Boat rental in Corfu without a license: all you need to know
The island of Corfu, the second-largest island of the Ionian islands, is not only famous for the old part of Corfu town, a stunning Venetian-style city centre with narrow streets that is on the UNESCO heritage list. It also has many secluded beaches with turquoise waters (or emerald waters), hidden coves and breathtaking cliffs. These beaches have quickly become one of the most popular destinations of this large island. The best and sometimes only way to explore these hidden gems? By boat, of course! As I’ve done it many times, it will for sure be one of the highlights of your Corfu trip and an unforgettable experience. And the great news about boat rental in Corfu is: for many boats no speedboat license is required, making it an accessible adventure for everyone. In this blog, we’ll dive into everything you need to know when renting a boat in Corfu: what is the place to rent at, what type of boat can you rent license-free, what are the most beautiful places to visit by boat, what are the costs and what are trustworthy and affordable companies.
If you want to know more about Corfu (I’ve been over 40 times), check out my complete Corfu Travel Guide. With this guide, you can stop doing research immediately!
First, please watch the video I made about renting a boat in Corfu to get an idea of the scenery:
@tzatchickie Renting a boat 🚤 in Corfu is a MUST when you are visiting island for a week! You can visit lots of beaches that you can only reach by boat. Both on the East and West (Palaiokastritsa) side. Prices start from €50 for 4 hours (excluding fuel) in low and shoulder season 😄. I personally use Aeolus Boat Rental in Liapades, and my 95-page Corfu Guide (see Linktree) contains a diacount code for this boat rental, but many more discounts as well! 💙 #corfu #corfuboat #boatrentalcorfu #palaiokastritsa #liapades #kerkyra #korfu #korfoe #corfuisland #greeksummer #corfutips #corfutravelguide #corfutravel #mammamiasummer #greece #greecetravel
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What boat type can you rent without a license?
Renting a licence-free boat is the perfect choice for those looking to captain their own vessel without the hassle of obtaining a license. Renting a boat in Corfu (and in Greece in general) is possible for boats up to 30hp. These motor boats, ideal for calm waters, mostly have enough space to comfortably fit 4 to 8 people, making them great for families or a large group of friends. They often have a detachable sunroof that provides shade in case you want to. There’s the possibility to sit both in the front and the back. So when booking or reserving a boat online, make sure it is 30hp or less and check the amount of persons it can carry on deck.
Where to best rent a boat in Corfu?
Option 1: Exploring Palaiokastritsa & Liapades: A Boater’s Dream
The area of Palaiokastritsa and Liapades on the west coast of Corfu, known for its turquoise water and stunning rocky cliffs, is arguably the most beautiful place to explore by boat. Within a mere 30-minute sailing distance, you’ll find many beaches, caves, and points of interest like Paradise Beach, Stelari Beach, and Liniodoros Cave. Paradise beach, also called Chomoi beach, is deemed to be the prettiest beach on Corfu. It consists of large white pebbles that provide a stunning contrast with the turquoise water. But you can also pass by La Grotta, which is a popular beach bar on the rocks in Palaiokastritsa. And in the bay of Liapades, you will find Rovinia and Limni beach, that you can normally only go to through hiking. Wherever you go, you’ll find wonderful scenery. These beaches are all unorganized, so no beach bars here. Just a canteen boat changing position between Rovinia and Limni beach. Renting a boat at Gefyra Beach in Liapades is a great idea, as it’s less crowded and the most centrally located among these attractions (that are located left and right of Liapades).
