Paxos & Blue Caves Day Cruise From Corfu
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Sail to the Blue Caves of Paxos, swim off Antipaxos at noon, and be back for sunset on Corfu Town. A full day on the Ionian, run by the most-booked local crew. 3,810 reviews · 4.6 stars.
The Paxos Blue Caves cruise from Corfu is the most popular day trip in the Ionian — a full-day boat trip (7–12 hours) departing from Corfu Port around 09:00. It sails past the Blue Caves of Paxos, anchors at Antipaxos for a swim stop, and gives you 1.5–2 hours of free time in Gaios — from $48 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Short answer: partly. There are sea caves on Corfu itself, on the north-west coast at Paleokastritsa, and a two-hour speedboat trip from Alipa Port visits three of them — about $67, rated 4.9 from 480 reviews. But the caves in most photographs labelled “Blue Caves” are the ones on Paxos, an hour and a half south by boat, which is what this cruise goes to. A third set on Zakynthos is around 200 km away and cannot be reached from Corfu in a day.
On Corfu — Paleokastritsa
- Three sea caves on the island’s north-west coast
- Two-hour speedboat from Alipa Port
- Swim stops at Paradise Beach and Yali
- From $67 · rated 4.9 from 480 reviews
On Paxos — the famous ones
- West coast of Paxos, below the Erimitis cliffs
- About 1.5 hours south of Corfu Town by boat
- Reached on a full-day cruise, 7–12 hours
- Monk seal habitat — boats slow, do not anchor inside
On Zakynthos — not from here
- Cape Skinari, usually shown with Navagio beach
- Roughly 200 km south of Corfu
- No day trip runs between the two islands
The Blue Caves of Paxos
The main attraction — sea caves carved into limestone cliffs on the west coast of Paxos, where sunlight refracts through the entrance and turns the water electric blue. The boat slows inside several caves so you can take photos. Water inside is colder than the open sea — bring a light jacket if you’re sensitive.
Antipaxos · Voutoumi & Vrika Beaches
A 30-minute crossing south brings you to Antipaxos — a tiny uninhabited island with two of the clearest beaches in the Ionian Sea. The boat anchors offshore for the dedicated swim stop. Voutoumi Beach has white pebbles and water so transparent the bottom is visible 5 meters down.
Gaios · Capital of Paxos
The cruise stops 1.5–2 hours in Gaios, the main town and harbor of Paxos. Time to walk the Venetian-era seafront, find lunch (not included), or explore the small fortress on the island opposite the harbor. Tavernas around the square are tourist-priced but quality is consistent.
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08:30 – 09:00
Hotel pickup
From select Corfu Town hotels, or meet directly at Corfu Port.
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09:00
Departure from Corfu Port
Boarding and safety briefing. The boat heads south along the Corfu coast.
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10:30
Arrive at the Blue Caves
Slow cruise inside the caves with multiple photo stops. The colors are best in morning light.
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11:30 – 13:00
Antipaxos swim stop
Anchor offshore at Voutoumi Beach. Swim, snorkel, or relax on board. 1.5 hours.
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13:30 – 15:30
Free time in Gaios
2 hours in the Paxos capital. Lunch at a harbor taverna, walking, photos.
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15:30 – 18:30
Return cruise to Corfu
Direct sail back. Sunset light on the Ionian — bring a camera for the deck shots.
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19:00
Arrive Corfu Port
Disembark. Optional hotel drop-off where pickup was arranged.
There are three ways to get from Corfu to Paxos: an organized day cruise, the scheduled passenger ferry, or a semi-private yacht tour. Only the cruises visit the Blue Caves and stop at Antipaxos — the regular ferry sails directly to Gaios port without any sightseeing stops. For a side-by-side look at every option, see all Paxos day trips from Corfu.
Organized Day Cruise
- About 1.5 hours from Corfu Port to the Blue Caves
- Blue Caves + Antipaxos swim stop + free time in Gaios
- From $48 per person · free cancellation
- Runs daily, May through October
Scheduled Ferry to Gaios
- Corfu Port to Gaios in roughly 1.5–2 hours
- No Blue Caves, no Antipaxos — direct port-to-port
- Best if you’re staying overnight on Paxos
- Limited departures per day — check schedules locally
Semi-Private Yacht
- Small group — maximum 12 guests
- Two long swim stops — Lakka Bay & Voutoumi Beach
- From $185 · rated ★ 4.8
Included in your ticket
- Round-trip boat transfer from Corfu Port
- Full-day cruise to Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Blue Caves
- Swim stop at Antipaxos (Voutoumi Beach)
- Free time in Gaios village (1.5–2 hours)
- Multilingual guide on board
- Hotel pickup from select Corfu Town hotels
- Safety equipment
Not included
- Lunch and drinks (available at tavernas in Gaios)
- Snorkel gear — bring your own
- Towel and sunscreen
- Gratuities (optional)
- Pickup from outside the Corfu Town area
What to bring
The Blue Caves were spectacular — the water really does turn that electric blue. Crew were great, boat was comfortable, and the swim stop at Antipaxos was the highlight of our trip.
