A Paleokastritsa boat trip explores the sea caves and boat-only beaches below the cliffs of northwest Corfu. It is one of the tours in Greece listed on Greece VIP.
This post covers the trips, the start points, the caves, the beaches, the boats, the sunset cruise, cruise passengers and reviews. Weather, the best season and common questions come last.
Each section ends with a boat trip on Corfu that can be booked online.
What is a Paleokastritsa boat trip?
A Paleokastritsa boat trip is a short cruise along the cliffs of northwest Corfu. It visits sea caves and beaches that only boats can reach, with swim stops on the way.
Trips leave from Alipa port, from the main beach of Agios Spiridonas or from Ermones further south.
Fast speedboats carry up to nine guests. Traditional wooden boats run slower trips to the caves and a sunset cruise.
An underwater cruise shows the seabed from a cabin 2.2 m below the surface. It holds 729 reviews.
Weather decides the day. Operators reschedule trips in rough seas, and the captain can change the route for safety.
- Speedboat: Caves and beaches with swim stops.
- Wooden boat: Slower cave trips and a sunset cruise.
- Underwater cruise: Views of fish through 22 windows.
A Paleokastritsa boat trip suits guests who want caves and a swim without a full day at sea.
Which Paleokastritsa boat trips run?
Seven Paleokastritsa boat trips hold the bulk of the reviews online. Their review counts run from 19 to 729, and their ratings from 4.3 to 5.0.
The underwater cruise holds 729 reviews and scores 4.3 out of 5.
A speedboat trip to Paradise beach, Yali beach and the caves holds 616 reviews and scores 4.8.
A wooden-boat trip to Kasteli, the caves and Limni beach holds 234 reviews and scores 4.7.
The sunset cruise holds 173 reviews and scores 5.0. A semi-private cruise from Ermones holds 101 reviews and scores 4.9.
A semi-private tour from the village holds 41 reviews. A short speedboat trip holds 19 reviews and scores 4.9.
- Largest count: The underwater cruise, with 729.
- Top score: The sunset cruise, at 5.0.
- Group size: Up to nine guests on the speedboats.
Reviewers of the semi-private Paleokastritsa boat trip liked its cap of nine guests.
Where does a Paleokastritsa boat trip start?
A Paleokastritsa boat trip starts at Alipa port or at the main beach of Agios Spiridonas. One semi-private cruise starts at Ermones, 14.4 km south by road.
The village lies 25.5 km from Corfu town by road and 24.8 km from the airport. From Glyfada beach the drive runs 18.4 km.
Speedboat guests meet at Alipa port 10 minutes before departure. The Kasteli trip asks for 20 minutes.
The sunset cruise boards at the dock on the main beach. A reviewer noted parking on site at the port.
Trips need four to six bookings to run. If bookings fall short, guests get another date or a refund.
- Corfu town: 25.5 km by road.
- Airport: 24.8 km.
- Ermones: 14.4 km.
Guests who want a longer day at sea can compare the Corfu boat trips.
Which sea caves does a Paleokastritsa boat trip visit?
A Paleokastritsa boat trip visits the Nausika Cave, the Blue Eye Cave and the cave of St. Nicolas. Waves carved these caves into the cliffs over centuries.
The wooden-boat trip enters all three. The sunset cruise passes six sea caves, the Blue Eye among them.
The speedboat trip stops at two caves before Paradise beach and a third after it.
Swimming inside the caves is not safe, the operators warn. Guests swim at the beaches or from the boat instead.
On the Ermones cruise, the skipper gave each guest time for photos at the caves.
A reviewer of the Kasteli trip saw the Blue Eye and other spots that only boats reach.
- Three caves: Nausika, Blue Eye and St. Nicolas.
- Sunset cruise: Six caves in one trip.
- Safety: No swimming inside the caves.
A Paleokastritsa boat trip shows the caves from the water, the only way in.
Which beaches does a Paleokastritsa boat trip reach?
A Paleokastritsa boat trip reaches Paradise beach, also called Chomi, and Yali beach. Other trips stop at Limni, Kasteli, Stelari, Rovinia and Antipsos.
Paradise beach is reachable only by boat. Guests swim there, but staying on the beach is not allowed for safety.
The speedboat trip ends at Yali beach for a final swim. Guests dive in or use the boat’s ladder.
Limni is a double beach. On the Kasteli trip, guests swim there first. A wooden boat then picks them up.
The Ermones cruise passes Paradise, Stelari, Rovinia and Antipsos. Its main swim stop is Yali beach, with snorkelling gear provided.
- Paradise: Boat access only.
- Limni: A double beach with paid sunbeds.
- Kasteli: A swim from the boat.
A Paleokastritsa boat trip suits swimmers more than sunbathers.
What boats run a Paleokastritsa boat trip?
A Paleokastritsa boat trip uses fast speedboats, traditional wooden boats or an underwater viewing boat. Each suits a different pace.
The speedboats run 175 hp engines from Alipa and a 200 hp engine from Ermones. A small toilet and an outdoor shower sit on board.
Life vests are for emergencies, not for swimming. Weak swimmers stay on board or bring their own floats.
Wooden boats run the cave leg of the Kasteli trip and the sunset cruise. One reviewer found the wooden boat driver’s English limited.
The underwater boat is 15 m long. Its air-conditioned cabin sits 2.2 m below the surface, with 22 large windows.
