The bluest water in Greece lies just south of Corfu, around Paxos and its little sister Antipaxos. A weekend under sail is enough to take it in, in the gentle Ionian Maestro, between turquoise anchorages and miniature Venetian harbours. Detail below, stop by stop.
In brief
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base | Corfu (or Preveza / Lefkada) |
| Access | Direct flights to Corfu (CFU) in season |
| Total distance | ~70 NM (round trip) |
| Sailing time | ~14 h over 3 days |
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights (extendable to a week) |
| Level | Beginner to intermediate |
| Recommended boat | 34-42 ft monohull or catamaran |
| Best time | May to October |
| Winds | Maestro from the NW, a 10-15 kt thermal breeze, predictable |
| Indicative budget | weekend from ~250 € per person (see Sailing budget in Greece) |
Explore the stops
Approximate destination locations for trip planning. Use current nautical charts and local information for navigation.
Corfu · Paxos · Antipaxos
Weather month by month
| Month | Wind | Air | Sea | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Light | 21-24° | 19-20° | Gentle, calm |
| June | Maestro | 26-28° | 22-23° | Ideal |
| Jul-Aug | Steady Maestro | 29-32° | 24-25° | Warm, busier |
| September | Easing Maestro | 26-28° | 24-25° | Ideal |
| October | Light | 22-24° | 22-23° | End of season |
Day by day
Day 1, Corfu to Paxos (Gaios), 28 NM, ~6 h
Sailing: southerly course, Maestro behind in the afternoon.
Anchorage: Gaios, a harbour tucked into a protected channel between the island and the islet of Agios Nikolaos, one of the safest in the Ionian. Med-mooring, water, provisions, tavernas.
Ashore: a Venetian village, narrow lanes, a shaded square.
Warning: narrow channel, enter under engine.
Day 2, Paxos, Antipaxos, then Lakka, 15 NM
Morning: anchor off Antipaxos, the beaches of Vrika and Voutoumi, Caribbean-clear water (by day only, no overnight shelter).
Afternoon: Lakka, an enclosed bay on the north of Paxos, well sheltered with a pretty village.
Ashore: Loggos and its waterside tavernas are worth the stop.
Warning: Antipaxos empties at sunset, plan to anchor back at Lakka or Gaios.
Day 3, Paxos to Corfu, 28 NM, ~6 h
Sailing: back north, the Maestro often on the nose in the afternoon, so leave in the morning. A lunch stop on the south coast of Corfu is possible.
Summary table
| Day | Leg | NM | Time (~5 kn) | Anchorage | Shelter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Corfu to Gaios | 28 | ~6 h | Gaios (channel) | Excellent |
| D2 | Antipaxos then Lakka | 15 | ~3 h | Lakka (north bay) | Very good |
| D3 | Paxos to Corfu | 28 | ~6 h | base | n/a |
| Total | ~70 | ~14 h |
Practical checklist
- Licence: coastal licence plus ICC plus VHF Short Range Certificate.
- Papers and TEPAI as usual on board.
- Provisioning: water and food at Gaios; Antipaxos has no facilities.
Booking and preparation
- Compare boats available from Corfu, Preveza or Lefkada.
- Charter insurance recommended.
- Flights: to Corfu (CFU) in season.
See also: the guide Sailing the Ionian Islands and the article How much does a week's sailing in Greece cost.
Nautical data: Ionian distance tables, Gaios harbour office. Weather: HNMS. Antipaxos anchorages to be judged on the day's weather.
A word from the crew
Logbook. Antipaxos, two beaches, Vrika and Voutoumi, water so clear you seem to float in mid-air. We anchored there for a lunch, then slipped off to sleep in the calm at Lakka.
The mistake to avoid. Trying to spend the night at Antipaxos. The island has no safe shelter after dark; enjoy it by day and head back to sleep at Gaios or in Lakka bay, on Paxos.
Our favourite, and what we skip. Favourite: Lakka bay at the north of Paxos, a round, protected anchorage. What we skip: nothing, a weekend here is bottled happiness.
Our verdict. Beauty 5/5. Anchorages 4/5. Ease 4/5. Crowds 3/5. Verdict: the perfect two or three-day escape from Corfu, turquoise water guaranteed.
