Paxos & Antipaxos

Paxos and Antipaxos are small islands south of Corfu, known for olive groves, pastel-coloured harbours and exceptionally clear water. Paxos has three main harbours: Gaios, the main town, sheltered behind two small islets; Loggos, a tiny fishing village; and Lakka, a horseshoe-shaped bay in the north that is popular for anchoring. The west coast of Paxos is lined with high cliffs and sea caves that you can visit by dinghy in calm weather. Antipaxos, just south of Paxos, has only a handful of residents, vineyards and beaches such as Voutoumi and Vrika, with pale sand and turquoise water. Anchoring off Antipaxos for a swim is a highlight of any Ionian charter, but the bays are open to the wind, so it is usually a daytime stop rather than an overnight anchorage.

Yes, but it is a stretch in one week, so we recommend Paxos for charters of 10 days or more, or for weeks with a settled forecast. Paxos is about 35 to 40 nautical miles north of Lefkada, through the Lefkada canal and then across open water to the north-west, which means a full day at sea each way. The north-westerly maistro often blows from ahead on the way north, so leave early in the morning and expect to motor-sail part of the passage. The return south is usually more comfortable with the wind behind you. In a week, a Paxos trip leaves little time for Meganisi, Kefalonia or Ithaca, and a day of strong wind can force you to wait in harbour. If Paxos is a priority, tell us when you ask for a quote and we will suggest a route that fits your dates.

On Paxos, the usual overnight stops are Gaios, Lakka and Loggos. Gaios has the largest town quay, where boats moor stern-to, and the most tavernas and shops for provisioning. Lakka is a sheltered bay in the north where many boats anchor; it gets crowded in July and August, so arrive early. Loggos is small and charming, with limited space on the quay. Antipaxos has no harbour for overnight mooring and its beaches are exposed, so most crews visit for a swim during the day and return to Paxos in the evening. On the way back south, Parga and the mainland bays of Sivota make an attractive break before the last leg to Lefkada. Check the forecast before leaving, because the passage back crosses open water where the afternoon wind and swell can build.