A Porto Palermo boat tour from Himara reveals a quieter side of the Albanian Riviera. Instead of heading north towards Gjipe, Pirates Cave or Grama Bay, this route follows the coast south, where sheltered bays, rocky cliffs and traces of local history appear surprisingly close to one another.

The experience is designed for travellers who want to see several beautiful locations without spending most of the day at sea. Departing from Himara Port, the private speedboat route brings together Filikuri Bay, Llamani Bay, the Porto Palermo submarine tunnel and Porto Palermo itself.

Each stop has a different character. Filikuri feels hidden beneath the cliffs, Llamani opens towards brighter water, the submarine tunnel adds an unexpected historical detail, and Porto Palermo brings the journey to a naturally protected bay overlooked by its well-known castle.

A Different Boat Route from Himara

Many visitors associate boat tours from Himara with the northern coastline. That direction includes famous places such as Aquarium Bay, Jale, Gjipe Canyon, Pirates Cave and Grama Bay.

The southern route feels different.

The distances between the main stops are shorter, the bays are more sheltered, and natural scenery is mixed with landmarks connected to the history of the coast. It is a practical choice for anyone looking for a shorter private experience that still includes swimming, sightseeing and time away from the busier beaches.

Travellers still deciding which direction to explore can first read the complete Himara boat tour guide.

Porto Palermo Boat Tour at a Glance

The current private experience offered by Aqua Odyssey includes:

• Departure: Himara Port

• Duration: Approximately 2 hours

• Tour type: Private speedboat

• Capacity: Up to 10 guests

• Number of destinations: Four

• Main stops: Filikuri Bay, Llamani Bay, the submarine tunnel and Porto Palermo

• Included: Professional skipper, fuel, life jackets, safety equipment and swimming stops

Because it is a private tour, the boat is reserved for your party. This creates a more personal atmosphere for couples, families and groups of friends who prefer not to share the experience with other passengers.

First Stop: Filikuri Bay

Filikuri Bay is one of the most distinctive small bays near Himara. From the water, its steep rocky surroundings make the beach feel separated from the nearby roads and developed areas.

Arriving by boat allows you to appreciate the height of the cliffs and the clear transition between deep blue and lighter turquoise water near the shore. The approach is part of the experience: the bay gradually opens between the rocks as the speedboat moves closer.

Depending on sea conditions, Filikuri can provide an opportunity for swimming and photography. The enclosed setting also makes it feel more intimate than the larger public beaches around Himara.

For travellers who enjoy discovering smaller coastal locations, Filikuri is an excellent introduction to the southern route.

Second Stop: Llamani Bay

After Filikuri, the coastline continues towards Llamani Bay. The scenery becomes more open here, providing a noticeable contrast with the narrow, cliff-lined setting of the first stop.

Llamani is known for its clear water and the mountains rising behind the coast. Although the beach can also be reached by road, approaching it from the Ionian Sea offers a completely different view. From the boat, you can see the full shape of the bay rather than only the section visible from the shore.

The water around Llamani can display several shades of blue, particularly when the sun is high. This makes it a natural location for photographs, swimming and a short break before continuing towards Porto Palermo.

The exact length and order of each stop may vary according to sea conditions and the skipper’s safety decisions.

Third Stop: The Porto Palermo Submarine Tunnel

One of the most unusual sights on this route is the submarine tunnel built into the rocky coastline near Porto Palermo.

Its dark entrance creates a strong contrast with the bright water and natural landscape surrounding it. Unlike a beach or sea cave, the tunnel reflects a more recent chapter in Albania’s coastal history.

Seeing it from the water gives visitors a better understanding of how discreetly it was positioned within the bay. From a distance, the entrance can be easy to miss. As the boat approaches, its scale and location within the rock become much clearer.

Access near or inside the tunnel may depend on current restrictions, local conditions and safety considerations. The skipper will determine the appropriate way to approach the area on the day of the tour.

This stop gives the journey an unexpected element and helps distinguish the Porto Palermo route from other boat trips around Himara.

Fourth Stop: Porto Palermo Bay

Porto Palermo is the defining destination of the tour.

The bay has a naturally sheltered shape, surrounded by hills and calm-looking stretches of coastline. Above the water stands Porto Palermo Castle, creating one of the most recognisable views in southern Albania.

