If you take one day-trip from Corfu, make it this one. Paxos and Antipaxos — the twin olive-covered islands thirty miles to the south — deliver the bluest water in the Ionian, a network of dramatic sea caves along their western cliffs, and a pair of harbour villages that feel like they haven't changed in a hundred years.
This guide walks you through what to expect, which kind of boat trip suits which kind of traveller, and the highlights nobody should miss once they arrive.
About Paxos & Antipaxos
Paxos is the smaller and greener of the two — just 13 square kilometres, covered in olive trees planted by the Venetians centuries ago, with three small harbours (Gaios, Lakka, Loggos) that anchor daily life. Antipaxos, even smaller, is all but empty except for vineyards and two sensational beaches that give the island its nickname: the Caribbean of Greece.
Paxos — The Olive Island
Dense green hills, whitewashed villages, and three quiet harbours each with their own character. Gaios is the working capital, Lakka a sheltered bay for swimming, Loggos the picture-postcard hamlet you'll want to photograph.
Antipaxos — The Caribbean of Greece
Barely 3 km long, uninhabited except for summer beach tavernas and a few vineyards. Voutoumi and Vrika are the two beaches — white sand, shallow turquoise water, and a saturation of colour that looks Photoshopped until you see it yourself.
What to Expect on a Day Trip
A typical day-trip leaves Corfu between 8:30 and 9am from one of four harbours (Corfu Town, Benitses, Lefkimmi, Kavos) and returns by 6:30pm. The sea crossing is 2–3 hours each way depending on boat size and weather, and the day usually includes three distinct experiences:
Typical Itinerary
Morning: Cross from Corfu, stop at the Blue Caves on Paxos' western cliffs for photography and a swim in vivid cobalt water.
Midday: Swim stop at Voutoumi or Vrika on Antipaxos — usually 90 minutes to two hours at anchor for swimming and a beach-bar lunch.
Afternoon: Ashore at Gaios on Paxos for 60–90 minutes — wander the waterfront, coffee at a kafeneio, and back aboard for the crossing home.
Highlights Not to Miss
The Blue Caves (Paxos)
A chain of sea caves carved into the western cliffs of Paxos — the most famous is the Ortholithos Arch. Sunlight refracts off the white limestone underwater and paints the inside of the caves an otherworldly cobalt blue. Smaller boats can enter; larger ones stop outside.
Voutoumi Beach (Antipaxos)
The photo-famous one. Shallow turquoise water over a white pebble bottom, framed by low green cliffs. Two simple tavernas up the hillside serve fresh fish and cold wine. The colour really is that unreal.
Gaios Village (Paxos)
A Venetian harbour protected by a small island (Agios Nikolaos) just offshore. Pastel-painted houses line the water; kafeneia serve strong Greek coffee; the backstreets are cool and cobblestoned. An hour ashore is enough to feel you've visited — two hours is better.
How to Choose Your Boat
Large Tour Boats (60–200 passengers)
The cheapest option at €35–55 per person. Cover all the same stops but the swim windows are shorter and the Blue Caves are admired from outside. Good for first-timers on a budget; poor for anyone who gets motion sick — the bigger boats feel less of the swell but the indoor cabins are where people go green.
Small Group Tours (8–20 passengers)
The sweet spot at €80–120 per person. Faster rigid-inflatable or catamaran hulls, enter the Blue Caves properly, longer swim stops, and the feeling of exploring rather than queueing. Our preferred category for a one-off day-trip.
Private Boat Hire (2–8 passengers)
€400–900 for the day depending on boat size. Complete control over itinerary, stops, food, and timing. If you're travelling as a family of four or a group of friends, the per-head cost isn't much more than small-group tours and the experience is in a different category.
Regular Ferry (no tour)
The Corfu–Paxos passenger ferry (~€25 return) runs twice daily in season, giving you 5 hours ashore on Paxos. No Antipaxos, no Blue Caves — but a proper, slow visit to a Paxos village. Perfect if you want to walk the coastal paths or eat a long lunch without a schedule.
Local Tip
Book from a departure harbour close to where you're staying — Corfu Town if you're in the centre, Benitses if you're mid-island, Kavos if you're in the south. You'll save 45 minutes each way compared to a bus transfer to a far port, and small operators often run only one pick-up point.
When to Go
May through October. June and September are our top picks — warm water, light winds, uncrowded beaches. July and August run every day but the Antipaxos anchorages get busy (a dozen boats at Voutoumi by noon). April and early May are weather-dependent; trips are cancelled more often than they run.
What to Bring
Swim gear + a rash vest: the boats stop three times for swimming. A rash vest saves you from sunburn on the open water.
Reef sandals or aqua socks: the pebble beaches of Antipaxos are sharp on bare feet.
Cash in euros: the beach tavernas on Antipaxos are cash-only, and the boats sometimes sell drinks and snacks on board.
Motion-sickness tablets: even a mild Ionian swell can catch out the unprepared. Take them 30 minutes before boarding.
★ Get to the Port with Herbie Cars
Most boat-trip operators are at harbours 20–40 minutes from where you're staying. A hire car makes the early start painless, and the airport pickup is included. Our recommended rental partner.
Heading to Paleokastritsa? See the Paleokastritsa area guide for free-delivery details and drive distances.
Book a car →Where to Stay to Make the Day Easy
A boat-trip day means an 8am start from harbours that are not all close to the airport or the Old Town. Staying somewhere with an easy drive to your chosen port of departure matters more than people expect.
★ Ef Zin Villa
A quiet villa on the east coast with a peaceful garden — ideal for the day before and the day after a boat trip, when you want to rest in the shade and swim in calm water.
View villa →What's Next
If you like boats and swimming, our guide to hidden beaches only reachable by boat covers coves on Corfu itself that most visitors never see. Or pair this trip with a swim day at the east coast beaches for the full Ionian experience.