If you were to recall the name of one of the most famous Greek islands, Corfu would most probably appear at the top of your mind. And if you were to guess one of the best areas for crews new to sailing, then Corfu would be in the lead again. Corfu, or Kerkira, is the greenest island in Greece, and coupled with sun-soaked blue waters, it offers an impeccable location for your sailing week. With this suggested itinerary, you will see two smaller islands and the mainland - a sailing area dotted with several small harbours, fishing villages and hide-a-way coves.
Why Corfu
The most northern Ionian island, Corfu, lures in all types of tourists, including those who are boatless. The good thing about being a touristy island is frequent, not pricey, easy flight connections. The island is very cosmopolitan, but at the same time, it also offers many secluded bays thanks to its rugged coastline.
The legacy of old Venetian and French architecture and English culture is omnipresent, especially in Corfu town. Beautiful gardens, cricket pitches, ginger beer, and terracotta roofs create unforgettable combinations.
Corfu lies in the north Ionian Sea and is not so heavily hit by strong Meltemi winds. The East Coast is excellent for beginners, whereas the west coast is more exposed to NW winds and provides an intense sailing experience, although it lacks suitable anchorages for nights.
Weather and sailing conditions
Expect fairly consistent weather and wind patterns from May to early October. The prevailing winds blow from the NW direction and, with the usual force of 2-5 knots, provide excellent conditions for wonderful smooth sailing. Spring is also a good time for a sailing trip - not just because of mild temperatures but mainly for cultural enrichment. Easter is celebrated joyfully in every corner of Corfu; the old Greek traditions are still kept alive.
The marine infrastructure in Corfu is developed, and there are numerous marinas to choose from when you need all the amenities. Just 3 miles from Corfu town lies a large landlocked marine Gouvia - the usual starting point for most voyages. Other examples include Kassiopi, Petriti, Benitses, Paleokastritsa, and Agios Stefanos.
As everywhere in Greece, the classic way to moor is to drop the anchor and moor stern or bow to a pier. Or drop an anchor and tie a line ashore. You will use the anchor very often, so pay special attention to it and its components during the check-in procedure. Water and electricity at harbours are usually charged extra and unavailable 24/7.
Suggested 7 days itinerary
The best bet is to start in Gouvia Marina, the largest marina in Greece. Use the first day to stroll in the marina or even take a short trip to the surroundings. The itinerary in this area is pretty straightforward, and you can easily adjust the plan on the go. You will mostly stay in the area of the east coastline of Corfu, with stopovers at the mainland opposite Corfu and with a nice voyage down to the island Paxos and/or Antipaxos. The distances between your overnight anchorages or harbours are short enough for beginners and long enough for those who crave playful sailing.
The west coastline is not so densely covered with well-protected anchorages, but there are two places worth mentioning - the northern bay Sidari with the mythical Channel of Love and a small port called Afionis. The legend has it that when a man and woman sail across the channel, they will fall in love.
- Day 1: Gouvia (0 nm)
- Day 2: Gouvia - Kalami/Avlaki (11 - 14 nm)
- Day 3: Avlaki/Kalami - Sivota (23 - 26 nm)
- Day 4: Sivota - Paxos/Antipaxos (11 - 18 nm)
- Day 5: Paxos - Petriti (18 - 20 nm)
- Day 6: Petriti - mainland / Plataria or Igoumenitsa (12 nm)
- Day 7: Mainland - back to Gouvia (18 - 23 nm)
See the suggested itinerary on the map here.
Day 1: Gouvia (0 nm)
It takes just 20 minutes to get from the international airport to the marina. The marina is huge, and it provides the necessary amenities, a well-stocked supermarket and even a swimming pool. There are a couple of decent restaurants to dine out. For authentic Greek food and excellent moussaka, we recommend Zorbas and Takis Taverna.
If you have enough time, take a taxi to Corfu town, located just 15 minutes from the marina. The Old town is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. An alternative activity for a more active crew is to book a horse-riding tour in lush hills or try playing cricket near the marina.
Day 2: Gouvia - Kalami - Avlaki (11-14 nm)
Say goodbye to a noisy marina and head for more tranquil and sleepy locations. Sail to the northeast. If you continue sailing further alongside the coast, you can spot Albania situated only 1 mile away from Corfu at the closest point.
What to see?
