A Corfu pirate ship cruise is a 75-minute sail on the Black Rose, a pirate-styled boat that leaves the Old Port and follows the Corfu Town coast. The homepage lists more tours in Greece for the days around it.
This page covers what happens on the cruise, the landmarks along the coast, boarding at the Old Port, the deck of the Black Rose, children on board, the story of the Old Fortress and Vido, fitting the trip into a cruise-port day, sailing times and what to bring.
What happens on a Corfu pirate ship cruise around Corfu Town?
A Corfu pirate ship cruise leaves the old port of Corfu Town and sails along the east coast. It turns at Mouse Island and returns to the same port. The Black Rose runs this trip daily from late spring to September.
The Corfu pirate ship follows a set route. The operator says the Black Rose passes Vido, the Old Town, the Old and New Fortress and the Windmill. It then reaches Mouse Island and turns back toward the old port.
A Corfu pirate ship cruise is a mini cruise of 75 minutes. The sail runs over the Ionian Sea, and the operator calls the water crystal blue. Adults see the island from a new angle, watching the sea over coffee and snacks.
The cruise shows the town from the sea. Corfu Town has been known as Kastropolis, the Castle City, since the Middle Ages because of its two castles. UNESCO lists the Old Town as a World Heritage Site, and it shows clear Venetian influence. The route passes the two Venetian fortresses on the coast.
Check the departure point when you book. This page follows the Black Rose, the Corfu pirate ship that starts and ends at the same pier in the old port.
Which landmarks line the Corfu pirate ship route along the coast?
The Corfu pirate ship route passes the forts, the islands and the royal villa along the coast. The cruise pages name the Old and New Fortress, Vido, Garitsa Bay, Mon Repos, Kanoni, Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island.
The New Fortress rises on the hill of St. Mark. The Venetians built it in stages, and the British built its present buildings. Its twin bastions are named Skarponas and Epta Anemoi, or Seven Winds. One bastion lies 55 metres above sea level and looks over the sea and the mainland mountains. The Corfu pirate ship passes this fort.
Garitsa Bay is the wide bay just south of the Old Fortress. The fort stands on a promontory between the Gulf of Kerkyra and the bay. Vido, a small island less than a kilometre across, lies at the mouth of the port. It sits about 1 km north of the old fort.
Mon Repos lies south of Corfu City, in the forest of Palaiopolis. Prince Philip was born at this former royal summer residence. The neoclassical villa was built for the British Lord High Commissioner. It stands on the ruins of Palaiopolis, the ancient city of Korkyra. Today it houses the Museum of Palaiopolis-Mon Repos.
Kanoni is the seaside spot at the far end of the route, beside the airport. Vlacherna Monastery is a small monastery on a tiny islet, linked to the shore by a path. The Corfu pirate ship route names both places.
Mouse Island is called Pontikonisi in Greek. Nobody lives on this islet. Its Byzantine chapel of Christ Pantokrator dates from the 11th or 12th century. The conservationist Gerald Durrell and his sister Margaret swam out to the island as children. Part of their ashes was scattered on the island, and the Corfu pirate ship now sails out to it.
How do you board the Corfu pirate ship at the Old Port?
You board the Corfu pirate ship, the Black Rose, at the pier on El. Venizelou 28 in the old port of Corfu Town. Look for the BP petrol station across the street and Stathis Taverna next door.
The cruise starts and ends at the same pier, so you finish where you began. One listing also names the Poseidonio restaurant and Cafe Yali as landmarks near the meeting point. The local agency Niakas Travel describes the same spot as opposite a gas station.
Walking to the Corfu pirate ship from the town centre is a short walk. Start at the Liston promenade and cross Spianada Square towards the Old Fortress. The boat sits beside cafes and tavernas, and the Old Fortress stands close to the route. Public transport options are available nearby.
A travel site lists three restaurants close to the pier. Marina’s is 436 m away, Venetian Well is 598 m away, and Papagiorgis is 720 m away.
Bring your voucher if you booked ahead. One listing offers a mobile voucher. It says to exchange the voucher for a ticket at the Corfu pirate ship ticket counter before boarding. The ship does not allow outside food or drinks on board.
