What Goats Bay Is
Goats Bay is one of the smallest swim stops on the Himara coastline tour — a sheltered cove with steep cliffs rising straight from the water. The "Goats" name appears on tour operator itineraries (Sea Breeze, Himara Water Taxi, Boat Trip Albania); operators report feral goats grazing the cliffs above the cove, said to be most visible early and late in the day.
The bay is included on coastline-style tours and on some Pirate's Cave half-day itineraries. Allocated time is 15–20 minutes for a short swim and a chance to look up at the goats.
Position
Approximate coordinates: 40.135°N, 19.668°E — about 7 km north of Himara, between Livadhi/Aquarium and the Jale Beach area. It's one of the closer swim stops to Himara, often the first or second stop after departure.
The Stop
A typical Goats Bay stop:
- Boat anchors in the centre of the small cove
- Cliffs rise steeply on three sides
- Swim from the boat — there is no shore landing worth the swim
- Look up. You'll see goats on the slopes if you go in the morning
- Snorkel along the rocky bottom
It's a quiet, wildlife-flavoured complement to the splashier stops at Pirate's Cave or Crystal Bay.
Operators
Sea Breeze Boat Tours' coastline tour includes Goats Bay among its named swim stops. Himara Water Taxi includes it on some Pirate's Cave half-day routes. On the long-haul Grama Bay day, Goats Bay is usually skipped to save time for the further-out destinations.
Practical Tips
- Look up while you swim — easy to miss the goats if you don't
- Bring a snorkel mask — limited fish but interesting rocky terrain
- No facilities — bring water, dry bag, sun protection
- Cooler water in the cliff shade — comfortable in summer, brisk in shoulder season
Related Reading
- Couples Bay — the other small cove on the route
- All Himara boat tours
- Beach hopping route
