Ksamil Boat Trips & Island Hopping
Ksamil's islands are the reason most people come, and the water is the only way to see the best of them. This guide covers all four islands, what boats and kayaks actually cost in 2026, where they leave from, and the hidden coves along this coast that you cannot reach on foot.
The four Ksamil islands
Three of Ksamil's islands sit in a tight cluster straight off the main bays — close enough that the shallow channels between them read as pale turquoise from the beach. The fourth is a larger island further south, and it is the one most day-trippers never reach.
First islet (closest to shore)
~80–150 m from the second bay · Swim, wade at low water, kayak or 2-minute shuttle boat
Busiest of the four. Small sand strip, a seasonal bar, shallow turquoise channel — great for a first swim, crowded from 11am.
Second islet
~250 m offshore · Kayak, pedalo or shuttle boat (€5–10 return)
Rockier edges with a sandy landing on the shore-facing side. Best snorkelling of the cluster; bring reef shoes.
Third islet
~400 m offshore · Shuttle boat or rental boat
Quietest of the three-island cluster. Pine cover for shade, no facilities — take water and food with you.
Fourth (large) island, south
~1.5 km south of the main bays · Rental boat, skippered boat or organised tour only
Bigger, wilder and almost empty. Deep clear water on the seaward side; the sheltered side is the classic anchoring spot for lunch stops.
Boat and kayak prices in 2026
| Option | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shuttle boat to the islets (return) | €5–10 per person | Runs continuously 9am–7pm in summer |
| Kayak rental | €10–15 per hour, €25–35 per day | Best value for the three close islets |
| Pedalo / paddleboard | €10–20 per hour | Fine for the first islet only |
| Shared half-day boat tour | €20–35 per person | 3–4 hours, usually 3–4 stops |
| Shared full-day tour with lunch | €35–60 per person | Often includes Butrint channel or Krorëz |
| Self-drive small boat (4 hours) | €70–130 + fuel | No licence for low-power engines; ID deposit required |
| Private skippered boat (half day) | €150–300 per boat | Up to 6–8 people; best split between a group |
| Sunset cruise | €20–30 per person | Roughly 18:30–20:30 in July and August |
Peak-season (July–August) rates paid on the beach. Expect 20–30% less in June and September, and agree the total in cash before boarding — most operators do not take cards on the sand.
Where the boats leave from
There is no single harbour in Ksamil. Shuttle boats and kayaks work directly off the sand at the second and third bays, and small rental desks cluster near the jetty at the north end of Ksamil Beach. Skippered boats and larger tour boats usually pick up from the jetty or, for bigger groups, from Saranda's port with a road transfer.
If you are staying in Saranda, plan on the 25–30 minute drive or the local bus (€1.50–2) and aim to be on the sand by 9am — the good boats and the shaded parking both go early.
Hidden coves you can only reach by water
The islands are the headline, but the real reward of renting a boat is the coastline either side of Ksamil. These are the stops worth the fuel:
Pulëbardha (Seagull Beach)
10 min north by boat; also reachable by a rough track from the Saranda road
Small pebble-and-sand cove backed by cliffs. Arriving by water gets you there before the road crowd.
Mirror Beach (Plazhi i Pasqyrave)
15 min north by boat
Named for the flat reflective water on still mornings. Steep access by land, so the boat is genuinely the better route.
Krorëz
20–25 min north by boat
Long undeveloped pebble beach below a steep hillside. One of the few big beaches on this coast with no road-side resort strip.
Butrint channel mouth
10 min south, past the fourth island
Where the Vivari channel meets the sea, beside the Ali Pasha castle. Calm water, mussel farms, and a completely different landscape to the beaches.
Unnamed cliff coves toward Stillo
25–35 min south by rental or skippered boat
A run of tiny water-access-only inlets with no facilities at all. Only worth it in flat conditions and with fuel to spare.
A perfect half-day island-hopping plan
- 08:30 — Arrive at the second bay, pick up a kayak or a self-drive boat while the sea is glassy.
- 09:00 — Cross to the first and second islets, snorkel the rocky edge before the shuttle traffic starts.
- 10:00 — Continue to the third islet for a shaded swim stop under the pines.
- 11:00 — Run north to Mirror Beach and Pulëbardha before the land arrivals fill them.
- 12:30 — Head south past the fourth island to the Butrint channel mouth for lunch on flat water.
- 14:00 — Back in the bay before the afternoon breeze; late lunch on the beach.
Practical tips before you book
- • Bring cash in small notes — beach operators rarely take cards.
- • Check that life jackets are on board, one per person, before paying.
- • Ask whether fuel is included on self-drive rentals; often it isn't.
- • Confirm the pickup time in writing if you're being dropped on an islet.
- • The islets have almost no shade or facilities — pack water, sunscreen and reef shoes.
- • Watch the wind forecast: a north-westerly above 15 knots makes the crossing choppy and cancels most small-boat rentals.
- • Leave nothing behind — the islets have no bins and no collection service.
Frequently asked questions
How many islands are there in Ksamil?
Four. Three sit in a close cluster directly off the main beaches and are easy to reach by boat, kayak or — for the nearest one — a short swim or wade. The fourth, larger island lies further south and needs a boat.
Can you swim to the Ksamil islands?
Yes, to the nearest one. The closest islet is roughly 80–150 m offshore depending on which beach you start from, and in calm morning water strong swimmers manage it easily. Watch for boat traffic after 10am and never swim across in wind or chop — use a kayak or the shuttle boat instead.
How much does a boat trip in Ksamil cost?
Shuttle boats to the islets cost about €5–10 return per person. A shared half-day tour along the coast is €20–35 per person, a full day with lunch €35–60. Renting a small self-drive boat (no licence needed for low-power engines) runs €70–130 for four hours plus fuel; a private skippered boat is €150–300 for a half day.
Do you need a licence to rent a boat in Ksamil?
Not for the small low-horsepower boats most rental desks offer — a short briefing is enough and the operator keeps you inside a defined zone. Larger or faster boats require a licence, and every rental should include life jackets.
What is the best time of day for a Ksamil boat trip?
Leave between 8:30 and 10:00. The sea is glassiest in the morning, the islets are empty, and you get back before the afternoon breeze picks up. Sunset cruises (roughly 18:30–20:30 in July) are the second-best slot.
Can you take a boat from Ksamil to Corfu?
No. There is no passenger service from Ksamil itself — the Corfu ferries leave from Saranda, 17 km north. Local boats from Ksamil stay within Albanian waters, mostly between Butrint's mouth and the Pulëbardha–Krorëz coves.