Sailing from Corfu any ideas please

[derekgillard]

Just booked a two week bareboat from Corfu in July we've done the Lefkas run a few times and made it up as far as Paxos, this times we are starting from Corfu so do you informed folk have any do's and dont's....please

The islands at the top of Corfu Erikossa etc look interesting but maybe a little exposed.

Any advice would be of help. We are two on a 30ft Bav (it's all I could afford).

Del Buoy

 

[Mark-1]

Just booked a two week bareboat from Corfu in July we've done the Lefkas run a few times and made it up as far as Paxos, this times we are starting from Corfu so do you informed folk have any do's and dont's....please

The islands at the top of Corfu Erikossa etc look interesting but maybe a little exposed.

Any advice would be of help. We are two on a 30ft Bav (it's all I could afford).

Del Buoy

Don't really know Corfu well enough to recommend anywhere but I would like to show off this photo from one peaceful morning on our trip that way in 2009:

Anchored off NOAK YC.



We thought the best bits were the various deserted bays at the NE of the Island but we did none of the West Coast which I suspect is the best bit of Corfu.

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

Just booked a two week bareboat from Corfu in July we've done the Lefkas run a few times and made it up as far as Paxos, this times we are starting from Corfu so do you informed folk have any do's and dont's....please

The islands at the top of Corfu Erikossa etc look interesting but maybe a little exposed.

Any advice would be of help. We are two on a 30ft Bav (it's all I could afford).

Del Buoy

On Corfu the small harbour at Petriti is worth a visit, only small and flotillas tend to keep away [or at least they did up to 2 years ago], also the Yacht Club harbour [Mandraki] is very handy for Corfu town, within a few minutes walk as opposed to a taxi ride from Gouvia. Haven't been up the west coast as was told it was very touristy and pagues of rats were a problem over there when we were last on Corfu.
We were planning to visit the islands to the North but strongish NW winds put a stop to that.
On the mainland the small harbour of Sayiadha, just down the coast from Albania has a very narrow entrance which keeps flotillas at bay but you'd be fine in a 30' Bav. If you want a place with plenty of tavernas Sivota Mourtos is fine, there are also plenty of anchorages nearby if you don't want to go in the busy harbour. Parga is a bit more awkward as you have to moor away from the town and either walk a mile or so or get one of the very frequent water taxis.
Have a great time, we have many times.

 

[blueglass]

Erikoussa and Othoni are good destinations - you will share with many Italian boats in July, but plenty of room at Erikousa - not so at Othoni - any more than half a dozen boats and it gets difficult.
best anchorage near to Gouvia ( I am assuming that would be your start point) is probably Agios Stefanos on the north east corner - nice tavernas ashore, excellent shelter.
We also like Sayiadha - a small harbour on the Greek mainland opp Gouvia. No flotillas and usually very quiet and superb fish tavernas on the quayside. Free water too ( a novelty in these parts)
then maybe head down the mainland coast to Sivota Mourtos - the best anchorage is Monastery Bay and from there over to Lakka on Paxos etc etc etc. Hope you have great time.

 

[mocruising]

Paxos and Anti Paxos, two rock bay on the mainland all the coast on the NE side from Corfu Town up to the Islands in the North.

 

[l'escargot]

...On the mainland the small harbour of Sayiadha, just down the coast from Albania has a very narrow entrance which keeps flotillas at bay but you'd be fine in a 30' Bav...

Not Sailing Holidays in their Jag 27's We went there in 2000. There was a small taverna that did huge prawns cooked in olive oil. There was myself, my wife and my daughter who was four at the time. We had 3 lots of prawns, 3 Greek salads, 5 bottles of Amstel each for my wife and I (we did make an evening of it sat outside as the sun went down!) and 5 cokes for my daughter, I think we had some sort of desert as well. Pre euro and the total bill came to about £18 and he apologised about how much he was having to charge us, pointing out that we had drunk quite a lot. I remember thinking that a meal for 3 and 5 drinks each at the Folly would have been at least 3 times the price at the time.

I would be interested in how much it would cost now....

 

[blueglass]

Not Sailing Holidays in their Jag 27's We went there in 2000. There was a small taverna that did huge prawns cooked in olive oil. There was myself, my wife and my daughter who was four at the time. We had 3 lots of prawns, 3 Greek salads, 5 bottles of Amstel each for my wife and I (we did make an evening of it sat outside as the sun went down!) and 5 cokes for my daughter, I think we had some sort of desert as well. Pre euro and the total bill came to about £18 and he apologised about how much he was having to charge us, pointing out that we had drunk quite a lot. I remember thinking that a meal for 3 and 5 drinks each at the Folly would have been at least 3 times the price at the time.