- 175 hp: The speedboats from Alipa.
- 22 windows: The underwater cabin.
- Access: The underwater cruise does not suit guests with mobility impairments.
Guests who want to see the seabed up close can compare Corfu scuba diving.
Is there a sunset Paleokastritsa boat trip?
Yes. A sunset Paleokastritsa boat trip sails a wooden boat past the caves at sundown. Local white wine or juice comes free.
The cruise passes six sea caves, the Blue Eye among them. It shows Limni beach from the water and Paradise beach, one of seven hidden beaches.
It holds 173 reviews and scores 5.0. Of its English-speaking guests, 97% gave it top marks.
Reviewers praised escorts who told stories about each place and left time for sunset photos. One liked the homemade white wine.
A shared trip needs six bookings to run. Guests board at the dock on the main beach.
- Drinks: Wine, juice or water.
- Caves: Six on one cruise.
- Score: 5.0 from 173 reviews.
A sunset Paleokastritsa boat trip ends the day on the west coast, facing the open sea.
Can cruise passengers join a Paleokastritsa boat trip?
Yes. Two coach trips from Corfu port add an optional Paleokastritsa boat trip to the caves. A third coach trip stops at the beach without a boat ride.
A daytime coach trip holds 245 reviews and scores 4.8. Its optional boat tour visits the Cave of Nausica and the Blue Eye.
That trip also visits the Monastery of Theotokos and Lakones, the Balcony of the Gods.
A late-afternoon coach trip holds 182 reviews and scores 4.8. Its optional boat tour runs at sunset.
In rough seas, the captain can skip the caves.
A bus shore excursion pairs the beach with Corfu town, with no boat ride. One reviewer found the sand a little crowded.
- Daytime: Optional caves boat tour.
- Late afternoon: Optional sunset boat tour.
- Bus only: Beach time, no boat.
A Paleokastritsa boat trip fits a port day when the coach includes the boat option.
What do reviewers say about a Paleokastritsa boat trip?
Reviewers praise clear water, small groups and friendly skippers on a Paleokastritsa boat trip. Complaints focus on rough seas and motion sickness.
On the speedboat trip, one review praised two very good swim stops. Another praised the boat, the small group and the emerald colour of the water.
One short speedboat trip was cancelled for weather, and guests got a good alternative the next morning.
On the underwater cruise, a reviewer warned of nausea below deck as the boat shook. Others found the seabed and the fish worth it.
Families liked a carpeted top deck where small children sat with their parents.
- Praise: Swim stops and small groups.
- Complaint: Seasickness on the underwater cruise.
- Tip: Wait for the morning weather check.
Guests who want the villages above the bay can compare the Corfu tours.
How does weather shape a Paleokastritsa boat trip?
A Paleokastritsa boat trip needs calm seas, and summer brings the calmest. Model data off the bay gives average waves of 0.32 m this June and August.
Waves peaked at 1.12 m this August. Winter seas run rougher. Waves peaked at 3.42 m on 6 January.
The sea warmed to an average of 28.3 °C this August, with a 29.5 °C peak. This September averaged 27.3 °C.
Air temperatures climbed to a 33.1 °C high average this August. July peaked at 35.6 °C on 29 July.
Last November was the wettest month, with 600.2 mm of rain and 96.8 mm on 19 November. This January brought 402.7 mm.
A gust of 108.7 km/h struck on 4 February this year.
- Calmest months: June and August, with 0.32 m waves.
- Warmest sea: 29.5 °C in August.
- Rough peak: 3.42 m waves on 6 January.
A Paleokastritsa boat trip in rough weather gets rescheduled, so a flexible day helps.
When is the best season for a Paleokastritsa boat trip?
A Paleokastritsa boat trip suits June to September best, with calm water and a warm sea. The sea averaged 23.4 °C this June and 25.2 °C this July.
This September stayed warm, with the sea at 27.3 °C and an air high of 28.7 °C. Waves averaged 0.41 m.
Last September brought only 20.0 mm of rain. Its sea averaged 24.8 °C.
October turns less steady. This October has averaged 0.57 m waves. Rain hit 43.9 mm on 11 October.
Last October brought 172.8 mm of rain and a 2.52 m wave peak on 17 October.
Spring seas stay cool. The water averaged 16.2 °C this March and 17.0 °C this April.
- June: 0.32 m average waves this year.
- September: Sea at 27.3 °C this year.
- April: Sea at 17.0 °C this year.
A Paleokastritsa boat trip in late summer pairs the warmest sea with calm water.
What do travelers ask about a Paleokastritsa boat trip?
Travelers ask about swimming, weather, gear, children and access. Free cancellation runs up to 24 hours ahead on all seven trips.
Can guests swim on a Paleokastritsa boat trip?
Yes, at the beaches and from the boat. Swimming inside the caves is not safe.
What if the weather turns?
The trip is rescheduled, and the captain can change the route for safety.
Is snorkelling gear provided?
On the Ermones cruise, yes. The Kasteli trip does not include it.
Can children join?
Yes. On the underwater cruise, children 13 and under need an adult.
Is there a toilet on board?
The speedboats carry a small toilet and an outdoor shower.
Does the underwater cruise suit wheelchair users?
No. It does not suit guests with mobility impairments.
Cruise passengers short on time can compare the Corfu shore excursions.