Albania’s Last Untouched Frontier

Sazan Island & Karaburun Private Boat Day Trip

Day Trip, Private Journey

A private boat charter from Vlorë to Sazan Island, a former military base closed for 70 years, and along the cliffs, sea caves and hidden coves of the Karaburun Marine National Park.

Set sail on a private boat charter to explore one of the most pristine and least-visited corners of the Albanian coastline. This full-day excursion combines two remarkable destinations: Sazan Island, a mysterious former military base now open to visitors, and the Karaburun Peninsula, a dramatic, uninhabited stretch of cliffs, sea caves and turquoise coves protected as a Marine National Park.

With your own boat and skipper, the day unfolds at your pace — swim in secluded bays untouched by mass tourism, explore hidden sea caves, and step onto an island that was off-limits to the public for decades. This is Albania’s wild, untamed coastline at its very best.

A seasonal tour, available June to September, weather and sea conditions permitting. Total journey time by road and boat is approximately 12.5 hours, departing at 7:00 AM from Tirana and returning around 7:30 PM — relaxed rather than rushed. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and water shoes for the uneven terrain on Sazan. Access to the island may require prior authorisation from maritime authorities, as it was formerly a restricted military zone; this is confirmed ahead of your tour date.

Private boat charter — no shared schedules, no crowds
Sazan Island, a former restricted military base with abandoned bunkers
The dramatic cliffs of the Karaburun Peninsula
Hidden sea caves and secluded coves reachable only by boat
Swimming in the Karaburun-Sazani Marine Park
A relaxed lunch on board or at a remote, untouched beach

Hour by Hour

Your Day

017:00 AM

Departure from Tirana

Hotel pickup in Tirana and the drive south along the coast to Vlorë.

02~9:30 AM

Boarding in Vlorë

Arrival at the port and boarding the private boat, casting off at around 10:00 AM.

0310:00 – 10:40 AM

Cruise to Sazan Island

A 40-minute crossing to Albania’s largest island, closed to the public for over 70 years as a military zone.

0411:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Exploring Sazan Island

An hour among crumbling bunkers, abandoned installations and untouched beaches — a place where secretive recent history and wild nature sit side by side.

0512:30 – 1:30 PM

The Karaburun Peninsula

The boat continues along the wild coast of the marine national park, where steep limestone cliffs drop straight into deep blue water, hiding sea caves and quiet coves. Multiple stops allow for swimming at a relaxed pace.

062:00 – 4:30 PM

Lunch at a Secluded Cove

The boat anchors for lunch on board or at a hidden cove — two and a half hours to swim, unwind and take in the cliffs and open sea.

074:30 PM

Return to Tirana

The return cruise to shore, with the road transfer beginning around 5:10 PM and arrival back in Tirana around 7:30 PM.

Inclusions

What's Covered

Everything below is arranged, booked and paid for before you arrive — the rest is listed just as plainly.

Included

5 items

Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
Private boat charter for the entire duration
English-speaking guide
Bottled water on board
Hotel pickup and drop-off (Tirana)

Not Included

4 items

Lunch and drinks (available locally, or arranged in advance on request)
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Gratuities (optional)
Snorkelling gear rental, if not pre-arranged

Anything here can usually be added to your journey. Just ask

Gallery

A Glimpse of the Journey

Why This Journey

What Makes This Journey Different

The whole boat is yours

A private charter for the full duration — stops, pace and swimming spots are decided by your group, never by a shared timetable.

An island closed for 70 years

Sazan is Albania’s largest island and remained a sealed military zone for more than seven decades. Crumbling bunkers and abandoned installations sit against pristine beaches and clear water.

A protected marine park

Karaburun-Sazani is Albania’s only marine national park — limestone cliffs dropping into deep blue water, sea caves, and some of the clearest, richest waters on the coast.