Outside the high season, we would definitely recommend sailing up to the north to the fishing village Kassiopi. During the summer, the place loses its captivating charm due to the hordes of tourists and the chaotic small harbour. Kassiopi is a little village with relaxed vibes, nice restaurants, an old castle and pleasant strolls.
If you plan to spend the night up in the northeast, don’t miss out on visiting another cosy former fishing village - Kalami. The bay, shaped like a horseshoe, provides excellent protection from almost all directions. Your water activities will take place in a stunning sapphire sea, and you can then relax at the pebbled beach, which is awarded a blue flag. Some parts of the famous British comedy series The Durrells were shot in Kalami. The bay is edged with steep slopes cultivated with olives and tall pines or cypress.
Avlaki Bay offers an excellent shelter for those seeking tranquillity and natural beauty. Dense green woods surround the wide bay. There is not much to do apart from practising the art of relaxation either on deck or at the pebbled beach. If you are up for a half-hour walk, feel free to visit Kassiopi.
On your way to Kassiopi or Avlaki, there is a popular stop-off, San Stefanos. There are numerous taverns for boats to go bow-to; however, summers are busy, so it's better to drop an anchor. The holding is not stable, though.
Where to stay?
Kassiopi has a small harbour located under a Venetian castle and surrounded by luxury villas. While anchoring (and pulling the anchor back), watch out for other anchors and old ropes on the bottom.
Kalami lies in large bays with good anchor holding in 8-12 meters. Be aware of occasional gusts of northwesterly winds blowing from the hills.
For the final overnight stay, we recommend Avlaki Bay. The bottom of Avlaki will hold your anchor firmly in 4-6 meters. There are two decent restaurants with a pier for your dinghy. For a tasty Greek dinner, go to Cavo Barbaro taverna.
Day 3: Kalami/Avlaki - Sivota (23-26 nm)
The third day will be mostly dedicated to active sailing towards the Greek mainland. Your final destination is the beautiful coastal town Sivota, also known as Mourtos or Sivota-Mourtos.
What to see
For a lunch stopover, anchor at Ormos Valtou or Ormos Lygia. The water is murky because of the muddy bottom, but the anchor holding is very good, and the bay is protected from all directions. This is an area to choose if you are looking for a peaceful spot with no constructions, no bars and no tourists to enjoy a quiet lunch aboard.
When approaching Sivota islands, note that there are reef obstructions and shoal waters between Nisis Ay Nikolaos and Nisis Sivota in the southern part of the passage.
Sivota town is nestled between islets. The town is more famous for its wide range of restaurants and bars than for some historical monuments. The tavernas on the waterfront provide gorgeous sunset views. The whole town has a pleasant atmosphere, although nights can be pretty loud, especially in the summer.
Where to stay
There are several anchorages around the Sivota islands and mainland to choose from. If you need to refill supplies, head to the Sivota marina. The docking is easy, and some mooring lines have been installed. You can purchase the cards for water and electricity at the kiosk (or “periptero” as called in Greece) in the centre. Another option is to use the busy quay, although frequent ferries make the stay less comfortable.
The Monastery bay lies NW from the harbour, and it is a nice spot if you want to be close to the town but sleep in silence. The sandy bottom holds your anchor well. There is a nice taverna on the beach with reasonable prices considering this area.
Another tip for a calm yet near anchorage is the End Bay. It will take you 20 minutes to walk to the town, but at least you won't hear the typical town buzz at night. To arrive there, you need to circumnavigate the island of Nisis Mavros Notos.
Day 4: Sivota - Paxos/Antipaxos (11 - 18 nm)
Small islands Paxos and its diminutive Anti-Paxos are idyllic places visited mainly by waterborne tourists who come here to indulge in the incredible blue and green colours of water and shore. This place looks like a live postcard of your Corfu sailing trip.
What to see
The small Anti-Paxos is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. The island has undisputable Caribbean vibes. Overnight stays are not recommended on this small islet - the locals try to preserve the bay, and generally, the conditions are risky for night anchorage. Therefore, once you leave Sivota, head to Anti-Paxos first. Enjoy a nice swim in one of the two bays located on the NE coastline. Be careful when approaching the NE coast because of fringing reefs. Ormos Voutoumi and the part of the bay named Mesovrila are one of the bays for swimming, snorkelling or stand-up paddling.