Arriving by road shows only one side of the area. From the sea, the relationship between the castle, the peninsula and the protected bay becomes much easier to understand. The landscape appears wider, and the position of the fortification above the water becomes part of the view.

The boat tour focuses on experiencing Porto Palermo from the sea. A visit inside the castle would need to be planned separately by land.

For travellers interested in both scenery and local history, this combination makes Porto Palermo more than another swimming destination. It becomes the natural conclusion to a route that gradually changes from secluded bays to one of the coast’s most memorable landmarks.

Why Visit Porto Palermo by Boat?

Porto Palermo can be reached by road, but travelling by boat changes the experience in several ways.

First, the journey includes coastal places that cannot be appreciated in the same way from a car. Filikuri’s cliffs, the full shape of Llamani Bay and the submarine tunnel are all best understood from the water.

Second, the tour connects four different locations in one continuous route. There is no need to drive between beaches, search for parking or return to the main road after every stop.

Finally, arriving by speedboat keeps the coast itself at the centre of the experience. The journey is not simply transportation to Porto Palermo; every section between Himara and the final bay becomes part of the day.

You can explore more locations on the Aqua Odyssey destinations page.

Who Is This Tour Best For?

A Porto Palermo boat tour from Himara can be a strong choice for:

• Couples who want a private experience

• Families looking for a shorter coastal tour

• Groups of friends travelling together

• Visitors with limited time in Himara

• Travellers interested in swimming and coastal history

• Guests who prefer a southern route

• Anyone who does not want to spend five or six hours at sea

The two-hour duration makes the tour easier to combine with other plans. You can still enjoy lunch in Himara, relax at the beach or visit Porto Palermo Castle by road later in the day.

The private boat accommodates groups of up to ten guests, making it suitable for families or friends who want to share the experience without unrelated passengers.

What Should You Bring?

You do not need special equipment for the tour, but a few practical items will make the trip more comfortable:

• Swimwear

• Beach towel

• Sunscreen

• Hat and sunglasses

• Drinking water

• Phone or camera

• A dry bag for valuables

• Light clothing that is easy to move in

Avoid bringing unnecessary luggage because storage space on a speedboat is more limited than on a large passenger vessel.

Aqua Odyssey provides a professional skipper, fuel, life jackets and the necessary safety equipment. Further information about preparation, weather and reservations is available on the boat tour FAQ page.

When Is the Best Time to Take the Tour?

Morning departures can be comfortable for travellers who want to begin their day on the water and keep the afternoon free. The coastline may also feel quieter earlier in the day.

A daytime departure usually provides brighter water colours and strong visibility around the cliffs and bays. This can be particularly attractive for swimming and photography.

However, there is no departure time that is automatically best for everyone. The right choice depends on availability, weather, sea conditions and the rest of your holiday plans.

During July and August, private boats can be reserved quickly. Booking in advance is recommended if you have only one available day or need a particular departure time.

Is the Porto Palermo Tour Suitable for Children?

A private tour can work well for families because parents and children have the boat to themselves. The shorter duration may also be easier for children who have limited experience on speedboats.

Life jackets and safety equipment are included. Parents should still contact Aqua Odyssey before booking to discuss the children’s ages, individual requirements and expected sea conditions.

The skipper’s instructions should always be followed, particularly when entering the boat, approaching the shore or preparing for a swimming stop.

What Happens if the Weather Changes?

Every boat tour depends on safe sea conditions.

Wind and waves may affect the departure time, the order of the destinations or how closely the boat can approach a particular location. In some situations, the trip may need to be rescheduled.

These changes are made for safety. The final decision about the route always belongs to the skipper, based on the conditions experienced on the day.

Keeping some flexibility in your travel schedule is helpful, especially if a boat tour is one of the main activities planned during your visit.

Book a Porto Palermo Boat Tour from Himara

The southern coast offers something different from Himara’s longer northern routes. In approximately two hours, you can move from the hidden setting of Filikuri Bay to the open water of Llamani, see the unusual submarine tunnel and arrive beneath the historic landscape of Porto Palermo.

It is a compact but varied journey, combining swimming, coastal scenery and local character in a single private experience.

View the complete Porto Palermo private boat tour or contact Aqua Odyssey to check availability and reserve your preferred date.