The Corfu pirate ship is the Black Rose, a boat styled as a pirate galleon that runs 75-minute cruises from Corfu Town. The trip passes the Old Fortress, Mon Repos and Mouse Island. Tours across the rest of the country are listed on Greece Tours.
The sections below cover the cruises, the route, life on board, children and the harbour. They also cover durations, sailing times, who it suits, getting there, what to pair it with and booking, with links into the Corfu pages. The cruises shown are checked on GetYourGuide and Viator.
What is the Corfu pirate ship?
The Corfu pirate ship is the Black Rose, a pirate-themed boat that sails from the old port of Corfu Town. Its cruise lasts 75 minutes and follows the coast south past forts, a palace and a monastery.
The boat has a pirate theme, and a captain and crew run it. Children can borrow pirate hats and swords on board. Guests of all ages are welcome.
- Boat: the Black Rose
- Operator: Corfu Black Rose Pirate Ship
- Length: 75 minutes
- Start and end: the old port
- Route: the coast of Corfu Town and Kanoni
This is a short sightseeing trip along the Corfu Town coast. Guests see the old town, its forts and a palace from the water. The Corfu pirate ship begins and ends at the same pier.
The Black Rose is the Corfu pirate ship that sails from the old town harbour. Travellers who also visit Kos can read about the Kos pirate cruise.
Which Corfu pirate ship cruises can you book?
You can book the Black Rose Corfu pirate ship cruise through two listings, one on GetYourGuide and one on Viator. A third option adds a guided night walk. All of them start from the old port of Corfu Town.
- GetYourGuide: Corfu Town: 75-min Pirate Ship Cruise around Corfu Town, which starts and ends at the Black Rose.
- Viator: Minicruise around the coastline of Corfu Town with Pirate ship 75 min, a cruise of the same length.
- Viator: Black Rose Pirate Ship Tour of Corfu, about 1 hour 15 minutes, ending back at the meeting point.
- Guided night tour: 3 hours, with a cruise of about 1 hour on a pirate-themed boat from Spilia in the old port.
- Sunset cruise: the same operator also offers a 2-hour sunset sailing.
The night tour sails towards Kanoni, Mouse Island and Vlacherna Monastery at sunset. Afterwards a guide leads a walk through the old town. Free time follows under the arcades by Spianada Square.
Captain Spyros’ Pirate Ship is a different boat. This Corfu pirate ship is based at Gouvia, a marina about 7 km north of Corfu Town. Reviewers describe a day out with a guided coastal tour, cave swimming and a barbecue cooked on board.
The first three listings share one boat, one route and one length of 75 minutes. For other trips by sea, see the Corfu boat tours page.
What does the Corfu pirate ship route pass?
The Corfu pirate ship passes the Old Fortress, Garitsa Bay, Mon Repos, Kanoni, Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island on a 75-minute run along the east coast. The cruise ends where it began, at the old port.
- Old Fortress: one of two Venetian fortresses on the town’s coast.
- Garitsa Bay: the wide bay just south of the old town.
- Mon Repos: the palace where Prince Philip was born.
- Kanoni: the seaside spot at the far end of the route, beside the airport.
- Vlacherna Monastery: a small monastery on a tiny islet linked to the shore by a path.
- Mouse Island (Pontikonisi): a tiny wooded islet just off the shore.
Listings also name Faliraki, Anemomylos and Vidos island along the way. They list the Ionian Academy in the Grimani Barracks too. One listing calls it the oldest Greek university. Two Venetian fortresses, the King’s Palace and the airport complete the list.
On the way the boat sails by Corfu airport. Planes land just above the guests’ heads, which children and photographers both enjoy. One reviewer even saw dolphins join the cruise.
What is on board the Black Rose Corfu pirate ship?
The Black Rose Corfu pirate ship is a roomy wooden pirate boat with shaded seats, a bar and music. A captain and an escort crew run the trip, with live commentary in English and Greek.
