During our 3-day trip to Corfu, we just couldn’t resist the temptation of doing the most popular day trip on the island – visiting the Paxos and Antipaxos islands.
If you’re visiting Corfu, I bet you’re in the same boat – wondering whether the tour is worth it, whether to do it, and if yes – which one to choose.
We really enjoyed our boat trip to Paxos and Antipaxos (despite some hiccups, covered below), so we do recommend doing it. I hope this information will help you decide which tour to book and how to prepare for it.
Most important takeaways from the article
Few things are more frustrating on vacation than missing out on that amazing hotel or tour because it is sold out. And Corfu is a place where items sell out – especially when it comes to this cruise, as you’ll find out below. Here are my top things to book before your vacation.
Most popular boat tours to Paxos and Antipaxos from Corfu:
Which Corfu Boat Trip to Paxos and Antipaxos to Choose
There are quite a few boat trips being offered from Corfu to Paxos and Antipaxos. I literally spent at least a couple of hours to read through so many reviews of the different tours until I decided on one.
Well, this one happened to be sold out for our chosen date, so we booked a different one, but I believe most of them are relatively similar in terms of itinerary.
You can differentiate between these things:
- Group tours
- Private tours
We decided to go with a group tour, and I found there to be the following differences:
- Some tours include a stop over at Lakka, while others at Gaios – both are small towns/vilalges on the island of Paxos.
- The providers are different, so the guides/boats would also be different.
We wanted to book this boat trip with Ionian Cruises as they seemed to have the highest ratings, and we wanted to visit Lakka.
In the end, we booked this boat trip with Corfu Cruises, which included a visit to Gaios. We’ll share more about our experience in the next paragraphs, but if you’re wondering which one to choose, I’d still recommend Ionian Cruises.
They seem to sell out more quickly and the reviews were better.
And if you’d prefer to be by yourself, not sharing a boat with 100 other people, then check out this private boat tour to Paxos and Antipaxos.
If you’re still unsure which boat trip to choose, I have a dedicated article covering the best-rated boat trips from Corfu.
How do you get from Corfu to Paxos and Antipaxos?
The tour that we booked included “hotel pick up”, but not exactly, The bus has certain stops along the way, so it goes to different places around Corfu and if you’re staying nearby, you can go to one of these stops and catch it from there.
Keep in mind that this happens early in the morning (they start picking people up at 7:30 am, and the cruise itself begins around 9am), so that the bus has time to go around all of the stops. So if you’re at one of the first ones, you’d be a bit screwed, because you’d have to stay on the bus for awhile.
Our closest stop was around 10 minutes walking distance and we got picked up at 8 am.
The bus then takes you to the port where all the boats leave from. If you’re staying somewhere near the port, you can just go there straight without waiting for the bus.
If you decide to go for a private tour, I can imagine they’d ask you to go directly to the port, but be sure to check this with your tour provider.
Once you’re at the port, you get on your ferry or boat, and the journey begins!
Our Honest Experience on the Paxos and Antipaxos Boat Trip
We spent 3 days in Corfu in 2022 and after exploring the island’s highlights, we had to do this trip that we saw recommended on every Corfu itinerary on the internet!
We didn’t book it in advance as we weren’t sure which day we wanted to do it on, so we left it until the last moment. It turned out that the tours do sell out (I didn’t think they would as the boats seem very big and there are a few providers). So our desired day was sold out, and then on the next one our desired tour was sold out, so we opted for a different tour company from our initial plan.
Tip: Book in advance, especially in the summer season. Check prices and availability for your dates here.
I’m not sure if there’s a big difference between the providers, but we were basing our decision on the reviews for each trip. Also, you’ll notice that some of them visit different towns.
Our tour included a visit to Gaios – a colorful and charming seaside town on the island of Paxos (more about it later). The other option for a tour includes the town of Lakka, which is also located on Paxos.
So here’s our honest opinion after doing the Paxos and Antipaxos boat trip.
The islands are undeniably beautiful, with their crystal-clear waters and picturesque landscapes. However, it’s a popular destination, which means it can get crowded. Like, really crowded. Our boat had about 100 passengers, and we weren’t the only boat heading out that day.
At Antipaxos, while snorkeling, we were confined to a roped area due to the number of boats there. This made the experience feel less adventurous and authentic than anticipated, but I’d still like to point out that the place is GORGEOUS.
Gaios, though charming and worth exploring, was bustling with tourists. Finding a table for lunch at a restaurant was a challenge on its own – a lot of the boats drop you off here right at lunch time and the town gets filled with tourists. We first decided to explore a bit and just walk around Gaios, so by the time we decided to sit down for lunch, there were literally no free tables (and we checked at least 4 restaurants).
As you can image, we had to be back on the boat at a certain hour (otherwise they’ll leave without you and you have to wait for another boat, or at least that’s what they said :D). So we waited patiently at one restaurant where we saw a few people were finishing their meals. After about 15-20 minutes of waiting, we got to sit down. But we had to ask which meals took least time to prepare, because we had like 20-30 minutes until we had to go on the boat.
The food was delicious but we didn’t get to enjoy it as we were in such a rush. By the end of it, we had to run to the boat. Thankfully, we made it!
On our return trip, we chose to sit at the front of the upper deck. All of a sudden, these waves came out of nowhere and since the boat was sailing quite fast, the water was splashing all over us! It was a fun experience, but thankfully our backpacks were waterproof so we took off our clothes, put everything inside and just sat there in our bikini.
Also, I get seasick very easily, so I had to take a motionsickness pill (thankfully, I had brought some!). I can imagine that such waves could make a lot people sick, but this is something to be expected on a boat tour, of course.
To wrap up our experience and our thoughts – we’d recommend the tour as it’s one of the highlights here and you’ll see some gorgeous views, get to swim in incredibly blue water and also spend a day out on a boat.
But you should keep in mind that it can get very crowded. If you can afford it, I’d recommend looking into private boat tours to Paxos and Antipaxos – I’m sure the experience would be much different!
What to Bring on a Cruise to Paxos and Antipaxos
Packing right can make or break your boat day trip. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
- Comfortable clothing and swimwear.
- Snorkeling gear
- A towel (I like travelling with a microfibre one) and a change of clothes.
- Waterproof bag for electronics and important documents.
- Snacks and water, although most boats offer refreshments.
- Camera or smartphone for capturing the breathtaking scenery.
- Seasickness medication, just in case.
These tours tend to sell out, especially in the high season. Check prices and availability for your dates here.
Should You Visit Paxos and Antipaxos Islands?
Absolutely! Despite the crowds, the beauty of Paxos and Antipaxos is undeniable. These islands offer a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural charm, and relaxation (if you take a private tour, that is).
The turquoise waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, and the quaint towns provide a glimpse into the laid-back Greek island life.
If you’re in Corfu, not visiting these islands is like missing out on a hidden chapter of a captivating novel.
Final Thoughts
A boat trip from Corfu to Paxos and Antipaxos is an experience brimming with stunning views, cultural exploration, and a dash of adventure. While it’s important to be prepared for the crowds and the elements, the journey offers an unforgettable glimpse into the heart of the Ionian Sea’s beauty.
Pack wisely, book in advance, and get ready to make some incredible memories on these enchanting Greek islands. Safe travels!
Lyubomira is the creator and author behind Bulgarian On The Go. With a background in journalism and experience in the field of tourism and marketing, her mission is to show travellers many beautiful places they might have never thought of visiting or even knew existed.
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