Taking A Boat Trip To Shala River In Albania
10th May 2024 - New Experience Number 12.
If you’re visiting Albania, I can highly recommend adding a boat trip to Shala River onto your ‘to visit’ list. Although there are some aspects of it that perhaps won’t suit everyone, there’s no mistaking what a wonderfully beautiful part of the world it is.
We knew we wanted to visit Lake Koman on our Albanian road trip, and combined it with the Shala River trip for an unforgettable new travel experience which I’m counting towards my 52 new things for 2024!
We also took a speedboat tour of the Albanian Riviera – I can highly recommend that too!
Where Is Shala River?
You’ll find Lake Koman (also referred to as Komani Lake), in Northern Albania.
Shala River, (Lumi i Shalës), runs into the lake, and the only way to access this place of natural gorgeousness is by boat.
Deciding To Visit Shala River
Lake Koman is a man made reservoir rather than a lake, but it looks and feels as though it was created by Mother Nature.
The ferry connecting Koman with Fierze has been running across the lake for years as a practical method of transporting people (usually locals), vehicles and goods along the water. It was never intended for tourists, but due to the stunningly beautiful journey it has become popular with travellers.
The ferry takes roughly two and a half hours one way, and we were considering taking a there-and-back ride through this natural wonderland to absorb the majestic scenery.
That is until our campsite host suggested we did the Shala River trip instead, as it would be the best of both worlds! Perfect!
We’d not only get to see some of Lake Koman, we would also experience the smaller Shala River too, where we would have a few hours to ourselves in a serenely secluded spot to relax, enjoy local food in one of the restaurants, and have a swim if we fancied it.
Our Experience Of A Boat Trip On Shala River
We were the final pick up for the tour that day. A minibus was due to collect us at 10am from Camp Komani where we had spent the night.
It was a little later than anticipated, but when you see the state of the road you can appreciate that it’s never going to be the quickest journey. We didn’t mind waiting though as we had a coffee in the cafe in the sunshine.
It was only a couple of kilometres to the port, and I’m glad we hadn’t attempted to do this ourselves as parking was limited, and walking there didn’t look the nicest way to stretch our legs.
The final stretch of road goes through a small tunnel and emerges into a very small tarmac turning point where there’s only room for a couple of cars, no space for parking and not a lot of room for manoeuvring.
Lake Koman - Boat trip on Shala River
Pulling away from the lively scenes at the shore, we were soon skipping across the water of Lake Koman through some pretty epic scenery; tall rocky hillsides pointed up at the sky, thriving vegetation complemented the blues in every shade of green imaginable, and thick forests adorned the slopes.
It was a cloudy but warm spring day and most of us were wearing summer clothes. However, it didn’t take long for us to reach into our bags and pull out additional layers as we were propelled into the slightly chilly wind, the occasional spray of water giving us an additional cooling!
The landscape reminded me of the majestic Norwegian fjords albeit on a slightly smaller scale, crossed with the karst islands I’d seen on a trip around Lan Ha Bay in Vietnam. Infact Koman lake is often compared to Asia, you might see it referred to as the ‘Thailand of Albania’, and the ‘Thailand of Europe’.
Experiencing Shala River
Turning off Lake Koman we got our first taste of the Shala River. The boat chugged through the narrow gorge across the calmer emerald water and turned the corner to an incredible site.
Stretching high out of the water to tickle the soaring birds, the statuesque and craggy mountains felt like protective big brothers to our secluded little cove, where a white pebbled beach welcomed us ashore.
A Pocket Of Paradise
We had four hours to soak up this paradisiacal pocket of Albania, and despite feeling incredibly remote, there were several welcoming amenities.
Rustic guesthouses on stilts dotted either side of the river, and enticing smelling smoke silently swirled from restaurants offering barbecued delights.
To get to any of them, you need to cross the water on hand made wooden bridges which were nowhere near as rickety as I’ve probably made them sound. They were, infact, examples of some talented and creative craftsmanship.