On your way up to Paxos, stop by other mesmerizing coves, such as Kipiadi or Marmari, with lovely beaches suitable for children. The scenery on Paxos is simply admirable. There are nice walks basically from any anchorage or harbour on Paxos island. It makes sense to rent a bike or motorbike in an enchanting harbour, Gaios (located on the E), and then take the island's only road up to Lakka. You will pass through old olive groves and grey rocks. For a stay in a picturesque bay, drop an anchor in Lakka, situated north.
Where to stay
There are two best and well-sheltered places for spending the night on Paxos. Lakka bay offers the classic free-anchoring in the middle of the bay, and then there is an option to drop the anchor on the W side with a line ashore. Last but not least, you can moor stern-to on the quay and end up in one of the numerous taverns or bars in the Lakka village.
Gaios, the main harbour, can be chaotic in the high season because of water taxis and sailing boats running in circles to find the best berths. However, if you succeed in the berth-securing game, the village becomes a very nice place to visit. You can walk out of the town through olive groves or to the beach. The evening is nice for a romantic stroll in the town in the old alleys in pursuit of the best place for dinner.
Day 5: Paxos - Petriti (18 - 20 nm)
It is time to explore the southeastern coastline of Corfu. Petriti, your final destination today, is a small-sized, sleepy fishing village with a nice harbour. Fresh fish to buy, calm waters to swim in, and a beautiful coastal town to walk through create a typical harmonious scene. This anchorage is great for those wanting to spend time away from other tourists.
What to see?
Petriti is a young village built in the 1970s by residents of Koracada village due to landslides however, the area itself has a rich history. One of the ways to preserve Greek traditions is regular dance performances in local tavernas. You can see the evidence of ancient history in the form of stone walls belonging to Roman baths.
Where to stay?
Take into consideration that Petriti is not well protected from E winds, but you will find reasonable protection from the prevailing northwesterlies here. The holding on the sandy bottom is very stable. Get seduced by the Limanaki and Leonidas tavernas with their home-style tasty cuisine.
In case Petriti marina is full, sail to the neighbouring bay Mpoukari. There is a restaurant at the end of the pontoon.
Day 6: Petriti - Plataria / Igoumenitsa (12 nm)
On your penultimate day of cruising, you can stop by the Greek mainland again. Opposite the middle part of Corfu lie large bays Igoumenitsa and Ormiskos Valtou. If you are searching for a peaceful, quiet and attractive environment, these bays are the best choice for you. For those who need to moor to a town quay and walk in the streets, a charming place called Plataria is the best option.
What to see
The town of Igoumenitsa serves nowadays as a large ferry harbor and ferry terminal with several tavernas, bars, shops and travel agencies. Local tourists use the town as a base for excursions to the old Greek town Ioannina, with an oriental feel due to mosques and bazaars. There is not much to see around in Igoumenitsa town therefore, we recommend opting for Plataria to get a dose of Greek authenticity.
Where to stay
The NW part of Igoumenitsa bay situated out of the town is a magnificent anchorage to spend a night. The holding is superb, your boat is protected from almost all directions, there are no swells, and you won't hear any loud music.
Ormiskou Valtou is another quiet bay providing almost full protection. The part called “Igoumenitsa or Iggy Creek '' is somewhat bleak because of the opaque waters from the muddy bottom. The bay may not boost the motivation for a swim in murky water, but to compensate for the lack of water activities, it offers possibilities for pleasant walks over the sand dunes.
If you crave Greek tzatziki, halloumi and other specialities, end the day at Plataria. Plataria is a cute little marina with friendly staff, necessary amenities and good mooring. Taverna Nikolas and Officer´s Restaurant Cafe bring unforgettable memories to your taste buds.
Day 7 - back to Gouvia or Mandraki marina (18 - 23)
If you didn't have a chance to visit Corfu town, spend your last full day - Friday in Mandraki marina. Although it is an expensive marina with some acceptable flaws, the staff is very friendly and more importantly, the location makes it easy to visit downtown. Mandraki is just 4 nm close from Gouvia, and you can plan to return early in the morning for the check-out.
On your way back to Gouvia, make a short stopover at the islet Nisida. The anchorage Nisida Vido West is known for its clear waters and good protection. It may happen you will have the whole little island only for you.
Choosing Corfu as your next sailing destination is a great idea for all sailing enthusiasts. It is one of the most intriguing Greek islands. Corfu offers a perfect blend of history, lush vegetation and beautiful coves. The sailing conditions will make your sailing trip run smoothly. Get ready to be greeted by charming little villages, friendly people and tasty gastronomy.
