Pigeons Cave (Albanian: Shpella e Pëllumbave) shows up on Himara boat tour itineraries with no explanation of what it actually is, where exactly it is, or why it's on the route. The result is that travellers either book the tour assuming Pigeons Cave is its highlight (it usually isn't), or skip it assuming it's a minor stop (it's actually one of the better swim stops). This guide explains what the cave delivers — and whether to pick a tour specifically because of it.
Two caves share the name. There is a separate "Shpella e Pëllumbave" near Ksamil (south of Saranda, accessed by road via Mirror Beach). The Himara cave covered here is a different site — boat-only, on the Riviera coast north of Himara town. Don't confuse the two when researching.
Quick Facts
| Albanian name | Shpella e Pëllumbave (sometimes anglicised as Doves Cave) |
| What it is | A sea cave in the cliffs of the Albanian Riviera, with a small pebble beach at its mouth |
| Where | Between Jale Beach and Gjipe Beach, roughly 9-10 km north of Himara by sea |
| Access | Boat only — no land path |
| Typical tour stop length | 20-40 minutes (swim and snorkel) |
| On most Himara boat tour routes? | Yes — paired with Pirate's Cave on the standard northern itinerary |
| Best for | A shaded swim and snorkel inside a cliff cove; rock-pigeon spotting |
| Skip if | You wanted a full beach day with facilities (there are none here) |
What Pigeons Cave Actually Is
A natural sea cave cut into the limestone cliffs along the Albanian Riviera coast north of Himara, with a small pebble beach tucked at its mouth beneath an overhanging cliff. The cave gets its name from the wild rock pigeons (Columba livia, the ancestor of feral city pigeons) that nest in hollows above the entrance. The interior is shaded and the water under the overhang stays cooler than the open sea, which is part of the appeal on hot afternoons.
The pebble strip inside is small — enough to pull a kayak up or stand briefly, not enough for a beach day. There are no facilities of any kind. The visit is a swim and a snorkel from the boat, with maybe a few minutes on the pebbles for photos.
Where It Sits on the Coast
Pigeons Cave is on the coastline north of Himara town, between Jale Beach (≈2 km east) and Pirate's Cave (≈2.5 km west). On a Himara north-coast boat tour, the order is typically Livadhi → Aquarium → Jale → Pigeons Cave → Gjipe Canyon / Pirate's Cave → return.
This is the standard "Pirate's Cave half-day tour" route. Trips heading south from Himara toward Porto Palermo do not stop here.
How to Visit Pigeons Cave
Boat tour (the standard option)
Most half-day boat tours from Himara include Pigeons Cave on the northern multi-cave loop. Operators commonly advertised on this route include Himara Sea Escapes, Himara Seas The Day, Himara Water Taxi, Boat Trip Albania, and Himara Speedboat Trips. Group prices are typically ~30 € per person for a 2.5-4 hour Pirate's Cave / Pigeons Cave tour and ~60-65 € per person for the longer Grama Bay full-day tour, which also passes here.
The Himara boat tour with swimming stops by Himara Sea Escapes is the most-reviewed online-bookable version that lists Pigeons Cave on its route. You can also browse all Himara boat tours to compare operators.
Private speedboat
A private speedboat from Himara (typically ~150-170 € for up to 5 people on the Pirate's Cave / Pigeons Cave half-day route, per operator price lists) lets you build your own schedule. Useful if you want to spend longer at Pigeons Cave specifically rather than the standard 20-30 minute group-tour stop.
Kayak
Pigeons Cave is reachable by sea kayak from Himara on a long paddle — see kayaking the Albanian Riviera and the secret coves by kayak guide for routes and operators. The cave sits north of Llamani, Akuarium and Filikuri — past the range of the standard rental crowd. Only attempt it with calm sea, an experienced paddler, and someone who knows your plan.
Land path?
There isn't one. The cliffs above Pigeons Cave drop straight to the sea and the cave is reached only from the water. Anyone telling you there's a hike down is likely confusing it with the Akuarium trail, the Filikuri trail, or the unrelated Ksamil-area "Shpella e Pëllumbave" beach.
