Corfu Fishing Trip

A Corfu fishing trip is a half day or a long day at sea with a local captain, with lines in the water off the south and east coasts, swim stops in quiet coves and a freshly cooked lunch on board. Tours across the rest of the country are listed on Greece Tours.

The sections below cover the trips you can book, the ports, the boats, the fishing methods, the fish, the day, the meal, the swim stops, who it suits, the months, licences and booking, with links into the Corfu pages. The tours shown are checked on GetYourGuide.

What is a Corfu fishing trip?

A Corfu fishing trip is a boat outing with a local captain in the Ionian Sea. Guests drop lines, catch fish and stop for a swim. The crew then cooks the catch on board, so the day ends with lunch at sea.

The captain supplies the rods, lines and bait. Crew members show beginners how to bait a hook and reel in a fish. No experience is needed to take part.

Operators sell the outing in two forms. A small-group Corfu fishing trip mixes strangers on one boat. A private trip keeps the boat for one family or group.

Kalypso Fishing Trips in Benitses says no trip can guarantee a catch. Wind, depth, season and water temperature all change how active the fish are. The captain picks the method to suit the day.

Which Corfu fishing trip can you book?

You can book a Corfu fishing trip on GetYourGuide from Lefkimmi or Benitses. Local captains also sell trips direct. They include Captain Tziros near Sidari and Captain Nickolas near Corfu Town. Kalypso works from Benitses and Phoenix from Gouvia.

• Lefkimmi small-group trip: about 6 hours, with fishing, swim stops and a cooked lunch.
• Benitses private family trip: about 4.5 hours with a local captain and lunch on board.
• Captain Tziros: a full day off the north coast, with free transfers from Agios Stefanos North and Acharavi.
• Captain Nickolas: morning trips or afternoon sunset trips for up to eight guests.
• Eastern Corfu trip: 3 to 5 hours for up to eight guests, in English or Greek.

The Lefkimmi listing frames the whole day as fishing the way locals do. The Benitses listing adds lessons in fishing techniques for parents and children.

Phoenix fishing trips welcome beginners and seasoned anglers alike. Kalypso adds a full-day deep-sea trip for experienced anglers. Its family trips are gentler and suit children.

Where does a Corfu fishing trip leave from?

A Corfu fishing trip leaves from a small harbour on the coast. The two GetYourGuide trips start in Lefkimmi in the south and Benitses on the east coast. Local captains also sail from the north and near Corfu Town.

• Lefkimmi: start point of the 6-hour small-group trip in the south of the island.
• Benitses: the marina on the south-east coast, home of Kalypso and the private family trip.
• Sidari: north-coast resort area where Captain Tziros Fishing Trips is based.
• Corfu Town: listed home of Captain Nickolas and his eight-guest boat.

Kalypso calls Benitses Marina a practical base for local fishing, private charters and offshore trips. Guests from Perama, Moraitika and Messonghi can ask about meeting points.

Phoenix works from Gouvia and runs trips along the northeast coast. Another Corfu fishing trip leaves Kassiopi and heads along the north-east shore for about six hours.

Which boats does a Corfu fishing trip use?

A Corfu fishing trip runs on a small motor boat or a traditional wooden fishing boat. Listed boats carry between five and ten guests. Crews keep rods, bait and life-saving kit on board for adults and children.

Captain Spiros of Captain Tziros Fishing Trips built his wooden boats in a traditional Corfu shipyard. He has fished Corfu waters for over 50 years. The boats meet Greek fishing tourism safety law.

Captain Nickolas runs each Corfu fishing trip on a Saronic SAR 750 boat just under 8 metres long. It takes up to eight guests. It has a toilet, a small kitchen and a dining table.

Phoenix runs a motor boat for up to five people with a skipper. A big-game boat in Gouvia carries up to ten and has a fish finder. A fish finder is a screen that uses sound to show fish below the boat.

Which fishing methods does a Corfu fishing trip use?

A Corfu fishing trip uses simple local methods. Crews teach hand lines and bottom fishing with rods. Trips from Benitses and eastern Corfu also use trolling and nets. Kalypso lists spinning and jigging among Corfu methods too.

• Hand line: a line held in your fingers, with no rod, dropped over the side.
• Bottom fishing: baited hooks sink to the seabed, where bottom fish feed.
• Trolling: lures pulled behind the boat as it moves slowly.
• Spinning: a lure cast out and wound back like a darting small fish.
• Jigging: a heavy metal lure jerked up and down in deep water.
• Nets: a traditional net set in the sea and hauled in later.

Captain Nickolas teaches bottom fishing until guests reel in fish without help. Ouzo and meze, small Greek snacks, are served while lines are down. On a Corfu fishing trip with Captain Tziros, crews show guests how to bait, cast and reel in.

