Sarandë & Ksamil · Albania · Reef
Hunda e Mërtesë
Moray eels and lionfish in the rock formations near Gjiri i Hartës
A shallow rocky reef near Gjiri i Hartës, south of Sarandë, known for clear water and rock formations that shelter moray eels and lionfish. The guided dive never goes past 12 m, which makes it a relaxed reef dive for groups that mix newer and more experienced divers.
Also known as Hunda e Mertese.
Where it is and how deep
39.7926° N, 20.0027° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive works through rock formations where moray eels and lionfish hide among other reef fish. It does not go deeper than 12 m, and the visibility is usually 15 m or more, in water of around 17 °C, so the shape of the rock can be read from some distance.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Good | Good | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Sarandë & Ksamil: Diving runs all year with the right wetsuit; June and September pair warm water with fewer divers than July and August.
Sources
- Scuba Tours in Saranda & Ksamil — Saranda Diving
- OpenStreetMap geocoding — OpenStreetMap
More dive sites in Sarandë & Ksamil
Wreck
Two cars that fell off a broken ferry, resting on the seabed
Reef
A bay named for the red rock that rings it, dived every day from Sarandë
Loggerhead turtles in the channels between the four islands
Cave & cavern
Rock arches that frame the open blue on the way through
Ex-navy ships still carrying their machine guns and cannons
A Second World War cargo ship so shallow that part of it shows above the water
Similar dives elsewhere
An easy beach entry at a small harbour north of Coral Bay
Two sea-carved amphitheatres joined over the top of a wall
Orange sponges, groupers and octopuses in a bay dived by day and night
A shore dive 30 m from the base, inside a buoy line