Corfu: Paxos & Antipaxos Blue Caves Boat Tour with Lunch

What happens when you sail past Corfu's Old Fortress and keep going?

You board in Corfu, sail past the Old Fortress and Kanoni peninsula, then enter two sea caves with electric-blue water and white limestone walls. You swim and snorkel at Antipaxos in turquoise coves, see small protected islands, and finish with lunch in the waterfront village of Gaios before returning to Corfu in the evening. All entry fees and multilingual guiding are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour from Corfu to Paxos and Antipaxos

• Admire Old Town of Corfu by boat
• View Old Fortress and Saint George Temple
• See Kanoni peninsula and Palace of Mon Repos
• City sightseeing by boat at Kanoni
• Sail south along Paxos west coast
• Enter Blue Caves Ipapanti and Ahai
• Admire white cliffs of Erimitis
• See Ortolithos island and Tripitos Kamara
• Swim and snorkel at Paradise beach
• Sail through Paxos channel by Panagia and Agios Nikolaos
• Moor at Gaios village port
• Shop in Gaios village
• Enjoy lunch at sea view restaurant

The experience

You end up in two sea caves with water so clear it stops you mid-sentence. The boat leaves Corfu in the morning and spends the first hour showing you the Old Town from the water: the Old Fortress, the Kanoni peninsula, even the Palace of Mon Repos where Prince Philip was born, all sliding past as the guide talks. Then the boat turns south toward Paxos, and the coastline changes. The rocky cliffs get higher, the beaches narrower and whiter, and somewhere around mid-morning you're floating into the Blue Caves of Paxos. The caves themselves (Ipapanti and Ahai) are the kind of place that photographs don't quite capture. The water inside is so blue it looks unreal, and the rock walls are pale and smooth. You can swim and snorkel if you want, though some people just sit and stare.

After the caves, the boat heads to Antipaxos, where the beaches have names like Paradise and the sand really is that fine. The water is turquoise in a way that makes you understand why people compare it to the Caribbean, even though you're still in Greece. You get time to swim and snorkel here, and the water is warm enough that you don't rush. The guide will mention that this whole area (Paxos, Antipaxos, the small islands nearby) is protected under the European NATURA 2000 initiative, which means the Mediterranean monk seals that live here are safe, though you probably won't see one. You'll see Skaltsonski and Mongonisi islands as you sail, and the narrow channel between Paxos and the smaller islands of Panagia and Agios Nikolaos.

By early afternoon the boat moors in Gaios village, the main port on Paxos. It's small and narrow-streeted, the kind of place where you can walk the whole thing in twenty minutes. There are souvenir shops if you want them, but most people head straight to one of the traditional tavernas along the waterfront for lunch. The guide is there if you have questions, but this part is yours. You pick where to eat, what to order, how long to linger. The boat leaves Gaios in the late afternoon and heads back to Corfu, arriving in the early evening. Depending on the day, your guide speaks English, German, French, Italian, Russian, or Romanian: live on some days, audio on others.

One thing to know: this is a full day on the water. You're on the boat for most of it, and while the boat is stable and the sea is usually calm in summer, it's not a trip for anyone with serious heart or circulation problems. Everyone else, regardless of fitness level, handles it fine. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a light layer for the breeze once you're moving. The water in the caves and at Antipaxos is cold enough that a quick dip feels refreshing, not shocking.

What’s included

• All-day boat tour departing from Corfu with city sightseeing past the Old Fortress, Kanoni peninsula, and Palace of Mon Repos.
• Entry to two Blue Caves (Ipapanti and Ahai) with swimming and snorkeling time.
• Visit to Antipaxos island with turquoise beaches and time to swim.
• Sailing past Skaltsonski, Mongonisi, Panagia, and Agios Nikolaos islands.
• Stop in Gaios village with time to explore shops and eat lunch at a traditional taverna (lunch cost separate).
• Multilingual guiding in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, or Romanian depending on the day.
• All fees and taxes included.

Options for this experience

2 options

Departing from Corfu port, no transferGuide in 4 languages · 08:20Meeting point: JWG2+XW Corfu, Greece

Corfu port, transfer includedGuide in 5 languages · 08:20Meeting point: JWG2+XW Corfu, Greece; includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Tuesday, Thursday and FridayDeparts at 08:20

Book up to19h before

AgesAdult (13 to 75 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 240

Live guideEnglish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Audio guideFrench, Italian and Romanian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Ionian Cruises

Is this one for you?Right for travelers based in Corfu who want to see the Ionian islands and sea caves in one day without arranging their own boat. Plan for a full day on the water. That's what lets you reach two caves, snorkel at Antipaxos, and still have time in Gaios village.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, German, Italian and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long is the full day boat tour from Corfu?

The tour runs the full day, departing in the morning and returning to Corfu in the early evening. You spend most of the day on the water, with swimming and lunch stops included.

Can you swim in the Blue Caves of Paxos?

Yes, you can swim and snorkel in the caves. The water is clear and cold, and the caves are Ipapanti and Ahai. Swimming is optional.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but you have time to eat at one of the traditional tavernas in Gaios village. All fees and taxes for the boat and attractions are included.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. It is suitable for all other fitness levels, though you spend most of the day on a boat.

What is there to do in Gaios village?

Gaios is a small port town with narrow streets, souvenir shops, and waterfront tavernas. You have time to walk around, shop, and have lunch before the boat returns to Corfu.

How far is Antipaxos from Corfu?

Antipaxos is south of Paxos, which is south of Corfu. The boat journey takes several hours, with stops at Corfu's Old Town, the Blue Caves, and Gaios village along the way.