Reviewed · SNORKELING & SEA CAVE SWIMS
Pelagic Boat Tour7 destinations:drink+Snorkel+Umbrella️
Turtle Cave starts your Saranda day right. This is a fast, fun speedboat tour built around short swim moments, photo stops, and big scenery, so you keep moving without feeling rushed. Two things I really like are the snorkel-ready stops (Turtle Cave, Anchor Cave, and multiple beach breaks) and the long reset at Krorez Beach. The one drawback to keep in mind is simple: this isn’t for non-swimmers or people who get seasick easily.
What makes it work is the mix of planning and good mood. You get snorkeling masks, a life jacket, a free drink, and music onboard, plus the crew, led by Nikolla Vranadhima, keeps the day organized and enjoyable. Still, since food is not included, you’ll want to plan your own snacks or a lunch option for the long beach stretch.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Prioritize Before You Go
- Why Saranda Works Best From the Water
- From Pelagic Boat Trip to Your First Swim: The Pace Matters
- Turtle Cave and Anchor Cave: The Water You Notice Immediately
- Rojdhe Bay and Soldier’s Beach: Quiet Water, Real Breathing Room
- Kefali Cape and Kakome: Dramatic Cliffs, Quick Photo Chances
- Plakoto’s White Pebbles to Krorez Beach: The Long Recharge
- What You Get on Board (and What You Must Bring)
- Seasickness, Swimming Skills, and Weather Reality Check
- Is $36 Good Value for a 4.5-Hour Saranda Boat Day?
- Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Be Happier Elsewhere)
- Should You Book Pelagic Boat Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Pelagic Boat Tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is food included?
- Do I need snorkeling gear?
- Who should not book this tour?
- What can cause the tour to be canceled?
Key Things I’d Prioritize Before You Go

- Turtle Cave and Anchor Cave stops that are built for photos, swimming, and snorkeling, not just passing by
- Three hours at Krorez Beach, enough time to actually relax instead of hopping off and back on constantly
- Short, frequent beach breaks so you can choose how much you want to swim without committing to hours in the water
- Snorkeling masks and life jackets included, which makes it easier to travel light
- Music onboard that keeps the ride upbeat during the speedboat transfers
- A crew that explains clearly and keeps the vibe friendly, including names like Nicolas and Nikolia showing up in guest feedback
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Why Saranda Works Best From the Water

Saranda looks great from land, but the coast turns into a different story once you’re out on the water. This tour is designed around that idea: dramatic headlands, cliff lines, and little coves you just would not reach easily on your own. You spend your time where the views earn their paycheck, not in long stretches of driving.
The route also balances “wow” moments with calmer water time. You’ll hit standout natural stops like Turtle Cave and Anchor Cave, then switch gears to beach time where you can cool down and actually unwind. If you like taking photos, the timing helps too, because you get repeated chances to stop and look before the boat moves on.
One practical note: the day is centered on swimming and snorkeling. If you’re unsure about your comfort level in open water, you’ll want to think twice, since the pace includes several water moments.
From Pelagic Boat Trip to Your First Swim: The Pace Matters

You start at Pelagic Boat Trip, then there’s a short speedboat ride, about 10 minutes, to get you out into the coast zone where the caves and beaches are. After that, the tour becomes a rhythm: quick transfers, then stops for swimming, snorkeling, scenic views, and photos.
Those “15-minute stop” windows are short on purpose. You won’t have time to treat each location like a full day hike, but you also don’t feel trapped on the boat for long either. You can dip in when you feel ready, grab a few shots, then resurface and move on with the group.
This pacing is also why I think it’s a strong value for the price. For roughly 4.5 hours total, you’re getting multiple different swim settings rather than one long stop and a lot of transit time.
Turtle Cave and Anchor Cave: The Water You Notice Immediately

The two big natural stops, Turtle Cave and Anchor Cave, are the type of places that make you stop talking and just look. The highlights promise crystal waters, and that’s exactly the kind of setting where snorkeling equipment matters. With masks included, you’re not scrambling to find gear once you’re there.
Here’s how to make these stops work in real life:
- Put sunscreen on early, then plan to reapply if you stay in the water.
- Keep your phone/camera in a dry bag or something secure if you’re going to snorkel.
- Don’t overthink it. You’re mostly looking at what’s visible just below the surface.
You also get time for photos, which is a big deal at caves and rocky inlets. Even if you only snorkel for a few minutes, you’ll still capture that “I can’t believe we’re here” angle when the light hits the rock walls.
The only consideration is weather and sea conditions. If the sea is rough, the operator may cancel for safety, so don’t plan this as your only water activity day.
Rojdhe Bay and Soldier’s Beach: Quiet Water, Real Breathing Room

After the cave energy, the tour shifts into calmer mode. Roidhe Bay is listed as peaceful, and Soldier’s Beach is the next named beach stop where you can swim or snorkel. This is a good pairing because it gives you two different vibes: one where you might just float and recover, and one where you can keep exploring below the surface.
I like this part of the tour because it lets you control your effort. If you want to snorkel actively, you can. If you just want to cool off and rest, you can do that too. The stops are frequent enough to keep things interesting, but they’re not so long that you feel stuck.
Also, because you get “photo stop, swimming, snorkeling, scenic views on the way” at multiple points, you’re always getting some payoff even if you skip a single water moment. That makes it easier for mixed comfort levels in a group, as long as everyone follows the non-swimmer restriction.
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Kefali Cape and Kakome: Dramatic Cliffs, Quick Photo Chances

