Full Day Cruise from Corfu in Classic Wooden Vessel, Swim & BBQ

Corfu’s best scenery is often beyond the road, and this cruise puts you there aboard a traditional wooden vessel. You’ll sail north from Corfu Town, pass the Old Town and the Durrells’ House, then stop at quiet coves and beaches reached only by boat.

I like the generous Greek BBQ lunch with salads, snacks, and white wine, and I like the easy pace: three swim opportunities, plenty of time on the water, and a crew that takes care of the practical details. The main caution is space. The boat is comfortable, but on a full departure, lunch and drink service can feel tight, and shade is limited in some areas.

The essential points at a glance

• Traditional boat: Cruise aboard a clean, well-kept classic wooden vessel with cushioned seating and room to move around.
• Three swim stops: Kerasia, Erimitis, and Agios Stefanos or a nearby cove provide time in clear Ionian water.
• A long Erimitis stop: About two hours are set aside around the Erimitis forest, giving you time to swim, rest, and enjoy the coast.
• Greek food on board: Expect a traditional BBQ, salads, bruschetta or similar snacks, fruit, bottled water, soft drinks, and white wine.
• Good for cruise-ship passengers: The boat leaves from Corfu Town at 10:00 and returns to the same meeting point after about six and a half hours.
• Bring your own goggles: Snorkeling equipment is not supplied, though clear water and fish make goggles useful.

Setting out from Corfu Town at 10:00

Your day begins at CruiseMeUp Cruises in Corfu, at El. Venizelou in Corfu Town. Arrive at least 20 minutes early. The meeting point is near public transportation, and cruise-ship passengers have used the walk from the port, though the outing takes up most of the day.

The boat leaves at 10:00. Early in the cruise, you may see Corfu’s Old Town from the water. Its Venetian, French, and British influences show in the fortifications, narrow streets, and waterfront buildings. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but this is not a walking tour, so treat the view as a scenic introduction rather than a substitute for exploring ashore.

The route also takes you past the White House, better known to many television fans as the Durrells’ House. The two-story villa was used in The Durrells in Corfu, the series based on Gerald Durrell’s account of his family’s life on the island in the 1930s.

The white walls, blue shutters, terracotta roof, gardens, olive trees, and bougainvillea fit the picture many people have of Corfu. You will see it from the boat, not tour the interior, but it adds a pleasant bit of island culture to the coastal journey.

The crew usually offers an early snack, with bread, cheese, tomatoes, bruschetta, or similar light fare reported during the outbound sailing. Water, juice, and soft drinks are available, and the white wine is served through the cruise for adults aged 18 and over.

Kerasia Beach and the first swim

The first formal stop is Kerasia Beach, where the boat pauses for about 30 minutes beneath the famous Kerasia Tower. This is a short introduction to the day’s main pleasure: stepping off the boat into clear water with no road access to the shoreline.

You can swim from the vessel rather than walk onto a broad resort beach. On a calm day, the water is refreshing and clear enough for a look below the surface. Bring your own goggles if you want to see fish and the rocky edges. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

Thirty minutes passes quickly. I would use this stop for a swim and a quick look around rather than expect a long beach visit. If you prefer to stay dry, it is also a good chance to settle into the boat and take in the northern Corfu coast.

Two hours around the Erimitis forest

The longest pause comes at Erimitis, where the boat stays for about two hours near the forest and its coves. This is the part of the day that makes the cruise more than a quick sightseeing ride.

You can swim for a while, climb back aboard to dry off, or spend time near the small beach and rocky shore. One useful feature of the long stop is freedom to set your own pace. You do not have to race into the water the moment the boat anchors.

The sea floor can change from sand and seagrass to rocks, and fish may gather close to shore and around the underwater edges. The area has a natural, undeveloped feel, though other boats may also be present. Do not expect total solitude in high season.

The length of this stop will suit you if you like swimming and sunbathing. It may feel slow if you want a tour packed with monuments or guided commentary. The boat’s captain can also change the route because of weather, delays, or other conditions, so the exact order and location of stops can vary.

Peristeres Lighthouse from the water

The cruise passes the Peristeres Lighthouse, also associated with the Kaparelli rock and the Peristeres area. The lighthouse was built during the period of British rule and remains operational. Its white cylindrical tower rises about 25 meters above the rocky coast.

The boat allows roughly 10 minutes for this sight. That is enough for photographs and a short explanation if conditions allow, but not enough for a visit inside or a walk around the grounds.

For me, this is a scenic pause rather than the main reason to book. The lighthouse gives the cruise a touch of maritime history, while the cliffs and open sea make the short stop worthwhile for photographers.

Agios Stefanos and the final swim

The final swimming stop lasts about 30 minutes at Agios Stefanos Beach or another nearby shore that cannot be reached by car. The water is clear, and the rocky coastal setting gives you one last chance to swim before the return journey.

The schedule creates a nice rhythm: a short first swim, a much longer middle stop, then a final dip. If you are not a strong swimmer, you can remain on the boat, but the main appeal here is getting into the sea from the vessel.

