Snorkeling in Ksamil: Pigeon Cave & Five Islands

Swim inside red rock formations, then drift across turquoise shallows between five islands

A speedboat snorkeling tour from Ksamil that visits Pigeon Cave, Monastery Beach, and the Five Islands, with life jacket and snorkeling mask included and an English-speaking guide. The boat stops for 20–30 minutes at Pigeon Cave for swimming and snorkeling in the blue water cave, and you choose how long to stay at the Five Islands at the end. Duration ranges from 1.5 to 6 hours depending on which stops you visit and how long you linger.

Step-by-step itinerary

Speedboat tour and snorkeling

• Ride 10 minutes to Kep Merli
• Stop 7 minutes at Kep Merli
• Sail to Pulbardha and Pasqyrat beaches
• Admire shoreline for 10-15 minutes
• See Dema’s antique wall and bunkers
• Discover hidden cave at Monastery Beach
• Swim and take photos at cave
• Boat 10 minutes to Pigeon Cave
• Swim and snorkel 20-30 minutes at Pigeon Cave
• Adjust stop to 5 minutes if sea rough
• Conclude at Twin Islands for flexible time

The Experience

The tour starts with a 10-minute speedboat ride from Ksamil to Kep Merli, where the coastline opens up. From there the boat moves through a sequence of stops: Pulbardha and Pasqyrat beaches for 10–15 minutes each, where you see the rugged shoreline and the water clarity that makes the route worth the ride. Along the way you pass Dema's antique wall and the Monastery of Shen Gjergji, post-war bunkers scattered across the cliffs—the guide points out the history as the boat moves.

Monastery Beach holds a hidden cave where you can swim and use the diving masks before the main event. The boat then takes 10 minutes to reach Pigeon Cave (Shpella e Pullumbave), the centerpiece of the tour. The cave is a deep red rock formation with a blue water cave inside it, and you get 20–30 minutes to swim and snorkel there—long enough to move through the water and take photos from the rocks. If the sea is rough, the stop shortens to 5 minutes and the boat moves on; calmer days let you stay the full time.

The final stop is the Five Islands of Ksamil, where you can stay as long as you want—an hour, a few hours, or the whole day if you book the longer tour option. Life jacket and snorkeling mask come with the boat; a lost mask carries a 50-euro fee. The boat holds a small group and an English-speaking guide is on board for the whole route.

What’s included

• Life jacket and snorkeling mask.
• English-speaking guide for the full route.
• speedboat transport between all stops.
• 20–30 minutes at Pigeon Cave for swimming and snorkeling in the blue water cave.
• access to Monastery Beach, the Five Islands and the coastal landmarks along the way.

Good to know

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

Operated by Ksamil water sport

Is this one for you?The tour moves by boat between stops and involves water entry at each one, so it suits swimmers comfortable in the sea. You choose how long to stay at the Five Islands at the end, which means a short afternoon option or a full-day island visit is both possible on the same booking.

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Top questions

What is Pigeon Cave actually like when you get there?

Pigeon Cave is a red rock formation with a blue water cave carved into it, where you swim and snorkel for 20–30 minutes. The rocks rise above the water and give you a place to stand and photograph the cave from the inside; the water is clear enough to see down while you're in it.

How much time do you actually spend in the water snorkeling?

The longest single snorkeling stretch is 20–30 minutes at Pigeon Cave. You also swim at Monastery Beach before that, and the Five Islands stop at the end is open-ended—you choose how long to stay there, from an hour to several hours.

What happens if the sea is rough on the day I go?

If the sea is rough, the stop at Pigeon Cave shortens to 5 minutes instead of the usual 20–30, and the boat continues to the next part of the tour. The other stops and the route itself stay the same.

How long is the whole tour?

The tour runs 1.5 to 6 hours depending on which stops you visit and how long you stay at the Five Islands at the end. You can choose a shorter route hitting the main caves, or a longer one that lets you spend more time on the islands.

Is there a guide on the boat, and what language does he speak?

An English-speaking guide is on board for the entire tour and explains the sights—the ancient walls, the monastery, the bunkers and the caves—as the boat moves between stops.