Did someone say “boat trip”? As soon as the kids heard, they were first in line! After our spring adventure in Methoni, Peloponnese, we got hungry for more sea explorations. But not on big ships — we wanted speedboats, where you race little fish, feel the wind in your hair, and get splashes of seawater on your face.
- Why choose Trips4Fun for a boat trip in Vlorë
- The route: bays, caves, and Sazan Island
- How you can visit Sazan Island (access & restrictions)
- The full Trips4Fun experience
- Conclusion: adventure for the whole family
Why choose Trips4Fun for a boat trip in Vlorë
There are many tour operators offering boat trips in Vlorë. After thorough research, we picked Trips4Fun Albania. Why? Simple. Their 360 Experience package includes everything we wanted to see: Karaburun Peninsula, Haxhi Ali Cave, and Sazan Island, plus snorkeling almost everywhere 😄
We got in touch quickly with Eugene from Trips4Fun, a super nice guy who speaks excellent English. He was very flexible: we told him in advance the period we’d be there, and he said we’d set the exact date on-site depending on the weather. I liked that. It’s no fun to book something in advance and then find out it rains that very day…
The route: bays, caves, and Sazan Island
On the day we chose, the Trips4Fun boat was waiting for us in the port of Vlorë, where we boarded. First stop was St. George Bay, where the boys immediately jumped into snorkeling. Only after did they remember the guide had also mentioned a cave, and we swam there, curious to explore. We spent about 45 minutes in that little bay — it was just enough.
Then we proceeded along Karaburun Peninsula’s coastline, with stunning views toward the island and the mainland. And the water!!! Incredibly turquoise.
Haxhi Ali Cave – legend and natural beauty
Next stop: Haxhi Ali Cave, a natural cathedral carved by the sea. Back in the 17th century, the Ottoman pirate Haxhi Ali used this as his observation base. Legend has it he hid treasure in the cave and used its wide entrance — over 30 meters high — to escape pursuing ships.
Today, the cave is part of the Karaburun–Sazan Marine National Park and is one of the most spectacular stops on a boat trip from Vlorë.
Snorkeling at Hell’s Gorge – dramatic bay & underwater relics
We made another snorkeling stop in Hell’s Gorge, considered the most dramatic bay on the island. On the sea floor you can still see rusty torpedoes, Cold War relics — a fascinating discovery for Alex!
There’s also an underwater cave with two entrances, but we didn’t dare to dive into it.
Sazan Island – bunkers & military history
Further along, we headed toward Sazan Island, once a strategic military point during the communist era, littered with bunkers. From the sea, the view is absolutely spectacular, with bunkers piled up on the slopes. Alex was overjoyed and started counting them all. Believe me, it’s not easy when there are hundreds on each side!
We continued exploring the island, spending about an hour uncovering Albania’s history. We climbed among the bunkers up to the old military town built during the communist period. The buildings are ruined, but there are informative plaques at the most emblematic points.
The island was a strategic point — Albania’s largest island and the country’s first line of defense. That’s why the communist leader Hoxha built around 3,600 bunkers there! Alex managed to count about 350 before he lost track. It was an interesting history lesson, especially for kids, who are already asking questions about the World Wars.
How you can visit Sazan Island (access & restrictions)
There is still a military base on the island, so much of it is off-limits. Access is permitted only along the path to the town and the beach by the port.
Important: you can only land on the island with authorization, which only licensed tour operators offering boat excursions in Vlorë have. So this is the only way you can witness the living history preserved here.
The full Trips4Fun experience
After an hour of exploring the island, we started back toward the port. Speed, wind in hair, sea spray, all with a full view of the city of Vlorë. Not bad!
I should mention that the Trips4Fun team provided snorkeling gear, swim vests, and cold drinks throughout the trip. Trust me, you’ll need a sweet juice after a few gulps of salty sea 😄
You can contact Eugene via messages on Facebook or Instagram, or by email at info@trips4fun.al. He replies quickly to any question or concern you might have 🙂
Conclusion: adventure for the whole family
On the way back, the kids were already asking when we’d do the next boat expedition. I say that’s a good sign!
The boat trip from Vlorë gave us the perfect mix: history, nature, adrenaline, and fun for both kids and parents alike. If you go to Albania, put Karaburun, Haxhi Ali Cave, and Sazan Island on your list — just make sure you go with a serious tour operator like Trips4Fun 🙂
* We have more articles with tips about Berat and Permet, check them out!*
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Happy exploring!
Kids Exploring - Blog despre bucuria călătoriilor cu copii 