Some descriptions of the cruise refer to three swimming locations, while the route also includes the lighthouse as a brief sightseeing point. The exact beach used at Agios Stefanos depends on local conditions and the captain’s decision.

A Greek BBQ served at sea

Food is one of the strongest parts of this outing. Lunch includes a traditional BBQ and salads, with bruschetta or other small snacks served during the cruise. Specific meals described during the day include grilled souvlaki, kebabs, and sausage, though the exact menu may change.

The meal is served on board, often as the boat moves between stops or after the longer swim. It is more substantial than the usual packaged excursion lunch, and the local flavors give the day a stronger connection to Corfu than a generic sandwich would.

White wine is included for adults, along with bottled water, juice, and soft drinks. Some departures have offered beer or mixed drinks for an additional charge. If you want something beyond the included drinks, ask the crew about the cost before ordering, since drink service can create a bottleneck around the bar area when the boat is busy.

Special diets deserve advance attention. The published details promise a traditional BBQ and salads, but they do not spell out vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other meal options. Contact the provider before departure if you need a specific diet accommodated.

Comfort, shade, and group size

The boat is described as clean and well maintained, with cushions and enough seating for a comfortable ride. Several parts of the deck offer a chance to sit or lie down, and the relaxed atmosphere suits a day when you want the sea to set the schedule.

Shade is the practical issue to plan around. Not every part of the deck remains shaded as the boat changes direction, and the return ride can feel hot after you dry off. The back of the boat has offered more consistent shade on some departures, but seating positions are not guaranteed.

The stated maximum is 35 people. A few departures have felt close to that limit, and one account reported 38 people on board. Most of the time, the boat is described as roomy rather than cramped, but lunch and drink service can become crowded when capacity is high.

If you value peace and personal space above all else, a smaller private boat may suit you better. If you enjoy meeting people and want a classic vessel with a social feel, the group size is reasonable for the price.

How much value do you get for $130.66?

At $130.66 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach in Corfu. You are paying for a full six-and-a-half-hour outing, the wooden boat, crew service, food, drinks, fuel and port operation, and access to coastal spots that are not reached by car.

The price makes more sense if you plan to spend the day swimming and relaxing rather than simply looking at the coastline. A BBQ lunch, repeated snacks, wine, water, soft drinks, Wi-Fi, and three swim stops add up quickly if arranged separately.

The value is less convincing if you do not swim, dislike group boats, or mainly want detailed commentary on Corfu’s history. Information about the sights can be limited, with more attention given to running the day than to extended talks about each stop.

Free Wi-Fi is useful for staying connected, but I would treat it as a bonus rather than a reason to book. The real value is the time on the water and the chance to reach coves inaccessible by road.

Who will enjoy this Corfu cruise most?

I would choose this outing if you want a simple day away from Corfu Town, with swimming, food, and scenery built into one package. Couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and cruise-ship passengers can all fit the format, since most people can participate and service animals are allowed.

Solo visitors should not feel that the experience is only for couples. Crew members such as Spiros and Paul have been described as warm and attentive, and the shared boat setting makes it easy to have casual conversations without joining a formal group activity.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed shade, very quiet surroundings, extensive historical guiding, or a tightly controlled special-diet menu. You should also allow enough time to return to your accommodation or ship, since the six-and-a-half-hour duration includes sailing time and the return is at the original meeting point.

The outing is suitable for a port day, but leave a sensible buffer after the scheduled return. The meeting point is within walking distance of the cruise port for some people, and a taxi is another option. The cruise itself is not a short shore excursion.

Booking details and weather plans

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the activity requires a minimum number of participants.

This is a weather-dependent cruise. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

The captain may alter the route because of wind, delays, or other unexpected conditions. That flexibility is sensible on the Ionian Sea, but it means you should view the named beaches as the planned route rather than an absolute promise.

Should you book this wooden-boat day out?

I would book it if you want three chances to swim, a generous Greek lunch, and a relaxed cruise along Corfu’s less accessible coast. The friendly crew, well-kept wooden boat, good food, and attractive coves are the main reasons this outing earns such strong approval.

I would skip it if your priority is a small private group, constant shade, or detailed sightseeing commentary. For most visitors who want an easy day on and in the water, the $130.66 price is fair, especially when lunch, white wine, soft drinks, and the long Erimitis stop are included.

Arrive early, bring goggles, choose your seat with the sun in mind, and ask about any paid drinks before ordering. With those details handled, this is a well-paced way to see a quieter side of Corfu.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and end?

The cruise starts at CruiseMeUp Cruises in Corfu, at El. Venizelou, Kerkira 491 00, Greece. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the cruise depart?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am. You should arrive at least 20 minutes early to avoid delaying departure.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes. The total duration includes the time spent sailing between stops.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes a traditional BBQ lunch, salads, bottled water, soda or other soft drinks, and white wine. Alcoholic beverages are for people aged 18 and over. Beer and mixed drinks may be available for an extra charge.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own goggles or snorkeling gear if you want to look below the surface.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.