A speedboat tour along the Karaburun Peninsula is several hours on open water in direct Mediterranean sun. The conditions are different from a beach day — you are moving at speed, the wind is constant, spray reaches the deck, and there is limited opportunity to go back for something you forgot. Getting the basics right before you leave the office makes the difference between a comfortable day and an uncomfortable one.

This list covers everything from the obvious to the things people most commonly regret not having. It applies to all four tours departing from the Maris Vlora office in Vlore, with notes where specific tours require extra items.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is the single most important category. The Albanian coast in summer sits well above 30°C and the reflection off the water amplifies UV exposure significantly. Sunburn on a boat trip happens faster than it does on a beach because there is no shade to retreat to during transit.

Sunscreen: SPF 30 minimum, SPF 50 preferred. Water-resistant formulas last through swimming stops. Mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are a good choice around the Karaburun coast — they are less harmful to the marine environment and the seagrass meadows the tour passes over. Apply before you arrive at the office, not on the boat — re-applying on a moving speedboat is difficult and most of it will blow off. Pay specific attention to the back of the neck, the tops of the ears and the tops of the feet, which are all commonly missed and directly exposed in a seated position.

Hat: A wide-brim hat or a cap with a neck flap. A regular baseball cap leaves the ears and neck fully exposed. Secure it with a chin strap or tie — hats go overboard regularly at speed. This is not optional in July and August.

Sunglasses: Polarised lenses cut the glare off the water significantly. UV400 rating as a minimum.

UV-protective clothing: A lightweight long-sleeve shirt or rash guard is more reliable protection than sunscreen for an all-day tour. Quick-dry fabric works well on a boat. This matters most on the full-day Grama Bay tour where sun exposure across eight stops and transit stretches adds up to several hours.

Swimwear and Towel

All tours include at least one swimming stop. The full-day Grama Bay tour has multiple free-swimming opportunities — at Grama Bay itself, at Dafina Bay, and at the Karaburun beach stops. The Sazan Island tour and the Haxhi Ali Cave tour include a dedicated beach stop for swimming on the Karaburun coast.

Wear your swimwear under your clothes or change at the office before departure. Changing on a small speedboat is impractical. Bring a lightweight microfibre towel if possible — it dries faster on the boat than a standard cotton beach towel and takes up less space in your bag.

Water and Cash

Water: The half-day tours include a bottled water per person. The full-day Grama Bay tour includes drinks on board. Even so, bring an extra 1–1.5 litres of your own water if you tend to drink more than average in the heat. On a hot day in July or August, the included water is not always enough for a full 8-hour tour.

Cash: The restaurant at the last stop on the full-day Grama Bay tour and the beach restaurant on the Sazan Island and Haxhi Ali Cave half-day tours do not accept cards. If you want to eat there, bring cash in Albanian lek or euros. The meal stop is optional — food is included on board — but many passengers choose to eat at the restaurant for a more substantial meal. Prices are reasonable by any standard.

Electronics and Camera

A waterproof phone case or dry bag is strongly recommended. Salt spray reaches passengers on every trip, even in calm conditions, and the speedboat moves at pace. An unsealed phone in a back pocket is unlikely to survive the day undamaged.

If you want to photograph inside Haxhi Ali Cave, bring a camera that performs well in low light. The cave interior is lit by sunlight entering through the limestone arch but the light levels drop towards the back of the cave. An underwater camera or a GoPro-style action camera is useful for the snorkeling stops and for the Secret Blue Cave on the full-day tour.

Charge everything before departure. There is no charging facility on the boat and the tours run long enough for battery life to become an issue.

Snorkeling Equipment

You do not need to bring your own. Snorkeling masks, fins and flotation vests are provided on the full-day Grama Bay tour and the Sazan Island tour, both of which include designated snorkeling stops with excellent visibility in calm, shallow water.

If you have your own prescription snorkel mask or a specific preference, you are welcome to bring it. But it is not a requirement and you should not buy equipment specifically for the trip.

Motion Sickness

The speedboat moves at pace across open water. In calm conditions the ride is smooth, but in choppy conditions — most common in the afternoon — the boat pitches noticeably. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, take medication before departure, not once you are already on the water. Antihistamine-based tablets taken an hour before the tour work well for most people. The skipper always checks the sea forecast before departure and will reschedule if conditions are genuinely bad, but moderate chop is within normal operating conditions.

Sitting towards the back of the boat generally reduces the sensation of movement. Looking at the horizon rather than the water directly below helps. Avoid reading or looking at a phone screen during transit.

What to Leave at the Hotel

Keep your bag small. Space on a speedboat is limited and there is no secure storage for large bags. Leave behind anything you cannot afford to get wet or lose. Specifically:

  • Large backpacks or rolling luggage
  • Laptop computers
  • Unsecured jewellery
  • Documents other than what is needed for the booking
  • Multiple changes of clothing

A small dry bag or a beach backpack is the right container. Everything in it should be something you are comfortable having exposed to sun, salt spray and occasional water.

Extra Items for the Sunset Wine Tour

The Sunset Wine Tour departs around 50 minutes before sunset and runs for approximately 1.5 hours. The sun drops quickly after entering the cave, and the temperature on the water in the evening drops faster than it does on land. Bring a light layer — a sweatshirt or a long-sleeve top. Wine and fresh fruit are included on board.

Quick Packing Checklist

The essentials for any tour from Vlore:

  • Swimwear (worn or packed)
  • Towel (microfibre preferred)
  • Sunscreen SPF 30+ (applied before departure)
  • Hat (secured with strap or tie)
  • Sunglasses (polarised)
  • Waterproof phone case or dry bag
  • Cash in lek or euros (for the restaurant stop)
  • Motion sickness tablets if needed (taken before departure)
  • Light layer for evening (Sunset Wine Tour only)

Everything else — snorkeling equipment, water, food and drinks — is either provided on the boat or available at the departure office.

Ready for Your Boat Trip?

Now that you know what to bring, the next step is choosing your route. Browse all tours and secure your spot in advance during peak season.

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Frequently Asked Questions