The bar sells soft and alcoholic drinks. They are bought on board and are not part of the ticket. One reviewer praised the cocktails there.
One source says the ship resembles a galleon from the 15th century. That is a large sailing ship from the age of old sea voyages. Pirate hats and swords add to the theme.
Reviewers call the crew of the Corfu pirate ship friendly and the boat roomy. One traveller found the commentary hard to hear across the boat. Another liked the music and called the trip well organised.
What do children do on the Corfu pirate ship?
Children on the Corfu pirate ship dress up in pirate hats, borrow swords and play on deck while the boat sails. Friendly crew members keep the games going, and parents watch the coast slide past.
- Put on a pirate hat
- Borrow a pirate sword
- Play dress-up games on deck
- Watch planes land just overhead
- Wave at the forts and the palace
The Viator listing says children enjoy playtime and dress-up while adults relax. The GetYourGuide listing says kids play with pirate hats during the Corfu pirate ship cruise.
Adults and teenagers enjoy the ride as well. One traveller brought children aged 6 and 8. Two women aged 19 went without children and enjoyed the cocktails. Verified reviews praise the family feel and the friendly staff.
Where does the Corfu pirate ship leave from?
The Corfu pirate ship leaves from the old port of Corfu Town. The meeting point is El. Venizelou 28, across the street from a BP petrol station and next to Stathis Taverna. The cruise ends at the same spot.
- BP petrol station: across the street
- Stathis Taverna: next door
- Poseidonio restaurant: named by one listing
- Cafe Yali: named by one listing
- Spilia: the start of the night tour
The pier lies in the old port, a short walk from the town centre. Public transport options are available nearby. The Old Fortress stands close to the walking route.
Walkers start at the Liston promenade and cross Spianada Square towards the Old Fortress. The boat sits beside cafes and tavernas.
The night tour on the Corfu pirate ship meets at Spilia, also in the old port. Guests get a first view of the New Fortress by night there. After the cruise they return to Spilia.
How long is a Corfu pirate ship cruise, and what is included?
A Corfu pirate ship cruise lasts 75 minutes, which is 1 hour and 15 minutes. The ticket covers the sail, the crew, and playtime and dress-up for children. All fees and taxes are included.
The ship sails about every 2 hours, so each trip has its own slot. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours in total, because boarding takes time. In the busy season, arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure.
Each trip gives you:
- A 75-minute sail along the old town coast
- A professional captain and escort crew
- Pirate hats and swords to borrow on board
- Playtime and dress-up for children
- Soft and alcoholic drinks from the ship bar, paid for on board
When does the Corfu pirate ship sail?
The Corfu pirate ship sails daily from late spring to September. Its listed hours run from 12:00 to 18:00, and a cruise leaves about every 2 hours. A longer 2-hour sunset cruise is also available.
A trip takes 75 minutes, so a family can join a midday or an afternoon sailing. The start times appear when you check availability on the booking page.
The page on Corfu sunset cruises covers evening sailings. For the weather in each season, see the notes on the time to visit Corfu.
Who suits a Corfu pirate ship cruise?
A Corfu pirate ship cruise suits families, couples and groups of friends. The listing is wheelchair accessible and takes ages 0 to 109, with up to 50 guests per group. The ride is short, so it works for toddlers too.
Anyone who gets queasy on boats spends only 75 minutes on the water. The route follows the town coast the whole way. Shaded seats give relief from the sun.
Cruise ships stay in Corfu for 6 to 9 hours. That leaves room for a 75-minute sail. Cruise lines ask passengers to be back on board 60 to 75 minutes before departure.
Parents can find more family days on the Corfu with kids page.
How do you get to the Corfu pirate ship?
The Corfu pirate ship waits in the old port on El. Venizelou street. The cruise port is 2 km from the Old Town, a 25 to 30 minute walk or a 5 minute drive.