Deck chairs and umbrellas lined the beach area for anyone wanting to take the opportunity to sit, relax, and soak up the natural surroundings. Kayaks were available to hire for a more active immersion in the scenery.
We took our time crunching over the pebbles as we strolled up the bay as far as we could, the cool water rippling past as it wound through the trees and around the bay.
Leisurely Local Lunch With A View - Boat Trip On Shala River
If you’re like me, and find it hard to make a decision as to what to eat because you don’t want to miss out on anything delicious, you’ll be pleased to know there were a couple of set menu options which included plenty of local dishes to try at the restaurant at Bee Eco Guesthouse.
The vegetable soup to start was really nice. It was basic and simple which allowed the flavours of the locally grown produce to burst through the broth. There was bread, salad, cheese, and a delicious slice of flaky burek. Next to arrive was some freshly cooked pork; juices oozing as it came straight off the barbecue.
Finally a big piece of local cake was delivered to the table. It was scrumptious; nutty, spongy and incredibly moist, possibly from honey or some sort of orange syrup. It was sooooo good!
Relaxing By The River
Feeling full and content, we returned to the bay. The sun started to come out which made the water look like liquid crystal as it flowed by our feet.
It wasn’t quite warm enough to swim, (or maybe we were just being wimps!) so instead we enjoyed the moment; soaking up the scenery and sipping on a refreshingly cool local beer.
You Can Extend Your Trip With An Overnight Stay At Shala River
There were a few passengers on our morning boat who had brought their bags and were not making the return journey with us.
I felt hugely envious of anyone staying overnight in one of the guest houses.
Firstly, they all looked so beautifully simple and created in-keeping with the location.
Secondly, how wonderful to spend a night in such a secluded spot? Many of the tourists only do a day trip, so the place would would have a different feeling on an evening as it quietens off and the sun sets.
Thirdly, away from light pollution, a clear night sky would invite some lengthy star gazing, and who knows what nocturnal wildlife might make an appearance from the riverbanks?!
Fourthly, (I could probably keep going!) what a place to wake up! Even more so if it’s a clear morning and the pastel colours of sunrise paint across the sky.
Returning To Port
All too soon it seemed time for those of us not staying over to get back into the boat. The return journey to port was equally as refreshing as the outbound one with the wind whipping our hair across our faces and unexpected splashes spraying over us.
However, the sun was winning the battle with the clouds making the colours seem even more technicolour.
A Wonderful Travel Experience - Taking A Boat Trip To Shala River
Our experience of Shala River took place just out of season at the beginning of May. The weather was pleasant, yet the temperature remained a little fresh as summer was still just around the corner.
I had wondered if it would just be me and the Other Half, with only a vending machine available for refreshments at the bay, however, everything was open. It felt nicely laid back without any hard selling and with enough other tourists for it to still feel as though we were in the middle of nowhere.
It was a phenomenally beautiful place to slow down for a few hours and appreciate the spectacular environment.
Why Taking A Boat Trip To Shala River Won't Be For Everyone
Whilst I haven’t experienced it myself, I have read reviews and seen videos of Shala River in the peak summer months.
It seems as though it has more of a party atmosphere in the typical holiday season; beach vibes are amplified with speakers providing an EDM backing track to a visit, pop-up bars offer even more liquid refreshment, and the perfect backdrop encourages more selfies than you’d anticipate.
Undoubtedly, the scenery will be just as stunning, the sun more likely to be out, and the water a little bit warmer temperature for a dip. However, in the high season you just might have to share it with more people, more music, and a bit more of a party atmosphere than we did.
Why You Should Take A Boat Trip To Shala River
- The only way to visit Shala River is to take a boat trip.
- You’ll be able to enjoy unparalleled views of both Koman Lake and the secluded Shala River.
- If you love beautiful landscapes in nature, it’s well worth booking a trip.
- It’s slightly easier on the budget than Thailand and Norway.
