A practical Corfu, Paxos and Parga sailing route

This itinerary is designed for a normal Saturday-to-Saturday charter from D-Marin Gouvia. It is not a fixed schedule: the skipper should choose the exact harbour or anchorage each day after checking the forecast, the yacht briefing, current pilot information and the crew’s comfort. Distances are approximate and sailing times assume an average of about 6 knots before allowing for manoeuvres, swimming stops or adverse conditions.

Saturday — Gouvia to Garitsa, or stay at the marina | about 4–6 nm

After a 5 p.m. handover, Garitsa Bay off Corfu Town is the most logical short first move when daylight, wind and the operator briefing allow it. The passage is roughly an hour and gives the group a first view of the Old Fortress. It is an anchorage rather than a guaranteed berth, so remaining in Gouvia is the better decision after a delayed check-in or in unsuitable conditions. Do not turn the first evening into a race: provisioning, safety checks and a calm start matter more than ticking off a stop.

Sunday — Corfu Town or Gouvia to Petriti | about 18–24 nm

Follow Corfu’s east coast south. Benitses can be considered as a coffee, lunch or weather-adjustment stop, while the bays around Moraitika offer other possibilities only when the day’s conditions suit anchoring. Petriti is a small fishing village and a useful southern staging point for Paxos. Its appeal is a quiet waterfront and a shorter crossing the next morning, but space and the suitability of any berth or anchorage must be checked on arrival. If the group prefers more time ashore, an earlier finish at Benitses can replace Petriti.

Monday — Petriti to Gaios, Paxos | about 18–22 nm

Make the open-water crossing in the morning, then use the east coast of Paxos for the lunch stop. Mongonissi, the bays south of Gaios or another locally appropriate cove can break the day, depending on wind and traffic. Gaios is the main town and the most atmospheric overnight choice for restaurants and an evening walk. The entrance channel and available spaces deserve unhurried attention; Longos, a smaller village farther north, is a useful alternative when it fits the conditions and the crew wants a quieter finish.

Tuesday — Gaios, Antipaxos and Lakka | about 12–18 nm

Use the week’s shortest full day to explore rather than cover distance. In settled weather, Antipaxos can provide a memorable swimming and lunch stop around Voutoumi or Vrika before returning north. If the west-coast swell makes Antipaxos uncomfortable, stay on the more protected side of Paxos and consider Longos or an east-coast bay. Finish in Lakka, whose large bay gives more room than the village waterfront alone. The skipper should choose between the quay, anchoring or another arrangement using current pilotage and the actual wind.

Wednesday — Lakka to Parga | about 14–18 nm

Cross to the mainland early enough to keep options open. A suitable bay near Parga can serve as the lunch stop, but the exact choice depends on swell and local restrictions. Parga is best for a lively evening ashore: the waterfront, old lanes and hilltop castle make it a different experience from the island villages. The town’s small harbour area can be busy, so the practical overnight solution may be outside the centre or at an alternative recommended during the base briefing. If the crew values easier logistics over the town visit, continue north toward Sivota instead.

Thursday — Parga via Sivota to south or central Corfu | about 20–26 nm

Sivota’s indented coast and offshore islets provide several possible swimming stops rather than one compulsory anchorage. Select a cove that is suitable for the day and avoid assuming that the most photographed bay will also be the best protected. After lunch, cross back toward Corfu and finish at Petriti, Benitses or another east-coast stop that leaves Friday comfortable. This is the route’s key buffer day: if earlier weather caused delays, simplify it rather than arriving back at Gouvia under pressure.

Friday — East Corfu to D-Marin Gouvia | about 12–20 nm

Leave with enough margin for fuel, marina procedures and the operator’s required return time. A brief swim stop off the east coast is possible only if it preserves arrival before 5 p.m. The final approach also offers a chance to pass Corfu Town in daylight. Spend Friday night aboard at the home marina when the charter contract permits, then complete checkout on Saturday morning. Confirm the exact fuel and hand-back procedure at the start of the week.

Ports and anchorages to compare on the Corfu route

The useful question is not simply whether to visit Corfu or Paxos. Each island has several stops with different strengths, and the right answer changes with wind, harbour space and what the group wants to do ashore.

Gouvia and Garitsa

Gouvia is the operational base: provisioning, yacht briefing, repairs and hand-back all happen here. Garitsa is the scenic first-night alternative close to Corfu Town, but it should be treated as a conditional anchorage, not a required opening leg.

Benitses and Petriti

Benitses offers a busier village and a shorter southbound day. Petriti is farther south and therefore better positioned for the Paxos crossing. Choose between experience ashore, available space and the next day’s forecast rather than trying to include both.

Gaios, Longos and Lakka on Paxos

Gaios has the widest choice of restaurants and the strongest sense of arrival. Longos is smaller and quieter. Lakka’s broad northern bay makes it a natural final Paxos stop before crossing to the mainland. All can become busy in summer, so keep an alternative in mind.

Antipaxos

Antipaxos is primarily a daytime swimming stop. Voutoumi and Vrika are attractive in settled conditions, but they should not be forced into the plan when swell, crowding or holding concerns make Paxos itself the better choice.

Parga and Sivota

Parga is the stronger town visit; Sivota provides a wider choice of coves and a useful staging point for the return north. A group that wants restaurants and sightseeing may prioritise Parga, while a swimming-focused crew may spend more time around Sivota.

How to adapt the week

For a first charter, the simplest adjustment is to remove Parga and keep the route around Corfu and Paxos. For a stronger crew in a stable forecast, the mainland adds variety. Decide in advance whether the priority is quiet anchorages, village evenings or maximum swimming time, then ask the operator or skipper to confirm which overnight stops are sensible for the actual yacht.