Then you hit the more scenic, cliff-style stops. Kefali Cape is described with dramatic cliffs, and Kakome is framed as charming. You’ll have another set of short photo-and-water windows here, so think of these as “see it, take it in, get your shots” stops as much as swim stops.
In practice, this is where good timing matters. Short stops mean you want to be ready:
- Have your towel and swimwear easy to reach.
- Keep your camera charged.
- If you snorkel, keep your mask on hand so you’re not hunting for it when you get a chance.
These cliff areas can also give you better viewpoints from the boat. Even if you don’t swim at every stop, you can still enjoy the angles that only show up along the coast.
Plakoto’s White Pebbles to Krorez Beach: The Long Recharge

Plakoto is described as serene, with white pebbles and gentle waves. This is the kind of beach detail that changes how the water feels underfoot. If you like a calmer shoreline rather than a rocky scramble, this is a nice contrast to the cave stops.
Then comes the real highlight: Krorez Beach, with a long break of about three hours. This is not just “a quick stop.” You get photo time, lunch time, free time, and opportunities to swim or snorkel again. In other words, it’s the portion of the tour where you can reset, stretch out your legs, and stop thinking about timing.
Important for expectations: food is listed as not included, even though the day gives you lunch time at Krorez. So treat lunch as your own responsibility, then use the long beach window to eat comfortably rather than rushing back to the boat.
Also, beach comfort is handled in part by what’s provided. You get a beach umbrella included, which helps during the sunniest stretches. Pair that with your sunscreen, and you can enjoy the beach without feeling like you need to sprint from shade to water.
What You Get on Board (and What You Must Bring)

This trip is built around included essentials that make water time easier:
- Snorkeling masks included
- Life jacket included
- A free drink
- Beach umbrella
- Music on board
- The captain (so you’re not dealing with navigation or logistics)
That’s a solid “reduce your packing” list. You’re not paying extra for gear and you’re not forced to arrive with your own mask.
What you should bring is clearly spelled out, and I agree with all of it:
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Camera
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Water
My practical advice: bring more water than you think you need. On a warm coastal day, the sun and time in and out of the sea add up fast.
Also, a couple rules to keep the day smooth: smoking isn’t allowed, and pets aren’t allowed.
Seasickness, Swimming Skills, and Weather Reality Check

This is where I’d be honest with you. The tour is listed as not suitable for non-swimmers, and it’s also not suitable for people prone to seasickness. If you wobble when you’re on a boat, don’t rely on hoping it will be fine.
If you are a confident swimmer, you’ll still want to be smart:
- Start slowly in open water, especially during the first water stops.
- Use the life jacket even if you plan to snorkel. It’s included for a reason.
- If conditions feel off, skip the extra swimming and focus on comfort.
Finally, adverse weather or sea conditions can lead to cancellation for safety. It’s the kind of activity where “maybe later” beats “squeeze it in.” If you’re flexible, you’ll get more enjoyment out of the plan.
Is $36 Good Value for a 4.5-Hour Saranda Boat Day?
At $36 per person, this feels like a fair deal for what you get, mainly because the day is structured around multiple stops with real water time. You’re not paying for one viewpoint. You’re paying for several locations plus the tools to use them.
Here’s the value equation as I see it:
- Included snorkeling masks and life jackets save you from last-minute rentals or hassles.
- The long stop at Krorez Beach gives you time to relax, which makes the boat portion feel worth it.
- A free drink plus onboard music keeps the experience comfortable and fun, especially during the short transfers.
The main “cost” you still own is food. Since food is not included, you’ll spend a little out of pocket for snacks or lunch. That said, because Krorez gives you a long break, you’re not forced into buying a rushed meal right before you’re back on the boat.
So yes, for most swimmers who want a mix of caves, cliff scenery, and beach downtime, $36 is a good rate.
Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Be Happier Elsewhere)
This one fits best if you like:
- Swimming or snorkeling
- Being out on the water with frequent picture moments
- Short stops that let you control how much effort you put in
It’s also a good choice if you want a day that mixes scenic stops with a real beach window, rather than a tour that’s all boat time. The combination of cave stops and beach relaxation keeps the energy up without pretending every stop is equally long.
I would skip it if:
- You’re not comfortable swimming
- You get seasick easily
- You want a mostly dry, sit-and-watch experience
If you fall somewhere in the middle, be honest with yourself about comfort in the water. This tour is designed for people who actually plan to get in.
Should You Book Pelagic Boat Tour?
If you want a straightforward Saranda sea day that rewards you with caves, beaches, and enough beach time to feel like a real break, I think you’ll enjoy this. I especially like the way the day gives multiple chances to snorkel and photo, then slows down at Krorez Beach so you can breathe.
Book it if:
- You’re a confident swimmer
- You’re okay with a speedboat pace and a few stops where time is short
- You’re happy to bring your own snacks or lunch
Skip it if:
- Seasickness is a problem for you
- You don’t want to swim or snorkel
- You’re counting on food being provided
If you match the basics, this is one of those trips that feels like you spent your time in the places you came to see.
FAQ
How long is the Pelagic Boat Tour?
The tour duration is 270 minutes, about 4.5 hours.
What’s included in the price?
You get the boat tour, snorkeling masks, a free drink, a beach umbrella, music on board, and life jackets.
Is food included?
No. Food is listed as not included, so you’ll want to bring snacks and plan for lunch on your own during the long beach stop.
Do I need snorkeling gear?
Snorkeling masks are included, but you should still bring your own swimwear, towel, and sunscreen.
Who should not book this tour?
The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers and for people prone to seasickness.
What can cause the tour to be canceled?
Adverse weather or sea conditions may lead to cancellation for safety reasons.
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