south coast
🐢 Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park
Albania's only marine national park, guarding its largest island
Recommended stay
Day trip (boat)
Best months
Jun–Sep
Ideal for
Snorkelling, boat trips, wild coastline
From Tirana
155 km · 2h 30min to Orikum, then boat
Avg. daily budget
€30–70
Weather
Hot, dry summers (28–32°C) with calm seas; boat access limited outside summer.
Why visit Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park
Albania's only marine national park protects the wild Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island, the country's largest island — a former closed military zone only opened to visitors in 2015, with sea turtles, monk seals, and some of the clearest water on the coast.
Top things to do
- → Boat trip around the Karaburun Peninsula's sea caves
- → Visit Sazan Island's abandoned military tunnels and bunkers
- → Snorkel or dive the marine park's protected waters
- → Swim at remote Grama Bay
- → Spot dolphins or sea turtles on a boat excursion
Don't miss
- • A full-day boat circuit around the peninsula, departing from Orikum or Vlorë
- • Sazan Island's Cold War-era military ruins
Local favourites
- • Fresh-grilled fish on the boat trip's lunch stop
Hidden gems
- • The peninsula's western sea caves, rarely visited even by boat tours
Photo gallery
Map
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📸 Best photo spots
- • The turquoise water off Grama Bay
- • Sazan Island's ridgeline at sunset
