Sarande
From CruisersWiki
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Transportation (local and/or international) | Transportation (local and/or international) | ||
* Buses to Butrint, Gjirokaster, Vlore and Tirana | * Buses to Butrint, Gjirokaster, Vlore and Tirana | ||
| - | * Ferries to Corfu | + | * Ferries to [[Corfu Town]] |
| - | * | + | * Twice daily hydrofoil to [[Corfu Town]] |
==Routes/Passages To/From== | ==Routes/Passages To/From== | ||
Revision as of 13:35, 11 May 2014
Sarandë, Albania (Port of Entry)
 (Click links for more information)
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 | 39°52′N, 20°0′E |
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 | Photo gallery |
 | Local chartlet |
 Saranda quay Click for larger view | |
Click for larger view
Click for larger view
Sarandë (Greek: Άγιοι Σαράντα, Agioi Saranda; Italian: Santi Quaranta) or Saranda is the southernmost port of entry into Albania. It is only six miles from the Greek island of Corfu. The city has a population of about 30,000 (2001 estimate). Near Sarandë are the remains of the ancient city of Butrint, a World Heritage site.
Alongside its ethnic Albanian majority, Saranda is home to an ethnic Greek minority and considered one of the centers of the Greek minority in Albania. The city’s current name derives from the Byzantine church of Ayioi Saranta (Forty Saints), whose ruins are still on the hill overlooking the city. It was a church of the proto-byzantine period. It had two row of columns in the interior and arcs along the length of its sides. They said that there were 40 churches in its environs one for each Sebastian martyr. A Greek community is still there but smaller. Greek schools are still operating as well as Greek churches.
Their harbour is unlike most harbours. In the S-facing open bay where the city is located they have built on the west side an arrangement of quays and jetties used by large merchant ships, hydrofoils, ferries from Corfu and visiting yachts alike. It is there that all the official buildings are located since Saranda is a port of entry to Albania. Shelter in this position is good in the prevailing NW winds, although there is some swell in strong winds from this direction. Strong winds from a southerly quadrant make the harbour untenable and from an easterly one extremely uncomfortable, since there is a fetch of a mile across the bay.
Charts
See Albania.
Radio Nets
- Albanian Coast Guard - VHF 11
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Local Weather
See Albania.
The approach from S is straightforward provided that the red buoy marking the Sarande Shoal on the W side of the bay is left well to port. This is especially important in the approach from N, when a yacht needs to stay at least half a mile offshore to avoid the shoal.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
You must use an agent to undertake the paperwork for entry into and exit from ports in Albania and Saranda is no exception. Before entering the harbour, especially if this is your first port into Albania, it is necessary to arrange an agent and communicate your ETA (remember if coming from Greece that Albania is an hour earlier than Greek time). One list of possible agents is shown on Noonsite.
As you approach the harbour call Sarande Port Control on VHF channel 11 to announce your arrival and alert your agent (they all monitor channel 11). If you get no response then call on channel 16. You should be met by your agent at the quay to help you moor up and take your papers and passports for processing.
Prior to departing from the harbour your agent will communicate with the authorities and provide the departure permission. Expect to give your agent a day's notice of departure. A standard charge is likely to be of the order of EUR50 for formalities and EUR10 per night for your stay in the harbour.
Berthing Options
There is only limited space for yachts in the harbour and it is usually necessary to do an anchor moor back to one of the sections of quay, as advised by your agent. Depths are 3.5 metres along the outside of the main quay, but decrease to only 1.5 metres close in at the head of the little basin just S of it. However, note that if directed to the semi-alongside berth (still using your anchor) on the S end of the main quay that there is rubble reducing the depths some 6-7 metres back from the outer edge of the quay (see photo of Athene of Lymington in this berth).
There are two widely-spaced electricity stanchions on the quay (each with two Euro-plug outlets in rather poor condition) and three separate water points. The water is safe and drinkable (2014).
