Three swims, one perfect boat day. I love the quiet coves and the proper Greek lunch with wine served onboard. The only catch is you trade town sightseeing for water time, so don’t book this if you want lots of walking streets.

This cruise is run from Corfu’s old port, on the wooden boat Koryfo, and the crew keeps things relaxed and personal. I also like that you get snorkel setup options and WiFi, so you can post photos the minute you spot fish in clear water. If you’re prone to motion sickness, this isn’t the best plan.

Key highlights at a glance

• Corfu Old Port + Venetian-style Old Town views as you pull away toward the NE coast
• Three swim stops with one longer stretch, plus snorkeling gear you can borrow
• Eremitis Forest wetlands and wild orchids during a scenic bay break
• Crew-led comfort on a small-feeling boat, with regular check-ins (Spiros and Paul stand out in the accounts)
• Lunch and wine included, plus extra snacks that keep the day easy-going

From Corfu Old Port to NE Corfu: Why This Day Works

Corfu Town looks best when you’re moving. As you leave the old port area, the view of the Old Fortress and the Old Town’s Venetian-style architecture gives you an immediate sense of place. It sets the tone: this is a coastal day, not a bus-and-briefing kind of trip.

What you’re really buying here is time on the water with multiple stops that are hard to reach any other way. One of the best surprises is how the day rhythm stays calm. You’re not rushing from one “see it quickly” moment to the next.

You also get a solid onboard meal with local ingredients and wine, which means you can stay in vacation mode the whole day. And since you’re out on the water early, the coves feel quieter than the beach crowds back on land.

Boarding Koryfo: Size, Comfort, and Included Extras

You meet in the old port of Corfu and look for the wooden boat called Koryfo. The boat is described as clean, well-maintained, and comfortable, with enough space to find a sunny spot or a shady one. Several people note it does not feel overcrowded compared with the larger boats you can see in marinas.

A few practical details matter. There are two toilets, and the steps for getting in and out of the water are described as manageable even for someone who was a bit nervous about swimming off the boat. That said, if water entry sounds like your problem, come prepared with supportive swim footwear and a calm plan.

You’ll get WiFi onboard, plus drinks throughout the day. Many accounts also mention tea, coffee, cakes, and other snack touches in addition to the main lunch. It’s one of those “small comforts” that keeps the mood light.

Snorkel support is also part of the fun. People mention borrowing snorkels, goggles, and even float options at the swim stops. So you don’t need to bring your own kit unless you’re picky about what you use.

Cruising the Coast: The Views Between Swim Stops

The day follows the north-east coastline, where coves and cliffy stretches make the water look impossibly clean. You’ll spend time cruising between stops, with the camera ready for the coast’s changing angles.

Along the way, you pass familiar-to-the-region sights that you’d miss if you stayed strictly in Corfu Town. You sail by Kouloura, described as a fishing village with a tranquil harbor and stone houses. It’s the kind of place you can glance at from water and still feel the pace of everyday life.

You also see landmarks that hint at Corfu’s connections beyond Greece. Accounts note you’ll spot a villa associated with the Anielli family, and the Kerassia Tower, a historic structure that has hosted prominent visitors, including members of the British royal family. Even if you’re not hunting facts, these silhouettes give the coast a story you can visually track.

The coastline is also a good reminder that this island is more than one postcard. The NE side has a different feel: rock, sea caves, and tucked-in shorelines that look made for swimming.

First Swim Stop Near Nissaki: Clear Water and Cliff Views

Your first real break comes near Nissaki, with a swim stop timed for about half an hour. The setting is described as surrounded by towering cliffs and lush vegetation, which means you get shade, drama, and that open-water feeling at the same time.

This stop is great if you want an easy first swim without committing to a long water session. It’s also a good time to test your comfort with the water entry steps before you move on to the longer breaks later.

If you like snorkeling, this is a solid moment to get your bearings. The water clarity in these coves is a recurring theme in people’s feedback, including seeing fish. You don’t need to be a pro; you just need to float, breathe, and let your eyes adjust.

Tip: If you’re bringing your own mask or snorkel, keep it easy to grab. On a moving boat day, small friction adds up fast.

Eremitis Forest Bay: Wetlands, Orchids, and the Long Swim Stretch

The standout scenic stop is the bay under the Eremitis Forest. This is where the day adds nature flavor, not just beach time. The area is tied to protected wetlands with three wetlands, plus 82 registered species of flora and 36 species and sub-species of wild orchids.

Now, you don’t need to be a botanist to enjoy the stop. The practical value is that the setting looks protected and calm from the water. You get a sheltered-feeling bay where swimming works well, and there’s also an option for a slow shoreline stroll if you want a break from the sea.

This is the one stop where you typically get more time—about two hours of free time to swim and snorkel. That matters because the best swimming moments rarely happen in a rush. You’ll have time to cool down, warm up on the deck, and come back for another go when you feel ready.

What you should bring to make this stop better:

• sunscreen and a hat (the day is sun-forward)
• sunglasses
• swimwear you’re comfortable getting in and out of quickly

One more nice detail: many people describe these swim spots as quiet, with only a couple of smaller boats around. That translates into more personal water time, less crowd management, and fewer “where do I swim” headaches.

Passing Peristeres Lighthouse: A Maritime Finale

Later in the cruise, you reach the Peristeres Lighthouse, described as one of the oldest lighthouses in Greece and dating back to the 19th century. Even if you don’t memorize dates, the value here is the panoramic view. You’re up and out of the bay rhythm, and you can see how the coastline opens up again.

