Albania Coast - Jewel of the Adriatic. Kayaking, Hiking and Watersports WEEKEND

Swap Croatia’s crowds for Albania’s wild Riviera on a long weekend of sea kayaking, coastal hiking and beach time. Paddle to sea caves and hidden coves, glide along clear Ionian waters, and land on Gjipe Bay’s canyon-backed beach – one of the coast’s most dramatic spots.

Hike the White Trail to remote San Andreas Bay for a swim in Ionian-blue water. Evenings are for sundowners and seafood in lively Dhërmi with it's beach bars, and the trip finishes with a night in Tirana to explore its cafés, squares and nightlife before flying home.

📏 Key Info
• 🌙 Nights: 3 (Fri–Mon)
• 💷 Cost: £379 early bird / £427 standard
• 🥾 Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate 3–4 hrs hiking
• 🛶 Activities: Sea kayaking, coastal hiking
• 🛌 Room Type: Hotels - Twin ensuite
• 🚐 Transport: Private minibus + speedboat transfer
• 🍽️ Meals Included: All Breakfasts + 2 picnic lunches
• ✈️ Start & End City: Tirana
• 🚐 Airport Transfer: Group transfer included for suggested flights

🌟 Trip Highlights
• Stay on the Albanian Riviera coast at Sofo Hotel, Dhërmi (LINK)
• Kayak along the coast to hidden bays and Gjipe Canyon and swim in dazzling blue waters
• Hike the White Trail from Palasë River Delta to San Andreas Bay with panoramic sea and cliff views
• Enjoy a private speedboat ride back along the coast after the hike
• Spend a night in central Tirana, staying at Vila e Arte Hotel (LINK), a great central base to explore the capital
• Private minibus transport for our group throughout the trip
• Small group – limited to 16, with an English-speaking local Albanian guide
• Option to try extra watersports: SUP, windsurfing, waterskiing (subject to conditions & availability)

🌅 Trip Description
Nestled between the turquoise waters of Italy and northern Greece, and sharing the same dramatic coastline as Croatia, Albania remains one of Europe’s last undiscovered gems – think Croatia many years ago. With pebble and sandy Mediterranean beaches, rugged mountains, sea cliffs and hidden caves, it offers a remarkably diverse and tranquil natural escape.

On this trip you don’t need to choose between a mountain adventure or a beach holiday – this coastline gives you both. We kayak beneath towering coastal peaks through crystal-clear waters to the stunning Gjipe Bay canyon, and we also enjoy a scenic coastal hike along the White Trail.

There’s a balance of structured activity and free time. Relax under the Albanian sun, try watersports, or explore at your own pace. In the evenings, the beach bars, restaurants and music give the area a fun holiday atmosphere.

🛏️ Accommodation & Transport
• Dhërmi (2 nights) – Twin en-suite rooms at Sofo Hotel (LINK), located near the beach
• Tirana (1 night) – Twin en-suite rooms at Vila e Arte Hotel (LINK), a central base for exploring the capital
• Transport:
Private group minibus: Tirana Airport → Dhërmi → Tirana
Private speedboat transfer back along the coast after the San Andreas hike

📅 Itinerary

Friday – Arrival & Transfer to the Coast
Arrive at Tirana Airport and transfer by private minibus to the Dhërmi coastline, where we check into our hotel and enjoy our first evening on the coast.

The beach here is famous for its crystal-clear waters and blue sea, with bars and restaurants right by the water, perfect for a first swim and sunset drink.

Saturday – Sea Kayaking to Gjipe Bay & Beach Time

We set off by kayak along the coast to one of the most beautiful spots on the Albanian Riviera – Gjipe Bay and its canyon. Here (tide and sea conditions permitting) we may explore the Pirates’ Cave from the inside, a cave once used as shelter by pirates.

The Gjipe Canyon gives off a hint of a mini Grand Canyon with its steep red walls dropping dramatically to the beach.

Afternoon (optional activities):
We return to the main beach in Dhërmi where you can choose from:
• Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)*
• Windsurfing*
• Water-skiing*
• Or simply relax on the beach with a swim or a drink

*All extra activities are optional, paid locally and are subject to sea conditions and availability.

Evening free for dinner at local restaurants and to enjoy the lively beach bars if you wish.

Sunday – Coastal Hike & Tirana
Hike: Palasë’s River Delta – Bay of San Andreas
• Distance: 6 miles (9km)
• Grading: Beginner/Intermediate
• Ascent: 240m
• Hiking time: 2.5 – 3.5 hours

This morning we start from the delta of Palasë Beach, where white pebbles meet turquoise sea – a classic postcard scene. From there we follow the White Trail along cliffs, woodland and open coastal paths, with the clear Ionian Sea visible for much of the route.