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
It is possible to anchor in the bay with permission, but only while awaiting clearance.
Offshore Islands and Groups
Yacht Repairs and Services
None.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
- The World Heritage listed ancient city of Butrint is a short trip south of Sarande. It can be reached by taxi or bus (Wikipedia Butrint article). The bus goes every half hour from 0830 from the small roundabout 200 metres N of the port. The trip takes about an hour.
- The historic town of Gjirokaster is 55km north-east of Sarande. It is accessible by taxi or bus. (Wikipedia Gjirokaster article). The bus for Gjirokaster goes from the main bus station, around 10 minutes walk from the port.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Fresh fruit and vegetable market: About 250m north of the port exit
39°52.428′N, 20°0.134′E. Go to the roundabout, turn right and the market is about 50m along on the left.
- Large Alfa supermarket: About 300m north of the port exit 39°52.397′N, 20°0.192′E. Go to the roundabout, take a left and immediately a right. The supermarket is about 30m along on the left.
- Other: There are a number of small supermarkets, bakeries, butchers and grocers in the streets around the port.
- Bank: On the north side of the roundabout just north of the port.
- Fuel: A fuel station is about 400m north-west of the port 39°52.4154′N, 20°0.0265′E. Go to the roundabout, take a left and the fuel station is about 170m along on the right.
- Mobile phone shop: Vodafone and ALB Telecom (Eagle Mobile) shops on left half a mile along the road round the bay.
Eateries
There are a number of restaurants and fast food outlets in close proximity to the port. Your agent will usually have several recommendations.
Internet/WiFi
- Free WiFi is available in the Port cafe (but not often working).
- Your agent may provide you with the password of a WiFi network accessible at the quay, however it is likely that you will need a high gain antenna to access it. We were unable to use it in May 2014, even with such an antenna --Athene of Lymington.
- A prepaid Albanian SIM card with 3G internet access can be purchased locally. One outlet is the Vodafone store about 700m north-east of the port 39°52.442′N, 20°0.5099′E. Go north to the roundabout, turn right and the store is a few metres up a set of steps about 500m along, adjacent the root of the private jetty. A more helpful outlet, however, is the ALB Telecom store 50 metres N across the road from the Vodafone shop (850 leks or around Euros 7 for SIM card and 1GB data for 30 days).
Laundry
- One laundry is about 1km north-east of the port 39°52.5547′N, 20°0.4304′E. Go north from the port to the roundabout. Turn right. Take the second street on the left (about 400m along) then the third street on the right (another 250m). The laundry is about 30m along on the right.
- There is at least one other laundry. Again, your agent can advise.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
- Can be arranged by your agent.
Garbage Disposal
The Port Authority provides small rubbish bins in the port area.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
- Buses to Butrint, Gjirokaster, Vlore and Tirana
- Ferries to Corfu Town
- Twice daily hydrofoil to Corfu Town
Routes/Passages To/From
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Wikipedia - Sarandë
- See also Albania
References & Publications
See Albania.
Personal Notes
- In May 2013 we used Agim Zholi (Greek mobile +33 6983296310; Albanian mobile +355 69 256 6576) as an agent. He was efficient and charged the fee we had expected (EUR50 plus EUR10 per night we were in the harbour). On arrival we were directed to moor stern-to the quay. Later in our stay we were asked to move as a large ferry was arriving from Corfu. --Yachtbillabong
- Another happy customer of Agim Zholi, we berthed in the semi-alongside berth which, on reflection, is probably the most secure berth in the harbour, since your anchor is only keeping your bow straight rather than holding you off the quay. --Athene of Lymington
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- July 2007 FANEROMENI
- May 2013 Yachtbillabong
- May 2014 Athene of Lymington
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Names: Lighthouse, FANEROMENI, Yachtbillabong, Athene of Lymington |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Ionian Sea | Albania | Sarande | |
