We are excited to announce the
FIRST EVER ALBANIA SWIM CAMP!
Sarrandë and Himarë, Albania (four nights in each location)
September 6th-14th, 2027
7 days / 8 nights
Dive into the inviting, warm, crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea as you explore the stunning ALBANIA Riviera, a coastline rich in history and dotted with breathtaking natural beauty. Join our 7-day/8-night Faster Freestyle Swim Camp, where Karlyn's expert coaching, inspiring scenery, and a supportive community come together to help you become a more confident and efficient open water swimmer.
Check in: Sarrandë on Monday, Sept 6th with the camp starting Tuesday, Sept 7th at 10:00 AM.
Camp concludes on Monday evening, Sept 13th (farewell dinner) however, we check out on Tuesday morning, Sept 14th.
Where the heck is ALBANIA?
In a nutshell, Albania is “hiding in plain sight.” It’s a relatively small country, which is one reason many people overlook it on the map compared to its more well-known Mediterranean neighbors…Greece to the south and Montenegro to the north. Albania offers turquoise water, rugged mountain coastlines, ancient ruins, and delicious food—but remained largely off the tourist radar for decades because strict communist isolation kept it closed to outsiders until the 1990s.
Today, visitors are drawn by its rich culture, warm and welcoming people, fresh Mediterranean cuisine, and the stunning Albanian Riviera—where crystal-clear waters create ideal conditions for an unforgettable open-water swimming experience.
Two locations, one AMAZING experience! This seven-day, eight-night camp will be held in two stunning locations, with four days and nights spent in each. The exact schedule is still being refined, but rest assured the experience is being thoughtfully curated for you—going far beyond swimming in beautiful water while improving your technique.
Along the way, we’ll enjoy tasty cuisine, visit Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, swim around historic Porto Palermo castle, explore a hidden submarine cave, and take in breathtaking views from cliffs rising above the sea. We’ll also take a scenic winding drive up to a mountaintop village to meet the locals an enjoy a simple, fresh meal prepared with care by Vera, the owner of the local tavern.
Final day: Enjoy a fun half-day boat tour that explores sea caves, stunning coves, and remote beaches — with refreshing swims and leisurely stops along the way!
EXTRA CREDIT Mirror Beach clean up: Every beach in the world suffers from the same problem…plastics and trash litter the coastline. We can do something about it! After swimming at delightful Mirror Beach (south of Sarrande), we will walk the shore and collect as much trash as possible.
About Sarrandë: A lively coastal town on the Albanian Riviera, offering expansive views toward the nearby Greek island of Corfu. It’s known for its relaxed waterfront promenade, a variety of sandy and pebbled beaches, charming cafés and seafood restaurants, and plenty of accessible open-water swimming in its clear, sheltered bay.
About Himarë is a hidden gem where rugged mountains meet the sparkling sea (as seen in the photo to the right). Himarë is known for its relaxed pace, a charming promenade and some of the clearest waters in the Ionian Sea. It’s an ideal setting to unwind, refine swimming technique, and enjoy unforgettable open-water swims in a peaceful, natural environment.
Faster Freestyle Swim Camp includes:
Six-seven beautiful guided open water swims approximately 2k to 4k in length exploring a variety of locations in the Ionian Sea.
8 nights accommodation, eight breakfasts, two dinners, two lunches and snacks after every swim.
Video analysis of your stroke throughout the week
A one-on-one private lesson with Karlyn’s expert video analysis and feedback.
Two group swim clinics! One to help you improve your open water swim skills, and a second session to work on those pesky “other” strokes…fly, back and breast. (FYI a good sense of humor is a must for the second clinic).
We will be filming you daily to provide videos of your improvement as well as to document our aquatic adventures. Videos will be texted to you.
Silicone swim cap, BOCO Visor, and a custom long sleeve dry-tech tee shirt.
Swim ability: Ideally you should be comfortable in the open water and able to swim continuously 1,500 yards/meters at a steady pace. Since we will start and return to the same location, you can decide how far (and how fast) you want to swim. If you are questioning whether you think you are “fast enough” to participate in a camp, please reach out to me fasterfreestyle@gmail.com to discuss your situation.
Safety first: At Faster Freestyle Swim Camps, your safety is our top priority. Our team of trained lifeguards and expert coaching staff are dedicated to ensuring you a secure and enjoyable experience so you can focus on improving your swimming skills.
Go home faster and stronger After an unforgettable week of swimming, relaxation, and adventure, you'll return home feeling refreshed, revitalized, and equipped with the skills and confidence to take your swimming to new levels.
Sarrandë Accomodation:
The first four nights (From Monday, Sept. 6th to friday, Sept. 10th) we will be staying at the lovely Vila Era, conveniently located just a short 15-minute walk from the Corfu–Sarandë ferry landing.
“Vila run by a lovely family. It is very clean, quiet and very well placed. The breakfast is excellent, with only fresh, homemade products. La Vila offers plenty of sunbeds with shade umbrellas on the private beach (very clean). The rooms are large, with a balcony and air conditioning. Vila Era beach is a small gem in Saranda ... Matilda, (the owner of the hotel) is extremely kind, smiling and dedicated. We loved our stay.” -Claudia, Sept. 2025
Check in: Monday, Sept. 6th and the camp starts the following morning at 9:00 AM with a safety meeting, easy swim and a welcome dinner at 6 pm.
Check out: Friday, Sept. 10th at 10 am. After check out we will journey by van north for about two hours along the jaw‑dropping Albanian coastline, stopping along the way to visit a charming mountaintop town, enjoy delicious food at a local taverna, then swim around the historic Porto Palermo castle before checking into our next host hotel.
Himarë Accomodation:
The next four nights (friday Sept. 10th to Tuesday Setpt. 14th) we will be staying at the centrally located, stylish Hotel Veiza in Himare, which features a rooftop terrace where an impressive daily breakfast buffet is served.
“Fantastic location and views, friendly service, clean and comfortable, great breakfast. Rooms at the front have balconies with wonderful sea views. Private beach right in front of the hotel with loungers and parasols. Sea is beautiful, calm clear and warm. Perfect place to stay.” Rob-August 2025
Check in: Friday, Sept. 10th.
Check out: The camp ends on Monday, Sept. 13th with a farewell dinner, but we check out of the hotel the following morning on Tuesday, Sept. 14th at 11 AM.
HOW TO GET TO ALBANIA
A popular and seamless way to reach Albania—specifically the coastal town of Sarandë—is by flying into Corfu International Airport (CFU) from major cities across Europe and beyond.
Corfu is well connected, with frequent flights from major full-service airlines as well as low-cost carriers, especially during the spring, summer, and early fall. From North America, Asia, or Australia, travelers typically connect through hubs like Athens, London, Rome, or Frankfurt before arriving in Corfu.
Once you land at CFU, the journey is refreshingly simple: a short taxi or bus ride brings you to the Port of Corfu in about 15–20 minutes. From there, regular high-speed ferries operate daily across the Ionian Sea, whisking you directly to Sarandë in roughly 30–60 minutes depending on the vessel. This quick international crossing makes it one of the easiest “two-country travel” experiences in Europe—land in Greece in the morning, and be swimming in Albanian turquoise waters by lunch.
The ferry arrives right in the heart of Sarandë, and our host hotel Vila Era is a short 15-min walk north.
