Diving in Vlore: Blue Cave, Grama Bay & Karaburun Peninsula

Eight dive sites in one day: from pirate caves to turquoise bays

A full-day diving and snorkeling tour from Vlore that covers eight coastal stops (Haxhi Ali Cave, Dafina Bay, Bristan Bay, the Secret Canyon, Blue Cave and Grama Bay) aboard a speedboat with a live guide in English or Italian. The route includes 20 minutes of diving at Haxhi Ali, an hour in Dafina Bay, and a 20-minute hill walk at Grama Bay. Snorkeling equipment, beer, water, and a traditional Albanian byrek are included. The tour runs eight hours and suits swimmers and snorkelers aged 14 and up.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Vlore Coastline and Bays

• Visit Haxhi Ali Cave
• Dive in turquoise waters
• Explore Dafina Bay
• Visit Dafina Cave
• Relax at Bristan Bay
• Explore Secret Canyon
• Discover English Bay
• Visit Blue Cave at Lloviz Bay
• Swim and walk at Grama Bay

The experience

You start at Haxhi Ali Cave, a limestone sea cave named after an Albanian pirate who once used it as a hideout. The speedboat ride takes 30 minutes to get there, then you dive into the turquoise water for 20 minutes before heading to Dafina Bay, tucked into the Karaburun Peninsula. This stop gives you a full hour to dive and explore the bay's dramatic cliffs and secluded beach. The guide navigates the route and points out the history (old inscriptions carved into rocks, tales of sailors and traders), but the water and the equipment are yours to work with.

The day moves through smaller coves: Bristan Bay for 20 minutes of calm water and white pebbles; the Secret Canyon, a narrow rock passage with towering walls that you swim through; Blue Cave, where the rock formations and azure colors are the main event; and English Bay, historically a British sailor hideout. Each stop is a different kind of water: some sheltered, some open, all clear. You get snorkeling gear for the whole day, and the operator provides beer, bottled water and a traditional byrek snack to eat between dives.

Grama Bay is the final stop and the longest: you swim in the turquoise water, then walk a hill trail for 20 minutes to see the bay from above. The tour wraps after eight hours total. A live guide speaks English or Italian throughout, and the minimum age is 14. The speedboat is shared, so you're diving alongside other travelers on the same route.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment for all eight stops.
• beer and bottled water.
• a traditional Albanian byrek snack.
• all fees and taxes.
• a live guide in English or Italian throughout the eight-hour day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 1 Nov

AgesAdult (14 to 55 years) · Under 14: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Vlora Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to visit eight specific spots (caves, canyons, bays) in one day with a group following the operator's fixed route, rather than choosing your own stops or timing.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Haxhi Ali Cave and why is it on this tour?

Haxhi Ali Cave is a limestone sea cave on the Vlore coast that was once a hideout for the Albanian pirate Haxhi Ali and other sailors and traders. It's the first stop on the tour, a 30-minute speedboat ride from Vlore, and you dive in its turquoise waters for 20 minutes.

How much time do I actually spend diving versus traveling between stops?

Diving and swimming time adds up to roughly two hours across the eight stops: 20 minutes at Haxhi Ali, one hour at Dafina Bay, 20 minutes at Bristan Bay, 15 minutes at Dafina Cave, and swimming time at the other bays. The rest of the eight-hour day is the speedboat ride between sites and the 20-minute hill walk at Grama Bay.

What's included in the tour price?

Snorkeling equipment, beer, bottled water, a traditional Albanian byrek snack, and all fees and taxes are included. A live guide in English or Italian leads the route. Lunch and beach umbrellas are not included.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and does not require diving certification. You snorkel and swim at each stop. However, it is not recommended for travelers prone to seasickness, with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns, or permanent mobility limitations, as the speedboat moves between eight sites over eight hours.

What makes Grama Bay different from the other stops?

Grama Bay is the final and longest stop, known for its turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs and ancient history: old inscriptions carved into the rocks mark it as an important stop for sailors in ancient times. You swim in the bay, then walk a hill trail for 20 minutes to see the landscape from above, making it the only stop with a land component.