Mussel Sailing Tour: Discover Albanian Mussel Cultivation with Tasting Experience

Embark on a unique Mussel Sailing Tour in Albania and discover the fascinating process of mussel cultivation. Enjoy a tasting experience and a relaxing sunset sail.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Butrint National Park - National Park of Butrint.\nWe start the tour from the entrance of the ancient city of Butrint, at viavari channel (11:00am) on traditional engine boats with capacity 8+ 2(Guide and Captain). \nSail to mussel beds, concrete structure where we cultivate mussels, 10minute sailing.\nAt 11:10 we arrive at the mussel beds, first stop here, we park the boat and stay on the boat through enjoying the process of mussel cultivation explained by our local guide. Stay here for about 20 minute. During this time we will wear gloves and start working as mussel farmers do, work and meditation will be. \n- Kalivoj - At 11:30 we start sailing again, this time our direction will be at Kalivoi, “rich man” home in ancient Rome, part of National Park of Butrint, a nice local restaurant near the lake is situated there. 15 minutes sailing. \nAt 11:45 we will land at the restaurant and start preparing the mussels that we had taken on mussel beds. Enjoying the lunch with three kinds of mussel dishes, fresh vegetables, homemade bread accompanied with local white wine and water for each. At the restaurant we will stay for one hour, sometimes more. \n- Mussel Tour - At 12:45 we will sail back to Butrint entrance. This period is perfect to link this experience by visiting the ancient city of Butrint at the same time
What's Included
  • Traditional boat sailing experience
  • Gloves and plastic bags for mussel farming
  • Included lunch
  • All fees and taxes covered
What's Not Included
  • Private transportation
Additional Information

The Mussel tour is a one-of-a-kind local adventure where you get to acquaint yourself with our regal blue mussel of Butrint Lake. The excursion kicks off on a traditional watercraft, with our first halt at mussel farms. Here, the process of mussel farming is detailed, with an opportunity to collect fresh mussels directly from the source. Next, we pause at a restaurant, but not before attendees participate in the mussel separation process. Everyone rolls up their sleeves to isolate the Queens. A blend of labor, sailing, and 15 minutes of optional meditation forms the unique experience for each passenger. Following this, we navigate to another portion of the Butrint National Park, where a quaint local eatery is located. Here, we cook two varieties of mussel delicacies, seasoned with olive oil, lemon, and parsley. The meal is rounded off with local white wine, fresh veggies, homemade bread, and water. After savoring the flavors of our region and sharing engaging tales, we conclude with a relaxing sail back, all the while witnessing the sunset.

Location
Mussel Tour
Baba sherifi
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(67 Ratings)
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Mvdpas
Jul 27, 2024
A must-visit when you go to Ksamil and love mussels. - We had a great experience during this tour. We learned a lot, saw many beautiful places, enjoyed a wonderful boat trip along the spots where mussels are harvested, and ended with a delicious dinner featuring mussels prepared in three different ways. We didn't miss a thing. Additionally, we had a very nice and enthusiastic guide with a lot of knowledge, and who speaks English well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Onefineday77
Jul 26, 2024
Amazing experience! - We’ve had great time during the tour, it was the best experience during our holidays in Albania (as a family with 2 kids). The tour was educational and fun, the food delicious. Highly recommended!!
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Adamst6055vy
Jul 26, 2024
Fresh mussels! - This was a pretty cool tour and a great departure from the same old same old-ness of Ksamil with its overcrowded nature. I actually would have preferred to do more of the farming part to be honest. That looked cool. The fresh mussels were amazing. As was the captain/guide. Much recommended.
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Malina
Jul 19, 2024
Great tour where you see Albania outside too many tourists - Great trip where we really got to see the untouched side of Albania. The guide was a great man who told me about the moss farms and the work behind them. We ate the shrimp on a small beach where they were cooked in front of us by the guide and a couple on the beach. An experience to give yourself
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trip63152878375
Jul 17, 2024
Mussel Tour - This was the highlight of our stay in Albania! We caught the beautifully crafted wooden boat from the side of the lake with our amazing guide, El (a friend of Nebo’s). Just 2 of us sightseeing on the lake and caught a glimpse of a turtle(!) and were treated to fantastic explanations from El (sorry forgot his full name, but he’s married to a lovely Nepalese lady!) We stopped off at a private island and were wined and dined by our host with the most incredibly fresh and out-of-this-world mussels; fresh, sweet and all home-grown - as was every morsel on our plates. Simple, delicate and utterly delicious from the first moment to the last. We then set sail back to our launch point after watching the sun set. Just gorgeous. Thank you so much El & Nedo - we will never forget this! ❤️😌❤️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alisonlouisecooke
Jul 8, 2024
Amazing! - This has to be one of our favourite trips in Albania. Our boat captain was so friendly and helpful, telling us all about mussel farming and life for farmers. The boat trip is stunning, passing Butrint national park with no one but mussel farmers on the way. The beach and restaurant are idyllic and the food is incredible. We had a lovely swim before lunch and plenty of time to relax. I cannot say enough good things about this trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Liz-irishmanc
May 23, 2024
Nature and food lovers delight! - DON'T skip this 😁 Where else can you go in the world for such a price ( approx €30) and get ➡️ -Mussels you literally sail to, pick from nature yourself, clean and eat ⛵️ -A guide ( funny guy) with no blah blah 🗣, but authentic local useful straight talking education 👌🏼 -a trip across and around the most beautiful lakes in Albania, through UNISECO landscapes 🏞...and beyond -a lunch with wine, salads and breads, served on a hidden, heaven family beach taverna 😋🥗🍷 on the beach! ☀️ The answer? ....is nowhere, only here.🫶 Seriously, you must do this if you come to Albania 🇦🇱...otherwise, you may as well just sit in any beach hotel and get sunburn 🤪 Watsapp for booking.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessjarratt
May 22, 2024
We had a great time! It... - We had a great time! It was just us and another couple and it was perfect (think the vibe was also influenced by them!) the guide was knowledgable and very nice! Overall lovely experience, mussels were tasty too
Review provided by Viator
H4855ueeleanorh
Feb 17, 2024
Beautiful - Fascinating and humbling experience! Beautiful views and interesting lesson on mussel farming! Also got some free time to go for a dip on an empty beach while waiting for some wine and mussels :)
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Megisad2020
Nov 11, 2023
Authentic educative experience - We did the tour after visiting the archeological park of Butrint, directly at the entrance of Butrint our captain was waiting. Sailing through the channel of Vivari gives me the impresion as I where back in antiquity. We stop sailing when we arrived at mussel beds, concret beton structure build for mussel cultivation. The captain explained the whole process of mussel cultivation and at an ideal place we did the second stop for the lunch, fresh mussels that we harvest from the lake the family cooked for us in two kind of ways. Delicious. Two hours spend in happines and learning.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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