A Sazan Island boat trip from Vlorë is a day at sea in three parts: the crossing of the Bay of Vlora, a stop at Sazan’s pier and pebble beach, and the Karaburun cliffs with Haxhi Ali Cave and a swim. Reception at Valza Boutique Hotel in Uji i Ftohtë helps guests book it.
The Sazan Island boat trip at a glance
- What it is
- A day trip by boat from Vlorë to Sazan Island and the Karaburun coast, inside the Karaburun–Sazan Marine Park.
- Where
- Boats leave from Vlorë and from Orikum marina, about 20 km south of Valza Boutique Hotel; ask which departure point your trip uses.
- Time needed
- Half a day or a full day; the operator gives the exact times.
- Best time
- Calm days from late spring to early autumn.
- Cost
- Check the current fare with the operator or reception before you decide.
- Good for
- History lovers, families, photographers and anyone who prefers a larger, steadier boat.
What happens on a Sazan Island boat trip, stop by stop?
The boat crosses the bay to Sazan, ties up at the island’s pier, then follows the Karaburun cliffs to Haxhi Ali Cave and a swimming bay before heading back. These are the moments in the order most trips run them, with photos from the route; the exact order depends on the operator and the sea.
Crossing the Bay of Vlora
The trip starts with open water. Sazan is the long, low island you see every evening from the Lungomare, at the mouth of the bay where the Adriatic meets the Ionian.
The pier on Sazan
Tour boats tie up at the harbour on the island’s sheltered eastern side. Sazan is Albania’s largest island, 4.8 km long, 2 km wide and about 5.7 square kilometres of Cretaceous limestone, and still a military zone, so visits are day trips only.
A pebble beach on Sazan
White pebbles and clear water make the island the first swim of the day. What is open on the shore can change from one season to the next, so ask the operator before you go, and wear non-slip shoes on the stones.
Traces of the military island
For most of the 20th century Sazan was closed to visitors. Old military posts and empty buildings still stand along its coast: look from the paths your guide shows you.
Haxhi Ali Cave, from the outside
On the Karaburun Peninsula the cliff opens into a sea cave about 30 metres long, carved by the waves in the limestone and protected as a Natural Monument. Large boats stop at the mouth; some operators offer a short, paid speed-boat transfer for those who want to go inside.
A swim in a Karaburun bay
Most trips include a long swim in one of the bays of Karaburun. Below the boat, meadows of Posidonia seagrass grow from about 6 to 18 metres deep, part of why the water is so clear. Away from the few beach bars there are no services, so bring water.
Back to port
The return crossing follows the inside of the bay. Back in Uji i Ftohtë, there is still time for a swim at the beach 300 metres from the hotel.
Can you land on Sazan Island on a boat trip?
Usually yes, but a landing is never guaranteed. Sazan was opened to the public in July 2015, yet it is still a military zone, and in July 2020 about 70 tourists on a Vlorë excursion could not disembark when the ship was not allowed to anchor.
So ask the operator one question before you pay: does this trip include a stop on Sazan, and what happens if the landing is refused? For the island’s story, from a Venetian sea battle in 1264 to 33 years under Italy and the Cold War tunnels, read our guide to the history of Sazan Island.
The Sazan boat trip in numbers
-
5.7 km²
Sazan, Albania’s largest island
-
4.8 × 2 km
Length and width of the island
-
30 metres
Length of Haxhi Ali Cave, seen from the mouth
-
6–18 metres
Depth of the seagrass meadows below the boat
Large boat or speed boat: which suits you?
Choose the large boat if you want shade, space and a steady deck, and a speed boat if you want to get inside the caves and see more bays in the same day. The table compares them on the points that change a day.
| Large boat to Sazan | Speed boat to Karaburun | |
|---|---|---|
| Main reward | Sazan Island, its pier and beach, and the Karaburun cliffs from the water | Sea caves, Grama Bay and more swimming coves |
| Caves | Usually seen from the mouth | Small boats slip inside on calm days |
| Comfort | More space and shade, a steadier ride | Faster and closer to the water, bumpier when the sea rises |
| Best for | Families with small children, history lovers, anyone prone to seasickness | Swimmers, couples, small groups |
If the caves and coves are what you are after, read our guide to the speed boat trip along the beaches of Karaburun.
What should you bring on the boat?
Swimwear, sun protection and water, because Sazan and the Karaburun bays have few or no services.
- Swimwear and a towel: two swims in one day
- Sun cream and a hat: long hours on open water
- Non-slip shoes: for the pier and the pebbles
- Water and a snack: no services in the Karaburun bays
- A windproof layer: for the crossing back
- A waterproof phone pouch: spray on the open bay
- Some cash: ask the operator what is paid on board or on the island
Is the Sazan Island boat trip worth it?
Yes for most visitors to Vlorë, as long as the sea is calm and the trip includes a landing.
Yes, if…
you want to set foot on the island you see from the Lungomare, swim from its pebble beach and see Haxhi Ali Cave from the sea, on a boat that suits all ages.
Maybe not, if…
you want to go inside the caves and swim in several remote coves: a speed boat along Karaburun suits that better.
Choose a calm day, ask whether the trip includes a landing on Sazan, and book it early in your stay so a rough morning leaves a spare day.
Our corner of Vlorë
We are Valza Boutique Hotel, a family-run 4-star hotel in Uji i Ftohtë, a coastal neighbourhood on the southern side of Vlorë, and Sazan sits on our horizon. Reception helps guests choose and book boat trips to Sazan Island and the Karaburun Peninsula, and trips depend on the sea and the weather. If you are planning a summer stay, start with our rooms and suites, and keep the evening for Eden by Valza, our rooftop restaurant with a 180-degree view of the bay. For questions before you book, contact our reception team.
