Paxos Day Trip From Corfu
Prices and departure times checked
Five boats sail from Corfu to Paxos and Antipaxos — the famous Blue Caves group cruise from $49, and a semi-private yacht with lunch included. This guide compares both, plus how to get there, what you’ll see, and when to go.
A Paxos day trip from Corfu is a full-day boat excursion to the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos in the Ionian Sea. Most tours leave Corfu Port around 09:00, sail about 1.5 hours to the Blue Caves of Paxos, stop for swimming at Antipaxos, and give you free time in the harbor town of Gaios before returning by early evening. There are three ways to do it: an organized group day cruise (from $49), a semi-private yacht with max 12 guests (from $185), or the scheduled passenger ferry to Gaios. Only the cruises visit the Blue Caves and Antipaxos — the ferry sails port-to-port with no sightseeing.
There are two organized boat tours from Corfu to Paxos plus the scheduled ferry. The group cruise is the cheapest and the only one that enters the Blue Caves; the semi-private yacht trades the caves for a small group, two long swim stops, and an included lunch.
Paxos & Blue Caves Cruise
The classic big-boat day trip and the only one that enters the Blue Caves. Antipaxos swim stop, free time in Gaios, and the most-booked tour from Corfu.
- Enters the Blue Caves of Paxos
- Swim stop at Antipaxos
- 1.5–2 hrs free time in Gaios
- Lunch not included
Paxos Semi-Private Cruise
A wooden yacht capped at 12 guests. Two long swim stops at Lakka Bay and Voutoumi Beach, a chef-prepared lunch and open bar — comfort over crowds.
- Max 12 guests · wooden yacht
- Chef lunch + open bar included
- Lakka Bay & Voutoumi swim stops
- Does not enter the Blue Caves
Not sure which? Tell us what matters.
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Paxos & Blue Caves Cruise
The only cruise that enters the Blue Caves — and the cheapest, at $49.
- 7–12 hours
- ★ 4.6 (3,810)
- from $48
Shared by both
What you get either way- Depart Corfu around 09:00, return early evening
- Visit Antipaxos for a swim stop
- Reach Paxos / Antipaxos in ~1.5 hrs
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Reserve now, pay later available
- Run May through October
Only the group cruise
Paxos & Blue Caves · from $49- Enters the Blue Caves of Paxos
- Free time in Gaios town (1.5–2 hrs)
- Cheapest option — from $49
- Large group boat · good for families
- 3,135 verified reviews (★ 4.6)
Only the semi-private
Wooden yacht · from $185- Max 12 guests — no crowds
- Chef lunch + open bar included
- Two long swim stops: Lakka & Voutoumi
- Wooden sailing yacht · couples’ pick
- Top rated — ★ 4.8 (37 reviews)
The Scheduled Ferry (Not a Tour)
Direct Corfu → Gaios · independent travelThe scheduled ferry isn’t a tour — it’s plain transport. No guide, no Blue Caves, no Antipaxos swim stop; it sails straight to Gaios and leaves you to explore Paxos on your own. Best if you want to set your own pace — wander Gaios, Loggos and Lakka, or reach beaches the cruises don’t stop at. Here’s what to know:
- Operated by Joy Cruises, Kerkyra Lines and Kamelia Lines — conventional ferries, not high-speed.
- Departs Corfu New Port (the Domestic Terminal) — not the cruise port or the Old Port. Confirm the exact pier when booking.
- Arrives at Gaios New Port, a flat 15-minute walk from the town centre.
- In July–August ferries sell out — book 2–5 days ahead and arrive 30 minutes before departure.
