Marinas in Albania: A Complete Guide to Albania’s Harbours and Anchorages
If you are planning a sailing trip in Albania, then you are probably interested in the marinas in Albania in case you need to reprovision, escape poor weather, or get off the boat to explore the mainland.
Albania was closed to sailors for many years but is slowly opening up. However, you will not yet find the same hospitality extended to sailors in Greece, Croatia, or Montenegro.
Without proper systems or services in place to assist sailors and with a relatively exposed coastline, it can be challenging, especially for inexperienced sailors (like us).
Knowing the coastline and the available amenities can make your trip safer and more enjoyable.
Marinas in Albania: North to South
This guide runs north to south, however, be aware that the north Albanian coastline is particularly unwelcoming to sailors. For around 100 NM of coastline between Albania’s northern border and Vlorë, vessels stopping outside of official ports are not well tolerated by authorities, yet only two such ports exist. These ports are located in Shëngjin and Durrës.
Note that in all the major ports listed below the harbour master requires all boats to clear in and out of the port before entering or leaving. This also goes for the anchorages next to the major ports. The VHF channels for each port are listed below.
List of the Major Marinas in Albania
- Shëngjin – Commercial port suitable for check-in / out of Albania. VHF 12.
- Durrës – Makeshift marina within a commercial port. Basic services. VHF 16.
- Vlorë – Only suitable for check-in/out. VHF 12.
- Orikum – Newly opened dedicated marina. VHF 15.
- Sarandë – Some stern-to berths available at the ferry terminal. VHF 11.
Port of Shëngjin
Shëngjin is Albania’s northernmost port and a common stopover for those checking into or out of the country. This is not a dedicated yachting marina but a commercial port that you can tie up side to, with prior arrangement through a yachting agent as part of the check-in/check-out procedure. There is no provision for mooring outside of this process, nor would you want to as the active shipping port is not well set up for private boats.
It is also possible to anchor on the beach in front of Shëngjin and many choose to do this after checking in rather than staying in the commercial port.
Clear in and out of the port or anchorage on VHF 12.
Agent for check-in/check-out: Frok Frroku +355 68 20 35 531
Port of Durrës
Durrës has a small makeshift marina in the city port. The Cristian Marina is really just a section of the commercial ferry port with some adjustments to accommodate private boats. On the positive side, you can safely moor here with lines. There are basic services, including electricity, non-potable water, toilets, and showers.
Durrës is a popular seaside town with a number of ancient ruins and historic attractions in the town as well as cafes, restaurants, and bars.
It is ostensibly also possible to arrange for fuel or other services through the marina staff. We were not able to do so ourselves, despite trying over several days.
Disembarking through the large commercial port to visit the town can be a challenge that involves a hike around the facility and negotiating with the port security, who seem endlessly confused by the presence of sailors trying to enter or exit the port without a ferry ticket.
Many people check out of Durrës (with the use of an agent) and make the long passage to Montenegro or Italy from here.
It is also possible to anchor in the bay to the south of the port and marina.
Clear in and out of the port or anchorage on VHF 16.
Agent for check-in/check-out: Ilir Gjergji +355 68 20 36 329
Port of Vlorë
There is a high concrete dock here for boats that have pre-arranged with an agent to check in or check out. It is not possible or advised to stay here for any other reason than making a quick checkout.
There is a popular anchorage just outside the port, which makes for a better place to stay or to leave the boat while exploring Vlorë. There is also a dedicated marina nearby in Orikum.
Clear in and out of the port or anchorage on VHF 12
Agent for check-in/check-out: Mikel Hyskaj +355 68 80 44 929 / Orion Agaj +355 69 77 10 739
Orikum Marina
The Orikum Marina is newly renovated and Albania’s first dedicated yacht marina.
It has a variety of facilities and services available to sailors and is an important stop if you need to reprovision or refuel between the north and the south. Toilet facilities, showers with great water pressure, fuel services, drinkable water, and electricity are all available at the Orikum Marina. Laundry services are available in the town center (a 10 minute walk from the marina) for €2 a kilo.
It is a great place to leave your boat and explore the coastline between Vlorë to the north and the Albanian Riviera to the south. A car rental office is located in Orikum proper, and the marina office will help you to arrange for a rental with the office.
Clear in and out of the port or anchorage on VHF 15.
Contact the marina at +355 68 603 9888.
Agent for check-in/check-out: Mikel Hyskaj +355 68 80 44 929
Port of Sarandë
Sarandë is an Albanian coastal resort town with a long beach and a busy international ferry terminal that processes passenger ferries from Greece and Italy.
It is very popular to check in or out of Albania here, and it is less than 20 NM from the port authority and customs in Corfu, Greece.
Once again this is not a dedicated marina, however, a few spaces have been made available to yachts on the ferry quay. As a result, this mooring is prone to wake and noise.