What the Visit Looks Like
The boat slows on approach, anchors near or just inside the cave mouth if conditions allow (calm sea required), and the group has a window to swim and snorkel — typically 20-40 minutes depending on the operator and the day's itinerary. The water under the cliff overhang is deep, clear, and visibly cooler. Snorkellers report rocky terrain along the cave wall with small fish and the occasional octopus; visibility is regularly above 10 metres.
The cave's south-east-facing entrance catches morning sun best — light comes off the white pebble bottom and gives the water a turquoise glow when the angle is right. The shade inside is the other half of the appeal; on a 35 °C August afternoon it can be the most comfortable swim on the whole tour.
When to Visit
| Time of day | What you get |
|---|---|
| Early morning (08:00-10:00) | Calmest sea, freshest light, pigeons most active |
| Mid-morning (10:00-12:00) | Best swim light; busier with other boats |
| Midday (12:00-14:00) | Bright but harsher; shade inside the cave most welcome |
| Afternoon (14:00-17:00) | Possible swell from afternoon thermals; check conditions |
| Sunset tours | The cave itself doesn't benefit; sunset belongs to the open coast |
For the photogenic version, target a mid-morning departure from Himara. Most operators run a 09:00 or 09:30 boat that reaches the cave around the right hour.
Pigeons Cave vs Other Riviera Sea Caves
| Cave | Where | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeons Cave | Between Jale and Pirate's Cave (north of Himara) | Shaded swim under cliff overhang, nesting rock pigeons |
| Pirate's Cave | ~2.5 km west of Pigeons Cave | Larger arch the boat can motor into |
| Blue Cave (Haxhi Ali) | Karaburun Peninsula, on the Grama Bay full-day tour | Most famous; requires the longer full-day route |
| Thunder Cave | Karaburun, Grama Bay route | Wave acoustics |
If you have to pick a single cave, Pirate's Cave is the bigger visual payoff — it's the cathedral arch you motor into. Pigeons Cave is the better swim and snorkel stop on the same itinerary. The full-day Grama Bay tour from Dhermi covers Blue Cave plus secluded beaches if you want the most-celebrated cave instead.
Combining Pigeons Cave With Other Stops
The natural day shape:
- Half-day boat tour from Himara, 09:00-13:00, hits Pigeons Cave + Pirate's Cave + a swim cove or Gjipe
- Lunch back in Himara — see the seafood guide for picks
- Afternoon at Livadhi Beach or Potami Beach to relax
Or the full-day Grama Bay tour from Dhermi above, which passes Pigeons Cave on the way north and continues to Blue Cave, Grama Bay, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pigeons Cave in Albania?
Pigeons Cave (Shpella e Pëllumbave) sits on the Albanian Riviera coast roughly 9-10 km north of Himara town by sea, between Jale Beach and Pirate's Cave. There is no land access — visitors arrive by boat from Himara. It's a separate site from the similarly named beach near Ksamil in southern Albania.
Can you swim in Pigeons Cave?
Yes. Boat tours stop at the cave mouth and allow swimmers a window of typically 20-40 minutes. The water is deep and clear, the cliff overhang provides shade, and the pebble bottom under the entrance gives the water a turquoise tint in good light. There's a small pebble strip at the cave mouth but no facilities of any kind.
How do I get to Pigeons Cave?
By boat from Himara. The most common option is a half-day group boat tour (~30 € per person) on the Pirate's Cave / north-coast route, which also stops at Pigeons Cave. Private speedboats are typically 150-170 € for up to five people on the same route. Browse Himara boat tours for online-bookable options.
Is Pigeons Cave worth visiting?
As one stop on a half-day boat tour, yes — the shaded swim and snorkel are among the more memorable on the route. As a single destination it doesn't justify chartering a boat on its own; combine it with Pirate's Cave and a swim at Gjipe or Crystal Bay for the best day.
What is the best time to visit Pigeons Cave?
Mid-morning, roughly 10:00-12:00, when sunlight angles into the cave mouth and the water glows turquoise over the pebble bottom. Earlier is calmer and the pigeons are most active; afternoons can bring choppier seas from thermal winds. Book a boat tour with a 09:00-09:30 departure for the best timing.
For broader boating context, see the Himara boat tours guide and the full activities page.