All 5 Paxos Boats From Corfu, Compared
Five different boats sail from Corfu to Paxos and Antipaxos, and they are not the same trip at different prices. They differ in group size, whether they actually enter the Blue Caves, how long the day runs and what is included. The numbers below come straight from each operator's GetYourGuide listing.
| Boat | Group | Blue Caves | Day length | Rating | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antipaxos & Blue Caves Cruise Ionian Cruises · Best rated big boat Read our full guide | Large group | Yes | 7–12 hrs | 4.74,131 | $48 | Check dates |
| Paxos & Blue Caves Day Cruise Ionian Cruises · Classic choice Read our full guide | Large group | Yes | 7–12 hrs | 4.63,810 | $48 | Check dates |
| Luxury Cruise to Paxos & Antipaxos Corfu Cruises · Most booked Read our full guide | Large group | Yes | 7–11 hrs | 4.35,479 | $52 | Check dates |
| Luxury Yacht Cruise to Paxos & Antipaxos Corfu Daily Cruises · Shortest day | Max 25 guests | Yes | 6 hrs | 4.7542 | $81 | Check dates |
| Paxos Semi-Private Cruise Cruisemeup · Top rated Read our full guide | Small group | No | ~10 hrs | 4.959 | $185 | Check dates |
What these numbers actually say
- The most-booked boat is not the best-rated one. Luxury Cruise to Paxos & Antipaxos has 5,479 reviews, more than any other activity in Corfu, but averages 4.3. Three boats score higher, and two of them cost less.
- Two of these boats are the same trip at the same price. Ionian Cruises runs both $48 cruises. They last the same 7–12 hours, enter the same caves and swim off the same beaches. The difference is the village — Lakka in the quiet north, or Gaios, the island capital.
- Cheapest does not mean worst. Antipaxos & Blue Caves Cruise is both the cheapest at $48 and rated 4.7 across 4,131 reviews.
- A 4.9 on 59 reviews is not the same as a 4.7 on 4,131. Small-boat trips score higher partly because they carry fewer people, and on a sample that size a handful of reviews moves the average a lot.
- Four of the five actually enter the Blue Caves. Paxos Semi-Private Cruise does not. If the caves are the reason you are going, check that line in the table before you book.
Prices, ratings and review counts read from each operator’s GetYourGuide listing on 5 August 2026. They change with season and availability — treat them as a starting point.
Paxos has no airport, so every trip is by sea. Most organized day cruises leave from Corfu Port (Corfu Town) and reach the Blue Caves in about 1.5 hours. From Lefkimmi Port in southern Corfu the crossing to Gaios is shorter — 30 to 40 minutes — but few day tours use it. There’s no bridge or car route; the islands are reached only by boat.
From Corfu Port (Corfu Town)
The main departure point for almost all day trips. Boats leave around 09:00 and sail roughly 1.5 hours to the Blue Caves before continuing to Antipaxos and Gaios. Easiest to reach from Corfu Town hotels and the cruise port.
~1.5 hrs to Blue CavesFrom Lefkimmi Port (Southern Corfu)
The closest Corfu port to Paxos — the crossing to Gaios takes just 30–40 minutes. Mainly used by the scheduled passenger ferry rather than sightseeing cruises. Worth knowing if you’re staying in the south of the island.
30–40 min to Gaios
The Blue Caves of Paxos
Sea caves carved into the limestone cliffs on the west coast of Paxos. Sunlight refracts through the water and turns it a vivid electric blue. The headline attraction of the standard cruise — the boat slows inside for photos. The water is colder and shaded here, so bring a light layer.
Antipaxos · Voutoumi & Vrika
A tiny uninhabited island just south of Paxos, known only for its beaches. Voutoumi and Vrika have some of the clearest water in Greece — transparent enough to see the bottom several meters down. This is where every cruise stops for the main swim.
Gaios · Capital of Paxos
The main town and harbor of Paxos, where standard cruises give you 1.5–2 hours of free time. Walk the Venetian-era seafront, find lunch at a taverna, or explore the small fortress on the island opposite. Tavernas are tourist-priced but reliably good.
People often mix them up. Paxos is the bigger island with the harbor town of Gaios, tavernas, and the Blue Caves. Antipaxos is a tiny uninhabited island just south, famous only for two beaches with impossibly clear water. Every day cruise visits both.
