Corfu/Benitses/Lefkimmi: Paxos, Antipaxos, & Caves Cruise
Hightlight
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English-Speaking
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Group-Friendly
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Reservations
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Seating areas
History
Paxos and Antipaxos, tiny Ionian jewels, were mythically created when Poseidon struck Corfu with his trident to carve a peaceful love-nest with Amphitrite. Paxos’ Venetian-era capital Gaios still bears 18th-century pastel mansions and a British-protected harbor from the 1814–1864 era.
The sea caves—carved by millennia of wave action—sheltered ancient sailors and inspired Homer’s tales. Antipaxos remains nearly uninhabited, its vineyards producing Greece’s sweetest dessert wine since Byzantine times.
Highlights
- Sail into dramatic blue caves with mythological back-stories
- Swim 60–70 minutes at world-famous Voutoumi Beach, Antipaxos
- Explore Gaios on Paxos with 2–2.5 hours free for lunch & shopping
- Cruise in comfort with multilingual audio guide & onboard bar
- Capture turquoise waters, golden sands, and cliffside villages
- Optional hotel pickup across Corfu
Full Description
Depart Benitses or Lefkimmi marina and glide south through emerald Ionian waters. Your captain steers into two spectacular sea caves—light piercing turquoise depths while the audio guide narrates Poseidon legends and geological wonders.
First stop: Antipaxos’ Voutoumi Beach—often voted Europe’s most beautiful. Anchor offshore for 60–70 minutes of swimming in bath-warm shallows, snorkeling over seagrass, or lounging on the boat’s sundeck.
Continue to Paxos and dock directly in Gaios harbor. With 2–2.5 hours free, wander pastel alleys, visit the 1903 church of Agioi Apostoloi, shop for local olive oil and kumquat liqueur, or dine on fresh octopus at a waterfront taverna. The return cruise offers sunset views over Corfu’s silhouette.
Why Choose This Experience?
This full-day escape delivers three distinct Ionian highlights—caves, paradise beach, and charming village—in one effortless cruise. No ferry schedules or car rentals; just relaxed sailing, guided insights, and generous free time.
Perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers seeking postcard scenery, crystal swims, and authentic Greek island flavor without overnight stays.
What’s Included
- Round-trip cruise on modern vessel (Benitses or Lefkimmi departure)
- Multilingual audio guide (10 languages) via app or headphones
- Live commentary in English, German, Greek
- Experienced captain & crew
- Swim stop at Voutoumi Beach (60–70 min)
- 2–2.5 hours free time in Gaios, Paxos
- Entry into two sea caves for photos
- Onboard bar (drinks for purchase)
- Free Wi-Fi and shaded seating
- Optional hotel pickup/drop-off (central Corfu)
- All port fees and fuel
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup (if selected) – 20–90 min before departure
- Depart Benitses (~9:00 AM) or Lefkimmi (~8:00 AM)
- Cruise south with cave commentary (60 min)
- Enter two sea caves for photos (20 min total)
- Arrive Voutoumi Beach, Antipaxos
- Swim & relax (60–70 min)
- Sail to Gaios, Paxos (30 min)
- Dock in central harbor
- Free time in Gaios: lunch, shopping, photos (2–2.5 hours)
- Re-board and return cruise
- Arrive Benitses (~6:30 PM) or Lefkimmi (~5:30 PM)
- Hotel drop-off (if selected)
Pricing
From $47 per person
Meeting Point
Benitses Marina (main pier) or Lefkimmi Port (central dock). Look for the vessel with company flag. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup available—details emailed 24h prior.
How to get there
- Optional hotel pickup (central Corfu)
- Taxi to Benitses (~20 min from Corfu Town) or Lefkimmi (~45 min)
- Public Green Bus #6 to Benitses or #10 to Lefkimmi
- Free parking inside both ports
Good to Know
What to bring
- Swimwear, quick-dry towel, water shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen
- Change of clothes (post-swim)
- Snorkel mask (or rent onboard €5)
- Camera or waterproof phone case
- Light jacket (evening breeze)
- Cash in euros (Gaios ATMs limited)
- Reusable water bottle
Know before you go
- Boat departs on time—latecomers cannot board
- Voutoumi has no facilities—use boat restrooms
- Gaios lunch self-paid (~€15–20) – octopus, Paxos salad
- Caves: no disembarking, photos from deck
- Snorkeling: seagrass, small fish, clear visibility
- Toilets & showers on boat
- Motion sickness rare—stable catamaran-style vessel
Reviews
- Fantastic day! Theo’s stories made the caves magical, Voutoumi unreal. Must-do from Corfu!
