5 Best Boat trips in Corfu

Sail from Benitses Marina on Corfu's east coast aboard the wooden sailboat Odyssey, limited to 22 guests. During a 7.5-hour day, you visit Papanikolis Cave – named after the Greek submarine Papanikolis, said to have used Ionian Sea caves as a refuge during the Second World War – and swim in the turquoise water of the Blue Lagoon, accessible only by boat. Coffee and cake start the morning and an onboard lunch of gyros, tzatziki and seasonal produce follows, along with plenty of house wine.

Book your Blue Lagoon sailboat cruise

Back aboard the Odyssey, this maximum 22-guest cruise heads south from Benitses Marina towards the neighbouring isles of Paxos and Antipaxos. At Lakka Bay on Paxos – a natural harbour enclosed by olive and cypress trees – there are 45 minutes to swim or explore. You then continue to Voutoumi Beach on Antipaxos, where an hour and 15 minutes at one of the Ionian's most celebrated stretches of white sand gives ample time for a swim. Lunch is served onboard on the return to Corfu.

Book your Paxos and Antipaxos cruise

Set out in the afternoon on a private pontoon-style boat, circling the coastline south of Corfu Town as the light changes. The route passes the Old Fortress and Garitsa Bay, then rounds Mouse Island – the wooded islet with a 13th-century chapel that sits beside the white-walled monastery of Panagia Vlacherna at Kanoni – before continuing north past the islets of Vido and Lazaretto. Snorkelling equipment and towels are provided, with the captain guiding you to the best spots. Wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks are served on deck as the skipper chooses a point on the horizon for the sunset. 

Book your Corfu sunset cruise

Head north along Corfu's eastern coastline on a private 7.5-hour cruise taking in landmarks close to Corfu Town before moving into the quieter bays and coves of the northeast. The route passes Mouse Island and the monastery of Panagia Vlacherna at Kanoni, the chapel of Saint Arsenios – built into the rocks above a sea cave between Agni and Krouzeri – and further sea caves along the coast. At Kalami Bay, you anchor at the White House, the former home of Lawrence Durrell, who wrote here in the 1930s. The protected coves of Erimitis offer a swim stop away from busier beaches. Snorkelling equipment, towels, cocktails and snacks are included. Lunch is at a fishing village along the route.

Book your private Corfu coastline tour

Set out on a private 8-hour yacht cruise, sailing past Corfu's Old Town on a route that explores Paxos' dramatic western coastline – the Blue Caves, whose shimmering water is one of the Mediterranean monk seal's few remaining habitats, Erimitis beach, and Tripitos Arch, a natural limestone arch over 20 metres high above the water. At Antipaxos, you anchor at Voutoumi or Vrika beach for a swim. The day ends in Gaios, the harbour of Paxos, with lunch at a seaside taverna. Snorkelling equipment, SUP boards, cocktails and snacks are included.

Book your private Paxos and Antipaxos cruise