Paxos

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Paxos (Port of Entry)

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Paxos and Anti-Paxos.

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	39°12.12′N, 20°11.26′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Contents 1 Paxos (Port of Entry) 2 Charts 3 Radio Net 4 Weather 5 Approach and Navigation 6 Check-in facilities 7 Berthing Options 7.1 Ports 7.2 Marinas & Yacht Clubs 7.3 Anchorages 7.3.1 Port Longos 7.3.2 Mongonisi 8 Offshore Islands 8.1 Kaspronisi 8.2 Anti-Paxos 9 Yacht Services and Repairs 9.1 Marine Stores 9.2 Repairs/Yards 9.3 Fuel, Water, & Electricity 10 Things to do Ashore 10.1 Tourism 10.2 Grocery & Supply Stores 10.3 Eateries 10.4 Internet/WiFi 10.5 Motorbike & Car Rentals 10.6 Garbage Disposal 10.7 Transportation 11 Routes/Passages To/From 12 Cruiser's Friends 13 Forum Discussions 14 External Links 15 References & Publications 16 Personal Notes 16.1 Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) 17 Contributors to this page 18 Cruising Wiki Navigation

The two islands Paxos (Παξός) and Anti-Paxos (Αντί Παξός) are together known as Paxoi) (Παξοί), - Paxoi being the plural of Paxos. They are situated in the Greek Ionian Sea seven miles S of Corfu (Kerkyra) and 35 miles NNW of Lefkas. The islands have become very fashionable with tourists, especially Italians, and are popular with charter fleets. Consequently they are very crowded during the months of July and August. Outside these times, they and their numerous attractive anchorages are a delight to visit. Visiting yachts have the option of berthing in the main harbour of Port Gaios on Paxos or in the anchorages of Lakka, Mongonisi and Longos on the same island. The harbour of Gaios is much frequented in summer by tripper boats, and certain sections of the quay are reserved for their use between 10.00 and 17.00. Outside these hours, yachts can anchor moor to the quays anywhere there is space. Antipaxos also has several beautiful anchorages off sandy beaches, but none are really suitable for an overnight stop except in very settled weather.

Charts

BA

189 Nisos Sapiénza to Nisos Paxoi

203 Zakinthos to Paxoi

Imray-Tetra

G11 Nísos Kérkira to Nísos Levkas

NIMA

54280 Corfu Channel to Nisis Proti

Greek

212 Othonoi I. to Amvrakikos Gulf- Kerkyra I. And Paxoi I. Inset: Northern Kerkyra Strait

Radio Net

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
• Olympia Radio - VHF channel 03

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Weather

• See Ionian Sea Weather
• Also see Ionian Sea Currents & Tides

Approach and Navigation

Danger: There are two reefs on the E side of Paxos which represent a potential danger to yachts: Ifalos Paxoi, which lies half a mile E of the small harbour and anchorage of Longos and Ifalos Panayias, which lies just over two miles due E of Gaios. Just W of the northernmost tip of Paxos is a small islet, Vk Marmaro, with extensive reefs running NW from it.

Check-in facilities

See Port Gaios.

Berthing Options

Ports

• Port Gaios
• Port Lakka

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Port Longos

39°13.62′N, 20°09.79′E
Port Longos is a small harbour and anchorage on the east coast of Paxos between Lakka and Gaios. Formerly the harbour served the needs of a soap factory producing olive oil soap, but nowadays it survives on fishing and tourism. There is a small quay here that is usually filled with fishing boats, but it is possible for one or two yachts to anchor moor on the end of the short breakwater that encloses the S side of the harbour. Older illustrations show yachts moored stern-to the outside of this breakwater, but this is no longer possible as there are no mooring points to tie on to. Otherwise, it is generally necessary to anchor and take a line ashore on the N side of the bay. Alternatively, one can free anchor with care in the middle of the harbour, avoiding the numerous mooring buoys. Depths here are little more than 3.0 – 4.0 metres and the holding is good in sand and weed. However, the harbour does not offer particularly good shelter in the prevailing NW winds and it can get very uncomfortable in such conditions. The village is most attractive, with good tavernas and cafes around the harbour and well worth a visit if the weather is settled.

Mongonisi

39°11.1′N, 20°12.4′E
Mongonisi is a natural inlet at the extreme S end of Paxos, immediately NW of the tiny islet of Kaltsonisi. Originally an island itself (hence the name) Mongonisi is now joined to the main island of Paxos by a causeway carrying a road which supplies the few houses and the well-established taverna on the island. The inlet here offers excellent shelter in all but NE winds.