Many people opt to anchor in the Sarandë anchorage just south of the ferry port. This protected anchorage has great holding and is a good place to stay for a few days while you explore the area. The downside of this anchorage is the loud music from the beach and evening tour boats.
Like Durrës, coming ashore in Sarandë can also be an issue. Whether anchored or moored, sailors must come ashore via the ferry terminal, where the officials often seem surprised, confused, and/or annoyed by the presence of sailors.
Sarandë is close to the historic town of Gjirokastër, a natural spring known as the Blue Eye, and the ancient city of Butrint.
Clear in and out of the port on VHF 11.
Agent for check-in/check-out: Jelja Serani +355 69 48 59 383
Other Harbors and Anchorages in Albania
As touched on above, for reasons unknown, north of Vlorë, it appears as though anchoring or mooring outside of two designated ports, Durrës and Shëngjin, is not always tolerated by Albanian authorities. Although some people have successfully anchored along the beaches and bays of the north, many more have been run off by the Coast Guard and directed to travel to the official ports.
South of Vlorë, there are many beautiful anchorages, but sailors should be aware that the county remains a step or two behind Mediterranean neighbors when it comes to welcoming boats. You won’t find the same level of facilities, such as town quays or restaurants offering mooring buoys, here. Sailing Albania is an exercise in self-sufficiency. On the plus side, you’ll have far fewer boats to share the beautiful Albanian coastline with.
Lalzi Bay
This is one anchorage to the north of Durrës recommended to us by the yachting agent in Sarande and endorsed by several sailors on Navily.
Bardhor
Sailors report that it is possible to anchor in this shallow and sandy bay which offers good holding and protection to the south and east.
Sazan Island
This small island off the Karaburun peninsula offers some protection to the north and east. The island itself is a popular tourist attraction for its natural beauty and military history.
Shengjerjjit
This anchorage at the northern end of the Karaburun peninsula offers protection from southerly winds, at least in calm conditions. Many sailors stay here when transiting between the North and South. One frequent complaint about this anchorage is the poor holding and that it doesn’t offer good protection in strong winds. There is, however, a large mooring buoy that has been used by some sailors in windy conditions.
Orso Bay
This beautiful but narrow bay offers good protection from the south and the east. It is, however, open to the west and can be roly with even a slight swell. Despite this, it is still one of the prettiest bays to anchor traveling from Sarande to Himare. There is a faint cell reception that goes in and out depending on how far into the bay you are anchored.
Grama Bay
The miniature fjord of Grama Bay is very picturesque but not a particularly practical anchorage given its depth, poor holding, and the unstable winds generated in the gorge-like bay.
Himare
You can easily anchor here in about four or five meters on a sand and seaweed bottom. The holding is good, the water has ok visibility and we have stayed here for days at a time without problems.
The anchorage is quite exposed to the constant swells from the west, so be prepared for a rolly stay.
The seaside town is a popular vacation destination, so expect tour boats going in and out all day and music pumping from the beach until late at night or early morning.
Although there are no dedicated yachting services here, you can find restaurants, groceries, and petrol stations.
Himare is a place to stay for a night or two, reprovision and enjoy some of the Albanian hospitality before continuing your journey south or north.
Porto Palermo
The site of a famous ruin and a military base, this anchorage and harbor, has been in a bit of a grey area for many years, with some sailors reporting a warm welcome and others complaining they have been chased off by the military who have a base here.
Current information from the sailing community and the agent who checked us in in Sarande is that the port is now welcoming boats between July and October and even allows private boats to tie up to the old concrete wharf here.
The wharf is three or four meters high, so it can be a little tricky to dock. In late July, we moored on the dock in the only space left among the ten or so boats moored side to. A few hours later, we were asked to make way for another boat that apparently had rights there.
There are a number of places to anchor in this natural harbor which are less exposed than the next anchorage of Himare to the north.
Porto Palermo is famous for the fortress castle, which has stood over Himare since the 19th century.
Kakome Beach
This is one of the most beautiful anchorages and one of the best protected, offering shelter from everything except the northwest.
The bay is extremely beautiful, and there is an old monastery in the hills behind the beach, which you can walk to. Beware the security guard who may try to solicit payment to pass through the unfinished resort he is guarding. We doubt the authority of this demand and elected not to pay without too much drama.
One downside of this anchorage is that the mountains can funnel a strong wind through the bay. We were anchored here overnight when it blew constantly above 30 knots with sustained periods of 40 knots winds. On the plus side, the holding is good, and we didn’t drag an inch.
Additionally, lots of loud tourist boats arrive in mid-morning, competing to play the loudest music. There is also a lot of trash strewn on the beach that floats through the bay.
Ksamil and the Ksamil Islands
Four small islands off the coast of a resort town and beach, Ksamil is a popular holiday destination on the southern Albanian coast.
While it is very pretty, as an anchorage, it is not ideal as anchoring is restricted by swimming nets (at least in the summer tourist season), and rented jetskis make the sport of navigating as close as possible to anchored sailboats.
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