Ksamil sits at the southern tip of the Albanian Riviera, a short run south of Saranda and within sight of Corfu across the water. It is small enough that most arrivals come down the same coast road, and however you travel, the day on the water starts in one easy place.
Every trip we run meets at Sea Breeze Seaside Bar & Restaurant on Rruga Riviera, Ksamil 9700 — our own family restaurant, right on the water. You do not need to find a marina or hunt for a slip number. You find the restaurant, you find us. This guide walks through the routes most travellers take, then exactly how to recognise the meeting point when you arrive. We have kept times qualitative on purpose, since traffic, season and timetables all shift, so treat any figure as a guide rather than a promise.
The quickest start — from Saranda
If you are already on the Riviera, Saranda is your launch pad. Ksamil is a short hop south, around fifteen kilometres down the coast road, so the journey is brief by any means.
By local bus is the budget option. The Trans Butrinti service runs Saranda to Ksamil through the day in summer, broadly every half hour to hour, for a modest single-digit fare. It leaves from near the Saranda waterfront, and the ride itself is short. Tell the driver you want Ksamil centre, then it is a level walk down to the water and Rruga Riviera. Timetables are seasonal, so ask at the stop rather than trusting a printed schedule.
By taxi is the fastest and least fussy choice, usually around twenty to thirty minutes door to door, a little longer in peak August traffic when the coast road backs up. Fares are reasonable but worth agreeing before you set off. Ask for Sea Breeze Seaside Bar on Rruga Riviera and most local drivers will know it.
Coming from Corfu — the ferry, then a short transfer
Plenty of our guests are staying on Corfu and come over for the day or the trip. The Corfu to Saranda crossing is one of the easier border hops in the Mediterranean, but it is a border, so a little planning pays off.
The crossing itself is short. Fast hydrofoils and catamarans run in around thirty minutes, while the slower passenger and car ferries take roughly an hour. Several companies sail the route with frequent daily departures across the summer, so book the time that suits your day rather than the cheapest seat on the wrong sailing.
Remember it is an international border — Greece and the EU on one side, non-Schengen Albania on the other — so passport control happens at both ends. Arrive at the port well ahead of departure, commonly about an hour, and allow for the entry queue in Saranda, which can take twenty to forty minutes when several ferries land together in high summer.
From Saranda port, Ksamil is a quick onward step: a taxi is fastest, or pick up the local bus from the road just outside the terminal. Either way you are at the Sea Breeze meeting point soon after you clear the harbour.
Driving down from Tirana airport
If you fly into the capital, your gateway is Tirana International Airport Nene Tereza, often called Rinas. From there to Ksamil is roughly 250 kilometres down the country, so plan for the best part of a day on the road — commonly in the region of four to five hours depending on traffic, road works and the season.
A private transfer is the simplest door-to-door option and lets you watch the coast unspool instead of the map. Self-driving is rewarding if you are comfortable with mountain roads and want to stop along the way. There is no single direct bus, so public transport means a connection, usually routed through Saranda, after which you pick up the short Saranda to Ksamil leg described above.
A note on the closer gateway: Corfu International Airport is one of the nearest airports to Ksamil. Many travellers fly into Corfu, take the short ferry to Saranda, and finish with a quick transfer rather than driving the length of Albania. If your routing is flexible, it is worth comparing.
Finding Sea Breeze Seaside Bar & Restaurant
The meeting point is Sea Breeze Seaside Bar & Restaurant, Rruga Riviera, Ksamil 9700. It is our family's own restaurant, set right on the waterfront, so it reads as a destination in its own right rather than a hidden back-alley pickup. Once you are on Rruga Riviera and beside the water, you are within a minute or two of where we cast off.
Before you set off for the day, send the captain a message. WhatsApp +355 69 990 0808, or find us on Instagram at @ksamili_boat_hire, and tell us roughly when you will arrive. We will have the boat ready and reply with anything useful for that day's conditions.
At the dock, the routine is unhurried. We fit life jackets for everyone, run a short, plain-language briefing if you are taking the boat out yourselves, and point you towards the spots that suit the weather. Insurance, the sunshade, cushioned seating and a Bluetooth speaker are all included; a cool box is yours on request. Fuel is the one extra — measured at the dock, so you only pay for what you actually use. If you would rather not drive, a captain can come along; see how it works for the full picture, or browse the fleet before you decide.
Practical arrival tips
We run roughly May to October, daily from around half past seven in the morning until early evening, so there is room to plan your day around your ferry or your drive. Mornings tend to be calmest on the water, which matters if you are heading out to the four islets just off the beach or pushing north for the reflective coves.
On booking: in May, June and September a same-day or last-minute trip is usually fine. July and August are busier, and trips tend to fill two to three days ahead, so a quick message in advance saves disappointment. We do not ask for a deposit on quieter days, and you can settle by cash or card at the dock, or by transfer.
On weather: we will not sail if the sea is unsafe. If conditions turn against your booking, you get a full refund or a reschedule, no debate. That honesty cuts both ways — on a breezy day the captain may steer you towards sheltered water such as Mirror Beach or the calm shallows of Laguna rather than an exposed run, and that judgement is part of what you are hiring.
Common questions
How do I get to Ksamil from Saranda?
It is a short hop south, around fifteen kilometres down the coast road. The quickest option is a taxi, usually twenty to thirty minutes and longer in peak August traffic. The local Trans Butrinti bus also runs through the day in summer for a modest fare, leaving from near the Saranda waterfront. Either way, head for Ksamil centre, then make for Sea Breeze Seaside Bar & Restaurant on Rruga Riviera, where we meet you.
Can I reach Ksamil from Corfu?
Yes. Take the Corfu to Saranda ferry — the crossing is short, around thirty minutes on the fast boats and roughly an hour on the slower car ferries, with frequent sailings through the summer day. It is an international border, so bring your passport and arrive at the port early to clear control on both sides. From Saranda port it is a quick taxi or local bus on to Ksamil and the Sea Breeze meeting point.
How far is Tirana airport from Ksamil?
Tirana International Airport Nene Tereza, also called Rinas, is about 250 kilometres away, so plan for the best part of a day on the road, commonly in the region of four to five hours depending on traffic and season. A private transfer is the easiest door-to-door option; there is no single direct bus, so public transport means a connection, often through Saranda. If you can fly via Corfu instead, that island airport is one of the closest gateways, reached by the short Corfu to Saranda ferry plus a quick onward transfer.
Where exactly do we meet for the boat?
Every trip meets at Sea Breeze Seaside Bar & Restaurant on Rruga Riviera, Ksamil 9700 — our own family restaurant, right on the water, so it is easy to find. Message the captain on WhatsApp at +355 69 990 0808, or find us at @ksamili_boat_hire, with your arrival time, and we will have everything ready: life jackets, sunshade, cushioned seating and a quick dock briefing before you head out. Fuel is the only extra, measured and paid at the dock.