Vlora, Karaburun & Sazan · Albania · Cave & cavern · Reef
Haxhi Ali Cave
A natural-monument sea cave where monk seals can be found
Haxhi Ali Cave is a large karst cave in the limestone cliffs of the rugged Karaburun coast, a natural monument of national importance inside the Karaburun-Sazan marine park. The cave is 30 m long, 10-12 m wide and 18 m high, and the Mediterranean monk seal, a species rarely seen in the marine park, can be found here.
Also known as Haxhi Ali, Cave of Haxhi Ali, Shpella e Haxhi Aliut.
Where it is and how deep
40.4300° N, 19.3067° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive at the cave stays within 15 m in water with no current. Near the cave the bathymetry has a ledge at 16 m, and past it the mostly rocky bottom drops rapidly to 25-30 m.
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), a species rarely seen in the marine park, can be found at this cave, which measures 30 m in length, 10-12 m in width and 18 m in height.
Marine life and season
- Seals & sea lions
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Vlora, Karaburun & Sazan: Trips run all year, to Sazan as well as the peninsula; the sea is warmest from July to September and coolest in February.
Photos from Haxhi Ali Cave
Pasztilla aka Attila Terbócs · CC BY-SA 4.0
Questions divers ask
How deep is the dive at Haxhi Ali Cave?+
The dive stays within 15 m. Just outside the cave a ledge sits at 16 m, and beyond it the bottom falls rapidly to 25-30 m.
Sources
- Haxhi Ali Cave – Silver Sky Diving — Silver Sky Diving
- Haxhi Ali Cave – Wikipedia — Wikipedia
Photo credits
- A tall dark cave mouth at the foot of sheer grey limestone cliffs topped with green scrub, above blue water by Pasztilla aka Attila Terbócs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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