Himara Watertaxi is one of the highest-rated names on the Himara waterfront, and it does two distinct jobs that travelers often confuse: it runs shared coastline tours alongside the rest of the fleet, and it runs private water-taxi drops to beaches you'd otherwise have to hike to — Gjipe chief among them. If you've searched "himara water taxi" expecting a single boat that ferries you to a beach and back, the reality is more useful: this is a full operator with an online booking system, a top-tier rating, and the flexibility to either join a group day or charter a private run on your own schedule. This review breaks down both modes, the reputation behind them, and exactly how to book.
Comparing operators first? See our ranked boat tour operator list and the wider Himara boat tours hub for how the southern fleet stacks up.
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Book online: Reserve a Himara Watertaxi tour or transfer on GetYourGuide, or go direct via himara-watertaxi.com.
Two Ways to Ride: Shared Tour vs Private Water Taxi
The first thing to settle is which of the two services you actually want, because they suit very different days.
A shared coastline tour is the classic group boat day. You join other travelers, follow a set route along the Riviera's coves and beaches, stop to swim and snorkel, and come back to Himara at the end. It's the better-value, more social option, and it's the right call if you simply want a day on the water without planning a thing.
A private water-taxi run is a point-to-point charter. Instead of a loop, the boat drops you where you want — most commonly at a road-less beach — and either waits or returns to collect you at an agreed time. You set the schedule, you pick the destination, and you don't share the boat. It costs more, but for a small group splitting the fare it can be the only sensible way to reach certain beaches with your own timing.
In short: the shared tour is about the journey, the water taxi is about the destination.
Private Drops to Gjipe and Beyond
The headline use of the water-taxi service is reaching Gjipe Beach — the canyon-mouth cove between Himara and Dhermi that has no proper road. Most people reach Gjipe on foot down a rough track, or by sea. A private water-taxi drop turns a sweaty hike into a short, scenic boat ride, lands you on the sand with your gear dry, and lets you fix your own pickup time rather than racing the last group boat out.
That same logic applies to other hard-to-reach stretches of coastline near Himara: small coves, snorkeling spots, and beaches where arriving by water is faster and cooler than arriving by land. If you'd rather paddle the same route under your own power, our Himara to Gjipe kayak guide covers that alternative — but for groups, families, or anyone who wants to skip the effort, the water taxi is the path of least resistance.
Reputation: 4.9 Across 363+ Reviews
Numbers are where Himara Watertaxi separates itself from the walk-up crowd. It holds a 4.9 rating across 363+ reviews on TripAdvisor and 4.8 on Google — a sample size large enough to be meaningful, and a score high enough to put it firmly in the top tier of Riviera operators. You can read the full review history on its TripAdvisor page.
The recurring theme in the praise is the crew — reviewers single out the people running the boats for being friendly, helpful, and good at reading what their passengers actually want from the day. That matters more than it sounds: on a coastline where many tours are anonymous cash walk-ups, a consistently well-reviewed crew is the difference between a day you'd repeat and one you'd forget. For the bigger picture on what tours cost up and down the coast, see our Albanian Riviera boat tour prices guide.
How to Book Himara Watertaxi
Unlike many waterfront stands, Himara Watertaxi is genuinely bookable online, which removes most of the guesswork.
- Book on GetYourGuide. It IS listed on GetYourGuide, so you can reserve with instant confirmation and check live availability before you arrive — the simplest option for most travelers.
- Book direct. Use the operator's own site at himara-watertaxi.com to arrange tours and private runs, or message them on Instagram (@himara_watertaxi) for specifics.
- Confirm the details. As with any cash walk-up on the waterfront, lock down the boat, price, and date in writing when you book a private run, so there's no ambiguity at the dock. The crew's strong reviews make this routine, but it's still the smart move on the Riviera.
Best For
- Beach-seekers who want Gjipe without the hike — the private drop is the cleanest way in.
- Small groups and families — splitting a private charter often beats individual tour seats, and you set the timing.
- First-timers who want a sure thing — the 4.9/363 rating and online booking take the gamble out of picking an operator.
- Travelers who value the crew — if a friendly, attentive team makes or breaks your day on the water, this is the safe pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Himara Watertaxi good?
Yes. It holds a 4.9 rating across 363+ TripAdvisor reviews and 4.8 on Google, which puts it in the top tier of Himara operators. Reviewers consistently praise the crew, and the fact that it's bookable online makes it one of the more reliable choices on the waterfront.
What's the difference between the shared tour and a water taxi?
The shared tour is a group boat day on a set coastline route with swim stops, ending back in Himara — it's cheaper and more social. The water taxi is a private point-to-point charter that drops you at a chosen beach on your own schedule. The tour is about the journey; the taxi is about the destination.
How do you book Himara Watertaxi?
Book online through GetYourGuide, direct via himara-watertaxi.com, or by messaging them on Instagram (@himara_watertaxi). For a private run, confirm the boat, price, and date when you book.
Can they drop you at Gjipe?
Yes. Dropping travelers at Gjipe Beach is one of the main reasons to use the private water-taxi service, since Gjipe has no proper road. The boat lands you on the sand and can collect you at an agreed time — far easier than the hike down the track. See our Gjipe Beach guide for what to expect once you're there.
