Between Bunec and Saranda the coast folds inward and a bay opens that, for decades, had nothing on it at all. Kakome has appeared on lists of Albania's most beautiful beaches for years, usually with the caveat that you cannot easily get to it — which is precisely why it stayed as it is.
What makes it unusual
The bay is deep and sheltered, with pale stone underfoot and water that turns an improbable turquoise in the middle of the day. It faces south-west, so the light in the late afternoon is extraordinary. There is no village attached to it and historically no road worth the name, which left it untouched while Ksamil and Dhërmi filled up.
The honest situation
Kakome has been the subject of a long-running development project, and access arrangements have changed more than once. Some seasons it has been reachable on foot or by boat with no difficulty; in others parts have been fenced off during works. Anyone planning a trip should check locally in the week they travel rather than relying on an article — including this one.
Getting there
The reliable way is by boat. Operators in Saranda run coastal trips that stop at Kakome and the neighbouring bays, and a water taxi can be arranged for a half-day. By land the approach is from the Lukovë–Bunec area down a rough track; it is walkable, not always drivable, and conditions change.
Bunec itself, just north, is a good fallback: smaller, easy to reach, with a river mouth at one end and a couple of simple restaurants.
When to go
June and September. In July and August the boat traffic along this stretch is heavy and the bay loses some of what makes it worth the effort. Outside summer there are no boats.
What to bring
- Everything. There are no facilities — no water, no food, no shade beyond what the rocks give.
- Swimming shoes; the stone is sharp in places.
- A hat and high-factor sun cream — the pale stone reflects hard.
- A bag for your rubbish.
Nearby
Lukovë, Bunec and Krorëz form a string of small bays along this coast, each quieter than the resorts further north. Saranda is twenty-five minutes away for accommodation and dinner, and the Blue Eye spring is half an hour inland.
Kakome is a reminder that the Albanian coast is still changing fast. Seeing it now is not the same as seeing it in five years — in either direction.
Common questions
Is Kakome open to visitors?
Access has changed more than once because of a long-running development project. Check locally in the week you travel rather than relying on any article, including this one.
What is the reliable way to get there?
By boat. Operators in Saranda run coastal trips that stop at Kakome and the neighbouring bays, and a water taxi can be arranged for a half-day.
Are there facilities at the bay?
None. No water, no food, no shade beyond what the rocks give. Bring everything and take your rubbish out with you.
