Haxhi Ali Cave

The Haxhi Ali cave is the largest of the sea caves along the Karaburun coast, an opening in the limestone cliff about twenty metres high that boats can enter, running back some sixty metres into the rock with a high vaulted chamber, stalactites and clear water beneath in which the bottom is visible several metres down. It is named after a corsair who is said to have used it as a base in the Ottoman period, and the story is part of every boat trip. Swimming inside is the usual way to see it properly, since the light coming through the entrance turns the water an intense blue from within. It is included on most Karaburun boat itineraries together with Grama Bay and Sazan.

What you actually see

• A twenty-metre cave mouth - boats entering under the cliff.
• A high vaulted chamber - the cave running back into the rock.
• Blue light from inside - the water lit through the entrance.
• Clear water on the cave floor - the bottom visible several metres down.

When to go

June to September when the boats run. Half a day as part of a Karaburun trip. Calm mornings are needed to enter safely; swell closes the cave. Bring swimming things, since the point is to get in the water.

Honest expectations

Entry depends entirely on sea state and boats often cannot go in. There are no facilities. Time inside is short and set by the operator. Some boats crowd the entrance. The corsair story is a story.

Nearby

Grama Bay and Sazan are on the same trips; Vlora is the main departure point.