Frequently Asked Questions

Browse our tours page, choose the tour that suits you and fill in the booking form. You will receive an immediate confirmation.

Payment is made on arrival at our office on the day of the tour. We accept cash (Euro, USD, GBP and Albanian Lek) and card. No payment is required at the time of booking.

Booking ahead is recommended in July and August when tours fill up quickly. Outside peak season, same-day booking is usually possible — but to guarantee your spot, booking a day or two in advance is always safer.

Yes. Private speedboat tours are available for couples, families and groups who prefer a fully exclusive experience with a flexible itinerary. Contact us for availability and pricing.

All tours depart from the Maris Vlora office on Rruga Shaban Demiraj, Vlore. Meet at the office and our guide will walk you to the boat. Open in Google Maps →

Departure times by tour:

• Grama Bay full-day tour — 10:30 AM (fixed, one departure daily)
• Sazan Island & Haxhi Ali Cave — 09:00, 11:30 and 14:30
• Haxhi Ali Cave & Karaburun — 09:00, 11:30 and 14:30
• Sunset Wine Tour — approximately 50 minutes before sunset, which varies by date

The Grama Bay full-day tour lasts approximately 8 hours. The Sazan Island and Haxhi Ali Cave tours each last around 4–5 hours. The Sunset Wine Tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Exact durations are listed on each tour page.

We do not provide private parking but free public parking is available on the street in front of the office and in the surrounding area.

Tours run daily throughout the year, subject to sea and weather conditions. Outside the main season (May–September) some tours may run on reduced schedules — contact us to confirm availability for your travel dates.

Yes. Life jackets are available for all passengers including children on every tour.

Safety is the priority. If sea conditions make a tour unsafe, we will contact you to reschedule for another day during your stay. If rescheduling is not possible and you have already paid at our office, a full refund will be issued.

Yes, with one exception — children under 2 years old are not permitted on the full-day Grama Bay tour due to the length and conditions of the route. All other tours are suitable for children. Life jackets are provided and our skippers prioritise their safety and comfort throughout the trip.

Yes. Swimming stops are optional and you are welcome to stay on the boat during them. Life jackets are available for anyone who wants one.

Sea conditions can be unpredictable and the boat ride may become bumpy in certain conditions. For safety reasons we recommend not joining the tour during pregnancy.

Please let us know in advance. If sea conditions are rough and the ride may aggravate your injury, we may recommend rescheduling. If rescheduling is not possible and you have already paid at our office, a full refund will be issued. Our skippers will always prioritise your comfort and safety.

We operate modern RIB speedboats ranging from 6 to 14 metres, built for safety, performance and comfort on the Ionian Sea. Our fleet includes brand-new boats added for the current season.

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included on tours where snorkeling stops are part of the itinerary. Check the individual tour page for what is included.

We recommend bringing:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• Water and light snacks for longer tours
• Cash if you plan to eat at the restaurant at the last stop — they do not accept card

Included varies by tour. The full-day Grama Bay tour includes food (sandwiches or byrek) and drinks on board. The Sazan Island & Haxhi Ali Cave tour includes one drink and a bottle of water. The Sunset Wine Tour includes wine and fresh fruit. The Haxhi Ali Cave & Karaburun tour does not include food or drink — we recommend bringing your own water and snacks.

Depending on the tour, stops include Haxhi Ali Cave, Grama Bay, Sazan Island, the Secret Blue Cave, the Canyon of Smugglers, Dafina Bay and Englishman Bay. Browse the destinations page for details on each location.

The boat visits Sazan Island on every departure of the Sazan Island tour throughout the year. However, landing on the island is only permitted from June to November due to its active military zone status. Outside this window the boat approaches the island pier but passengers do not disembark.

The Grama Bay full-day tour is our most complete experience — 8 hours covering the entire Karaburun coastline with 8 stops including Haxhi Ali Cave, the Secret Blue Cave, the Canyon of Smugglers and Grama Bay itself. If you have half a day, the Sazan Island & Haxhi Ali Cave tour is the next best option. For an evening visit, the Sunset Wine Tour is a great introduction to the cave at golden hour. The Haxhi Ali Cave & Karaburun tour is the most focused half-day option if you want to keep it simple.