Corfu • Where to go • When to go • What you should know • How to Book
Kerkyra
Kerkyra is the Greek name for the island of Corfu (also called the Emerald Isle) and it’s often used as an affectionate or informal way to refer to this beautiful Ionian island and its surrounding region. The Northern Ionian Islands, with Corfu as a central hub, offer stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and convenient island-hopping opportunities. From the picturesque landscapes of Corfu to the historic charm of Paxos and Antipaxos, each island provides a unique and captivating experience. With calm sailing conditions, excellent yachting infrastructure, and a variety of water activities, the Northern Ionian Islands are an ideal choice for sailors seeking a well-rounded and memorable exploration of Greece’s beautiful Ionian Sea.
What is a sailing vacation, yacht charter, etc..? Learn more here ›
While we’ve explored the Southern Ionians, the NauticEd team has yet to enjoy the Northern Ionians. And we can’t wait to check out this beautiful area. Why? Check out this laundry list: Wonderful climate, turquoise waters, scenic and gorgeous harbors; traditional architecture, cosmopolitan places, green mountains, hospitable people, unique traditional cuisine, and water sports.
Corfu Bareboat charter requirements:
✔ Sailing Resume
✖ Certification
✔ License
Learn more at Yacht Charter Resources ›
Knowledge – Skills – Experience:
✔ Intermediate
The Northern Ionian Islands are known for their gorgeous summers and light winds. The prevailing wind during the peak summer is extremely calm mornings, building to a very manageable northwest Force 3-4, by mid-afternoon. Short sails between islands with protected bays and sheltered anchorages along with well-marked navigational aids make this area ideal for intermediate sailors. However, brush up on your Mediterranean Mooring skills prior to your visit.
The sailing season in the Northern Ionians is typically from late spring through early autumn. Our recommended months include June and September. Aside from winter, you can expect favorable wind conditions, calm seas, and plenty of opportunities to explore this area’s stunning coastline, hidden coves, quaint isles, and charming ports.
The Northern Ionian islands enjoy a typical Mediterranean climate. June-August is considered peak tourist season with average daytime temperatures of 77°F to 95°F, but spring also sees low rainfall and beautiful weathers (plus everything is in bloom). September is also mild and tends to have warm seas without the crowds. During the summer, water temperatures range from 73°F (23°C) to 79° (26°).
Dining in Corfu is a culinary adventure that’s totally worth it. You’ll find a blend of Greek, Italian, and Venetian influences, creating a unique flavor profile you won’t forget. They tend to add a touch of sweetness to many dishes using fruits and spices, which we certainly enjoy. From “Sofrito,” thin beef slices cooked in white wine and garlic, to “Bourdeto,” a spicy fish stew that’s a real standout, the dishes are a true reflection of the island’s history.
Exploring Corfu, Paxos, Antipaxos, and other villages in the Northern Ionian Islands during a sailing vacation offers a rich array of activities
If you’re starting a trip in Corfu, you’ll likely arrive at the Corfu International Airport (Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport). It’s well-connected to major cities in Greece and several European countries. It’s around a 20 minute taxi from the airport to Marina Gouvia, which is where many charter companies are based.
Where to go on a Corfu sailing vacation?
NauticEd are expert Greece and Corfu yacht charter agents. We don’t charge you a fee and can more than likely save you money on all your sailing vacations. We search the world’s databases for over 8,000 yachts in 55 destinations. We give expert advice on where and when to go – likely, we’ve been there. Make an inquiry and book your sailing vacations through NauticEd Sailing Vacations.
Local Knowledge + Education: as Sailing Vacation Experts, NauticEd’s team has chartered and sailed in almost all these locations – providing you with the “local knowledge” you need when planning a sailing vacation. And, as the leader in sailing education, NauticEd assigns different skill levels based on the knowledge-theory and practical/experience needed for chartering in different sailing locations.
Recommended Knowledge-Theory Courses for chartering: Bareboat Charter Master Bundle (six bareboat and near coastal courses), Catamaran Sailing Confidence (if chartering a Cat), Yacht Charter Crew Course (for your crew).
Skill Levels notably emphasize the overall practical experience and competency that is required to sail in certain areas. Of course, the “devil’s in the details” on specifics, and we recommend you contact us when planning a sailing vacation. We’ll save you money on your vacation – which is great – but being prepared to have safe fun experiences that will last a lifetime is priceless!
• Intermediate = Near Coastal <5nm within sight of land, some navigation hazards (always be aware), and generally mild weather conditions. Good seapersonship (i.e., “seamanship”) skills, knowledge, and experience apply.
• Intermediate +Plus = Near Coastal <15nm, within sight of land in clear atmospheric conditions, moderate navigation hazards, and/or challenging weather. Good seapersonship skills, knowledge, and experience apply.
• Advanced = Near Coastal <20nm, within sight of land in clear atmospheric conditions, many navigation hazards, and/or potentially difficult weather. Expert seapersonship skills, knowledge, and experience apply.
*Atmospheric conditions: from the deck of a sailboat, your “visible horizon” is about 12nm on a clear day (considering typical freeboard + your height). Visibility is decreased by haze, fog, rain, smoke, and similar atmospheric considerations. Navigating by line of sight is obviously greater if your destination has features such as mountains, lighthouses, tall buildings, etc…
*Navigational hazards may include features such as rocks, shoals, rough inlets or anchorages, challenging tides and currents, lee shores, commercial traffic, etc…
*Weather: examples of challenging or difficult weather include thunder/lightning storms, areas prone to high winds, or even seasonal risks such as excessive heat.
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NauticEd is a fully recognized education and certification platform for sailing students combining online and on-the-water real instruction (and now VR). NauticEd offers +24 online courses, a free sailor's toolkit that includes 2 free courses, and six ranks of certification – all integrated into NauticEd’s proprietary platform. The USCG and NASBLA recognize NauticEd as having met the established American National Standards. Learn more at www.nauticed.org.
The NauticEd Vacations team are Expert Global Yacht Charter Agents – when you book a sailing vacation or bareboat charter through NauticEd, we don’t charge you a fee – we often save you money since we can compare prices from all yacht charter companies. PLUS, we can give you advice on which destination or charter company will suit your needs best. Inquire about a Sailing Vacation or Charter.
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