- Size~19 km² · inhabited
- Main spotGaios harbor town
- HighlightThe Blue Caves
- You’ll findTavernas, shops, fortress
- Size~5 km² · uninhabited
- Main spotVoutoumi & Vrika
- HighlightClearest water in Greece
- You’ll findTwo beaches, a beach bar
- You want to see the Blue Caves — only this tour enters them
- You’re travelling on a budget (from $49)
- You’re a first-timer who wants the classic Paxos + Antipaxos + Gaios day
- You’re a family or larger group
- You’d rather have a small group (max 12) than the caves
- You want lunch and drinks included with no waiting in line
- You’re a couple or small group of friends
- Comfort and two long swim stops matter more than ticking off sights
- You want independent travel, not a guided tour
- You only want to reach Gaios and skip sightseeing
- You’re based in southern Corfu near Lefkimmi
- You’ll explore Paxos on foot at your own pace
Ready to book?
Both tours are on GetYourGuide with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Paxos & Blue Caves Day Cruise From Corfu
- 7–12 hours
- ★ 4.6 · 3,810 reviews
- from $48
Antipaxos & Blue Caves Cruise From Corfu
- 7–12 hours
- ★ 4.7 · 4,131 reviews
- from $48
Luxury Cruise to Paxos & Antipaxos From Corfu
- 7–11 hours
- ★ 4.3 · 5,479 reviews
- from $52
Paxos Semi-Private Cruise From Corfu
- ~10 hours
- ★ 4.9 · 59 reviews
- from $185
How long does it take to get from Corfu to Paxos?
On a standard day cruise from Corfu Port, about 1.5 hours to reach the Blue Caves of Paxos — the boat slows to enter the caves along the way. From Lefkimmi Port in southern Corfu the crossing to Gaios is shorter, just 30–40 minutes, but most organized tours leave from Corfu Port. There’s no bridge; the island is reached only by boat.
Is a day trip from Corfu to Paxos worth it?
For most visitors it’s the single best day trip from Corfu. The Blue Caves and the Antipaxos beaches are unique in the Ionian, and the standard cruise holds 4.6 stars across 3,135 verified reviews. The main downside is crowding in July and August — if you want a quieter day, the semi-private yacht caps the group at 12 guests.
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 to the south, known only for its beaches — Voutoumi and Vrika — which have some of the clearest water in Greece. Day cruises visit both: the Blue Caves and Gaios on Paxos, and a swim stop at Antipaxos.
Can you swim at the Blue Caves?
On standard group cruises, no — the boat slows inside the caves for photos but doesn’t anchor for swimming. The dedicated swim stop happens afterward at Antipaxos (Voutoumi Beach). If swimming matters more to you than the caves, the semi-private cruise is built around two long swim stops instead.
Are there day trips to Paxos only, without Antipaxos?
The organized cruises bundle Paxos and Antipaxos together — they’re minutes apart, so it makes little sense to skip one. If you specifically want only Paxos, take the scheduled ferry to Gaios and explore the island on foot, or book a cruise and treat the Antipaxos swim as a bonus. Almost everyone ends up calling that swim the highlight of the day.
How much does a Paxos day trip from Corfu cost?
The standard group cruise starts at $49 per person; lunch in Gaios is extra (budget €15–25). The semi-private yacht with a max of 12 guests starts at $185 and includes a chef-prepared lunch and open bar. The scheduled ferry is the cheapest way to physically reach Gaios but includes no sightseeing.
Can I do a Paxos day trip during a Corfu cruise ship stop?
It’s tight. The full Paxos cruise runs 7–12 hours, longer than a typical 8-hour cruise-ship port day, so it’s only realistic if your ship overnights in Corfu. Cruise passengers with a single port day are usually better served by a shorter shore excursion closer to Corfu Town.
When is the best time of year for a Paxos day trip?
May, June, and September are the sweet spots — the water is warm enough to swim, the weather is reliable, and crowds are smaller than peak summer. July and August are hottest and busiest, so book 3+ days ahead. The Paxos boat trips typically don’t run from November through April.
Paxos & Blue Caves Cruise
The classic big-boat day trip — Blue Caves, Antipaxos swim stop, and free time in Gaios town. The most-booked tour from Corfu.
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View tour →Ready to Plan Your Paxos Day Trip?
The Blue Caves cruise is the classic choice and the cheapest way to see it all. Prefer a small group with lunch included? The semi-private yacht is your boat. Both have free cancellation up to 24 hours.
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