Hiring a boat is the ideal way to explore the Paxi islands, situated south of Corfu. With Sheltered bays, coves and hidden beaches, your sailing vacation in Greece will with no doubt be hoarded in your heart forever. Due to its proximity to Corfu, the Paxi islands offer an exotic escape for yachts during the summer months. There are many anchorages and mooring spots for your boat and you can easily find the ideal catamaran, sailboat, motor yacht or speedboat of your choice. You can directly contact the owners for the ideal boat or simply allow a BednBlue travel expert to guide you with some suggestions.
You have plenty of options:
You can book and hire a sailboat or speedboat with a skipper, or without one if you have a license, and enjoy a one-day cruise to Antipaxos island. You also have the option to hire a motorboat, their fast cruising speed will allow you to visit multiple beaches you desire in a short amount of time. With the option to book a catamaran you can throw a party or enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the hidden corners of Corfu, such as Sivota and the island of Erikousa. Finally, you can hire a luxury sailboat and enjoy a multi-day experience to the rest of the Ionian islands some of which include Lefkada and Kefalonia.
Paxos is located in the Ionian island-chain and is 7 miles from Corfu, also making a great day trip opportunity from Parga or Preveza at the Epirus coast. If you are generally looking for a cosmopolitan destination where you would be able to enjoy the sight of luxurious villas, yachts and some of your favorite celebrities from around the world, the Paxi islands are right for you! The piece of land opposite Paxos, also known as Antipaxos is also a very calm place - the nightlife is not extreme, it is not overcrowded with beach bars or taverns. Paxos was the Cultural Village of Europe in 2004 and its amazing nature has always attracted couples and families who desire a quiet holiday. Some great sights to visit in Paxos is the town churches such as Agioi Apostoli, the folklore and historical museum of Gaios and the Venetian Castle of Agios Nikolaos. If you are up for a small trip, you can go to the beautiful villages of Lakka, Longo, and Ozia. You will see the massive fields with olives everywhere, Magazia also has an olive museum that used to be a mill and this tucked-away hamlet is situated between Gaia and Lakka with several wine shops and walks that lead to the famous cliffs of Eremitis, where you can catch a gorgeous sunset. Paxos was once connected to Corfu, legend says that the sea God Poseidon wanted to live with his love Amphitrite without being disturbed so consequently split the land in two. During the Peloponnesian War in 432 BC the area between Sivota, Paxos and Antipaxos had one of the biggest battles with the Athens-Corfu alliance on the one hand and the Corinth fleet on the other. During this clash the Corinthians lost 30 triremes(an ancient maritime vessel) and the Corfiots – 70. Your boating holiday in Greece can begin in the Ionian islands, don’t forget to add the Paxi islands to your bucket list, their exotic finesse will surpass your expectations.
Daily trips in Corfu organize many excursions to the nearby Paxi islands. The eastern and western coast of Paxos differ in several ways. The former has smoother and more easily accessible land, and the latter – steeper hills and cliffs, caves and domes. You can only access this part of the island by sea, by starting from Corfu or by boat hire in Paxos. A famous sight on the coast of Paxos is the Ortholinthos rock which is a tall lone rock. This generally means upright standing rock. Its height is more than 20 meters and it is considered a natural wonder. You will be fascinated by the Papanikolis caves that are nearby as well. On the opposite side of Ortholinthos you will see another magnificent rock - Petriti and close by there is the deep-sea cave of Axai which is full of a maze with many hidden caves.
Travelling around the eastern side will allow you to set foot on 2 small islands - Skaltsonisi and Mongonisi which are favorite spots for sailing vessels and motor yachts. Taking a boat through Paxos’ narrow channel and the islands of Agios Nikolaos and Panagia will lead you to the gorgeous Gaios village. There you can do some shopping, wander around and have a wonderful lunch during your day cruise.
The Sivota islands are located about 12 miles away from Igoumenitsa and are on the south coast of Thesprotia. You have the option of renting a boat in Paxos and enjoy a full-day cruise to these islands and the famous Blue Lagoon beach which is a top swimming spot in all of the Mediterranean. Bella Vraka is also a wonderful beach in Epirus that you need to visit. Part of Thesprotia, unites Sivota and Mourtenom and is a great place to take in the beautiful scenery.
The beach of Kipiadi, Vrika and Erimitis are some recommended choices you can add your Paxi tours. If you prefer sandy beaches – Antipaxos is the right place for you since it has stunning beaches with fine white sand and is located only 3 nautical miles from Gaios Port. Make sure you head to the gorgeous Voutoumi beach, which has amazing sand and clear turquoise waters that will take your breath away. Being the smallest island in this area, it actually has an impressive collection of vineyards and olive groves. Nearby is the small port Agrapidia. This beach is well-known and visited by yachts from all over the world. The island of Erikousa can also be added to your private boat trip, unspoiled with amazing sandy beaches and great hospitality.
For some island hopping suggestions you can start your boat trip from Corfu where you can immerse yourself in the exotic sceneries and turquoise waters, wander around the verdant and cobblestone alleys and take in the aristocratic Venetian influence that Corfu possesses. From Corfu you might like to head to the Paxi islands, make several stops to Sivota on the way and if you wish you can even extend your cruise to the rest of the Ionian islands including Lefkada, Ithaca and Kefalonia, that have their own unique beauties.
Paxos takes price for its excellent virgin olive oil, and the black wine of Antipaxos is known all over Greece, worth tasting during your family vacation in Greece. Some local specialties worth mentioning include the Bourdeto which is a dish made with onions, olive oil and tomato sauce mixed with garlic, and tsilihourdopita, a dish made with liver accompanied by wine. Paxos may be ideal for sailing from early April to September so you can enjoy the sunny Mediterranean climate and find a yacht that is available on the BednBlue platform, since we have many guests booking in these islands we recommend you book earlier before the peak season hits.
Below you will find some useful information about Marinas and Airports for your yacht charter in the Paxi islands:
Port Gaios: A protected port with excellent shelter and safe overnight moorings. Can get crammed with yachts that start trips from Corfu but its usually possible to find a mooring spot in the inner quays. The main town of Gaios is where you can find numerous walks, observe pine and olive groves or even visit the Venetian castle
Lakka Harbor: Lies at the northeastern tip of the island of Paxos and is a popular anchorage spot for all types of yachts. The town has several restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops ashore.
Longos Marina: Offers several berths ( around 5-10) and is on the east side of Lakka. There are provisions from water to electricity supplied for boat rentals and several onshore tavernas and bars.
Corfu has an International Airport and takes about 45 minutes to one hour if you book flight tickets from Athens.
There are daily services operating to the island of Paxos, you can take a boat from the harbor of Igoumenitsa which takes about 2 hours. KTEL buses also operate from Athens to the city of Igoumenitsa on a daily basis.
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