We paid €30 a head for the pre-booked speedboat version of the Ksamil islands tour in shoulder season, morning departure. Bottom line up front: it’s worth it, and it’s the single best thing to do in Ksamil — but only the morning boat. The afternoon runs are a slow, crowded shuttle. Book early, go early, and it’s the trip that justifies coming to Ksamil at all.
Fast Facts & Review Scorecard
- Our Final Rating: 4.5 / 5
- Duration: 3–4 hours
- Base Cost: €15–30 per passenger (season-dependent)
- Departs: Ksamil main jetties, from ~09:00
- Includes: 2–3 swim stops, Cave of Pirates, loop of the outer islands
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What Exactly Happens On This Tour?
The morning speedboat pushes off around 9am, before the Saranda day-trippers arrive, and loops the offshore islets in water that shifts from pale green to deep blue. You get two or three swim stops in coves you can’t reach on foot, a snorkel around the Cave of Pirates, and a run past the uninhabited outer islands. The better operators hand out snorkel gear and keep groups small; the cheapest jetty boats pack more people on and skip the shade. You’re back at the beach by early afternoon — enough time for a late lunch before the evening swim.
Honest Breakdown: The Pros & Cons
The Good Stuff
- Swim stops at coves genuinely unreachable from shore
- The morning boat beats the crowds to every island
- Pre-booking fixes the price and skips the jetty haggling
The Bad Stuff
- Afternoon departures are packed and rushed on every operator
- Cheapest jetty boats skimp on shade and snorkel gear
- Choppy days can make the outer-island leg uncomfortable
Final Verdict: Should You Book It?
Yes — with one rule: take the morning departure. At €15–30 for three to four hours on the water, it’s the best-value experience on the whole Riviera and the reason Ksamil earns its place on an itinerary. Skip it only if you’re prone to seasickness. Staying elsewhere? See our Ksamil destination guide for where to base yourself, or the full tours hub for day trips across the coast.