The eastern Corfu trip lists nets, rods and trolling as its techniques. Kalypso adds longlines, which are long lines carrying rows of baited hooks. Its offshore charters use drifting and live bait for experienced anglers.

Which fish do you catch on a Corfu fishing trip?

A Corfu fishing trip near the coast targets snapper, sardines, sea bream, pandora and red mullet. Deeper water holds dentex, amberjack and bonito. Squid, cuttlefish and octopus also live in the rocky waters all around the island.

Kalypso’s Corfu species guide covers 38 kinds of fish and cephalopods. Cephalopods are soft-bodied sea animals such as squid and octopus. It names sea bream, pandora and red mullet as beginner fish.

A Corfu fishing trip with Captain Tziros targets snapper and sardines off the north coast. Sea bass, groupers, barracuda and mackerel also live in Corfu’s rocky and sandy waters. Mahi-mahi and tuna-type fish are offshore targets for experienced anglers.

How does a Corfu fishing trip run from start to finish?

A Corfu fishing trip starts at the harbour with a briefing from the captain. The crew hands out the gear. The boat then moves between fishing spots. A swim stop and a meal cooked on board follow before the return to port.

The length depends on the trip. The Lefkimmi small-group trip lasts about 6 hours. The private Benitses family trip lasts about 4.5 hours. An eastern Corfu fishing trip from a local operator runs for 5 hours.

One private morning trip leaves at 10:00 and lasts 4 hours. About two hours go to fishing with rods around central Corfu. The rest of the time goes to swimming and relaxing on board.

• Meet the captain at the harbour and hear the safety briefing.
• Sail to the first spot and learn to use the gear.
• Move to new spots when the captain decides.
• Anchor in a quiet bay and swim while the crew cooks.
• Eat lunch on board, then sail back to port.

Each Corfu fishing trip follows the sea, not a fixed timetable. Wind, waves and fish activity decide where the boat goes. No captain promises a set catch.

What do you eat on a Corfu fishing trip?

On a Corfu fishing trip, the meal is cooked on board. The day’s catch sits at its centre. Both GetYourGuide listings include a freshly cooked lunch. Salad, bread and drinks come with the fish on local trips.

On the Captain Tziros trip in the north, the crew cooks the guests’ own catch. They serve it with fresh salad, bread and a choice of drinks. The cooking happens while guests swim in the bay.

The eastern Corfu fishing trip pairs freshly caught seafood with a light salad. Wine, soft drinks and coffee come with the meal. Snacks are included too.

The menu follows the catch, so each lunch differs from the last. Guests who want more Corfu dishes cooked on land can join a Corfu food tour.

Where do you swim on a Corfu fishing trip?

On a Corfu fishing trip you swim straight from the boat in a quiet bay. Captains pick bays that guests reach only by boat. The crew drops anchor there and cooks the meal while everyone is in the water.

The Lefkimmi listing includes swims in hidden spots, and the Benitses family trip adds a swim too. In the north, the Captain Tziros route passes Canal D’Amour, Cape Drastis and Mermaid Island.

The eastern Corfu fishing trip visits sea caves and secluded beaches between fishing spots. Snorkelling gear is part of the package. On the Tziros trip, the crew has snorkelling gear for guests too.

Swim time depends on the weather and the spot. For swims from the shore, see the guide to Corfu beaches. For looking at fish under the surface, read about snorkelling in Corfu.

Is a small-group or a private Corfu fishing trip right for you?

A small-group Corfu fishing trip puts you on a shared boat with other guests. A private Corfu fishing trip keeps the boat for your own party. The Lefkimmi listing is a small-group trip, and the Benitses listing is private.

A shared boat suits solo travellers and couples who like company. The eastern trip takes up to 8 guests. Kalypso in Benitses runs both private and small-group trips, in the morning and the afternoon.

A private trip lets your group shape the day with the captain. Kalypso invites private groups to agree the duration, route and fishing style for their date.

• Group: shared with other guests, or your party alone.
• Length: about 6 hours from Lefkimmi, or about 4.5 hours from Benitses.
• Route: set for the whole boat, or planned with your group.
• Pace: fixed for everyone, or matched to children and beginners.

Who suits a Corfu fishing trip?

A Corfu fishing trip suits beginners, children and families. The crew supplies the gear and shows each step. No past experience is needed. Full-day offshore trips, far out at sea, are the exception, since they aim at experienced anglers.

First-timers get hands-on help from the crew on the Captain Tziros trip. Kalypso gives beginners a clear briefing before they touch the gear. It says shorter guided trips with simple equipment suit beginners and families.

On a family Corfu fishing trip, children use handlines. A handline is a line held in the hand, with no rod. The eastern trip lists children as ages 6 to 17 and infants as 0 to 5. More family ideas sit in the guide to Corfu with kids.

Kalypso notes that offshore conditions do not suit every child. Guests who feel seasick can pick a half-day trip of 4 to 4.5 hours. The captain also changes the route when wind and waves rise.