Look for the BP petrol station on the waterfront. The pier is opposite it, next to Stathis Taverna. One listing also names the Poseidonio restaurant and Cafe Yali as landmarks.
Drivers find parking spaces in the port area. Ship passengers can read the Corfu cruise port page for the walk and the drive into town.
What can you combine with a Corfu pirate ship cruise in Corfu Town?
A Corfu pirate ship cruise leaves the rest of the day free for the Old Town on foot. The pier sits close to the old streets. Four stops fit well before or after the sail.
- New Fortress: the second Venetian fortress that the ship passes
- Corfu Town walking tour: a guided walk through the old streets
- Liston promenade: 5 minutes by car from the cruise port
- St Spyridon Church: another Old Town stop with its own tours
Sail first, then walk. The cruise shows how the fortresses and bays line up. The streets then show what lies inside the walls.
How do you book and cancel a Corfu pirate ship cruise?
Book a Corfu pirate ship cruise on the GetYourGuide or Viator listing, or ask the operator, Corfu Black Rose Pirate Ship. Pick a date, check the start times and pay online. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start.
Both listings sail the same 75-minute route. Both finish back at the pier where the cruise began.
You can also ask the crew for the current schedule. The office and departure point are in the port area.
What does the Corfu pirate ship show of the Old Fortress and Venetian Corfu Town?
The Old Fortress rises from its own peninsula as the Corfu pirate ship passes. Behind it lie the Spianada, the Liston and a UNESCO-listed fortified Venetian port town. Venice held the island for four centuries, and the town still shows it.
The Old Fortress replaced an earlier Byzantine fortress on the same site. Venetians built it in the 15th and 16th centuries. A moat cuts the peninsula off from the town. Its position at the Adriatic entrance made Corfu vital against Ottoman attack.
Venetians kept the Spianada clear as open ground in front of the fortress. That explains the large square at the heart of town. The Liston arcade stands on the western edge of the square. Built under French rule, it copies the Rue de Rivoli in Paris.
UNESCO lists the Old Town as an outstanding fortified Mediterranean port. The fortifications keep their overall Venetian form, with major British-period changes. The town held out against Ottoman sieges and was never under Ottoman rule. The Corfu pirate ship shows this setting from the sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the commentary easy to hear on the Corfu pirate ship?
Reviewers disagree. One group found the microphone hard to hear from the far end of the deck. Others praised the friendly staff and the family feel. The GetYourGuide listing draws on 61 verified reviews from the past year, and its overall tone is positive.
Can you join a longer trip from the Corfu pirate ship pier?
Yes. A week-long island cruise meets at the old port, right beside the pirate ship. It runs from Saturday to Saturday and calls at Sivota, Parga, Antipaxos and Paxos. Guests check in at 16:00 on Saturday and sail at 10:00 on Sunday.
How well do guests rate the Corfu pirate ship?
The Black Rose scores 4.6 out of 5 from 249 reviews on Tripadvisor. It ranks third of 32 boat tours and water sports in Corfu Town. Reviewers praise the roomy deck, the music and the helpful crew.
Who ruled Corfu Town after the Venetians?
The French arrived after Venice, followed by a brief Russian and Ottoman protectorate. The French returned, and later Britain held the islands as a protectorate. Britain handed the Ionian Islands to Greece in the 19th century. Works from the British period shaped the fortifications’ present form. The Corfu pirate ship passes a town that keeps all these layers.
What is the palace beside the Spianada?
The British built the Palace of St Michael and St George on the north side of the Spianada. Its pale Maltese limestone walls housed the Lord High Commissioner and the Ionian Senate. It now holds the Museum of Asian Art. The palace stands near the Old Fortress that the Corfu pirate ship passes.
What is the Spianada beside the Old Fortress?
The Spianada is the great open square at the heart of Corfu Town. Greek tourism sources call it the largest square in the Balkans. Strolling, events and philharmonic band performances all take place there. The Corfu pirate ship passes the fortress that this open ground once protected.