Who we are
Your friend on the Vlore waterfront
The bay of Vlore (Valona) is the Albanian Riviera's best-kept secret: Sazan Island guarding the entrance, the Karaburun peninsula sheltering it from the open sea, and inside — coves, caves and water that in June and September rivals anything in Greece. The problem? Picking the right trip among dozens of identical listings is a maze. Barca Valona exists to solve exactly that.
We are a small independent booking concierge, resident in Vlore. We do not own boats and we do not operate tours: we spend the season on the waterfront getting to know skippers and operators, and we keep a shortlist of those we would trust with our own families. When you write to us, we match you with the right one for your date and group, the price is agreed in advance, and you pay the operator directly on tour day. Our service is free for travellers.
Everything here follows three rules. First, indicative prices, always published: the figures you see come from direct agreements with bay operators and are confirmed exactly on WhatsApp before booking. Second, one channel only: WhatsApp, because that is how Vlore's serious skippers actually work — within minutes you have a name, a boarding point on the promenade and a clear quote. Third, honesty about the season: boat trips run May to October, with June and September as the golden months; the rest of the year we will be the first to tell you so.
Getting here is easy: the Brindisi–Vlore ferry sails all year, Tirana airport is two hours away, and from 2026 the new Vlore international airport opens too. Once you are here, the bay does the rest.
The catalogue
Vlore's boat tours — with prices you can actually see
Every tour below is run by local skippers and operators we know personally. Prices are indicative, confirmed exactly on WhatsApp before you book — no “on request”, no surprises.
from €80Grama Bay Tour
The queen trip of the bay: 8 hours to Grama Bay past wild coves, with Dafina Bay, Brusan Bay and Lloraja Pass. Also private from €805.
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from €30Sazan Island Tour
Sazan Island, the Haxhi Ali Cave and Karaburun's beaches in 4–5 hours. The bay's most-booked tour.
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from €25Haxhi Ali Blue Cave
The Haxhi Ali Blue Cave: Vlore's famous blue cave on a short 1.5–4 hour tour, best in the morning light.
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from €400Private Boat with Skipper
Private boat with skipper: the bay, Sazan and Karaburun at your own pace. Quote in 5 minutes on WhatsApp.
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from €290/dayNo-License Rental
No-license boat rental: drive your own boat around the bay for a full day. Fuel not included.
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from €30Karaburun Tour
The wild Karaburun peninsula: beaches reachable only by sea and some of Albania's clearest water.
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from €25Sunset Boat Tour
Sunset on Vlore bay: 1.5–2 hours of golden light, a toast on board and Sazan on the horizon.
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from €40Pirate Boat Tour
The pirate-style sailing ship tour: families' favourite, between Sazan, Karaburun and the Pirate Cave.
Discover-30% under 10Vlore with Kids
Vlore with kids: the family-friendly tours, with a 30% discount for children up to 10.
Discoveralternative departuresTrips from Radhimë & Orikum
Boat trips from Radhimë and Orikum: easy boarding if you stay in the south of the bay, same destinations, fewer crowds.
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full price listPrices
The complete 2026 comparison table: shared tours, private boats, rental. The fastest way to choose.
Discoverreply in minutesContact
Our WhatsApp concierge: dates, people, and within minutes you have real options and confirmed prices.
DiscoverThe bay's destinations
Sazan, Karaburun and Grama Bay: the map in three names
Sazan Island with its military history, the Karaburun peninsula with beaches reachable only by sea, and Grama Bay — the most spectacular cove on the entire Albanian coast. In between: Dafina Bay, Brusan Bay and the Lloraja Pass. Every tour leaves from the Vlore promenade, a ten-minute walk from any central hotel.
High value
Private and rental: the bay all to yourselves
The best way to experience Vlore's bay is with the boat all to yourselves: a private boat with skipper from €400 per group, or no-license rental from €290 a day if you want to drive. For couples and groups of friends it is the booking that transforms the holiday — confirmed in 5 minutes on WhatsApp.
Why book with us
An independent concierge, not an operator
Transparent prices
We publish indicative 2026 prices on every page and confirm the exact figure on WhatsApp before you commit. Children 0–10 always -30%.
Based in Vlore
We live here: we know the skippers, the boats and the bay's weather personally. We tell you honestly what works in your week.
WhatsApp, fast reply
One message, one reply in minutes. You talk to someone who actually sails this bay, not a call centre.
No online payment
Confirm in chat and pay the skipper directly on tour day. Our service is free for travellers.
Price guide 2026
How much does a boat tour in Vlore cost?
Here are the indicative ranges of our partner operators — the full table is in our Vlore boat tour price guide. All prices are indicative and confirmed exactly on WhatsApp. Children 0–10: -30% on shared tours.
| Boat trip | Duration | Indicative price 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Combo Sazan + Haxhi Ali + Karaburun | 4–5 hours | from €30 |
| Haxhi Ali Blue Cave (short) | 1.5–4 hours | from €25 |
| Sunset on the bay | 1.5–2 hours | from €25 |
| Pirate ship tour | half day | from €40 |
| Grama Bay shared (full day) | 8 hours | from €80 |
| Private boat with skipper (bay) | flexible | from €400 |
| Private Grama Bay with skipper | full day | from €805 |
| No-license boat rental | full day | from €290 + fuel |
Indicative ranges per person (shared) or per group (private/rental) — message us for the exact quote for your date.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barca Valona a tour operator?
No. We are an independent concierge based in Vlore: we vet local skippers and operators, publish indicative prices and match you with the right one. Booking and payment always happen directly with the operator — we make sure you find the right boat at the honest price.
How does booking work?
Tap the WhatsApp button on any page, tell us your dates, group size and where you are staying. We reply in minutes with availability and the exact price. You confirm with a simple yes: no forms, no accounts, no online payment — you pay the skipper on tour day.
Where do tours depart from?
Almost all tours board from the Vlore promenade (port/lungomare area, walkable from central hotels). Some operators also board from Radhimë and Orikum in the south of the bay — handy if you stay there. The exact point is confirmed on WhatsApp.
When is the best season?
Tours run May to October. June and September are the golden months: warm sea, fewer crowds, softer availability. July and August are busy but require booking ahead. From November to April the sea is rough and tours are suspended.
Does your service cost travellers anything?
No. Our matching service is completely free for you: operators pay us a referral fee that does not change the price you pay. The price we confirm in chat is what you pay the skipper.
Ready to set sail from Vlore?
One message is enough: tell us your dates, where you are staying and what you want to see. We reply in minutes with real options and indicative prices, confirmed before you book. No online payment.
Plan my boat trip on WhatsAppor call: +39 351 476 6918