The listing says the cruise is wheelchair accessible and suits all physical fitness levels. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed. One reviewer mentions a warm and friendly welcome on board.
Check the pier named on your voucher before you walk over. The Black Rose Corfu pirate ship starts and ends its cruise in the old port of Corfu Town.
What does the Black Rose Corfu pirate ship look like on deck?
The Black Rose Corfu pirate ship is a roomy wooden boat with two decks, shaded seats, a bar and music. A captain and a crew run it, and the boat is dressed up in pirate style.
Niakas Travel, a Corfu agency that sells the trip, says the Corfu pirate ship has two decks. It adds that the mini cruise excites adults as well as children. The operator’s own listing calls the Black Rose the only small cruise of this kind in the city.
Shaded seats give relief from the sun. Reviewers also mention comfy seats and fans on board. They call the boat roomy and the staff kind and friendly, and one praised the good music.
Niakas Travel says the self-service bar runs throughout the cruise, with snacks, bottled water and soft drinks. Adults can enjoy coffee and snacks at sea while they look at the coast.
The operator’s own listing calls the bar on the Black Rose Corfu pirate ship the Pirate bar. It adds that soft and alcoholic drinks are bought on board. One reviewer calls the bar well stocked with drinks and snacks, and another lists smoothies.
How does the Corfu pirate ship keep children busy on board?
On the Black Rose, the Corfu pirate ship from the old port, children become pirates with hats and swords. They sail on an adventure trip, and the tour page promises pirate fairy tales that spark their imagination.
The Niakas Travel page describes the Corfu pirate ship idea in plain words. The children are transformed into pirates, and they board cheerfully for their adventure. The page says the story will fulfil their pirate wishes. It calls the trip a special recreational sea experience that will fascinate small and big friends alike.
Booking listings for the cruise back up the dress-up idea. One promises playtime and dress-up for the children, with a chance for adults to unwind. Another says young guests play with pirate hats while the boat sails. Both listings are for the Black Rose Corfu pirate ship cruise from the old port of Corfu Town.
Grown-ups have their own part. Niakas Travel calls the outing a mini cruise for adults too. They see the island from a different angle, gazing at the sea over coffee and snacks. The self-service bar on the Corfu pirate ship stays open for the whole cruise. It offers snacks, bottled water and soft drinks, so families can top up.
The Corfu pirate ship is also available for social events. Niakas Travel names family and friendly gatherings, birthday parties and child pirate parties, or any other event. For any event, advance booking is required, so fix the date and details with the operator well before the day.
What is the story of the Old Fortress and Vido seen from the deck?
Seen from the Corfu pirate ship, the Old Fortress is the Venetian citadel that repelled all three major Ottoman sieges. Vido, the small island at the mouth of the port, was once home to three forts.
The Old Fortress covers the promontory where Corfu’s old town grew in Byzantine times. The Venetians began replacing the Byzantine walls in the early 15th century. It sits between the Gulf of Kerkyra and Garitsa Bay. The Venetians cut the Contrafossa, a sea channel, between the promontory and the town, making the citadel an island.
Niakas Travel lists the old and new fortress on its Corfu pirate ship route. The last of the three sieges lasted seven weeks. The city’s medieval castles are a legacy of struggles against invasions by pirates and Ottomans. Today the fortress holds the public library of Corfu, and a James Bond film shot a scene there.
The Corfu pirate ship route also passes Vido, which lies about 1 km north of the old fort. The ancients called it Ptychia, and Athenian generals held prisoners there during the Peloponnesian War. Count Schulenburg, who defended the Old Fortress, began Fort Schulenburg there. The fortresses were blown up when the islands passed to Greece in the 19th century.
Vido, less than a kilometre across, holds a sad chapter from the First World War. Sick Serbs, mostly soldiers, were treated there, and over 5,000 people were buried at sea nearby. Serbs raised a monument of thanks to the Greek nation. People sometimes call the waters the Blue Sea Tomb. Wildlife on the island includes peacocks, pheasants and rabbits.
How do cruise passengers fit a Corfu pirate ship trip into a port day?
A Corfu pirate ship sailing lasts 75 minutes. One port page gives a Corfu cruise stop as 6 to 8 hours. That leaves room for the sail and the Old Town.