I would be interested in how much it would cost now....

sadly prices have gone up a lot in recent times - these days about the same as UK except for the wine (local) which is still very cheap.
have been there many times in the last 4 years and never seen a flotilla yet - you must have been unlucky

 

[vyv_cox]

Just booked a two week bareboat from Corfu in July we've done the Lefkas run a few times and made it up as far as Paxos, this times we are starting from Corfu so do you informed folk have any do's and dont's....please

The islands at the top of Corfu Erikossa etc look interesting but maybe a little exposed.

Any advice would be of help. We are two on a 30ft Bav (it's all I could afford).

Del Buoy

All three islands to the north/west of Corfu are worth visiting. Shelter is OK in the prevailing winds. Not a lot to do when there but some nice walks, good anchorages and the odd taverna. From Plakes it's an interesting sail to Port Timoni on the west coast of Corfu, not a port at all but a superb anchorage.

Very interesting walks in the area and Eleanoras falcons nesting in the cliffs above the bay.

Further down the west coast of Corfu lies Palaiokastriksa, a nice little town harbour with a spectacular entrance. Very popular in August but not too crowded otherwise. Several other anchorages as you move further south. From there it's a hop across to Paxos. A young lady takes guided walks across the island, she is based at the taverna in the centre of Lakki. Highly recommended.

Several other good places to visit on both islands.

If you are not intent on covering big distances a leisurely cruise around Corfu and Paxos, with a diversion to Antipaxos, would be most enjoyable.

 

[Magaz97]

We loved Lakka (North Paxos) and Sivota (End Bay) nice little anchorage. Both worth looking at IMHO

Tony

 

[sternsheet]

Just booked a two week bareboat from Corfu in July we've done the Lefkas run a few times and made it up as far as Paxos, this times we are starting from Corfu so do you informed folk have any do's and dont's....please

The islands at the top of Corfu Erikossa etc look interesting but maybe a little exposed.

Any advice would be of help. We are two on a 30ft Bav (it's all I could afford).

Del Buoy

If you've got two weeks, and are going to Orthoni, why not cross over to Italy? Santa Maria de Leuca is delightful, and it's only a daysail across.

 

[jordanbasset]

If you are going to the Islands off the North of Corfu a stopover in Kassiopi is worth it. Also 3 or 4 lovely bays to anchor in, some with Tavernas, to the South of Kassiopi.
Both the North East and Northwest parts of Corfu are lovely and well worth a visit

 

[pvb]

Also 3 or 4 lovely bays to anchor in, some with Tavernas, to the South of Kassiopi.

Yes, indeed, San Stefanos, Kalami (Gerald Durrell country) and Agni in particular. Lunch at Taverna Agni is unlike most Greek tavernas, but interesting - especially if you like people-watching!

 

[Mark-1]

Yes, indeed, San Stefanos, Kalami (Gerald Durrell country) and Agni in particular. Lunch at Taverna Agni is unlike most Greek tavernas, but interesting - especially if you like people-watching!

As someone who doesn't like heights Agni's forever close to my heart because of this:

 

[djk]

Petriti last summer had small flotillas mooring inside the harbour. However you can anchor outside. The middle taverna ( cant remember name ) with its own dinghy dock is the best for food- go for fresh fish.

The food in the Mandraki marina in Corfu Town is very good for food otherwise an Italian restaurant called Sole behind the Cavalieri Hotel about 10 minute walk from the marina is good.

Lakka gets rammed in the summer so I'd go stern too on the side of the bay and take a line ashore otherwise in the middle of the night if there is some wind you'll get bumped by other yachts.

Our favorite bay is Mongonisi on Paxos, goodholding, well protected and above all a decent place to eat- Taverna Gold. Run by an Italian with a Greek partner. Tapas type portions but fresh homemade food and short menu.The other taverna has the flotilla crowd so we know the food is school dinners with chips and loud live music.

 

[Denis O]

an Italian restaurant called Sole behind the Cavalieri Hotel about 10 minute walk from the marina is good.

It's actually called Cafe Del Sole and is on Guilford Street. I concur, their food is excellent and has become my favourite eatery in town. They do a regular and swordfish carpaccio which are both to die for.

 

[djk]

It's actually called Cafe Del Sole and is on Guilford Street. I concur, their food is excellent and has become my favourite eatery in town. They do a regular and swordfish carpaccio which are both to die for.