• Beginners: a briefing and hands-on help from the crew.
• Children: handlines and light bottom fishing, with bait near the seabed.
• Families: private trips planned around each child’s age.
• Experienced anglers: full-day trips using trolling, which drags lures behind a moving boat.

Which months suit a Corfu fishing trip?

A Corfu fishing trip fits the main boat season on the island, which runs from April to October. Summer gives warm water for the swim stop. Mornings bring calm sea, while a steady breeze builds through the afternoon.

The summer wind on Corfu is the Maestro, which blows from the northwest. It reaches about 10 to 20 knots, a fresh but steady breeze. The east coast stays sheltered, while the west coast takes more swell, the long rolling waves.

Lighter southerly winds blow early and late in the season. A morning Corfu fishing trip meets the calmest sea of the day. Captain Nickolas runs a morning trip and an afternoon trip that ends near sunset.

What do you bring on a Corfu fishing trip?

For a Corfu fishing trip, pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and a camera. Captain Tziros supplies the fishing gear, the bait and snorkelling masks. The meal comes with the trip, so you carry no food from home.

The Tziros boat has wide shade and room for up to eight guests. Even so, the sun on open water is strong in summer. A hat and sunscreen protect you during the hours spent fishing.

Drinks are part of the day as well. The five-hour eastern Corfu fishing trip includes wine, soft drinks and coffee. Captain Nickolas serves ouzo, an aniseed spirit, with meze, small Greek finger food.

Do you need a licence for a Corfu fishing trip?

No licence is needed for a Corfu fishing trip with a captain. Greek rules no longer require a licence for amateur fishing with rod or line from a boat. On a charter, the captain handles the licensing.

A Greek fishing tourism law lets licensed professional fishermen take paying guests on board. Captain Tziros states that his wooden boats meet the safety rules of this law. He carries safety gear for adults and children too.

Guests on a Corfu fishing trip follow the same catch rules as any angler. Nets are regulated professional tools. Visitors watch net fishing only when the licensed operator confirms it is legal and safe.

• Selling or trading fish from recreational fishing is banned.
• Gilthead seabream must measure at least 20 cm to keep.
• European seabass must measure at least 23 cm to keep.
• Each angler keeps no more than five of either fish per day.
• Fishing with explosives or compressed gas is illegal.

How do you book and cancel a Corfu fishing trip?

You book a Corfu fishing trip online through GetYourGuide, or direct with a local captain by phone or message. GetYourGuide lists free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. A late cancellation loses the full refund.

Captain Tziros takes bookings by phone, seven days a week, from 9am to 9pm. Captain Nickolas takes bookings by phone or email at Corfu Port. GetYourGuide also has a reserve now, pay later option.

A private Corfu fishing trip through Kalypso Fishing Trips in Benitses starts with a short request. The captain then confirms the meeting time, boat, duration, inclusions and weather policy.

• Your preferred date and a back-up date
• The number of adults and children
• Your past fishing and boat experience
• A half-day, private or full-day choice
• Your hotel area and transport needs

Corfu boat trips on GetYourGuide offer a new date or a refund when bad weather cancels them. For a day at sea without rods, read about Corfu boat tours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you catch tuna on a Corfu fishing trip?

One Corfu operator states that its trips catch small fish, since tuna lives deeper. Kalypso Fishing Trips runs a private full-day offshore charter for experienced anglers. It uses trolling, drifting, live bait and jigging, which means jerking a metal lure up and down.

Is a catch guaranteed on a Corfu fishing trip?

No Corfu fishing trip comes with a promised catch or a set species. The captain picks a safe method that suits the wind, sea state, depth and seabed. Fish feed and move differently through the year, so each day brings a different catch.

Can you fish from the shore on Corfu without a licence?

Yes, shore fishing in Greece needs no licence, with either a rod or a hand line. Small harbour shops sell simple hand lines wound around a plastic disc. Local anglers fish from beaches and harbour walls late in the evening, after swimmers leave.

Can you take out your own boat to fish?

In Greece, a boat up to 5 metres long with up to 30 horsepower needs no permit. Visitors are free to bring their own fishing rods into Greece. The page on boat rental without a licence in Corfu covers hiring one on the island.

Is hotel pickup part of a Corfu fishing trip?

Captain Tziros includes free return transfers from Agios Stefanos North, Acharavi and nearby areas to north Corfu. For Benitses trips, a local transfer company drives guests from Corfu Town, Dassia, Moraitika or Messonghi. This private transfer is a separate booking from the fishing.

Do other Greek islands offer fishing trips?

Yes, Zakynthos has catch-and-cook trips of four to five hours, with the meal at a beach bar. Rhodes Town runs five-hour trips on a traditional boat, with a fish meal and swim stops. For two more islands, read about the Kefalonia fishing trip and the Hydra fishing trip.