Cruise ships dock at the New Port, called Nea Limani, says the same port page. It lies about 1.5 km from the Old Town. The walk takes 20 to 25 minutes along a flat coastal road with limited shade.
Summer can be very hot on that walk, so the page advises bringing water and planning shade breaks. Bus 15 links the port area with the Old Town, and the main hub is San Rocco Square. Schedules can be limited, so allow extra time if you rely on it.
A free shuttle runs inside the port, between the pier and the terminal building. The page says no consistent shuttle runs on to the Old Town. Taxis are available right outside the terminal.
The Corfu pirate ship departs from the old port of Corfu, says one travel agency page. The port page says the Old Town takes about 2 to 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Add the 75-minute sail, and the two stops take 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes.
A visit to the Old Fortress takes another 1 to 1.5 hours, says the port page. Add the walks to and from the port, then check your ship’s all-aboard time before you pick a sailing. Arrive early at the meeting point, because one listing recommends time for check-in.
The port page names the Liston promenade and Spianada Square among the Old Town stops. A travel site lists three restaurants close to the boat. Marina’s is 436 m away, Venetian Well 598 m and Papagiorgis 720 m.
One listing calls the Corfu pirate ship suitable for people prone to seasickness. It names the short length and the calm coastal route as the reason. The same listing calls the cruise wheelchair accessible.
When does the Corfu pirate ship sail, and what do you bring?
The Corfu pirate ship sails daily from late spring to September, says one travel agency page. A ticket listing shows opening hours of 12:00 to 18:00. Each sailing lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Listings differ on when the Corfu pirate ship sails, so confirm dates and times for your travel day. One listing says the cruise runs year-round, with the weather affecting availability. Another shows sailings from 10:30 to 18:30. A third says the ship sails every 2 hours.
Pack for the sun. The agency page says hats, sunscreen and comfortable shoes are necessary in high temperatures, especially in the summer months.
The Corfu pirate ship has a self-service bar that runs throughout the cruise. It sells snacks, bottled water and soft drinks, says the agency page. A ticket listing adds that alcoholic drinks are sold there too. Another listing says outside food and drinks are not permitted on the ship.
The agency page also says the Corfu pirate ship is open for private events. These include birthday parties and child pirate parties, and they need advance booking. Adults can sit with a coffee and a snack while the coast slides past.
What else do travellers ask about the Corfu pirate ship?
Can the Corfu pirate ship take prams, wheelchairs and service animals?
Yes. A travel listing for the 75-minute cruise says the boat is wheelchair accessible. It also says infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed. The same listing calls the trip suitable for all physical fitness levels. A second booking page tags the cruise as wheelchair accessible too.
Can you bring your own food and drinks on board?
No. The operator does not allow food or drinks from outside on the ship. A second listing repeats the rule.
Use the bar on the Corfu pirate ship instead. The operator calls it the pirate bar and lists soft and alcoholic drinks for purchase on board. A Corfu travel agency says the bar is self-service, works throughout the cruise and also stocks snacks and bottled water.
Can you book the Corfu pirate ship for a birthday party?
Yes. The operator’s website lists private parties, birthday parties for children or adults, weddings and private charters. It asks guests to call to book a private party. It also lists a sunset cruise and party with a DJ, booked the same way. The website gives two phone numbers for these calls.
A Corfu travel agency page names child pirate parties and says advance booking is required. The agency says it replies to booking enquiries within 24 hours.
Is the Black Rose the only Corfu pirate ship?
The Black Rose is the Corfu pirate ship that sails from the old port of Corfu Town. One booking page calls it the only small cruise of its kind in the city.
Check the boat’s name and the pier on your voucher before you set off. The operator’s site and two booking pages all give the cruise the same length: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Can you book the Corfu pirate ship on the day of the cruise?
Yes, for the 75-minute cruise. The main listing says you must book at least 10 minutes in advance, and it shows free cancellation.
A second listing offers instant confirmation and a mobile voucher. It says to exchange the voucher for a ticket at the Black Rose ticket counter before boarding. The operator’s website links each standard cruise to an online booking page.