Thanks- I was there only last week but couldn't find their card back home. Went out on a flying visit to check boat and stayed in a hotel in Corfu Town! Glad I did as one morning there was frost on the pontoons in Gouvia and the next it was p**sing down and windy. Shame no direct flights in Winter- having said that I can see why with the weather.
Went to Cafe de Sole 2 nights running and was probably best meal I've eaten in Corfu Town.
Actually winter time is a good time to wonder around the town without the thousands of tourists but its slightly odd because there seems to be a few trendy type bars now but the restaurant scene is poor for choice unless they were shut up for January.

 

[vyv_cox]

If you've got two weeks, and are going to Orthoni, why not cross over to Italy? Santa Maria de Leuca is delightful, and it's only a daysail across.

This has to be one of the most bizarre suggestions! Why sail 60 miles each way to an expensive, poorly sheltered port in a distinctly average town when in Europe's premier cruising area? There are so many superb destinations within a daysail of Corfu that it's difficult to name them all. And nearly all free!

 

[donquijote]

Best Cruising in the Med

Hello Derek,

I have done most of the Med. and you have chosen well. The Greek islanders are a race apart.
They do not lead with their hand out and they have a natural reserve. Treated politely , their ancient civilization shines through. I agree with everything your experienced contributors have offered, but for some reason the mainland has been neglected. If you want to do a circumnavigation of Corfu and Paxos, it would be easy to take in Platarias or Gulf of Amvrasia(Prevesa) on the mainland. In Corfu, avoid Gouvia and try to get in to the Yacht Club. It is a rare treat, in these days of ripoff marinas. Toddle up through the old Fort , which houses the Ionian Univ. music school across the cricket pitch and find the Hotel Cavallieri - the roof bar, for an evening cocktail, look down , both sides of the old Fort, while swifts wheel around. Then retire to La Famiglia, for the best Italian food. It does'nt get any better !
I am not on commission, but would be glad to help further because Scuttlebutts have helped me.

patrick (Don Quijote)

 

[blueglass]

I agree with Don Quiotes comments on the Greek islanders. They are in general a sunny natured and generous people and I also wouold not be turning my back on them to spend time on the boot of Italy.
In a two week cruise I would also leave out the suggested Gulf of Amvrakikos/Preveza. Its a long way in and a long way back out and cannot be incorporated in a circular route. The water is murky and although it is not without interest, there are better places.
My leisurely 2 week itinerary? Corfu - south to Lakka (Paxos) - Mongonisi (Paxos) - Anti Paxos - then head over to the mainland to 2 rock bay, then north to Monastery Bay at Sivota Mourtos - Platarias - Valthou Bay (Igoumenitsa Creek) - Sayiadha -then back over to Agios Stafanos on Corfu - Kalami, Agni and then if you have to return the boat to Gouvia, have your last night at the Tellissilla in kontakali 5 mins walk from the marina. Enjoy.

 

[bryantee]

dont miss mainland greece

Hello Derek,





I have done most of the Med. and you have chosen well. The Greek islanders are a race apart.
They do not lead with their hand out and they have a natural reserve. Treated politely , their ancient civilization shines through. I agree with everything your experienced contributors have offered, but for some reason the mainland has been neglected. If you want to do a circumnavigation of Corfu and Paxos, it would be easy to take in Platarias or Gulf of Amvrasia(Prevesa) on the mainland. In Corfu, avoid Gouvia and try to get in to the Yacht Club. It is a rare treat, in these days of ripoff marinas. Toddle up through the old Fort , which houses the Ionian Univ. music school across the cricket pitch and find the Hotel Cavallieri - the roof bar, for an evening cocktail, look down , both sides of the old Fort, while swifts wheel around. Then retire to La Famiglia, for the best Italian food. It does'nt get any better !
I am not on commission, but would be glad to help further because Scuttlebutts have helped me.

patrick (Don Quijote)

from prevessa gulf of amvrakia. moor behind the island in vonitsa.not crowded and watch the dolphins in the channel prevessa to vonitsa. work up the coast towards platerias. many uncrowded anchorages avoid sivota harbour . but moutos and the bays. gaia on paxos is something else. the big ferry leaves at about 1430 in the afternoon and releases about 10 boat spaces in the inner harbour, but wear your earplugs.be careful when rounding the bottom off corfu. island the shallows extend for about half a mile.platerias is a gem but a bloody awful sea wall.some of the best village restaurants.
suggest you do a afternoon blast down from paxos or south corfu force 4 or better to prevessa. or lefkas .7 hour x7knots
and then work north again ,mainly engine in the morning. good luck.