Paxos, Antipaxos and Blue Caves Day Cruise from Corfu

Sailing South from Corfu Old Town

The cruise leaves from Corfu port in the morning and soon passes the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose skyline is shaped by two Venetian fortresses, elegant arcades and church bell towers. The boat then follows the coast south past the Kanoni peninsula, the wooded estate of Mon Repos and the fishing villages of Perama and Benitses, with the mountains of mainland Greece and Albania on the horizon to the east.

Further south you pass the resort of Kavos and the white headland of Cape Asprokavos at the southern tip of Corfu, before crossing the open stretch of sea to Paxos. This first part of the cruise is a relaxed sightseeing sail, so find a spot on deck, have your camera ready and enjoy the changing coastline. Food and drinks can be bought on board.

Lakka, the Charming Harbour Village of Paxos

Paxos is a small island just south of Corfu, covered in ancient olive groves and dotted with stone villages. Lakka, on its northern tip, sits at the back of an almost circular natural bay with calm, shallow water in shades of turquoise. Pastel houses, small cafés and narrow lanes surround the harbour, and the village keeps a traditional atmosphere away from mass tourism.

The boat anchors in front of the village and you have about two hours to explore. Stroll through the lanes, follow a short path to one of the nearby beaches for a swim, or take one of the footpaths through the olive groves for views over the bay. Tavernas around the harbour serve fresh fish, salads and vegetarian dishes; halal options are limited on the islands, so seafood and vegetarian meals are the easiest choice.

The Blue Caves of Paxos and the Erimitis Cliffs

The west coast of Paxos is a wall of limestone cliffs rising straight out of the sea, shaped by wind and waves into arches, grottoes and caves. The most famous are the Blue Caves, where sunlight reflecting off the white seabed turns the water an intense, glowing blue. When the sea is calm the boat edges inside the entrance and stops for photos, and the guide shares stories about the caves, which the rare Mediterranean monk seal sometimes uses as a shelter.

Along this coast you also see the Erimitis cliffs, among the highest and whitest on the island, and the natural rock arch of Tripitos. How to get to the Blue Caves of Paxos? The cliffs have no roads or beaches, so a boat is the only way to see them up close. In strong swell, especially when the north-westerly afternoon breeze known locally as maistros picks up, the captain may only approach the entrance for safety.

Antipaxos: Swimming at Voutoumi or Mesovrika

Antipaxos is a tiny, quiet island a short sail south of Paxos, with only a handful of permanent residents and no large hotels. It is known for its beaches, where white sand and pebbles meet water so clear and turquoise that it is often compared to the Caribbean. The boat anchors off Voutoumi or Mesovrika, depending on the conditions of the day.

You have around 50 to 70 minutes here to swim from the boat, snorkel or swim ashore to the beach. The water is generally calm and very inviting, and children love jumping from the ladder into the clear sea. Is Antipaxos worth visiting? Its beaches are among the most beautiful in the Ionian, and a day cruise from Corfu is the simplest way to reach them.

The East Coast of Paxos and the Return to Corfu

On the way back the boat follows the gentler east coast of Paxos, where small islets such as Mongonisi and Skaltsonisi sit close to the shore, and the green hills fall into sheltered coves. This side of the island is greener and calmer than the cliff-lined west coast, and the views are especially lovely in the softer afternoon light.

The cruise then crosses back to Corfu, arriving at the port in the late afternoon, around 17:50, before the coach returns you to your pickup area. The best time to visit Paxos is from May to early October, when the sea is warm; June and September usually bring calmer water and fewer crowds than the peak weeks of July and August.