Greece Corfu Discovery
Sailing Route Guide
Discover useful pre-preparation information and important details of the Greece Corfu Discovery sailing route.
Island Hopping Sailing Tours
Important Tips for Your Journey
Meeting Point
Your meeting point will be at Istion Yachting Corfu at Gouvia Marina.
Our team will be waiting to meet you here on Saturday from 11 am. You can drop your bags off, meet the crew, and get ready for your trip. Arriving early will give you plenty of time to head to the local supermarket and pick up your favourite drinks and snacks.
You will board your yacht between 1pm and 3pm. We recommend arriving at the marina no later than 2pm.
We recommend downloading WhatsApp as your main point of contact with the crew before and during your trip! If you are running late or need to contact the team, please use this number: +44 7426 898445
From your meeting point, you will head to your yacht for check-in, meet your Skipper, get settled, and complete the safety briefing onboard your yacht.
Your yacht will return to your check-in location between 1pm and 3pm on the following Friday. Final check-out will be at 5pm.
Getting There
Gouvia Marina is 10 km from Corfu International Airport (CFU) and only 15 minutes from Corfu town centre. Go to the main entrance of the marina, you will see the swimming pool in front of you.
Public transport is available on the island of Corfu, but timetables can be irregular so we recommend a taxi as the best way to get to your departure point. The local taxis are available at the rank outside the arrivals hall, and services are plentiful, reliable and comparably cheap.
Corfu International Airport (CFU)
40 minutes
- Taxi (1-4 People): €30
Corfu Old Town
15 minutes
- Taxi (1-4 People): €20
Before You Go
Food On Board
Budgeting Tips
Daily Budget
Prices in Greece are similar to those in other major European destinations like France, Germany, and Italy. To help you plan your trip, here are some estimated costs:
- Beer (pint of draught): €3-5
- House wine (bottle in a restaurant): €15-40
- Spirit and Mixer: €5-8
- Cocktail: €14-20
- Budget meal (Taverna or small eatery): €8-15 per person
- Mid-range meal: €15-25 per person
- High-end restaurant meal: €50+ per person
- Seafood dish in a nice restaurant: €30-50
- Gyros: €2.50-5
- Sandwich from a deli: €3-5
Activities available on your trip can range from free to €60 per person. To find out more, please view here.
Tipping
In the yachting industry, it is customary to tip your Skipper. If you feel that your Skipper has done an awesome job during your week onboard, please feel free to tip them at the end of the week, the industry standard is 5 – 10% of the trip cost. Similarly, it is customary to consider tipping up to 10% for a meal at restaurants throughout Croatia.
Taxis & Transfers
Some ports where we dock are a short trip via water taxi or transfer from the main town. On these occasions, we park there because it is not practical to dock in the main town, or regulations do not allow it. The taxi cost is usually nominal (€10 per person, one way). Please note that some services have a minimum capacity, so make sure you group together to make this as cheap as possible.
Boat Life
WHAT TO EXPECT
Check out the stops, activities, and highlights on board the Greece Corfu Discovery Route.
Route Activities
All optional activities are organised and paid for during the week in the local currency.
Safety at Sea
Sustainable Sailing
At MedSailors, we are committed to continuous improvements in environmental, economic & social sustainability and want to ensure we all travel more responsibly on and off the water. Here are some ideas on how you can help us leave smiles not waste.
Reducing Pointless Plastics
One of the biggest environmental issues today is plastic and sadly the hardest hit is our beautiful ocean. We ask that you minimise your use of plastic whilst on holiday with us by packing a reusable tote bag to use when shopping and also saying no to pointless plastics during the trip.
We also ask that you pack a reusable water bottle for the trip!
Recycled Floatie Programme
We’re recycling our past guest’s floaties to help reduce plastic waste! For a small donation, you can pick up a lilo, ring, unicorn, or even a pineapple at check-in. All proceeds support UOcean, a charity dedicated to cutting ocean plastic pollution. Their mission is to remove waste from rivers, beaches, and oceans, aiming to reduce ocean plastic by 80%. So, not only do you get a fun floaty, but you also contribute to protecting our oceans!
Ocean Friendly Toiletries
If you can, please bring ocean-friendly products to use on board the yachts – this means eco-friendly sun creams, soaps, deodorants, and so on. With so much time spent in the water, we want to make sure we are keeping our ocean as pristine as possible and clean for our future guests (and generations)!
Local Payment
A local payment of €150 per person is required to cover the yacht's operational costs, including marina fees, local taxes and fuel.
This payment must be made in Euros (€).
You can pay this amount in advance using the link provided below or opt to pay in cash at check-in.
If you choose to pay online, please ensure you keep your receipt to present to your Skipper and Guest Experience Leader at check-in.
Local Weather and Temperature
From May to October, the Greek Islands enjoy plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures, making them ideal for sailing and exploring.
May and June offer pleasant warmth, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F), allowing for comfortable adventures before the peak summer heat arrives.
July and August bring the hottest weather, often exceeding 35°C (95°F), so be sure to take breaks in the shade, stay hydrated, and wear sun protection.
September and October see temperatures easing back to 22°C to 30°C (72°F to 86°F), offering a fantastic late-summer escape with fewer crowds and still-warm seas.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best time to visit Greece and explore the Greek islands is May to October. Our favourite time to island hop in Greece with lower crowds and pricing is the shoulder months of summer, from May-June or late-August to the end of September. Think consistently warm sunshine, calm seas, and endless blue skies.
July and August are peak summer, ideal if you're after buzzing beach bars, epic sunsets, a full-on social vibe, and are okay with more crowded places or hotter temperatures.
