Paleokastritsa boat trips leave from the bays of a village on the west coast of Corfu and run past sea caves, cliffs and coves that only boats reach. Browse other Greek tours for more days at sea around Corfu.
This page covers the boats, the caves, the beaches, the sights from the water, trip lengths and booking for Paleokastritsa boat trips.
What do Paleokastritsa boat trips include?
Paleokastritsa boat trips include a ride along the west coast of Corfu, stops at sea caves and time to swim. Boats leave from the village shore, and the speedboat trips carry a maximum of nine guests.
Boats depart from Agios Spyridon, the main beach of Paleokastritsa, or from nearby coves such as Ampelaki and Alipa. The village sits on the west coast of Corfu.
Paleokastritsa boat trips come in four main forms, and each one shows the coast in a different way:
- Speedboat: a fast, comfortable boat with sea caves and swim stops, for a maximum of nine guests.
- Wooden boat: a traditional boat that enters three sea caves and adds two swim stops, for up to 14 guests.
- Underwater cruise: an air-conditioned cabin 2.2 metres below the surface, with panoramic windows. You see marine life and stay completely dry.
- Snorkelling cruise: a sail to reefs and caves in a small group of up to eight guests.
Paleokastritsa boat trips also run as a sunset cruise. Guests see the caves and beaches of the west coast that only boats reach. They also taste free local white wine or juice.
A private sunset cruise runs on a boat named Ionio for up to nine guests. It comes with complimentary refreshments and a professional skipper.
A shared boat follows a fixed route with 6 to 12 passengers, and the skipper gives a brief talk. On a private boat you set the route and spend more time swimming. One private trip from Alipa port includes soft drinks for a maximum of five guests.
One local operator sells three kinds of trips: a sunset trip, cave rides and beach trips. It also runs a taxi boat to the caves and the beaches.
Paleokastritsa boat trips from certain operators also offer snorkelling equipment and glass-bottom boats. One operator advises you to wear swimwear, bring a towel and use reef-safe sunscreen.
Which sea caves do the boats enter?
Paleokastritsa boat trips visit three named sea caves: the Nausicaa Cave, the Blue Eye Cave and the Cave of St. Nicholas. Boats are the only way in, and the wooden-boat trip enters all three.
The boat sails through narrow inlets, archways and dark passages. Sunlight filters through the turquoise water in shimmering beams. Each cave has its own character and story.
On Paleokastritsa boat trips, the Nausicaa Cave takes its name from Princess Nausicaa. According to the legend, she found Odysseus here for the first time. One operator ranks it among the top attractions on Corfu.
The Cave of St. Nicholas, called Agios Nikolaos in Greek, took its name from the chapel on top of the hill.
On Paleokastritsa boat trips, the Blue Eye Cave is named for its extremely blue water, which looks like an eye. The colour shifts from electric blue to emerald green as the boat moves.
Unlike the other caves on Paleokastritsa boat trips, the Breathing Cave is underwater. It is meant for experienced divers and snorkellers. It was found recently and has three dark chambers. A fourth chamber has not been confirmed.
Which beaches do Paleokastritsa boat trips reach?
Paleokastritsa boat trips reach Paradise Beach, also called Chomi, a cove that only boats can reach. Other trips stop at Yali, Limni, Kasteli and Stelari, so the beaches depend on the boat you pick.
The speedboat trip pairs Paradise Beach with Yali Beach, which lies by Ermones. The operator allows 30 minutes of swimming at each beach. This is one of the Paleokastritsa boat trips where the programme can change because of weather or port authority limits.
One of the Paleokastritsa boat trips uses a traditional wooden boat for Limni and Kasteli. Guests swim at Limni Beach first, then swim again from the boat at Kasteli. Limni is a double beach that joins a small peninsula to the mainland. Limni and Chomi can only be reached from the sea, with towering cliffs behind them.
Two of the Paleokastritsa boat trips by speedboat give 30 minutes at Stelari and at Kasteli. At Stelari you can stay on the beach and arrange a later pickup time. At Kasteli guests swim and relax on the sand. Boats from the little port at Alipa explore the hidden beaches to the south.
Private Paleokastritsa boat trips show beaches such as Rovinia, Limni, Paradise, Giali and Stelari. You stop for swimming or diving at one of them, weather permitting. Rovinia has white pebbles and turquoise water. The hidden beaches generally have small pebbles and a little sand. The sea here is cold, so bring swimwear and a towel.