Visiting yachts can either moor at the quays in the inlet or anchor off, where there is space for 10-15 yachts (more if taking lines ashore). The main N quay in the inlet (where the sign for Pan and Theo’s taverna is) can accommodate 10-12 yachts anchor moored bows-to (depths are 1.5 metres or less at the quay, but 2.5 metres just off it). The S end of this quay is occupied by small boat moorings – although depths are unsuitable for yachts anyway, being less than a metre. Alternatively, it is possible to anchor moor (again bows-to) at a smaller S quay just outside the former Carnayo minimarket, where 6–8 yachts can squeeze in. Depths at the quay are 1.25 – 1.5 metres and 2.5 metres just off. The quay is equipped with good quality s/s mooring rings.

Unless visiting the taverna, most yachts tend to anchor off in depths of 5.0 – 8.0 metres, taking a line ashore if necessary during busy periods. Some 20-25 yachts or more can be accommodated in this way. Holding is moderate in sand and weed, and it may take more than one attempt to get your anchor to hold. Shelter in the anchorage is excellent in the prevailing winds (although, as mentioned above, it would probably be necessary to evacuate in strong NE winds).

Pan and Theo’s behind the beach on the SE side of the inlet provides a nice show of Greek dancing when there are sufficient numbers of visitors.

Offshore Islands

Kaspronisi

39°10.85′N, 20°12.45′E
At the south eastern tip of Paxos is the tiny islet of Kaspronisi. Separated by a narrow channel from Mongonisi to the NW, the islet offers an attractive day anchorage in settled weather up its channel. The channel is only some 20-25 metres wide, so is really only suitable for small and medium-sized yachts. Moreover, there is almost no room to swing. Depths are 3.5 – 5.0 metres and the water is crystal clear over sand and rock, making Kaspronisi a popular temporary swimming anchorage.

Anti-Paxos

There are two bays on the east side of Anti-Paxos island. They are very popular lunch and swimming spots and therefore often crowded and noisy during the day. Tripper boats flock here from mid-morning onwards from Paxos and there is little peace to be had. In very calm weather a few yachts overnight here to enjoy the tranquility and clear water.

There are several reefs around the island and care is needed when approaching either rof the bays.

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

None.

Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

In Port Gaios there are several mini-tankers which deliver fuel to the quay between 0800 and 1100.

Water

In Port Gaios there are now three water outlets on the quay in the N channel and one in the W channel, but none in the main harbour. Payment is via a prepaid card available from the town hall or local cafes. Water is also available by mini-tanker.

Electricity

In Port Gaios there are now three electricity points on the quay in the N channel and one in the W channel. Payment is via a prepaid card available from the town hall or local cafes.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The main town of Gaios and the smaller villages of Lakka and Longos are very pretty, with Venetian-style architecture painted in delicate pastel colours. There is a small museum in Gaios which shelters some local artifacts (although it seems to rarely open). The island of St Nicholas that encloses the inlet of Gaios can also be visited with a permit from the town hall. It has the remains of a Venetian castle and a church on its summit as well as being a superb picnic site. Outside the towns, the islands’ main attraction is the numerous walks through its shady pine and olive groves. On Paxos, Windmill of Paxos Island is also worth a visit. On the W side of Paxos there are several caves which can be visited in settled weather. Boat trips run throughout the day, which are probably a safer bet than taking your own boat.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Two supermarkets in Port Gaios
• Minimarket in Port Lakka

Eateries

• Many attractive restaurants in Port Gaios and other ports.
• Pan and Theo’s taverna in Mongonisi is popular.

Internet/WiFi

• In several cafés in Port Gaios.
• In 2009 there was free WIFI "Paxoi free" in Port Gaios (but not discoverable in 2012).

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• Several outlets in Port Gaios.

Garbage Disposal

There are bins at either end of the harbour in Port Gaios and in several of the anchorages.

Transportation

• Hydrofoil to Igoumenitsa (mainland) and Corfu.
• Ferries to Corfu and Parga.
• Water Taxi to Corfu tel +30 693 223 2072 will pick guests up at the airport
• The sea-plane service to Corfu appears to have been discontinued.

Routes/Passages To/From

• Cruising the Greek Ionian Sea

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Paxoi (Wikipedia)

References & Publications

See Ionian Sea.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• July 1988 --Istioploos
• August 2009 -- Nereus
• Some amendments and additions August 2011 --Wayward
• June 2011 --Monterey
• September 2012 --Athene of Lymington 13:50, 4 September 2012 (BST)
• August 2013 --BenPikeUK

Template:Guide2

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, Nereus, Athene of Lymington, Wayward, Monterey, BenPikeUK

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