Best Corfu Boat Tours & Cruises (2026 Guide)
The best boat tours and cruises in Corfu - Paxos & Antipaxos, sunset sailings, private charters and self-drive boats. Compare types, prices and how to book.
Corfu is at its best from the water. The island's most beautiful coves, the famous Blue Caves of Paxos, the Caribbean-blue shallows of Antipaxos and the dramatic northwest cliffs are all easier – and far more memorable – to reach by boat. This guide compares every type of Corfu boat tour, from big-group day cruises to private charters and self-drive rentals, with realistic prices, departure points and who each one suits. We're the Corfu-based team behind Corfu Discovery, so these are the trips we actually recommend to visitors, with the practical detail the booking pages leave out.
If you're cruising in for the day, read our dedicated Corfu shore excursions guide instead – port-day timing changes everything. Otherwise, you can browse and book any of the trips below in our tours & activities listings.
Why see Corfu by boat
Much of Corfu's finest coastline has no road. Sea caves, hidden pebble coves and the offshore islands only reveal themselves from the water, and a boat lets you swim somewhere genuinely beautiful away from the crowds. A boat trip is also the single best-value "wow" day of most Corfu holidays – which is why the Paxos trip sells out in peak season.
There's a boat trip for every kind of traveller, too: party catamarans for groups, gentle family day cruises with swim stops, romantic sunset sailings for couples, and private charters for those who want the sea to themselves. Slot one into your wider plan using our Corfu day trips and things to do in Corfu guides.
Paxos, Antipaxos & the Blue Caves – the headline trip
This is the Corfu boat tour. A day cruise south to the green island of Paxos, its sculpted Blue Caves, and tiny Antipaxos, whose white-sand bays sit over impossibly clear turquoise water. Expect swim stops and free time in a pretty Paxos harbour such as Gaios.
- Duration: full day, roughly 8–10 hours.
- Departs from: Corfu Town, plus southern ports like Lefkimmi/Benitses (shorter crossing).
- Best for: first-timers, swimmers, photographers – almost everyone.
- Bring: swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and water; the open crossing can be breezy.
It's a must-do, and we cover it in depth in our Paxos, Antipaxos & Blue Caves guide. Because that page is our authority on the trip, treat this hub as the place to compare it against other boat options, then book through our Paxos & Antipaxos listings.
Speedboat or big boat to Paxos?
The same trip comes in two flavours. Large day boats are cheaper, steadier and social, but slower and busier, with set timings at each stop. Speedboat or RIB tours carry fewer people, reach more coves, give you longer in the water and feel more personal – at a higher price. Prone to seasickness? The bigger boat is gentler; want the best swim stops with fewer crowds? Pay for the small boat.
Cross-water trips: Albania and the mainland
Corfu's position makes it a launchpad for two more standout boat days:
- Albania (Saranda & the Blue Eye) – a fast-ferry day to a different country; see our Corfu to Albania day trip guide and our Albania day-trip listings.
- Sivota & the Blue Lagoon (the Greek mainland) – glowing turquoise shallows between tiny islets, often combined with pretty Parga. Browse our mainland day-trip listings.
Sunset cruises
For couples and anyone who loves golden hour, sunset cruises sail out of Corfu Town or the west coast as the sky turns amber over the Ionian. Most include a drink and sometimes a swim stop. Shorter and gentler than the Paxos day, and very romantic – we've given them their own Corfu sunset cruises guide.
Private boat charters & sailing trips
Hire a skippered boat or yacht for the day and the island opens up on your terms: pick the coves, set the pace, swim where you like. Options range from a small RIB or motorboat for a family to a crewed sailing yacht or catamaran for a group.
- Duration: half or full day.
- Best for: families, groups, special occasions, anyone wanting privacy.
- Typical cost: from around €350–500 for a small private boat with skipper; sailing yachts/catamarans higher.
A private charter is also the most reliable way to time a trip around other plans, and many depart from the Gouvia marina on the east coast. Browse skippered options in our tours & activities listings and arrange a transfer to the marina.
Self-drive boat rental (no licence options)
In many Corfu resorts you can rent a small motorboat for the day with no skipper's licence required (engines are capped at a legal limit). It's huge fun and surprisingly affordable for a family or two couples.
- Typical cost: around €60–120 per day for the boat (plus fuel), split between everyone aboard.
- Best for: confident, sensible groups who want freedom near a sheltered bay.
- Watch for: wind and afternoon chop on exposed coasts – stay within the area the rental agrees, set off early, and check the fuel and life-jacket situation before you leave the jetty.
Self-drive rentals are easiest on the sheltered east and northeast coasts; the open west coast is far less forgiving for a small boat.
Where boat trips leave from
Matching your departure point to where you're staying saves a lot of travel time:
- Corfu Town port – the main hub for Paxos, sunset and cross-water trips.