- If you want some time to slow down in sublime surroundings, this is a perfect place to do it.
The Road To Komani For A Boat Trip To Shala River
- As mentioned above, the only way to visit Shala River is to take a boat trip from Komani.
- The final road to Komani for the ferry is pretty broken, so prepare for a bumpy journey. It was the only bad road we drove on during a month touring Albania though! It is driveable, and plenty wide enough for cars to pass, it just might take a little longer than your usual 20km would to drive.
- There are many options available where you don’t need to drive yourself if you don’t fancy it, so you can always let someone else navigate the potholes and worry about the parking.
- There are a couple of campsites near the port. They can help you book your boat trip, and provide you with a quiet safe space to spend the night which means you don’t need to get up so early on the day of your trip!
Want To Try It Yourself?
- We booked our trip with Komani Guide who you can find on Instagram and Facebook and is very good at responding to messages.
- Ask at your Albanian accommodation if they can help you book a tour; many hotels, guest houses, hostels and campsites provide organised trips, and if not, they are usually happy to help if they can.
- There are lots of different tours and options for visiting Shala River. Many of them will offer transport from the bigger cities too.
- Take a look on Get Your Guide and Viator to see the Shala River trips that they offer.
- If you’d like to find out more about the ferry, visit Komani Lake Ferry for full details including timetables and booking.
Cost Of Experience
- In May 2024, we paid €35 each which included transport to and from the port.
- You’ll need extra money to pay for food and drink, but you could always take a packed lunch with you if you want to keep costs down.
Recommendations
- Make sure you apply and take sun cream.
- Take layers to keep warm – it can get breezy on the boat as it zips along!
- Don’t forget your swim wear and towel so you can take a dip in some of the clearest water ever.
- Keep anything you don’t want to get wet in a waterproof bag – just in case.
- The beach area is pebbly, so you might want to take some footware that makes it easier for walking across it.
- Make sure your camera battery is full and that your phone has full charge, you’ll want to capture some pictures of your journey.
- Take a spare bag to put your rubbish in and bring it back with you.
- Have fun! Relax, enjoy the scenery, and get away from it all.
Your blog is awesome! What a cool idea to try 52 new things each year. Your trip to Shala River sounds amazing – the place looks so calm and beautiful in your pictures. I enjoy places like that where you can relax by the water, take in the view, and enjoy good food. It sounds like a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy nature. Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures!
Thank you so much! You’re really kind! It was a lovely experience in an incredible part of the world. I feel so lucky to have been able to visit. :o)
Your photos in and around Shala River make the area look beautiful. I’d also be very interested in trying an Albanian larger, as I like to try one from as many countries as I can. However, I’m not sure about visiting the country myself as a Black man. Eastern European isn’t always know as being very racially tolerant. But I’m glad you enjoyed your trip
Thanks for reading, and I really appreciate your comment too. It felt like a very safe and welcoming country, but I’m aware that doesn’t mean it’s like that for everyone, and of course my experience was as a white woman. It was a very nice Albanian lager – I hope you do get to try it one day, it is such a beautiful part of the world!
These are some amazing tips and super helpful. I just think it is important to be prepared when you go somewhere even travelling so you can take most of the time to enjoy your away-from-away feel. Gorgeous photos as well.https://www.bauchlefashion.com/2024/07/4-dos-and-donts-for-your-big-day.html
I’m so glad it was helpful. You’re right; it’s good to be prepared! Thank you so much for reading!
Wow, beautiful photos! I’m glad you had a wonderful time. I’d love to see this for myself one day. Thanks for sharing your experience and recommendations!
Thank you so much! It really was a spectacular place, I hope you do get to visit! Thank you for reading
Wow! What a beautiful experience. You have managed to capture some wonderful photos that really show how peaceful and calming it looks. The water is so blue! What an amazing memory that you have! Thank you for sharing.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
Ah thank you so much Lauren! Definitely a trip I’ll remember for a lifetime. :o)