We reach beautiful San Andreas Bay, where we have time to enjoy the beach and swim before being collected by a private speedboat for the ride back along the coast – a spectacular finale to the hike.

In the late afternoon/early evening, we transfer by minibus to Tirana and check into our hotel. The guided trip ends here and the evening is free to self-explore the capital and its nightlife.

Monday – Tirana & Departure
After breakfast in Tirana you’re welcome to:
• Head to the airport (bus or taxi options available), or
• Extend your stay in Tirana to explore its museums, cafés and streets.

🍽️ Food
The local cuisine is Mediterranean with strong Italian, Greek and Turkish influences. Fresh seafood, grilled meats, salads, and local dishes feature heavily.

Dietary requirements:
• Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free food can be catered for
• Some requirements (e.g. nut-free) cannot be catered for
• We must be aware of all dietary needs before booking – please email us first to confirm if your requirements can be accommodated: **info@outdooraholics.co.uk**

Breakfast is provided each day, and 2 picnic lunches are included (Saturday & Sunday). Dinners are taken at local restaurants, giving you the flexibility to choose what you’d like to eat and how much you spend.

💷 Cost & Booking
• £379 for the first 10 sign-ups (Early Booking Discount)
• Then £427 thereafter

How to book:
• Click “Attend” and pay a £100 deposit by PayPal to secure your space
• Remainder due by Sunday 29th March (by bank transfer)
• Payment details are emailed 1 week before the balance deadline

Payment terms:
• Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable
• When the trip is sold out, fully paid spaces may be advertised to the same gender (see FAQ for details)

✅ Price Includes
• 2 nights’ accommodation in twin en-suite hotel rooms in Dhërmi
• 1 night accommodation in twin en-suite hotel rooms in Tirana
• Breakfast daily
• 2 picnic lunches
• Boat ride from San Andreas Bay
• Kayaking: instruction, kayak & kit hire
• Private minibus throughout
• Complimentary fixed time airport transfer
• Local English speaking guide
• Compliance with the 2018 Package Travel Regulations, including financial protection

❌ Price Excludes
• Flights, dinners
• Local airport bus on the last day (approx £4)

✈️ Flights, Start & End Times
All times below are local Albanian time.

Arrival – Friday (Tirana Airport → Dhërmi)
For anyone arriving on one of the suggested flights below or already at the airport – we offer a complimentary group transfer to the coast, departing 12:10pm from Tirana Airport. We will wait up to 3 hours for delays on the listed flights below only.

Inbound flights – 05.06.2026

• Ryanair flight: FR8101
05:45 from London Stansted (STN) → Tirana (TIA) landing 09:40
• Wizz Air flight: W95002
05:55 from London Luton (LTN) → Tirana (TIA) landing 10:00
• British Airways flight: BA380
07:50 from London Heathrow (LHR) → Tirana (TIA) landing 11:50

If you arrive later or on a different flight, you’ll need to make your own way to the accommodation on the coast. Flights are not part of the package. You are responsible for reaching the meeting point, even if your flight is delayed or changed. Please ensure your travel insurance covers travel disruption.

Return – Monday
The trip ends after breakfast in Tirana, you may:
• Take the bus or a taxi to Tirana Airport
• Stay longer in Tirana

🛡️ Insurance & Entry Requirements
It is essential that you have travel insurance which covers:
• Emergency medical treatment
• Kayaking (Level 1) and hiking
• Cancellation and curtailment
• Travel disruption (e.g. if you cannot reach the start of the trip due to delayed or cancelled flights)

You will be required to provide a copy of your insurance policy. Without valid insurance, we cannot accept you onto the trip and no refund will be due in this case.

Outdooraholics cannot verify what any policy covers – you must confirm this directly with your insurer. The guide accepting your policy details is not confirmation that it is valid or adequate.

Entry requirements:
• Valid travel documents for Albania, including a passport and visa if required
• Albania is not in the EU – please check entry rules for your nationality

❓ Want to Know More?
• 🔍 New to Our Overseas Trips? – Perfect for first-timers, answers “what to expect”
• 🏢 About Us – Who Outdooraholics are, credibility & history
• ❓ FAQs – Answers to the most common queries

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⚠️ Safety
Your guide is a trained hike leader and kayak instructor. Outdoor activities carry risk. Please bring suitable hiking footwear and clothing. See: Clothing tips.

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