Paxos and Antipaxos Speedboat Sea Tour and Lunch: An In-Depth Look

If you’re dreaming of glistening turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and idyllic beaches, the Paxos and Antipaxos islands are destinations that really should be on your radar. This speedboat tour promises precisely that: a full day of island hopping, swimming in unreal spots, and of course, enjoying a satisfying lunch somewhere along the way. Having taken the tour myself, I’m going to share a detailed account of my experience, what you could possibly expect, and some helpful tips that I think you could find valuable as you plan your adventure. Hopefully it will help you decide whether or not this particular tour is actually a good match for you.

Setting Sail: What to Expect From the Beginning

The beginning of the tour is pretty straightforward. Usually, you’ll meet at a pre-determined spot, more often than not in Corfu Town or maybe another major port on Corfu, from which the speedboat usually departs. Confirm this info beforehand! Early mornings are just about always a necessity for these sorts of things, more or less to maximize the daylight hours, so that means you’ll want to set that alarm and try to arrive early. One of the really great things about it is, when everyone is onboard and the boat gets moving, you’re treated to truly beautiful views right away. Think clear blue skies (ideally!), maybe the sun glistening on the water, and Corfu’s coastline fading into the distance as you head toward Paxos. As a matter of fact, the tour operators that I encountered tend to give a quick safety briefing and provide an overview of the plan for the day. Too, that gives you a chance to settle in and maybe get to know your fellow passengers a little bit. Just, try to grab a spot on the boat where you can actually see, because everyone wants that unobstructed view.

Antipaxos: Paradise Found

The very first stop is normally Antipaxos, and I think it’s almost certainly the highlight for loads of people. What makes Antipaxos special, is that, well, it’s much smaller than Paxos and has these seriously unbelievable beaches. Voutoumi and Vrika are the two main beaches people usually visit, known for their white sand and crystal-clear waters that look like something you’d usually only find in the Caribbean. That’s honestly not an overstatement. You will get some time to swim here. So, make the most of it! Snorkeling is also a very solid option. Too, if you have your own gear, definitely bring it along. If not, the tour company might provide some, yet it is almost always better to have your own that you just know will fit correctly. It’s worth pointing out too, that since Antipaxos is relatively small, it does tend to get quite crowded, particularly in peak season. Be aware that space on the beach might be tight and the water will probably be filled with other swimmers, even though the photos make it look totally empty. It’s still totally worth the visit. I just want you to be prepared for what’s ahead.

Paxos Exploration: Gaios and Beyond

After Antipaxos, you’re off to Paxos. Usually the boat docks in Gaios, the main harbor and town on Paxos. What’s great regarding Gaios is that the harbor town has a uniquely sheltered inlet, created by two small islands, Agios Nikolaos and Panagia, that sit right in the bay. It makes for quite a picturesque setting as you approach. What I really liked about Gaios, anyway, is that you have a chance to stretch your legs and explore a bit. The town has that very typically Greek charm, with little shops, a few cafés, and places to eat that line the waterfront. If you’re someone who really appreciates local crafts, I would suggest taking some time to browse; that’s if you’re into that type of thing. Otherwise, just chilling at a café with a coffee also counts as a solid choice! I found it very restful and enjoyable, as you get to just watch the boats coming and going, and people meandering through the town.

Lunch with a View: Dining on Paxos

As part of the tour package, lunch is frequently included. The lunch spot is often somewhere in or around Gaios, so that you could sample the local food while you soak in the vibes. I found the food served on these tours often offers simple, classic Greek dishes. Expect things like maybe a fresh Greek salad, souvlaki, or some kind of seafood, depending on the place and what’s available. I felt it was a pretty satisfying meal, anyway. It’s not really gourmet, but it tastes pretty darn good after you’ve been swimming and out in the sun. If you have any dietary restrictions, I would suggest notifying the tour operator beforehand. I am saying that because the options could be very limited at the restaurants they pick, so it really helps to give them a heads-up, to be honest. On my tour, anyway, the restaurant had nice views of the harbor, so it provided a great backdrop for a relaxing meal.

Cave Exploration and Coastal Cruising

One of the coolest parts of the tour, for me at least, was the coastal cruise and the opportunity to see some cool caves. As the speedboat cruises around Paxos, it quite often stops at some of the famous sea caves that dot the coastline. These caves, that is, are often pretty stunning, featuring bright blue water and neat rock formations. That’s almost guaranteed to make for some truly unique photo opportunities. Tour operators are often able to get the boat fairly close to the entrances of the caves, so you could really take in the natural beauty of the spots. Just remember that since these are natural formations, the conditions for actually entering them might depend on the weather, anyway, and sea conditions. Too, the captain will, you know, prioritize everyone’s safety, so if it’s too rough, you probably won’t be able to actually go inside. The cruise itself, even without the caves, offers gorgeous views of the coastline, which can be spectacular. So I feel that is a fair trade-off.

What to Bring: Preparing for Your Sea Tour

Here’s a list of things you might want to consider bringing, if you end up actually booking a trip. You could bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and maybe even a cover-up. That way, you could shield yourself from the sun because you will absolutely be exposed for most of the day. I think you will also want to have a towel and a swimsuit, since you’ll have those swimming opportunities at Antipaxos, more or less. Bringing a waterproof bag would also be useful, too, that’s for keeping your stuff dry on the boat. In regards to footwear, you will most likely be wearing sandals or flip-flops. It’s just whatever is easy to kick off as you get on and off the boat, you see. In the end, staying hydrated is super important, so don’t forget a water bottle! Cash could be useful as well for maybe buying souvenirs or snacks on Paxos, too it can be used for tipping, if you felt that the crew were especially great.

Is This Tour For You?: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Who exactly is this kind of tour ideal for? People that might appreciate it are going to be individuals, maybe couples, and smaller groups who are interested in seeing multiple locations in a day. You do get to experience some unbelievable beaches and see some absolutely scenic spots in a relatively short space of time. Too, it’s great if you’re the kind of person who does not want to handle the logistics of planning your own trip. That’s since it’s all taken care of for you. Be aware though that these tours can at times feel rushed because there’s such a tight schedule, with all the spots that you visit, it really does not leave that much time to explore them fully. If you tend to be somebody who enjoys spending long amounts of time in one location, you might find this kind of tour slightly frustrating. As I stated before, peak season means bigger crowds, more often than not on the beaches and in the towns. If you really prefer a super quiet, isolated experience, then you might want to consider visiting Paxos and Antipaxos during the off-season, or even perhaps chartering your own boat, which will give you way more flexibility. This type of speedboat tour, though, is probably perfect for people who really want to see a lot, snap photos, and experience a bit of everything.

Tips and Tricks for an Unforgettable Experience

Before booking the tour, do a little looking around. Tour operators vary, and their itineraries, lunch offerings, and prices could be very different, you know. Reading reviews is always a very solid way to get a sense of what to look out for, and if there are things that previous participants maybe did not enjoy, as well. If, on the other hand, you’re someone who doesn’t like crowded spaces, look at going earlier or later in the season, such as maybe May, June, or September. As the summer winds down, there will still be pleasant weather, but fewer of the tourist hordes. You should make certain that you confirm all the details about the tour directly with the operator. What, exactly, is included in the price? Is that lunch included, or not? What kind of drinks are free, or not? What’s the plan if the weather conditions are too poor to visit certain places? Just be informed, so that there aren’t really any unhappy misunderstandings on the day. Respect the environment: Keep the beaches tidy. As a matter of fact, don’t leave any trash behind, anyway. And that way you can really help preserve the beauty of the spots for other travelers, too.