Vlore Speedboat Tour: Haxhi Ali Cave, Dafina Bay & Snorkeling

Five hours and four bays: dive into caves, snorkel reefs, explore a Cold War military site

A speedboat tour from Vlore to four stops on the Karaburun peninsula (Haxhi Ali Cave, Dafina Bay, Dafina Cave and Bristan Bay) with snorkeling gear, drinks and a guide in English or Italian. You spend roughly 40 minutes traveling to the first cave, then move between bays for swimming, snorkeling and exploring, with free time at St. Vasil Beach to finish. The tour runs five to six hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore caves and bays by speedboat

• Travel 40 minutes to Haxhi Ali cave
• Dive, snorkel, and explore Haxhi Ali cave
• Boat to Dafina bay
• Swim and snorkel in Dafina bay
• Explore and snorkel Dafina cave
• Visit and snorkel Bristan bay
• Head to St. Vasil beach
• Swim, snorkel, and relax at St. Vasil beach
• Enjoy free time at nearby pebble beaches

The experience

The boat leaves Vlore and heads 40 minutes out to Haxhi Ali Cave, a sea cave named for the legendary protector of Albanian waters. You dive and snorkel inside the cave for about 20 minutes, then the speedboat carries you to Dafina Bay, where you stay for an hour swimming and snorkeling in the blue water and exploring the colorful underwater world. The bay sits ringed by mountains and the wild Karaburun landscape.

From there, a 15-minute stop at Dafina Cave (a smaller sea cave with colored rock formations and a pebble beach inside) lets you snorkel or swim to reach it. Next is Bristan Bay, where you spend 20 minutes snorkeling in the pristine water. The beach sits below the ruins of a Cold War military base, with visible bunkers and underground tunnels built into the hillside. The tour ends at St. Vasil Beach on the peninsula, where you have free time to swim, snorkel or rest on the pebbles.

Snorkeling gear is included, along with beer, nonalcoholic drinks and bottled water. A guide speaks English or Italian throughout. The speedboat format means you cover four separate bays in one morning or afternoon, each with its own character (cave, reef, military history, open beach) rather than anchoring at one spot.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• beer and nonalcoholic drinks.
• bottled water.
• all fees and taxes.
• English or Italian-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (10 to 65 years) · Child (under 7)

GroupUp to 20

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 problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Olympia Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Vlore and want to visit multiple caves and bays in one loop rather than commit to a single beach. The speedboat departs from town and hits four distinct stops in five to six hours.

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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 (under 7).

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.

How long is the boat ride from Vlore to Haxhi Ali Cave?

The journey to Haxhi Ali Cave takes about 40 minutes from Vlore. Once there, you spend roughly 20 minutes inside the cave diving and snorkeling before the boat moves to the next stop.

What's inside Dafina Bay that makes it worth an hour?

Dafina Bay is a mountain-ringed beach on the Karaburun peninsula with clear blue water and a colorful underwater world. You swim and snorkel for the full hour, exploring the reef and marine life.

What can you see at Bristan Bay?

Bristan Bay has a pristine pebble beach and blue water for snorkeling, but it's also notable for the Cold War military base ruins visible from the shore: bunkers and underground tunnels built into the hillside during communism. You spend about 20 minutes there.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included. You use it at Dafina Bay, Dafina Cave and Bristan Bay, and can also snorkel at St. Vasil Beach during your free time at the end.

What drinks and food are included?

Beer, nonalcoholic drinks and bottled water are included. Food is not included, so bring snacks or eat before you board if you plan to stay the full five to six hours.