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 the 7-day/8-night Faster Freestyle Swim Camp, where 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?
Albania sits in southeastern Europe bordered by Montenegro to the north and Greece to the south, with coastlines along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
It’s a small country, which is one reason many people overlook it on the map compared to its more well-known Mediterranean neighbors. Often called “hidden in plain sight,” Albania offers turquoise water, dramatic mountain coastlines, ancient ruins, and rich cuisine—but remained largely off the tourist radar for decades due to strict communist isolation. 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 unforgettable open-water swimming.
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, crystal-clear water and improving your technique.
Along the way, we’ll enjoy incredible local 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 simple, fresh meal prepared with care by Vera, the owner of the local tavern.
Final day: enjoy a scenic half-day boat tour that explores hidden caves, secluded coves, and dramatic remote breaches — 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 sweeping 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 highly 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.
Open Water Skills & Drills along with technique tips for the “other” strokes…fly, back and breast!
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:
For the first four nights we will be staying at the lovely Vila Era, conveniently located just a short 10-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 sunbathing with umbrella on the private beach (very clean). The rooms are large, with balcony and air conditioning. Vila Era beach is a small gem in Saranda ... The owner of the place 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. 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 welcoming host hotel.
Himarë Accomodation:
The next four nights 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.
