During our two-week itinerary in Albania, we saw A LOT of the country, and this boat trip from Himare is still one of our favorite experiences.
We visited some really cool spots, and it was the perfect half-day activity to add to what we did in Himare.
3-Hour Itinerary
- Start from Himare mini dock at the main beach
- Short photo stops at Livadhi Beach, Aquarium Beach, Jale Beach (look at them from the boat)
- 30-minute swimming stop at Crystal Beach
- 20-minute stop at a Secret Cave for swimming/snorkeling
- 45-minute stop at Pirate’s Beach (BEAUTIFUL – our favorite stop)
- Photo stop at Gjipe Beach
- Short stop at Monastery Caves
- Go by boat inside the Pirate Cave
- Return to Himare
The exact boat tour we joined has different starting times, one in the morning at 9:30 AM, and two in the afternoon at 12:30 PM and 15:30 PM.
We recommend the morning boat trip that starts at 9:30 AM, as you can then have the rest of your afternoon free to explore other places. It’s the perfect thing to do in the morning.
Review of our experience
What we liked most on this boat tour were the different caves where the light shines in a way that creates these beautiful blue hues. Absolutely gorgeous!
While this trip didn’t include Albania’s famous Blue Cave, the caves we visited were still super interesting. For THE Blue Cave, you have to book a different tour – we went there from Vlorë.
Stunning beaches
The best part was getting to enjoy beaches and caves accessible only by boat, and they were stunning!
The highlight was for sure Pirate’s Beach (Plazhi i Piratëve), which has this big opening in the cliff from which you can take these stunning photos with a rocky frame. It looks amazing.
This was likely the best beach we were at in Albania, with small pebbles and crystal-clear water that went deep enough fast enough for a proper swim.
The beautiful pebbly beaches and super-clear water definitely reminded us a lot of Croatia. Honestly, we are so happy we went on this boat tour, as it would be sad to miss out on beaches like this. While we loved the other beaches in Himare (and Dhermi), they just can’t compare to these ones!
The Crystal Beach was also cool, but compared to the Pirate’s Cave beach, it’s definitely much smaller, but also a bit different, as it’s more rocky on the sides.
Let’s move on to the part that’s in this tour’s name – the caves!
All the different caves
Now there are a lot of caves on Albania’s coastline, some of which we visited from Vlorë (like the stunning Blue Cave), and there are so many more around Himarë.
The tour description mentions the names of each cave, but looking back at our photos and videos, we actually have no idea which one are Monastery Caves and which is the “Secret Cave”. So here’s a combo gallery!
Pirate’s Cave
The cave we definitely know by name is the Pirate’s Cave, the cave from which the boat trip got its name. To get inside the Pirate’s Cave, you use the boat – the only cave you don’t need to swim to.
It’s not as big as the Haxhi Ali Cave we visited from Vlore, but the Pirate’s Cave was definitely super impressive, with many collapsed parts of the ceiling that make for great photos.
Our favorite Albania eSIM
Fast Speed and Reliable Signal
Ever since we got phones that support eSIMs, we have been hooked and never looked back. 📶
We always get the best value-for-money eSIM we can, based on reliable signal, fast internet speeds, and coverage across the country. 🌐
Now that eSIM plan prices are more than reasonable compared to regular phone plans (which are more of a hassle to get), we really see no reason not to get one for each trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to know how to swim on the Pirate’s Cave boat trip from Himare?
Yes, we would say knowing how to swim is the only way to enjoy the Pirate’s Cave boat tour, as otherwise you won’t be able to get into most of the fun caves.
What does the boat tour include?
The boat tour to the Pirate’s Cave from Himare includes a speedboat ride to the beaches and caves, snorkeling gear, a bottle of water, and some basic information from the skipper.
How is the boat ride – is the sea very rough?
Sea conditions depend mostly on the weather, especially wind, so if there’s no crazy wind on the day of your boat tour to the Pirate’s Cave, you can expect pretty calm waters. We were on the boat trip in October and had no issues – the sea was calm.
Is there enough time for sunbathing?
Since the tour lasts only about 3 hours, there isn’t much time for sunbathing, but if the sun is out, it’s plenty of time to get properly burned. We recommend bringing a high-quality water-resistant sunscreen (the one we linked is also Reef Safe for protecting marine life).
Final thoughts – Was it worth it?
Oh yeah, we absolutely loved this boat trip, and even though it’s somewhat short, there was enough time to enjoy all the spots we visited. 10/10 experience, which we’d happily repeat.
If you end up booking this experience with Golden Boat Tours (you should), tell them Arijana and Matej say hi! 👋
Continue your Albania trip planning
- ⭐ Tirana Attractions & Activities (travel guide to the capital)
- ⭐ What Not To Miss in Berat (best places and experiences)
- ⭐ Shkoder Travel Guide
- ⭐ Gjirokaster, the Stone City
- 🥾 Theth, Albanian Alps (best mountain town)
- 🏰 How to visit Kruje Historical Town
- 🌞 Ksamil, South Albania
- 🌞 Best Attractions and Beaches in Himare
- 🌊 Osumi Canyon River Tubing (one of the best things we did in Albania!)
- 🌄 Bovilla Lake (stunning lake viewpoint)
- 💃 Albanian Night (fantastic show with traditional dancing and singing)
- 🛌 Riverside Komani (fantastic riverside hotel for visiting the Shala River)
Must-read - 🇦🇱 Best of Albania in Two Weeks (day-by-day itinerary)
- 🌄 North Albania in One Week (rivers, lakes, hikes, swimming spots)
