Skip to main contentJoin This Very Special Ionian Islands Bareboat Flotilla Cruise in Greece
Caves in Ionian Islands
July 18-25, 2026
Coastal Sailing, Exciting Open Water Passages, Gorgeous Vistas
This appealing Greek Islands flotilla cruise of the Ionian Islands takes you to colorful small villages and vibrant towns. You will experience coastal sailing and exciting open water passages on a cruise that is both thrilling and relaxing. Don’t miss this summer vacation getaway, exploring the Ionian coast and islands under sail!
Sheltered Bays, Ancient History, Traditional Quayside Dining
Named after the Greek nymph Io, the Ionian Islands are among the most beautiful in Greece. The seven main islands of the Ionian archipelago provide picture-perfect views from mountain peaks. You will anchor in sheltered bays with sandy beaches great for snorkeling. Ashore you’ll enjoy delicious traditional food and drink at quayside tavernas, and explore ancient sites going back hundreds of years. The old and the new blend together in the Ionian Islands – waterfront towns and fishing villages with iconic skiffs, white-washed homes with colorfully painted doors in hillside towns, modest and splendid churches and monasteries.
The Perfect Start for a Corfu and Ionian Islands Flotilla Adventure
An Ionian Island Village
Corfu is the northernmost of the seven Ionian Islands, with easy connections from Athens Airport and many other international airports. The perfect start for a Colgate Sailing Adventures® bareboat cruise, Corfu has lovely beaches, impressive castles and delightful dining along the waterfront. July winds are generally light to moderate, with 12 hours of sunshine, daytime temperatures in the mid-80’s, nighttime lows in the mid-60’s, and swimming in seas around 75ºF.
Head to Corfu for the Perfect Summer Sailing Vacation Getaway
This fun-filled Colgate Sailing Adventures® flotilla cruise sailing vacation starts at 6 p.m. at the Sunsail Corfu Base in Gouvia Marina on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Just 15 minutes from the marina is Corfu’s Old Town, a UNESCO site with multi-colored Venetian buildings along the water’s edge, a cloistered street built during the French occupation, and wide esplanade where you’ll find all sorts of intriguing vendors.
Since our reserved 42’ 4-cabin Sunsail catamarans are available to board by 6 p.m., plan your trip to get to the base sometime in the late afternoon. Better still, come a day early so you can truly enjoy fabled Corfu. The cruise ends at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026 when you must disembark your yacht.
Explore Corfu and Relax as Greeks Do, Then Join Your Crewmates
Heading Into Harbor for a Quayside Lunch
The Greeks of Corfu know how to relax, sitting at a quayside restaurant with a strong cup of Greek coffee in the morning or a glass of local retsina wine in the evening. Your cruise leaders will have arrived the day before to oversee last minute details and prepare the itinerary in consultation with the Corfu base manager. Saturday evening, join your crewmates and cruise leaders at the traditional Welcome Party and Dinner.
Where You Might Sail
Here is a short description of many options available for day and overnight stops as you cruise this delightful area.
Gouvia Marina, Corfu
In the small former fishing village of Gouvia, you’ll find ancient Venetian architecture and several modern hotels. You can go horseback riding or rent bicycles nearby if you’d like to explore. Facilities at the marina include a supermarket, restaurants, showers and ATM in case you need to get some Euros (the currency in Greece). Shopping in Corfu is fun. Look for special gifts and souvenirs, gold and silver worked with a skill found in Byzantine days, olive wood bowls and ceramics known as Corfiot craft.
Kalami Bay
On the northeast coast of Corfu is Kalami, a charming former fishing village surrounded by lush olive groves and scenic hilltops great for hiking. Kalami’s horseshoe-shaped bay is an idyllic place to enjoy beach and water activities. Its bustling harbor town has traditional restaurants where you can enjoy authentic Greek cuisine and sample local wines. There are also a variety of shops and a supermarket to replenish boat provisions. Protected from northwesterly winds, the bay is a superb anchorage for our flotilla.
Picturesque Fishing Village
Sivota Mourtos
Just off mainland Greece east of the southern tip of Corfu Island, are the Sivota Islands – Nisis Ay Nikolaos, Nsis Sivota, Nisis Mavros Notos. The town quay at Mourtos us a charming traditional Grecian village. On the south side of the Sivota Islands you’ll find lots of water sports activities. For late-night action head to Sand-Bar Bay, the place to be.
Plataria
A short hop north from Sivota Mourtos is Plataria. A long breakwater leads to a bustling harbor with tavernas and cafes dotting the quayside. A short walk south takes you to a sand and shingle beach. Gratsouna Art Gallery near the harbor has unique handmade items and gorgeous souvenirs. At the far end of the harbor are cafes and restaurants where you can sample freshly caught calamari and grilled sardines (sardela).
Bay of Lakka Paxos
To get to the Bay of Lakka Paxos you sail in open water, past the southern end of Corfu into the heart of the north Ionian Sea. Paxos and Anti Paxos are two lovely islands with remote, quiet ambience. Explore the interior on easy paths, where you’ll find vineyards, olive groves, and flocks of sheep. On the south coast of Paxos are the sea caves of Ypapanti. A ferry to Gajos, takes you to shops and several tavernas, hot springs reputed to have therapeutic properties, the Monastery of Panagia, and Museum of Paxos.
Parga Bay
Waterside Taverna
Blue-water sailing from Lakka takes you to Parga on the mainland, known for its sandy beaches, music bars, tavernas and coffee shops (kafenios). There’s a lovely anchorage in nearby Valtou Bay and another in bustling Parga harbor. Parga’s village is a small town with shops and restaurants. On the west side are ruins of a Venetian fortress high on the hill with fantastic views.
