Corfu boat tours sail to the Ionian jewels of Paxos and Antipaxos with their sea caves and Caribbean-blue coves, explore the Blue Caves and the cliffs of Paleokastritsa, and cross to Albania and the mainland resort of Parga. They reach turquoise water and hidden coves no road serves. This guide covers the main boat trips, what they include and how to book one.
The sea is half of Corfu’s appeal, a core part of the wider Corfu tours and travel guide. Boats leave from Corfu Town and the southern ports. The sections below cover the trips.
What is the Paxos and Antipaxos cruise?
The Paxos and Antipaxos cruise is the classic full-day boat trip from Corfu, sailing south to the two small Ionian islands and the Blue Caves. It includes swimming in Antipaxos’s turquoise coves and time in the picturesque port village of Gaios.
The signature boat trip heads for three jewels of the Ionian Sea. Sailing south from Corfu, it visits the rugged little island of Paxos and its smaller neighbour Antipaxos, taking in the famous Blue Caves along the way. On Antipaxos, passengers swim in the crystal coves of Voutoumi and Mesovrika, often compared to the Caribbean, while on Paxos the boats moor at the pretty harbour village of Gaios, or quieter Lakka, for lunch and a wander through narrow lanes. A full day with on-board guiding, it is the island’s most popular excursion, set within the wider things to do in Corfu. The caves are a highlight.
What are the Blue Caves?
The Blue Caves are sea caves on the coast of Paxos, including the Ipapanti and Ahai caves, where the water glows an intense blue. The marine area is a protected habitat of the rare Mediterranean monk seal, and boats sail in for a close look.
The Blue Caves are a natural highlight of the cruise. Carved into the cliffs of Paxos, caves such as Ipapanti and Ahai fill with light that turns the water a deep, luminous blue, and the boats sail right inside for a close view. The surrounding marine area is a protected habitat of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal, adding a sense of wild nature to the trip. Calm summer seas make the caves accessible on most days, a memorable part of the Paxos cruise, set within the wider Corfu beaches and coast. Other boat trips explore closer to home.
What other boat trips are there?
Other boat trips explore the sea caves and coves of Paleokastritsa, sail to the secluded Porto Timoni and the north-coast caves of Sidari, offer sunset cruises along the coast, and cross to Albania, Parga and Sivota on the mainland. The choice is wide.
Beyond Paxos, the island offers boat trips of every kind. Small boats and kayaks from Paleokastritsa thread its sea caves and reach hidden coves like Chomi, often called Paradise Beach, while cruises visit the cliff-backed double bay of Porto Timoni and the sandstone caves of Sidari. Sunset cruises drift along the coast with drinks as the light fades, and day trips cross the channel to the Albanian Riviera at Saranda and ancient Butrint, or to Parga and Sivota on the Greek mainland. These reach spots beyond the beaches, set out in the guide to Paleokastritsa. A private charter offers the most freedom.
Can you book a private boat charter?
You can book a private boat charter with a skipper for a small group, choosing your own route to quiet coves and beaches. Charters suit families, couples and groups wanting flexibility, with swimming, snorkelling and often lunch on board.
A private charter puts the day in your hands. Instead of a fixed group cruise, a skipper plans the route around the weather and the group, anchoring at secluded coves and beaches for swimming and snorkelling on your own schedule. Self-drive small motorboats are also available at resorts like Paleokastritsa for those wanting to explore the coast independently. Families, couples and groups of friends share the cost, and many charters include gear, drinks and lunch. My Greece Tours can help arrange private boat trips, reachable on +30 697 236 4387. The practicalities are easy to handle.
Where do the boats depart and how long are the trips?
The Paxos day cruise departs Corfu Town port around 08:15, or Lefkimmi in the south around 10:00, returning near 19:00, a full day of about ten to eleven hours. Shorter local cruises and sunset trips run from the west-coast and northern resorts.
Departure points and durations vary with the trip. The full-day Paxos and Antipaxos cruise leaves Corfu Town port around 08:15, or the southern port of Lefkimmi about 10:00, and returns near 19:00, a long but rewarding day on the water with multilingual guiding on board. Shorter cruises around Paleokastritsa, Sidari and the north coast run a half day, and sunset trips a couple of hours in the evening. Boats also leave from resorts such as Paleokastritsa and Kassiopi, so checking the departure point near your base is wise, set out alongside the guide to where to stay in Corfu. Booking ahead secures a place.
How do you book and what do tours cost?
You book a boat tour online or with a local operator, a few days ahead in summer for the popular Paxos cruise. Group day cruises are priced per person, often including guiding, while private charters price the whole boat. Confirm lunch, swimming stops and pickup.
Booking a boat trip is straightforward with a little notice. The popular Paxos and Antipaxos cruises sell through operators and platforms, and reserving a few days ahead is wise in the busy summer months. Group day cruises are priced per person and usually include on-board guiding and several swim stops, with lunch sometimes extra, while private charters price the whole boat for a group. Travellers confirm the departure port, the duration, and whether lunch, drinks and snorkelling gear are included, and bring swimwear, a towel and sun protection. A boat day pairs well with the beaches and the Old Town, set out in the guide to a Corfu itinerary. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best boat trip from Corfu?
The best-known boat trip is the full-day Paxos and Antipaxos cruise that takes in the Blue Caves, with swimming in turquoise coves and time in Gaios village. Shorter trips explore Paleokastritsa’s sea caves, and day cruises reach Albania and Parga.
How long is the Paxos and Antipaxos cruise from Corfu?
The Paxos and Antipaxos cruise is a full day of about ten to eleven hours, leaving Corfu Town port around 08:15 and returning near 19:00. It includes swimming in Antipaxos, the Blue Caves and a stop in Gaios village on Paxos.
Can you do a private boat charter in Corfu?
You can book a private boat charter with a skipper for a small group, choosing your own route to quiet coves for swimming and snorkelling. My Greece Tours can arrange private boat trips, reachable on +30 697 236 4387.