The 6 Best Albania Kayaking Tours

1.Berat Rafting, Kayaking & River Tubing – Osumi Canyons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 336 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $54Our pick

Travel from Berat to Osumi Canyon for about two hours on the river, with a guide, wetsuit, thermal jacket, life jacket, helmet, and minivan transport. Expect waterfalls, narrow gorge walls, possible cliff jumps, and a small group capped at 15. Summer water levels can change rafting into canyon exploration.

“Lovely scenery. Great guide. The drive to the canyon can make you feel sick, So many turns... But it is worth it.”

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2.Sarande: Blue Eye Kayak and walking tour & Lekursi Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 278 reviews · 4h 30m · from $45

From Saranda, guide Ledjon takes you to Lekursi Castle for sweeping views, then to the Blue Eye for about 80 minutes of kayaking and free time. After a short walk, you get an hour to explore the spring. Expect a comfortable, air-conditioned van, history in English, cold water, and plenty of time for photos.

“The guide was very nice and the history information of the Castle and the Blue Eye was very interesting and complete, we also received the history information in WhatsApp just in case we couldn't hear or refer it later. at the end we got the train ticket and cold water!!”

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3.Stand Up Paddle-boarding around Ksamil islands (3 times a day)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $66

Meet guide Ari at Kristal Seafood Restaurant in Ksamil for a small-group SUP trip around the Ksamil Islands. Beginners get clear instruction before heading onto the water, and the roughly 80 to 120-minute outing may include swimming, island views, and a coffee or tea afterward. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, with some outings timed for sunrise or sunset.

“We had a wonderful time with our guide! Very easy to find the drop in spot and he was very friendly and knowledgeable. The weather was not the best but we still had a great time touring the ksamil islands and enjoyed a warm coffee after. Our guide gave us great recommendations for the rest of our trip and even offered an additional tour in another city. If you are looking for a great experience in ksamil I highly recommend!”

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4.From Berat: Osumi Canyon Rafting, Kayak, & River Tubing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 74 reviews · 270 minutes - 8 hours · from $51

You’ll travel from Berat to Albania’s 3-million-year-old Osumi Canyon for rafting from January to June, or gentler kayaking and river tubing later in the year. Certified guides, professional gear, waterfalls, canyon views, and an optional local lunch are included, with Lucas and Iken among the friendly team members praised by name.

“This was a great experience ! Organisation on top ! The whole team was really nice !! And the ride in the canyon was very beautiful !! Thanks Lucas and Iken !!!”

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5.Caves of Porto Palermo: Kayak/SUP Tour with Castle Sea View

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 41 reviews · 3 - 6 hours · from $42Best value

Meet your English-speaking local guide at Porto Palermo beach for a 5-kilometer kayak or SUP route along caves, cliffs, and quiet beaches. You’ll receive a safety briefing, snorkeling mask, waterproof phone case, and time to swim. The highlight is the sea-level view of Ali Pasha’s Castle.

“I had a great time kayaking in Porto Palermo. The guides were amazing. Very friendly and had a lot of knowledge about the area. The sights were beautiful!”

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6.From Shkodra: Koman Lake Adventure with Boat Ride & Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 9 reviews · 11 hours · from $88

This 11-hour trip from Hotel Rozafa combines a 1.5-hour bus ride to Koman, a 40 to 45-minute boat journey, lunch at a Berishe guesthouse, and free time for kayaking, trekking, or relaxing. An Albanian or English-speaking driver assists with transport, but activities are largely self-guided.

“The best part of the day was paying an extra 10euro pp to go to Shala river. This was not included in the tour. The bus ride from Shkoder had poor air conditioning and was full. Mix that with the heat of summer and winding path to get to Koman, it didn’t start the day well. There was also poor communication about what to do once we arrived at the ferry. There was a guide on our bus as well as a driver who only pointed us in the direction of the ticket taker. No one communicated next steps or where to get off. The ferry was PACKED and again…”

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