In spring, Corfu temperatures can reach 20ºC/68ºF and rise to 25ºC/77ºF in peak summer before dipping slightly to 22ºC/72ºF in the autumn. The water temperatures are warm and can reach 26ºC/78ºF in the summer.
The Ionian Islands have calmer winds than some of the other Greek island chains. Wind tends to increase around lunchtime, just in time for making headway to your next destination in the afternoon before dropping off as the sun sets. The meltemi wind doesn’t feature in this part of Greece.
To hire a yacht in Greece, there must be at least one certified skipper and one experienced crew member, both over 18 years old. Skipper is REQUIRED to have one (1) of the following:
There are nine airlines that fly regularly from London to Corfu Airport (CFU), a three-hour flight time. You can also fly direct from Nottingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Glasgow. Transfer time from Corfu Airport to Gouvia Marina is a 15-minute taxi ride and costs around €20, which you can arrange in advance or take from the 24-hr taxi rank at the airport.
Day 1: Embark at Gouvia Marina and get to know your boat. A short sail south takes you to Corfu Town (5nm) where you can stroll around the historic town and enjoy dinner in one of the traditional tavernas.
Day 2: Sail 22nm to Mourtos, a charming fishing village and port with traditional tavernas where you can sample the local food and drink while enjoying the sunset. It can get busy, so make sure you find a berth early in the day.
Day 3: Make for Parga on the mainland, a 11nm sail, known for its colourful houses, fantastic beaches (try Valtos), warm waters, ancient ruins and a Venetian hilltop castle.
Day 4: Set sail for Paxos, a 13nm passage, the smallest island in the Ionian chain where there are free berths if you are early enough. Enjoy the rock formation called Tripitos Arch or swim at Erimitis beach. Nearby is Antipaxos with its Voutoumi beach and pretty fishing villages.
Day 5: Head for Petriti, a 19nm sail, and moor in its pretty and quiet fishing harbour on the east coast of Corfu. The village is surrounded by forest with hiking trails for the adventurous.
Day 6: Make for Sagiada on the mainland, a 14nm sail, to stroll the deserted old town on the hillside or try the delicious seafood at local tavernas.
Day 7: Sail 10nm back to base and disembark.
14 Day Corfu ItineraryDay 1: Embark at Gouvia Marina and get to know your boat. A short sail south takes you to Corfu Town (5nm) where you can stroll around the historic town and enjoy dinner in one of the traditional tavernas.
Day 2: Sail 15nm to Petriti and moor in its pretty and quiet fishing harbour on the east coast of Corfu. The village is surrounded by forest with hiking trails for the adventurous.
Day 3: Head 13nm to Mourtos, a charming fishing village and port with traditional tavernas where you can sample the local food and drink while enjoying the sunset. It can get busy, so make sure you find a berth early in the day.
Day 4: Make for Parga, 13nm sail, known for its colourful houses, fantastic beaches (try Valtos), warm waters, ancient ruins and a Venetian hilltop castle.
Day 5: Sail to Lefkas, 32nm, named after its white rocks and known for its lively atmosphere. Here you’ll find myths and legends surrounding Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, and Odysseus from Homer’s Odyssey. Enjoy the wonderful beaches and sheltered coves of Porto Katsiki and Egremni on the west coast or watch the kite surfers in the south.
Day 6: Set sail for Meganisi, 11nm, a small, quiet island with many wonderful beaches including Pasoumaki, Mikro Limonari and Agios Ioannis. The islanders are mainly farmers and you can see the crops of olives that dot the hills.
Day 7: Sail 13nm to Kalamos, where you can visit traces the island’s history with its old mills, churches and ruins of castles and windmills.
Day 8: Head 14nm to the mainland port village of Sivota where you can enjoy the local tavernas with their fantastic menus, as well as beaches, such as Zeri. You can also provision here at the local supermarket.
Day 9: Prepare for a longer passage to Paxos, 49 nm, the smallest island in the Ionian chain where there are free berths if you are early enough. Enjoy the rock formation called Tripitos Arch or swim at Erimitis beach. Nearby is Antipaxos with its Voutoumi beach and pretty fishing villages.
Day 10: Head 40nm to Paleokastritsa, which is Corfu’s most attractive village with its imposing monastery on the hillside. It’s popular for its sea views and tasty local tavernas, so arrive early for mooring.
Day 11: Sail 19nm to Erikoussa, with its sandy Bay of Porto, olive groves and cypress trees.
Day 12: Make for Sagiada, a 36nm leg, to stroll the deserted old town on the hillside or try the delicious seafood at local tavernas.
Day 13: Sail 8nm to Corfu town and stroll its elegant streets, which are often likened to Naples. Visit the old and new fortresses and get to know its Venetian-influenced architecture.
Day 14: Head 3nm back to base and disembark.
Corfu is the second largest island in the Ionian chain and easy to reach by plane from the UK. It’s loved by sailors for its 200km of coast and calm, clear waters that are perfect for easy, relaxed sailing, as well as offering some of the best snorkelling and swimming in Greece.
When you sail in Corfu, you can trace ancient history through the island’s monuments, find charming anchorages, cruise spectacular scenery and dine at fine tavernas. Don’t forget to leave time to explore the attractive, Italian-style Corfu Town with its fine squares and atmospheric neighbourhoods. Make sure you take in the impressive panorama view over the town and coast from the old fortress.
Corfu HighlightsIf you’re planning your yacht charter in Corfu, take a look at our itinerary section, which has a one-week itinerary suggestion for Corfu. Mooring costs are low in Greece and many berths are free.