Petriti
This sleepy working fishing village is on the east coast of Corfu. Its sandy beach and gentle shallow waters are great for swimming and snorkeling, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Anchor and dinghy ashore for dinner at a traditional seaside taverna and enjoy freshly prepared fish straight from the boat to your table.
Mandraki Harbour, Corfu
Ideally situated within the Old Venetian Fortress, Mandraki Harbour is a nice overnight stay. To enter and exit the harbor there’s a large bridge over a moat to the fort. Spend the day soaking up the Mediterranean sun while sipping on a cocktail with harmonic sounds of Corfu Music School in the background. In the evening, explore Corfu Town’s nightlife after a wonderful dinner at an authentic Greek restaurant.
Corfu Flotilla Cruise Packages
This exclusive cruise has just 15 cabins available (the 16th reserved for your cruise leaders). Greece is traditionally one of our most popular Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla Cruise destinations so don’t wait to sign up. The cruise is open to all sailors, with discounts for Offshore Sailing School grads with Bareboat Cruising Certification.
Remains of Old Fort on Corfu
CATEGORY 1:
Offshore Sailing School graduates with US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification, US Sailing IPC, willing to be a designated skipper if asked
- $5,295 single in a private cabin
- $4,795 per person, sharing a cabin
CATEGORY 2:
Offshore Sailing School graduates with US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification only (No US Sailing IPC or unwilling to skipper if asked)
- $5,595 single in a private cabin
- $5,095 per person, sharing a cabin
CATEGORY 3:
Other qualified sailors
- $5,795 single in a private cabin
- $5,295 per person, sharing a cabin
Book Now!
Call 800-221-4326 or 239-454-1700
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
Payment Schedule and Terms
When your completed resume is provided and approved, payments are due. If you book anytime up to March 13, 2026, a deposit of 30% of the total package cost – and your approved sailing resume – are required to hold your spot on the cruise. Final payment is due no later than March 13, 2026. If you book March 13, 2026, or later, the full amount is due. The cruise Terms & Conditions you sign outline cancellation and transfer policies. No refunds or changes are allowed on any cancellations on March 13, 2026, or later for any reason.
Ferry Boats at Parga
Included In Your Per Person Package:
- Private or shared cabin on one of the flotilla yachts, assigned by the cruise leaders
- Welcome party arrival night with heavy hors d’oeuvres (meze in Greek) or light dinner
- Starter pack of provisions to include breakfast and lunches for two days
- WiFi aboard each yacht
- Full water and fuel tanks prior to departure
- Damage waiver applied by charter company
- Cruise shirt and cap for this cruise
- Comprehensive cruise e-book prepared by Offshore, to help you plan your trip
Not included:
Corfu’s Marina – Largest on the Coast
- All travel costs to and from Greece and the Sunsail base
- All meals aboard or ashore during the cruise except for the starter pack
- Beverages you wish to have aboard while cruising (Greek wines are quite good)
- Any costs incurred to visit sites or parks during the cruise
- Extra provisions, water, ice or fuel bought for the boat while on the cruise
- Any applicable docking/mooring/anchor fees per shared by all aboard each boat
- Shore showers (some charge a small fee)
The Boat Kitty
Plan to bring enough cash to support a kitty on each boat, which will be used for docking/mooring fees and shopping excursions with your crew for fresh baked goods, veggies, and meals you want to prepare aboard. Restaurants on the islands offer local cuisine, usually at modest prices. Greek is the official language, but many speak English and French. The currency in Greece is the Euro.
The Yachts You Sail and Live On
The catamarans we have reserved for this very special Greek Islands Flotilla cruise (always subject to change) are Sunsail 42/4s with four cabins, four heads (bathrooms with showers). They are super comfortable under sail with spacious main salon, docks to lounge on, dining areas inside and out, fully equipped galley, navigation station, and four identical ensuite cabins.
How To Get to Corfu
Tiny Island Not Far From Corfu Harbor
To find the best flights from your home base to Corfu and the best connections to the marina, we highly recommend you email flights@thlmarine.com or call the Moorings/Sunsail travel service (866-649-2003). Check your passport now! It must be valid for six months after your return home. Visa are not required. One-stop flights are available to Corfu from NYC, Miami, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta. You can also get to Corfu by ferry (50 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on departure location). When you sign up you will receive a complete handbook with a lot more information to help you plan your trip.
Who May Participate?
- Offshore Sailing School grads with Bareboat Cruising Certification (OSS 104 or 104/114) or higher.
- Offshore Sailing School learn to sail or performance sailing grads with just OSS 101 or OSS 102 certification.
- Experienced sailors with cruising certifications, or equivalent experience.
Why is a Sailing Resume Required?
Colgate Sailing Adventures® flotilla cruises are hands-on activities that require unaided mobility on the yacht you live and sail on. You must also be able to board dinghies from the yacht and get back on the boat from the dinghy, regardless of how choppy the seas and harbor waters might be. All questions must be answered, including information about medical or physical conditions that may hinder your full participation. Only the cruise leaders and Offshore management sees these resumes.
Nice Anchorage in Lakka Bay
SAILING RESUME FOR FLOTILLA CRUISES
Book Now!
CALL 800-221-4326 or 239-454-1700
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
Join our Corfu Greek Islands Flotilla Today!
Call 888-454-7015 or 239-454-1700, email Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
Book Now!
CALL 800-221-4326 or 239-454-1700
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
