Paleokastritsa Sea Caves and Paradise Beach Speedboat Tour Corfu

Paleokastritsa and Alipa Port

Paleokastritsa, on the north-west coast of Corfu, is one of the most beautiful places on the island: a series of small coves with emerald water, framed by steep, forested headlands. On one of these headlands stands the Monastery of Paleokastritsa, founded in the 13th century, with a peaceful courtyard and wide sea views. Alipa port, the small harbour where the speedboat departs, sits in the most sheltered of the coves.

How to get to Paleokastritsa? It is about 25 kilometres from Corfu town, around 40 minutes by car or taxi, and local buses also run from the town. Arrive at Alipa port 10 minutes before departure. If you plan to visit the monastery before or after the trip, remember that shoulders and knees should be covered inside.

The Sea Caves of Paleokastritsa

The cliffs around Paleokastritsa are riddled with sea caves, shaped over thousands of years as the waves wore away the limestone. The speedboat takes you to the entrances of the most impressive ones, where the water glows an intense blue and green as the sunlight bounces off the seabed. The skipper edges in as close as the sea allows, giving you time for photos of the rock formations and the clear water.

For safety, swimming inside the caves is not allowed, as the swell can push swimmers against the rock. The cave visits are a highlight of the trip, and the speedboat's size lets it reach places that larger boats cannot. Morning departures often have the calmest water and the brightest colours inside the caves.

Paradise Beach (Chomi): Reachable Only by Sea

Paradise Beach, known locally as Chomi, is a small, secluded cove at the foot of steep cliffs north of Paleokastritsa. With no road or path leading down, it can only be reached by boat, which keeps it wild and unspoiled. The water is a striking turquoise over a pale seabed, and the surrounding rocks drop straight into the sea.

The speedboat stops here for 20 to 30 minutes so you can swim in the clear water, either diving from the boat or using the ladder. For safety reasons, staying on the beach itself is not allowed, so the swim takes place in the sea around the boat. Is Paradise Beach worth visiting? For many guests it is the most beautiful swim of their stay in Corfu.

Yali Beach, the Final Swim Stop

After a second sea cave, the trip ends at Yali Beach, a little-known gem of the west coast with crystal-clear water and a quiet, natural setting. The speedboat anchors close to the shore for a final swim of about 20 to 30 minutes, a perfect way to cool off before the ride back.

Bring a mask and snorkel if you have them, as the rocks along the edges of the beach attract small fish. Life jackets on board are for emergencies and not for swimming, so guests who are not confident swimmers should stay on the boat or bring their own armbands. The outdoor shower on board lets you rinse off the salt before returning to port.

The Wild West Coast of Corfu

The west coast of Corfu is very different from the calm east: higher cliffs, deeper water and dramatic headlands covered in cypress and olive trees. North of Paleokastritsa, the ruins of Angelokastro, a Byzantine castle perched on a rocky summit above the sea, once guarded this coast against pirates, and the views from the water show why it was so hard to attack.

The best time to visit Paleokastritsa by boat is from May to October, when the sea is warm enough for swimming; June and September bring fewer crowds. In the afternoon the north-westerly breeze known as maistros can make the water choppier, so the skipper may adjust the route. The trip needs a minimum number of guests to depart; if it is not reached, we offer another time or a full refund.