A Paxos and Antipaxos day trip is the boat day most of our guests ask about first, and it deserves a proper plan. Paxos is the smallest of the main Ionian islands, mostly olive groves and stone villages, with sea caves cut into its western cliffs. Antipaxos, a few kilometres further south, is even quieter: largely uninhabited, with water so clear you can count the pebbles from the deck. From Corfu you cannot do both under your own steam in a day without a boat, so this guide explains how the day works, which cruise suits you, and what to pack.
How a Paxos and Antipaxos Day Trip Works
Almost every trip follows the same rhythm. You are picked up early from your hotel by coach or van and taken to the port in Corfu Town. The boat runs south along the Corfu coast, then visits the sea caves on the west side of Paxos, stops off Antipaxos for a swim, and spends a couple of hours in Gaios, the island’s small harbour town, before heading back. You are usually home late in the afternoon or early evening, so treat it as a full day.
The order of stops changes with the wind and the sea. If the west coast is rough, the crew may switch the caves and the swim stop around, or skip a stop altogether. That is normal on the Ionian, not a sign that something has gone wrong.
The Blue Caves of Paxos
The caves on the western cliffs of Paxos can only be reached by boat. Wind and waves have carved them into the limestone, and the colour inside shifts from deep blue to emerald depending on the light. Boats nose into the larger openings when conditions allow. Morning light is usually kinder for photos, so if you can choose a trip that reaches the caves earlier in the day, take it.
Antipaxos: Voutoumi and Vrika
Antipaxos has no regular ferry port, which is a big part of why it stays so calm. The two beaches people talk about are Voutoumi and Vrika. Voutoumi is the longer of the two, backed by pines and busier in high season. Vrika is smaller and more sheltered. Both have only seasonal tavernas, so do not count on food or drink there outside summer.
On many cruises the boat anchors in deep water off the beach rather than tying up, and you swim from the boat. That means you should be a confident swimmer. The rocks around the bays can be slippery and sharp, so water shoes are worth the space in your bag.
Gaios
Gaios sits on a narrow channel sheltered by two islets, one of them Agios Nikolaos. Two hours is enough for a walk along the waterfront, a coffee in the square and a plate of fish at one of the harbour tavernas. If you want more time on Paxos itself, look at the self-guided option below.
Which Cruise Suits You?
We run three different ways to see Paxos from Corfu. Durations and group sizes below are taken from the tour pages; check the page for the current schedule before you book.
| Cruise | What you see | Duration | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paxos, Antipaxos and Blue Caves Cruise | Blue Caves, Antipaxos swim stop, free time in Gaios | About 13 hours | First-timers who want the classic day |
| Paxos Lazy Day Cruise | Speedboat transfer to Gaios, then a free day on Paxos | About 12 hours | Couples who want to explore at their own pace |
| Parga and Paxos Cruise | Parga on the mainland, then Gaios | About 12 hours | Anyone who wants two places in one day |
The Classic Cruise: Caves, Antipaxos and Gaios
This is the one most people mean when they say “the Paxos trip”. It covers the Blue Caves, a swim off Antipaxos and free time in Gaios, with hotel transfers to and from the port in Corfu Town. Food and drinks are not included, but snacks and drinks are sold on board and Gaios has plenty of places to eat.
The Lazy Day: Speedboat to Paxos
The Lazy Day cruise uses our speedboat AZIMUT and reaches Gaios in roughly 1 hour 40 minutes. There is no fixed programme once you land. You can stay in Gaios, or use local buses, taxis or a hired boat to reach Loggos and Lakka or beaches such as Monodendri and Harami. Local transport on the island is not included, and the return meeting point and time are confirmed when you arrive, so keep your phone charged. Follow the check-in time on your booking.
Parga and Paxos
This route crosses to the Epirus coast first. Parga’s colourful houses climb the hill below a Venetian castle, with the islet of Panagia just offshore. After free time there, the boat continues to Gaios. It does not include the Antipaxos swim stop, so choose it if you are more interested in towns than beaches.
Practical Tips for the Day
- Bring cash. Small tavernas, beach bars and boat hire on Paxos often prefer it.
- Pack a light jacket. The crossing can feel cool early in the morning, even in July.
- Sun protection is not optional. Bring sunscreen, a hat and a towel. There is little shade at sea.
- Water shoes help on the rocks at Antipaxos.
- Seasickness: if you are prone to it, take something before you board. The open stretch between Corfu and Paxos can be choppy on windy days.
- Be on time. Pickups are early and the boat will not wait long. Departures depend on the weather, and the crew may change the order of stops.
If you want a fuller packing list for a day on the water, our summer packing checklist for Corfu covers the essentials.
When to Go
The cruises run in the main season. June and September are our favourite months: the water is warm, the boats are less crowded than in August, and the light in the caves is softer. In July and August, Voutoumi in particular can be busy with private boats by midday. Outside the season, schedules thin out, so check availability before you plan your week around it.
Paxos and Antipaxos Day Trip FAQ
Can I visit Paxos and Antipaxos on my own?
You can reach Paxos by public ferry from Corfu, but getting to Antipaxos and the west-coast caves means hiring a boat on Paxos. For a single day from Corfu, an organised cruise is far simpler.
Do I need to be a good swimmer?
Only if you want to swim at Antipaxos. When boats anchor in deep water, you go in from the boat. You can always stay on board and enjoy the view.
Is food included?
Not on these three cruises. Snacks and drinks are sold on board, and Gaios and Parga have plenty of tavernas.
What if the weather is bad?
The itinerary can change with sea conditions, and the crew decides on the day. Our booking pages explain the cancellation terms.
Plan the Rest of Your Time at Sea
If this is your first boat trip in Corfu, read our first-timer’s guide to Corfu by boat. If you would rather stay closer to home, the Blue Caves and Limnopoula cruise guide covers a shorter day along the northeast coast. You can also browse every boat day on our Corfu cruises page.
See all our Corfu cruises and book your Paxos and Antipaxos day at sea.