Prefer fewer crowds but still want that dreamy weather? Go for June or September — it’s slightly cooler, super relaxed, and still perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and seaside tavern hopping. During early or late summer, you typically have lower prices for flights, making it an ideal time for budget travel in Greece.
The Ionian Islands, especially around Corfu, enjoy more lush greenery and mild winds than other parts of Greece, making this route a top pick for first-time sailors and adventure seekers alike. Bays are calm, and our Corfu Discovery Route is very protected from the elements.
If you’re from the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, you can enter Greece visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
Greece is part of the Schengen Area, so if you’ve already used up your Schengen days elsewhere, double-check your remaining allowance before your Greece sail week with us. Not sure where you stand? A quick check on the official Schengen visa calculator can save a whole lot of airport stress.
Yes! While visiting Greece, you shouldn't have much of an issue speaking English. In popular tourist spots like Corfu Town, Paxos, and Parga (all highlights on our Corfu Route), English is widely spoken, especially by those working in restaurants, bars, shops, and marinas. You’ll have no problem ordering your next frappe, finding the best gyros, or the nearest beach bar.
That said, dropping a few Greek phrases goes a long way – locals love it when you give the lingo a go. Our MedSailors skippers are also packed with insider knowledge and can help you navigate the islands like a pro.
Here are the best Greek phrases to know before you sail Greece:
- Yasou! – Hello / Cheers!
- Kaliméra – Good morning
- Kalispéra – Good evening
- Adío – Goodbye
- Efharistó – Thank you
- Parakaló – Please / You’re welcome
- Signómi – Sorry / Excuse me
- Ti kánis? – How are you?
Greek food is a Mediterranean dream – fresh, flavourful, and totally addictive. Sailing the Ionian, you’ll feast on everything from souvlaki and moussaka to grilled octopus, spanakopita (spinach pie), and baklava. Expect sun-ripened tomatoes, creamy feta, local olive oil, and the freshest seafood you’ve ever tasted. Drool-worthy is a good word for all of it.
Island hopping near Corfu means trying local specialities too – try Corfiot sofrito (slow-cooked beef in garlic wine sauce) or bourdeto (spicy fish stew). Every harbour stop has family-run tavernas where you can eat like a local and toast with ouzo or ice-cold Mythos.
You also can’t go wrong with sharing dishes with your crew mezze-style and tossing in authentic Greek starters like village salad (Greek salad), saganaki (fried cheese), and tzatziki. Yamas!
Greece is packed with iconic sights across the coast, and the Ionian Islands offer a hidden gem vibe you won’t find in popular places like Santorini or Mykonos. When most think of travelling to Greece, famous temples like the Parthenon might pop into mind or endlessly Instagrammed islands like Mykonos. But the Ionian's old-world feel and ancient Venetian grandeur mixed with Greek charm is unmatched.
On the MedSailors Corfu Route, you’ll explore:
- Corfu Town – A UNESCO World Heritage site with cobbled lanes, rooftop cocktails and Venetian charm.
- Paxos & Antipaxos – Known for their turquoise waters, secret sea caves, and some of the best swim spots in Europe.
- Plataria – A sleepy fishing village turned summer paradise, with beach bars, nearby blue lagoons, and sunset views.
- Parga – Insta-perfect colourful houses, cliffside castles, and laid-back nightlife along a crescent-shaped beach.
This Greece island-hopping route gives you a true taste of authentic Greek island life, with loads of hidden gems off the typical tourist trail. It also makes for the perfect pre-trip or post-trip launching pad to visit Albania, or further continue travels to Athens and other Greek wonders.
Have more time? Other popular spots of Greece to add to your list include the Cyclades islands like Paros and Ios for stunning views and nightlife, and Crete for its beaches and archaeological sites. A few further afield gems to squeeze in for consideration after your MedSailors trip include Rhodes, Milos, and Zakynthos, each offering unique experiences of Greek culture, history, and natural beauty.
If you’re after the ultimate Greece adventure for 20 and 30-somethings, MedSailors is your go-to. We’re not about booze cruises or stuffy tours – we’re all about balance, exploration, local experiences, sustainability, and unforgettable activities. Think daily swims in crystal-clear bays, exploring charming Greek villages, sunset dinners with your crew, and plenty of time to chill or party – your call, your tempo.
What makes the MedSailors Corfu Route Epic?
- Lush islands, wild views – The Greece Ionian is truly unique and unlike any other parts of Greece you’ve seen.
- Skippered yachts – No sailing experience needed.
- Handpicked islands – Authentic, laid-back stops you won’t find on mass-market tours.
- On-board food upgrades – Yes, you can have your meals freshly made while you sunbathe on our Superior Catamarans.
- Like-minded travellers – Meet your new best mates from around the world. Our trips are the most popular Europe tours for Kiwis, Aussies, Brits, Americans, Canadians, and other culture seekers.
- Local knowledge – We’ve been doing this for over a decade and know the Ionian Sea like the back of our hand.
- Breakfast included, BYO snacks and drinks – Don’t worry about your morning meals, breakfast supplies are on board. And BYO allows you to stock up with your favourite snacks and drinks for the week with no surprise bill in the end.
If you’re comparing us to Yacht Week, Sail Week, or Contiki, know this: MedSailors gives you authentic island experiences, top-notch boats, amazing trip guides, and all the freedom you want, without the chaos of oversized party tours.
Get in touch
If you have any further questions about your trip, please email hello@medsailors.com or book in a call with one of our team. If you or anyone you are travelling with has any particular health needs or allergies let us know.