This segment is less about another long swim and more about the way the day ends. After the main nature and swimming breaks, the lighthouse stop gives your brain a visual reset: cliffs and bays become coastline lines and wide sea.

If you like photography, this is one of the easier moments to get a clean shot because lighthouse viewpoints give structure to the frame. And the timing tends to make the colors look especially good in the accounts.

Lunch, Wine, and the Snack Rhythm: What You Eat at Sea

This is not a “buy your lunch later” day. The meal is included onboard, and it’s described as freshly prepared and made with local products.

The onboard lunch includes items like chicken/pork souvlaki, tzatziki, salad, rice, bread, and seasonal fruit. For many people, this is the difference between a decent boat trip and a great one: the food isn’t treated like a checkbox.

Drinks are also included. You get house wine, plus juice and water. Several people mention that wine and drinks are plentiful enough that the day feels like a real treat rather than a token pour.

There are also snack additions that show up in the feedback—cakes and other small bites, plus fruit like watermelon noted in people’s accounts. That snack cadence matters on a boat day because the sun works fast. If you only eat once, you start to feel flat. With snacks spaced in, you stay comfortable and happy.

If you’re planning what to wear, assume you’ll spend long stretches in a swimsuit. I’d keep a lightweight cover-up handy for the lunch-to-deck transition, just so you’re not cooking in direct sun.

The Crew Makes It: Friendly Briefs and Real Conversation

A big reason this cruise gets such high praise is the crew style. People repeatedly point to warmth, attention, and genuine conversation instead of a scripted, “stand still while we talk” routine.

In the accounts, names like Spiros (manager), Paul, and Rafael come up often for being welcoming and engaging. The pattern is consistent: a briefing on the day, then help when you need it, and check-ins during the swim and food time.

It’s also worth noting that this isn’t a guided tour where you hop off to see towns. You’re there for sea time and scenic stops. Still, the crew shares enough background to connect dots—like why certain landmarks matter and what to pay attention to from your seat.

Crew-led attentiveness also shows up in the practical details: making sure everyone is enjoying the day, helping with snorkel gear, and keeping the food and drinks flowing without feeling chaotic.

Who This Cruise Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This cruise is ideal if you want:

• multiple swim stops in quiet bays
• included lunch and wine
• a relaxed boat day with scenic coastline and cliff views

It’s also a good fit if you don’t need a strict guided sightseeing format. You get information, but the day’s center is water and views.

A couple of groups should take extra care. It’s not suitable for wheelchair users, and it’s not suitable for people with motion sickness. There are also restrictions on very young kids, with babies under 1 year not recommended, and rules against unaccompanied minors.

If you get sea sick easily, consider whether a boat day is worth the risk. Even if you’re brave, “I’ll try” can turn into “I regret it” faster than you expect. You’re on open water enough that your body will know.

Price and Value: Is $127 Worth One Full Day?

At $127 per person for a full day, the value comes from what you’re getting bundled together:

• a boat cruise from Corfu’s old port
• three swim stops (including a longer mid-day swim window)
• onboard lunch with local meal components
• house wine plus juice and water
• WiFi, safety equipment, and fuel/taxes included

If you tried to build this yourself—boat rental, lunch, wine, and the hard-to-reach swim coves—the pricing logic usually doesn’t work in your favor. What makes this feel fair is that the day includes the “on the water” experience plus food and drink you’d otherwise have to plan around.

The other value piece is crowd control. Many people describe the boat as not overcrowded, with a size that feels comfortable and often small compared with big group tours in similar areas. A quieter boat means more personal swim time and fewer deck bottlenecks.

So yes, for a one-day plan, this price can feel right—especially if you’re the type who wants one great day instead of five half-efforts.

Should You Book This Corfu Cruise?

Book it if your ideal Corfu day looks like this: clear water, time to swim and snorkel, a good meal onboard, and coast views that feel closer than any beach viewpoint.

I wouldn’t book it if you mainly want to walk around towns all day. This is a boat-based experience with scenery and water as the core. You’ll see landmarks from the sea, but you’re not doing a stop-and-stroll itinerary.

Also book with a swim mindset. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and swimwear, and arrive early enough to check in smoothly. If you do those things, you’ll spend your money on the best part: being out on the NE coast when the coves are at their calmest.

If you’re ready for a relaxed day where the crew handles the flow and you handle the snorkeling towel and sunglasses, this is one of the easiest “yes” decisions in Corfu Town.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the cruise?

Meet in the old port of Corfu at CruiseMeUp | Cruises in Corfu, and look for the wooden boat called Koryfo.

How long is the cruise?

It runs for one full day.

What’s included in the price?

The cruise includes the boat ride, swim stops, an onboard meal (chicken/pork souvlaki, tzatziki, salad, rice, bread, seasonal fruit), house wine, juice, water, WiFi, safety equipment, and fuel costs and taxes.

Is there WiFi onboard?

Yes, WiFi is included.

How many swim stops are there, and how much time do you get?

There are three swim stops: a first secret stop for swimming and snorkeling (about 30 minutes), a longer free time swim and snorkeling period (about 2 hours), and a third secret stop for swimming and snorkeling (about 30 minutes).

What should I bring for the day?

Bring a passport or ID card, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, and sunscreen.

Can I use snorkeling gear?

Snorkels, goggles, and float options are available to borrow at the swim stops.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If conditions are too rough for the planned day, the operator offers a different day or a refund.