- Great cruise! Started the party after Lefkimmi—jokes aside, crew was lovely, sights stunning.
- Theo was a brilliant guide—full of knowledge. Boat clean, bar well-stocked. Beautiful day!
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
How much time do I actually have to swim at Voutoumi Beach?
You’ll have a full 60 to 70 minutes of pure beach time at Voutoumi Beach on Antipaxos—one of the longest swim stops in any Ionian day cruise. The boat anchors just 50 meters offshore in crystal-clear, shallow turquoise water (waist-deep for the first 20 meters), allowing easy access via the stern ladder. The crew distributes pool noodles and inflatable rings for non-swimmers, and you can snorkel directly from the boat over seagrass meadows teeming with small fish and occasional octopuses. There are no facilities on the beach itself (it’s pristine and nearly deserted), but the boat has restrooms, fresh-water showers, and shaded seating. Most passengers spend 40–50 minutes in the water and the rest sunbathing on deck or sipping a cold Mythos beer from the bar. The captain announces a 10-minute warning before departure to ensure a relaxed re-boarding.
What food and drink options are available in Gaios?
With 2 to 2.5 hours in Gaios, you’ll have ample time to enjoy a full waterfront lunch at one of the dozens of tavernas lining the harbor—literally steps from where the boat docks in the town center. Highly recommended are fresh grilled octopus (€12–15), Paxos salad with local capers and feta, or seafood risotto (€14–18). Vegetarian options like imam baildi (stuffed eggplant) and gemista are widely available. For lighter fare, grab a gyro pita (€4) or gelato from a gelateria. The onboard bar reopens upon return, but Gaios has ATMs, cafés, and supermarkets. Most restaurants accept cards; bring €20–30 cash for smaller spots. The guide provides a map and top picks (e.g., “Nassos” for fish, “Carnayo” for meat) and can reserve tables for groups.
Are the sea caves safe to enter, and can I take photos?
Yes—the boat safely enters two large, well-charted sea caves (typically Ipapanti and Achilleion or similar, depending on sea conditions) for 10 minutes each. The captain maneuvers slowly inside the caverns, where sunlight creates electric-blue glows on the water and illuminates stalactites. Passengers remain seated on deck—no disembarking—but the open sides and low speed allow unobstructed photos and videos. The audio guide narrates live as you enter, explaining geological formation and myths (e.g., Odysseus hiding here). Life jackets are worn if requested. The caves are spacious (up to 30m high), and the crew monitors swell—entries are skipped only in rare rough weather. Bring a waterproof phone case or GoPro; the light play is Instagram-gold.
Is hotel pickup really included, and how does it work?
Yes—select the pickup option at booking and provide your exact hotel name and address. The local operator emails you 24 hours prior (check spam) with your precise pickup time (20–90 minutes before boat departure, depending on location) and meeting point. For hotels in central Corfu Town, Sidari, or Paleokastritsa, a minibus collects you directly from the lobby. For remote villas or pedestrian zones, you’re assigned the closest accessible point (never more than a 5-minute walk). The same vehicle drops you back post-cruise. Pickup begins as early as 7:00 AM from north Corfu for Lefkimmi departures. No-shows after 5 minutes are considered cancellations. The service covers 95% of Corfu accommodations—airport or port pickup is not included.
Can children join, and is the boat family-friendly?
Absolutely—children of all ages are welcome, and the cruise is designed with families in mind. Infants travel free (no seat), ages 2–11 pay reduced fare (~€25). The stable, catamaran-style boat has low rails, shaded seating, and two restrooms with baby-changing facilities. Crew members assist with boarding via a safe gangway and provide child-sized life jackets. Voutoumi’s shallow water is perfect for kids to splash safely. In Gaios, playgrounds and ice-cream shops abound. The audio guide has a kid-friendly Greek mythology track. Bring sun protection and snacks—high chairs are not available in tavernas, but most offer kid menus (pasta, chicken souvlaki). The crew often organizes a “pirate treasure” game for children during the return sail.
