aliu Cave, continue along the Karaburun coastline.

Navigate close to the cliffs for approximately 15 minutes before reaching Saint George’s Bay, where a 30-minute stop awaits.

Here, enjoy swimming, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, and the pristine waters of this tranquil bay.

What to expect:
Karaburun coastline · Saint George’s Bay · Swimming · Snorkeling · Beach leisure

Vlorë - Spot 6 — Return to Vlorë

Karaburun Peninsula → Hotel Bologna | 20 minutes

Following the final beach stop, return to Vlorë by boat.

This concludes the complete Sazan 360° experience, covering nearly 30 nautical miles around the Karaburun–Sazan Marine Park.

What to expect:
Scenic return journey · Marine park vistas · Arrival back near Hotel Bologna

What's Included

Carbonated beverages
Use of snorkeling equipment
Bottled water

What's Not Included

Extra drinks - can pay on board
Lunch

Location

Hotel Bologna

We depart from the touristic harbour in front of Hotel Bologna ,there will be our flag on the sea sidewalk and members of our crew wearing white or blue polo with our logo on it.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.7

(179 Ratings)

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Julie_s

Jul 18, 2026

Perfect morning on the water - Take your swimming costume and water shoes. Lots of chances to swim and snorkel. A lovely trip and a perfect way to spend a morning in vlore.

Review provided by Viator

873elisabetg

Jul 5, 2026

A spectacular and fun morning - Very good experience. The guide was very nice and friendly. He took us to a beach where there were a lot of people and we asked him to go to another place, he changed the route without any problems.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Marksa876lo

Jun 6, 2026

Magnificent. - I don't think I've ever returned from such an excursion with so many delighted customers. On the way back to Vlore everyone on the boat was smiling and admiring the sea. It was a magnificent day.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Stephen

May 27, 2026

Amazing trip with a great captain - Eugene is a local so he knows the area very well He took us to the best spots on both islands. The trip was very reasonably priced. We had all age groups - teens to seniors- and everyone had a great time. Eugene spoke English well and made sure everyone on the boat understood what we were seeing and the history of each spot. The boat was clean and well maintained. He arranged transportation from our hotel which accommodated our large group. He took us to spots others didnt go to. We had time to hike, swim and snorkel. Overall best trip in Vlore. It is a must do in Vlore

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Stevenvb3774xx

Apr 27, 2026

Relaxing day around Sazan - We had a very nice and relaxing day by boat. The captain Eugene was relaxed and friendly. He gave us plenty of time to swim and snorkel, and to sunbathe on Karaburun beach. Fortunately, he did not play loud music all the time, as was sometimes the case on other boats. He was also very helpful when it turned out that I had left my shorts in the boat.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

441laran

Sep 16, 2025

It was great. - We had a lot of fun and saw and experienced more than we thought. Eugene did a very good tour, took his time and tried to make sure everyone had a good time 👍🏻

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Guide53043507587

Jul 6, 2026

In general good - Places we went to were great, sazan island was gorgeous and cool to see. Boat was good, group was not big so that was wonderful. I did miss some interaction and stories from the captain; he was friendly but I expected (from earlier reviews) that we would be told some fun facts. Captain did not introduce themselves or tried to connect with the group. He did let us know where we were (at the caves for example) but I overheard other boats telling stories to their passengers about the places we were. I would have loved to have the same experience, but maybe that was my own expectation I based on the earlier reviews. Also the music was the same song the entire time.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Marta_l

Jul 12, 2026

Nice, but with some "ifs and buts." - After waiting for more than half an hour for other people to arrive who never showed up, and trying to get our tour day changed, we left to make fewer stops than those indicated in the description. We only visited the island with a very quick swim at the beach and then visited the pirate cave on the coast of Karaburun. So, we skipped some stops. The skipper was very kind and helpful, however, and gave us a great experience.

Review provided by Viator

Irenehv8886uk

Jun 27, 2026

Poor price quality - Nice boat trip but took much shorter than indicated on the website. The trip was frayed and no drinks were given either. Very poor value for money.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Anajo_or2025

Jun 23, 2026

Disappointed - The boat is uncomfortable we had to go always in the area that seems very turns to go lying but it is not possible neither oil space nor for the trip. So we had to go narrowed back to the side of the boat to hit the area where the ropes, very uncomfortable. I had to order a life-saving vest for my son because nobody was wearing a vest but I find it very insecure. They immediately handed me the vest but of a very low quality and uncomfortable, clung with a few stitches. The guide does not explain anything about the places visited or what he was going to do. The first stop left us in a stone beach area and shook with the boat to the most remote part without explaining, we went swimming to the boat because it was not pleasant to be anything in that place. Then we can dive from the boat. There is nothing to eat either on the boat or at any stop, they are all locally without any infrastructure which did not make any idea because the tour ends at 15:30 and we are not given any information. The not beautiful areas visited the island Sazan was disappointing, seems the island on which was recorded the Jurassic Park 2 with immense structures destroyed and abandoned.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $45

up to 15 guests

1 - Adult