What can you see from the water, from the monastery to Angelokastro?
Paleokastritsa boat trips can show you the Theotokos Monastery, a rock called the ship of Odysseus and Angelokastro castle. The route decides which sights you pass, so ask the operator before you book.
The Monastery of the Theotokos sits on a heart-shaped headland above the bay and overlooks the harbour. It dates from the 13th century and houses a museum. One of the private Paleokastritsa boat trips gives a glimpse of the monastery on the way to Chomi Beach. The route chosen decides this.
Three islands stand in front of the monastery: Ortholithos, Kolovri and Skeloudi. Locals consider a rock in the bay to be the petrified ship of Odysseus. Its mainland side curves like the sail of a trireme. One of the Paleokastritsa boat trips names Kolovri Island and the Odysseus Boat among its sights, seen from a distance.
Angelokastro means Castle of the Angel. It stands 305 metres above the sea, on a steep cliff at the highest point of the island’s shoreline. The sea surrounds the castle on three sides. It never fell, and it helped defend Corfu against pirates. The Greek name of the village means Old Little Castle and refers to Angelokastro.
One private trip can pass Angelokastro on its route. The castle surveys the city of Corfu and the mountains of mainland Greece. With Gardiki and Kassiopi, it formed a defensive triangle. Kasteli Beach lies below the fortress, and the wooden-boat trip swims there. Ask whether Paleokastritsa boat trips on your date pass this stretch of coast.
How long do Paleokastritsa boat trips last, and how do you book a seat?
Shared Paleokastritsa boat trips last from 45 minutes to 4 hours. You book a seat online by choosing a trip, the number of guests, and a date and time slot. Each trip also sets its own booking deadline.
The shortest of the Paleokastritsa boat trips is an underwater cruise of 45 minutes. A speedboat mini cruise past the caves and two beaches takes 1 hour. A semi-private boat tour and a sunset cruise each take 1.5 hours.
A 2-hour speedboat trip adds Paradise Beach and Yali Beach to the blue caves. A blue caves and hidden beaches cruise takes 2.5 hours. The Kasteli trip visits 3 blue caves and makes 2 swim stops in 3 hours. A snorkelling cruise takes 4 hours.
Blue Tours, a Corfu operator, puts a typical caves trip at about 45 minutes. It says the time depends on the number of caves visited and on swim stops.
Booking Paleokastritsa boat trips at Blue Lagoon, a local operator, takes four steps:
- Choose the boat or the tour.
- Select the number of passengers.
- Pick a date and a time slot, if one is free.
- Complete the payment.
Cut-off times for Paleokastritsa boat trips differ by tour. The 1.5-hour semi-private tour needs a booking at least 20 minutes ahead. The underwater cruise asks for 3 hours’ notice, and the snorkelling cruise asks for 8 hours.
For Paleokastritsa boat trips in July and August, Blue Tours advises booking ahead, especially for private boats. It says availability can be limited in those months.
What else do travellers ask about Paleokastritsa boat trips?
Can you rent a boat without a licence?
Yes. Blue Lagoon rents 30HP boats that need no licence. A short briefing covers boat handling, safety rules and a map of Paleokastritsa. It takes about 10 to 20 minutes. One no-licence rental listing runs 4 hours.
Are the boats on Paleokastritsa boat trips certified?
Blue Lagoon says its boats meet EU rules and Greek law. It also says the Corfu Port Police inspected and certified them. Ask any other operator for the same proof before you book.
Is there a trip for cruise-ship passengers?
Yes. One shore trip from Corfu Port includes pickup, drop-off and an air-conditioned vehicle. You choose a boat tour or beach time at Paleokastritsa. It lasts 4.5 to 6 hours. The listing offers a full refund if your ship cannot dock.
Can you book private Paleokastritsa boat trips?
Yes. Blue Lagoon offers an all-day private cruise along both the north and south sides of Paleokastritsa. A private cruise listing runs from 2 to 7 hours. A private speedboat tour to Paradise Beach takes 1.5 hours.
When do the high and low seasons run?
Blue Lagoon lists its high season as June 16 to September 15. Its low season runs from April to June 15 and from September 16 to October 31. Check the dates with each operator before you plan.