- Paleokastritsa – short sea-cave and coastal cruises along the northwest cliffs.
- Sidari (northwest) – boats to the remote Diapontia Islands.
- Southern ports (Lefkimmi/Benitses) – a shorter hop to Paxos.
- Gouvia marina (east) – sailing trips and private charters.
Use our where to stay in Corfu guide to pick a base near the trips you want.
Comparison table: Corfu boat tours at a glance
| Trip | Duration | Departs from | Best for | Price band (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paxos, Antipaxos & Blue Caves | Full day | Corfu Town / south ports | Everyone, first-timers | €€ (~€35–60) |
| Albania (Saranda & Blue Eye) | Full day | Corfu Town | Culture, adventure | €€€ (~€70–110) |
| Sivota & Blue Lagoon (mainland) | Full day | Corfu Town | Swimming, scenery | €€ (~€40–70) |
| Sunset cruise | 2–3 hrs | Corfu Town / west coast | Couples | €€ (~€30–55) |
| Private charter (skippered) | Half/full day | Various marinas | Families, groups | €€€€ (boat ~€350+) |
| Self-drive rental | Full day | Many resorts | Independent groups | € (boat ~€60–120) |
| Sea-cave / coastal cruise | 1–3 hrs | Paleokastritsa & others | Quick scenic hit | € (~€15–30) |
Prices are seasonal guides for 2026; book ahead in July–August.
How and where to book
To choose, match your departure point to where you're staying and check the best time to visit Corfu guide for sea conditions by month – mornings are usually calmer than windy afternoons on exposed coasts.
To book:
- Day cruises, sunset trips and charters: browse and reserve in our tours & activities listings.
- The flagship Paxos trip: our Paxos & Antipaxos listings.
- Cross-water days: the Albania and mainland listings.
For the romantic version, see our Corfu sunset cruises guide; for a fully tailored day on the water, our Corfu private tours guide.
Tips for a great day on the water
A few things make any Corfu boat trip better:
- Go in the morning on exposed routes – the sea is usually calmest before the afternoon wind picks up.
- Bring more sun protection than you think you need; the reflection off the water is fierce, and shade can be limited.
- Pack a towel, swimwear under your clothes, water and a light cover-up, plus motion-sickness remedies if you're prone.
- Choose your departure point to match your base, so you spend the day on the water rather than in a transfer.
- Book ahead in July and August, when the popular Paxos and sunset trips sell out.
- Check the inclusions – swim stops, lunch, drinks and hotel pickup vary a lot between operators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best boat tour in Corfu?
The Paxos, Antipaxos and Blue Caves day cruise is the standout – it combines sea caves, the turquoise bays of Antipaxos and free time in a Paxos harbour. For couples, a sunset cruise is the most romantic option; for privacy, a skippered private charter.
How much does a boat trip in Corfu cost?
Group day cruises run roughly €35–60 per person. Sunset cruises are about €30–55. A self-drive rental boat is around €60–120 for the day (split between your group), while a private skippered charter typically starts around €350 for the boat.
Do you need a licence to rent a boat in Corfu?
In many resorts you can rent a small motorboat with a capped engine size that requires no licence. Larger or faster boats do require a skipper's licence, so for those most people hire a boat with a skipper.
Where do boat tours leave from in Corfu?
Most depart from Corfu Town's port. Sea-cave cruises leave from Paleokastritsa, Diapontia Islands trips from Sidari, sailing trips and charters from Gouvia marina, and some Paxos trips from the southern ports (Lefkimmi/Benitses), which shorten the crossing.
Can I do the Paxos boat trip on a cruise port day?
It's risky – the Paxos trip is a full 8–10 hour day on its own schedule and may not get you back before your ship's all-aboard time. Cruise passengers should choose a shorter coastal cruise; see our Corfu shore excursions guide.
When is the best time for a Corfu boat tour?
Late May to early October offers the warmest, calmest seas. July and August are busiest, so book ahead. Mornings are usually calmer than windy afternoons on exposed coasts.
Which boat trip is best for families with young children?
A large, stable day boat with a swim stop, or a self-drive rental in a sheltered bay, suits families best. Sheltered east-coast departures are calmer than the open west coast, and a private charter lets you control the pace and the swim stops entirely.
How long is the Paxos and Antipaxos boat trip?
It's a full-day excursion, typically 8–10 hours including the crossing, the Blue Caves of Paxos, swim stops at Antipaxos and free time in a Paxos harbour. Departures from the southern ports shorten the crossing slightly compared with leaving from Corfu Town.
Do I get seasick on a Corfu boat tour?
It depends on the boat and the sea. Larger day boats and catamarans are steadier; small RIBs and speedboats are livelier. Mornings are usually calmer than windy afternoons, and the sheltered east coast is gentler than the open west. If you're prone to seasickness, choose a bigger boat, sit mid-deck and take a remedy beforehand.