Views and food were absolutely amazing. The crew were friendly and professional. Smooth sailing the entire trip — a perfect day on the Ionian.
Great day out. Gaios was charming — found a lovely taverna for lunch. Only minor complaint is the boat felt full in August, but that’s high season for you. Would still recommend.
Booked this last-minute and so glad we did. The Blue Caves photo stop was magical and Antipaxos water is unreal. Easy booking, easy cancellation policy, professional crew.
Reviews displayed are representative summaries of verified bookings on GetYourGuide. See all 3,810 reviews on the booking page →
How long does it take to reach Paxos from Corfu by boat?
About 1 hour 30 minutes from Corfu Port to the Blue Caves on a standard tourist cruise. The boat slows down to enter the caves and may stop briefly along the way. From Lefkimmi Port in southern Corfu, the journey is only 30–40 minutes — but most organized day trips leave from Corfu Port.
Is the Paxos day trip from Corfu worth it?
Yes — for most visitors it’s the single best day trip from Corfu. The Blue Caves and Antipaxos beaches are unique in the Ionian Sea, and the 3,810 verified reviews give it 4.6 stars on average. The standard cruise can be crowded in July–August; for a quieter experience, the semi-private yacht alternative limits the group to 12 guests.
Can you swim at the Blue Caves?
On standard group cruises, no — the boat slows inside the caves but doesn’t anchor for swimming. The dedicated swim stop happens at Antipaxos (Voutoumi Beach) after the Blue Caves visit. If swimming matters more to you than the caves themselves, the semi-private cruise is built around two long swim stops instead.
What’s the difference between Paxos and Antipaxos?
Paxos is the larger island with the main harbor town of Gaios, tavernas, and shops. Antipaxos is a tiny uninhabited island just south, known only for its beaches — Voutoumi and Vrika — which have some of the clearest water in Greece. The cruise visits both: Antipaxos for swimming, Paxos for lunch and walking.
Are there day trips to Paxos only (without Antipaxos)?
Almost all standard Paxos cruises from Corfu include Antipaxos because they’re so close together. If you specifically want only Paxos, the scheduled ferry to Gaios is the practical option — or take this cruise and treat the Antipaxos swim as a bonus; almost everyone ends up calling it the highlight.
Is lunch included in the Paxos cruise from Corfu?
No, lunch is not included in the standard cruise. You’ll have 1.5–2 hours of free time in Gaios where you can choose any taverna along the harbor — typical lunch with drink runs €15–25 per person. Some boats sell drinks and snacks on board.
Can I do the Paxos cruise during a Corfu cruise ship stop?
The standard 7–12 hour cruise is too long for most cruise ship port windows (typical port day is 8 hours). For cruise passengers, the Paleokastritsa Bus Shore Excursion (5 hours) is designed specifically for this. If your ship overnights in Corfu, the Paxos cruise is doable.
How much does the Paxos day trip from Corfu cost?
The standard group cruise starts at $48 per person. Budget another €15–25 for lunch in Gaios, since meals aren’t included. The semi-private yacht alternative with a max of 12 guests starts at $185 and includes more on-board extras. Children’s tickets are usually discounted — exact rates show in the booking calendar above.
Do I need to book the Paxos cruise in advance?
In July and August, yes — boats regularly sell out, so book at least 3 days ahead. In May, June, and September booking 1–2 days before is usually enough. Since cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure and no payment is required to reserve, there’s no downside to booking early.
When is the best time of year for the Paxos cruise?
May, June, and September are ideal — water is warm enough to swim, weather is reliable, and crowds are smaller than peak summer. July and August are hot and very busy (book 3+ days ahead). The cruise typically doesn’t run from November through April.
Paxos Semi-Private Yacht
Max 12 guests on a wooden yacht — swim stops at Lakka Bay & Voutoumi Beach, chef-prepared lunch and open bar included. Ideal for couples and small groups.
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View tour →Ready for Your Paxos Day Cruise?
Check availability, pick your date, and reserve your spot on the most popular day trip from Corfu. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, no payment required to book.