North of Dhermi, the mountains of the Karaburun Peninsula drop straight into the sea. There are no roads and no villages here, just wild cliffs, sea caves and a few hidden bays. Two of the most special places along this coast are Grama Bay and the Secret Blue Cave. Here’s what to expect, and how to visit both in one day.
Where are Grama Bay and the Secret Blue Cave?
Both are on the west coast of the Karaburun Peninsula, north of Dhermi. This coast is part of the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park, Albania’s first national marine park. There is no road to any of these places. The only way to get there is by sea.
Grama Bay: a beach with 2,000 years of history
Grama Bay is a small pebble beach surrounded by high cliffs and crystal-clear water. For centuries, sailors sheltered here from storms. While they waited for the weather to change, many of them carved messages and prayers into the rocks. Some of these inscriptions date back to ancient Greek and Roman times, and you can still see them today. That’s where the bay gets its name: “grama” means “letter” or “writing.”
The water at Grama is perfect for snorkeling, with clear views of the rocks and fish below.
The Secret Blue Cave: swimming in blue light
The Secret Blue Cave is a sea cave you can swim into. Sunlight enters through the water and lights up the inside of the cave in an intense blue color. It’s one of the most memorable swims on the Albanian Riviera, and the highlight of the trip for many of our guests.
More stops along the way
On the way from Dhermi to Grama, the coast is full of beautiful places. On our Group Tour to Grama Bay & Secret Blue Cave, you’ll also see:
- Plasa Beach
- Thunder Cave
- Saint Andrea Bay, with a swimming stop at the beach
- Blue Gem Cave
- The Hidden Cave, which the boat sails inside
What to expect on the tour
- Departure: 10:00 from our office on Dhermi beach. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
- Return: around 14:00, so about 4 hours in total.
- Swimming stops: Saint Andrea Bay, Grama Bay and the Secret Blue Cave.
- Included: an English-speaking guide, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and swimming from the boat.
- The boat: TOMAS-I, our 11 m excursion boat with a shaded area, a large sundeck and a swimming platform.
Good to know before you go
- The tour goes along the open coast of Karaburun, so it depends on the sea. If the sea isn’t safe, we’ll let you know in advance and offer another time or date, or a full refund.
- This tour is not recommended for children under 12. For families with younger children, our Caves & Gjipe Beach tour is a great choice.
- Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- July and August are the busiest months, so book a few days ahead.
Book your trip to Grama Bay and the Secret Blue Cave
We’ve been running boat tours from Dhermi beach since 2017. See prices, dates and book online on the Group Tour to Grama Bay & Secret Blue Cave page. If you’d rather have the boat just for your group, take a look at our private boat tours.