Aeolus Boat Rental: Exceptional Service at Great Value
What is the best place to rent a boat in Liapades? My favorite motorboat rental company in Corfu is Aeolus Boat Rental, a family business known for its exceptional service. They are located on Gefyra beach in Liapades and rent out speed boats starting from €50 for 4 hours in the low season, excluding fuel costs. In high season (in 2023) the price went up to € 80 for 4 hours. This is excluding the fuel cost, which is calculated based on how much you have used. Last time fuel cost us around € 22,50 for 4 hours. I promise you that it won’t be easy to find a cheaper boat rental in Corfu. Their customer service is excellent – they’re quick to assist if you encounter any issues at sea. For instance, if your anchor gets stuck. Or if the weather is about to change and the sea is about to get wavy, they will come tell you that its best to return and hang around in Liapades bay. Lastly, they take the time to explain how to handle the boat thoroughly before you set off. No deposit is needed, you just leave your ID card or a driving license behind on the beach. When you are in possession of my Corfu Travel Guide you find a discount code in the guide that offers a 10% discount on the rental price. making it even cheaper! Plus: when you get back to Gefyra beach after renting the boat you also get a 10% discount on whatever you order a ‘GEFYRA restaurant’ as an Aeolus’ customer.
Option 2: Discovering the Erimitis Nature Reserve: boating around Northeast coast of Corfu
If you are based on the north east coast of Corfu island, a great place to discover by boat is the surrounding areas of Kassiopi. Close by there is a nature reserve called Erimitis. The green and natural beauty of this area is amazing. Think of Sinies, Vouvalomantria, Akoli and Vromolimni beach.These beaches normally can only be reached by through hiking. Or Tzoufaka beach and the neighboring north coasts beaches, which you can only reach by boat. All of these bays are amongst the most beautiful beaches of Corfu. You can expect emerald green waters, white pebbles, and a backdrop that is a vast sea of green trees. But you can also visit the long, stunning bays that are reachable by car and mostly have a docking place. My favorite beaches among them are Avlaki and Kerasia.
You can best rent a boat from former fishing villages in the north east like Kassiopi or Agios Stefanos Norht East. Two companies you can use are Sotiris Boat Hire and San Stefano Boats (Corfu Boat Hire). Prices start from € 100 for a full day. Since this area is larger than the Palaiokastritsa area, you have to take into account that fuel costs can easily be between € 50 – € 100 for a full day. I would advise you in this case to rent the boat for a full day though, in order to be able to explore everything and make as many unforgettable memories as possible.
What is the best time to rent a boat in Corfu?
Most rental companies and tour operators offer rentals and tours from May to October open, because of the warm weather. Of course in May, the water can still be a bit chilly. June and September are the ideal months. No large crowds, high temperatures but not too hot
Alternative Adventures: Boat Tours & Day Trips
- If you don’t want to rent a boat but still want to see the beaches and caves around Palaiokastritsa, you can take a 45-minute boat tour for around € 10 per person from the pier at Agios Spyridon beach in Palaiokastritsa. No reservation is needed, boats leave up to every 15 minutes during summer.
- For an even more relaxed experience, you can opt for a private boat with an experienced skipper or enjoy the convenience of a taxi boat service. Almost all corfu boat hire companies offer skippers and taxi boat serviced next to their rental services. Some even offer the option of a luxury yacht charter.
- Take a day trip to Paxos and Antipaxos. This full day cruise takes you to the amazing Blue Caves, lets you swim in the Maldives-like waters of Voutoumi beach at Antipaxos island (a truly beautiful sight, one of the crown jewels of the beautiful Ionian Sea), one of the picturesque villages on Paxos island. I would definitely recommend this tour. Although it has to be said that on some of the boats there can be as much as 240 people. Book it here.
- Other day trips boat tours you can take are:
- To Parga and the Blue Lagoon of Sivota Parga ont he Greek mainland.
- To Albania, to visit the ancient ruins at Butrint historical site
- To one of the Diapontia Islands (Mathraki, Erikousa or Othoni) from Agios Stefanos on the northwest coast of Corfu
Conclusion
Renting a boat in Corfu, Greece, is undoubtedly the best way to experience its serene beauty, hidden beaches, and the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time boater, the island’s diverse offerings ensure a great experience for everyone. Without a speedboat license, you can freely rent motor boats up to 30hp. If you do not wish to do that, you can get a skipper, or take a group boat trip. So, set sail on your own boat, with a skipper or on a group tour, and discover why Corfu is the perfect location for an unforgettable sailing vacation.
Thank you for reading this blog on boat rental without a license in Corfu. Enjoy Corfu! If you need more information, get my Corfu Guide or check out my other Corfu blogs:
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