Snorkeling Haxhi Aliu Cave & Ionian Cliffs: Explore legendary Pirate Cave

The Pirate Cave sits inside the water, not above it.

Snorkel three sites along Albania's Karaburun Peninsula (Haxhi Aliu Cave, the Ionian Gorges and Hilqe Cliffs) on a guided RIB boat expedition departing from Vlora's Touristic Harbor. The three-hour trip includes snorkeling equipment, cold drinks and fruit, plus underwater photos and video shot by the crew.

The experience

The boat leaves Vlora's Touristic Harbor and heads straight into the water. Haxhi Aliu Cave is your first stop: you enter the cave from the sea itself, snorkeling through the opening where legend says pirates once sheltered. The cave mouth sits at water level, so you swim in rather than climb down to it. From there the RIB moves along the Cape of Tongue, where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea, and you cross into the Ionian Gorges.

Two more snorkeling stops follow in the Ionian: Fishermans Gorge and Boats Gorge, each one a narrow cut in the cliffs where the water runs deep and the walls rise sheer. The final stop is at the Cliffs of Hilqe, where caves open into the rock face and the snorkeling winds through a maze of underwater formations. A guide leads each session and points out the marine life and the geology as you go. Between stops, the crew brings cold drinks and fresh fruit on deck, and they photograph and film you underwater with cameras and a drone so you leave with the footage.

The whole trip runs three hours. You'll need to bring a swimsuit and a towel. Snorkeling gear is provided, and the boat supplies water and one cold drink. Extra drinks can be purchased on board. The guide speaks English or Italian depending on the group.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• one cold drink and one bottle of water.
• professional underwater photography and video captured by crew with underwater cameras and a drone.
• expert guide at each snorkeling stop.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (11 to 85 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

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 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trips4Fun

Is this one for you?Book this trip if you want a small-group boat experience with a guide who knows the sites and can point out what you're seeing underwater. The RIB boat is fast and maneuverable enough to reach the narrow gorges and cave entrances that larger tour boats cannot access.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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 Aliu Cave and why is it famous?

Haxhi Aliu Cave is a sea cave on the Karaburun Peninsula where you snorkel directly into the opening from the water. It's known as the Pirate Cave because of its history as a shelter for pirates in the region.

How many snorkeling stops are there during the trip?

There are five snorkeling locations: Haxhi Aliu Cave, Fishermans Gorge, Boats Gorge, the Cliffs of Hilqe, and the Cape of Tongue as a coastal transition point between the Adriatic and Ionian waters.

What's included in the snorkeling experience?

Snorkeling equipment, one cold drink, one bottle of water, and professional underwater photography and video shot by the crew are all included. The guide leads each snorkeling session and explains what you're seeing.

Do I need snorkeling experience to join this trip?

No. The trip is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the guide is with you at each stop. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the crew will assist you in the water.