A Corfu catamaran cruise sails the east coast and the bays north of Corfu Town, anchoring for swimming stops in clear water. Plan the rest of the trip with Greece Tours.
Where does a Corfu catamaran cruise go?
Along the east coast past the Old Fortress and the old town of Corfu to Garitsa bay, Mouse Island, Vido and Lazaretto, north-east to Ipsos, Barbati and Kerasia, or south to Paxos, Antipaxos and the Blue Caves on high-speed catamarans.
Some cruises sail the waters between Corfu and the mainland, past the Mon Repos estate.
The weather decides the itinerary on the day, and routes change for safety.
The south route sits at Paxi and Antipaxi.
What is the private full-day catamaran cruise?
The route passes the two fortresses and the old town, anchors in Garitsa bay, stops by Mouse Island and swims at Vido and Lazaretto.
A full lunch, fishing gear, transfers and parking are extra, with a stop at a seaside restaurant possible.
It runs from May to October and suits all ages.
What is the shore excursion catamaran tour?
A 4.5-hour tour on the 42-foot catamaran Mediteraneo, with a first swim at Vido, a cruise south past the Old Fortress and Mon Repos, a swim off Mouse Island, a buffet lunch of Greek dishes, and a final swim at Lazaretto when time and weather allow.
The boat has a sun deck and shaded areas, and anchors at 2 to 3 swim spots.
Guests bring a swimsuit, towel, hat and sunscreen, and wear flat shoes.
From the deck, guests watch for pheasants and wild goats along the shore.
What is the adults-only sunset catamaran cruise?
Nets with mattresses and shaded seats are available on board.
The cruise books with or without a transfer, with pick-ups from resorts across Corfu.
A full refund applies for cancellations up to 1 day ahead.
What is Mouse Island?
Pontikonisi, a Greek islet near Corfu Town whose Byzantine chapel of Christ Pantokrator dates from the 11th or 12th century, and a stop on catamaran cruises, where aircraft landing at Corfu fly overhead.
Legend says Poseidon turned the ship of the shipwrecked Ulysses into the island.
It may have inspired Arnold Böcklin’s painting Isle of the Dead.
Some of the ashes of Gerald Durrell and his sister Margaret were scattered there.
What is Lazaretto Island?
A 7-hectare islet two nautical miles north-east of Corfu Town, once a Venetian monastery and later a leprosarium, used as a concentration camp in the Second World War, and a swim stop on east coast catamaran cruises.
It was formerly called Aghios Dimitrios.
The two-storey former Italian army headquarters, a small church and the execution wall remain.
The Greek National Tourist Organization administers the island.
What is Vido?
An island of the Ionian group near Corfu, the first swim stop on the shore excursion catamaran tour and a swim and relaxation stop on the private full-day cruise.
Lazaretto follows as the second swim stop on the private cruise.
The shore excursion anchors at Vido first.
Cruises continue south past the Old Fortress from there.
Can you take a catamaran to Paxos and Antipaxos?
Paxos lies 15 kilometres from the southern tip of Corfu, and Antipaxos 3 kilometres south of Paxos.
Antipaxos has the beaches of Vrika, with white sand, Mesovrika and Voutoumi.
Legend says Poseidon made Paxos by striking Corfu with his trident.
Where do Corfu catamaran cruises leave from?
From Gouvia marina, the island’s largest, 8 kilometres north of Corfu Town, from Corfu Town and its port, from Benitses, and from Lefkimmi in the south for the Paxos cruises.
Gouvia keeps the remains of a Venetian shipyard.
Transfers are extra on the private cruise.
The sunset cruise picks up from resorts including Kassiopi, Dassia, Ipsos and Paleokastritsa.
What do you bring on a Corfu catamaran cruise?
A swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, flat comfortable shoes, and a light jacket for the evening breeze, packed in a soft bag rather than a hard case.
Towels and floats are supplied on the private cruise.
Snorkeling gear is supplied on most cruises.
The evening side sits at Corfu sunset cruise.
Is a private Corfu catamaran worth it?
A private sunset catamaran takes 2 to 22 guests.
A second route sails the north-east coast to Ipsos, Barbati and Kerasia, and Agios Stefanos in good weather.
The yacht side sits at Corfu yacht charter.
What does a Corfu catamaran cruise see on the north-east coast?
The bays at Kalami, Agni and Kouloura, with cypress and olive running down to the water and the Albanian mountains across a narrow channel.
The channel at its narrowest is about two kilometres wide.
Kouloura has a stone harbour with a single house above it.
The water in these bays is deep and sheltered.
What does a Corfu catamaran cruise see on the west coast?
The cliffs and sea caves around Paleokastritsa, the rock of Ortholithi and the beaches at Rovinia and Agios Georgios.
The west coast takes the open sea and the sunset.
Caves along that shore are entered by small boats in calm water.
The cliffs rise straight from the water below the monastery.
Where does a Corfu catamaran cruise go south?
To Paxos and Antipaxos, two small islands about two hours away, with blue caves along the Paxos west coast and clear shallow water off Antipaxos.
Antipaxos has two well-known beaches, Voutoumi and Vrika.
The Paxos caves sit under high white cliffs.
The crossing is exposed when the wind is up.
How long does a Corfu catamaran cruise take?
Half a day along the coast near town and a full day for Paxos and Antipaxos, with swimming stops at anchor.
Full-day trips include a meal on board.
Boats leave in the morning and return in the late afternoon.
Sunset trips stay close to the west coast.
What does a Corfu catamaran cruise include?
Shade on deck, a swimming ladder, snorkelling gear and drinks, with the route set by the wind that day.
Catamarans stay level under sail.
Bow nets are the usual place to sit under way.
Towels are carried on board.
When does a Corfu catamaran cruise run?
From spring to autumn, with the calmest water in June and September and the strongest winds in the middle of summer.
Corfu is greener and wetter than the Aegean islands.
Rain is normal from November to March.
Skippers change the anchorage when the swell builds.
What do you take on a Corfu catamaran cruise?
Swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, a light layer for the crossing and flat shoes for the deck.
Decks are wet after each swim.
A soft bag stows more easily than a case.
Sunglasses with a strap stay on in the wind.
Does a Corfu catamaran cruise suit families?
Yes on the sheltered east coast, where the crossings are short, the bays are calm and the swimming is shallow close to shore.
The Paxos crossing is longer and suits older children.
Crews carry life jackets in children’s sizes.
Shade on deck matters in the middle of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a catamaran cruise in Corfu?
Where do Corfu catamaran cruises go?
To Mouse Island, Vido and Lazaretto on the east coast, north-east to Ipsos and Barbati, or south to Paxos and Antipaxos.
Is lunch included?
Yes on the full-day and Greek lunch cruises, while the private cruise includes snacks and drinks with lunch extra.