Sail Vlorë.

Vlorë sits where the Adriatic meets the Ionian, on a wide bay under the Ceraunian Mountains. The coast running south from here, known as the Albanian Riviera, still sees far less charter traffic than Corfu just across the water or the Ionian islands further south — anchorages that would be three-deep in Greece often sit empty here. Cliffs drop straight into clear water, olive terraces run down to pebble coves, and the harbour towns have the slightly unpolished feel of a coastline that opened to sailors only in the last decade. It suits guests who want Ionian scenery without the crowds, and who don't mind a few things — signage, mooring infrastructure — still catching up. Less right for anyone who wants marinas and beach clubs on tap.

The Bay of Vlorë opens south towards the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island, a marine protected area of steep limestone cliffs, sea caves and clear water. Beyond Karaburun the Riviera runs past Dhërmi, Himarë and the bay below Porto Palermo Castle to Sarandë, roughly 45 nautical miles south. The boat based here works between Vlorë itself and Marina Limion, near Sarandë, using either as a start or end point depending on the charter plan. Distances between good anchorages are short — a day's sail rarely runs past 20 nautical miles — so this is a coast built for slow mornings, long lunches at anchor and early stops rather than long open-water passages. From Sarandë, Corfu is a short hop across the strait, useful for a one-way itinerary or a change of scenery mid-week.

The season runs May to October. July and August are hot, dry and the busiest months on the beaches, though still quiet by wider Mediterranean standards. The prevailing summer wind is a north-westerly sea breeze that builds through the afternoon and drops away by evening, leaving mornings often glassy calm — good for early starts and swim stops before the breeze fills in. The Llogara Pass, where the mountains meet the sea near Dhërmi, can funnel stronger gusts down onto the water on windier days; worth knowing before rounding that stretch. Shoulder months — May, June, September, October — bring more settled conditions, fewer boats about and a cooler but still swimmable sea. Winter closes the sailing season entirely; this coast isn't set up for it.

Sailing from Vlorë is crewed only for now — there's no bareboat option based here. That suits guests happy to hand off navigation, provisioning and local knowledge and spend the week on deck rather than at the chart table; it's less suited to sailors who want to run their own boat and set their own pace. Crew details on request.

Price on request. Rates for the crewed boat based on this coast move with season, itinerary length and the route you want to sail, rather than sitting on a fixed list. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and party size and we'll come back with real numbers rather than a range that's gone stale by the time you read it.

Day 1 — Board in Vlorë, settle in, short sail to Karaburun for a first swim. Day 2 — Snorkel the Karaburun sea caves, cross to Sazan Island, anchor off the old naval base. Day 3 — Sail south to Dhërmi, beach afternoon, dinner ashore. Day 4 — On to Himarë, walk the old town, swim before dinner. Day 5 — Porto Palermo, anchor below the castle, afternoon at a nearby beach. Day 6 — Sarandë, walk the promenade, side trip to Butrint. Day 7 — Ksamil islands for a last swim, then on towards Marina Limion or back north to Corfu. Day 8 — Disembark.

Tirana is the main international airport, around 3 hours by road to Vlorë depending on traffic through the mountains. Corfu's airport sits closer to Sarandë and Marina Limion, with a short ferry crossing onto the Albanian coast — a useful option if your charter starts or finishes in the south rather than in Vlorë itself. Roads along the Riviera have improved in recent years but still slow through the passes, so build in transfer time whichever way you come. Bring cash in euros for small harbours and tavernas; card machines aren't universal outside the main towns.