🇦🇱 Albania

Albania faces both the Adriatic and Ionian seas: the north/central coast is more port-oriented, while the southern Ionian side is more rugged, supporting short coastal hops. A key southern waypoint is the Corfu Strait area and approaches to Sarandë, where routes often connect toward Greece and the wider Ionian.

The Karaburun–Sazan area near Vlorë is a national marine park with bays and coastal shelter opportunities around the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island. Wind patterns are classic Adriatic: sudden NE outbreaks can harden conditions quickly, while S/SE flows build sea on exposed stretches; summer often brings a daily thermal breeze.

In practice, cruising Albania works best by linking a few "core" ports/marinas and filling the gaps with anchorages and short day sails.