Sailing and exploring Corfu

Join luxury classic boat Circe for a sailing holiday in Corfu as she takes you away from the iconic tourist hustle and bustle of this Greek island and shows you a side to island life that remains seemingly untouched.

Relax in tranquil anchorages, explore sandy coves and soak up the Ionian sunshine whilst sailing on this beautifully restored luxury classic wooden boat. Cypress trees dot the steep cliffs of these coasts with the scent of sweet pine drifting across the cobalt blue water. Hear nothing but the call of the birdlife and waves breaking softly as you dive into a snorkellers paradise.

Where the wind takes you

Your all inclusive sailing holiday route will entirely depend on the wind direction and tides and could see you sailing one or two routes; North or South.

Sailing North will take you to the Diapontia Islands, an archipelago made up of Othonoi, Erikoussa and Mathraki.

Othonoi is the largest of the Diaponita Islands and is full of sandy beaches and crystal clear coves with some only accessible under sail. Visit traditional villages with tavernas for good seafood and delicious local produce. Perhaps even adventure here with the crew as they take a jeep safari to explore ashore.

The smallest of the three northern islands and perhaps one of the most virgin islands in the Ionian Sea, Erikoussa is home to stretches of golden sands with pathways weaving to traditional villages enclosed by olive and cypress trees. Finally, Mathraki is the middle-sized island in this cluster and only continues to deliver tranquil anchorages and beautiful beaches.

Sailing South will see you explore the lesser trodden gems of the Corfu coastline before heading for the island cluster of Paxi. Paxi is made up of the largest island of Paxos and the smaller, Antipaxos famous for its wine and two of the finest sand beaches in the Ionian Sea.

Both islands still retain the Grecian charm with travellers only accessing the island by water, it has stopped the main harbour towns becoming overdeveloped by the tourist trade. With delightful harbour villages filled with traditional tavernas on the East sides of the islands, the West coasts have been left untouched. Centuries-old olive groves among rolling hills and unspoilt coves framed by sheer limestone cliffs provide the perfect anchorages for Circe and her guests to explore.

Life at sea

Wherever the wind takes you on your sailing holiday in Greece, be assured that Circe will provide top-notch hospitality, five-star food and plenty of beautiful anchorages. An admiralty ladder provides the perfect place to jump off into these warm waters and climb back aboard with ease. Circe also has two inflatable kayaks, snorkels and basic fishing gear for guests to use, included in the berth price. She even has authentic ships hammocks if you fancy a night beneath the stars!

Believe it or not, you don’t need any experience to jump aboard Circe– just a lust for sailing in the Mediterranean sunshine. The professional crew love to share their knowledge with guests, showing them the ropes and feeling the wind power in the sails. They welcome as much or as little participation as you want – from hoisting the sails, taking the helm or simply sitting back with a book and a refreshingly cold beverage.

Below decks, the companionway gives way to a generous saloon with ample cushioned seating and a galley fitted with all the mod-cons. Toward the fore, Circe has two luxury private double ensuite cabins with two further single bunks tucked into the guest passageway with their own storage spaces.

All food will be freshly-prepared onboard to the highest standard by Circe’s designated chef and is included in your ticket price. Expect continental breakfasts, freshly baked bread, delicious lunches and exceptional dinners making use of the local produce on offer. All dietary requirements can be catered for and you’ll certainly be well taken care of after a day of sailing in the sunshine.

*Your ticket price includes all food and drink (except food eaten ashore at guests choice), all bedding and towels, full use of the boat Kayaks, snorkelling equipment etc, and pick up and drop off from the airport. 

There are currently no voyages scheduled. Please get in touch with the VentureSail team to find out what’s available, or if other upcoming voyages might be suitable.
Call us in the Office on 01872 487288 or email [email protected], and we will be happy to help you find your next adventure!

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Private: Circe

Guest berths: 6 Rig: Norwegian cutter, Gaff Ketch

Over 100 years old, the beautiful Circe (pronounced kir-kee) was originally built as a Norwegian cutter in Scandinavia in 1915. Used for many years as a fishing boat in Icelandic waters, she was later converted to a general cargo vessel serving in the Baltic until 1950.

She was first converted for charter in Denmark by a Canadian millionaire in the ’50s and spent many years sailing in Spain, Italy and the Ionian Sea before being bought by Tony, the present owner and skipper, in 2005.

Over the years, Tony has spent many hours painstakingly restoring Circe to the stunning charter boat that she is today. With much of the frame and hull replaced with eucalyptus and pine and the deck replaced with teak, she is a true wooden classic and it’s a delight to see her still sailing.

Restored with luxury in mind, Circe has two double ensuite cabins and two generous single berths tucked off the guest passageway with use of shared toilet and shower room. The main saloon is also generous in proportion with a communal table and plenty of cushioned seating that can always double up as extra berths for private charter.

The galley runs off past the saloon where you will find a designated chef catering for all your meals on board. Crew quarters are separate to the guest accommodation and there is air conditioning throughout the boat.

Above decks, Circe retains her original charm and sailing with her is definitely an authentic experience. All sail work is done by hand utilising her block and tackle and Tony loves guests to get involved, showing Circe as she would’ve originally sailed 100 years ago.

She is an eye-catching, graceful ship and now resides in the sunnier climes of the Ionian Sea where guests can expect beautiful classic boat sailing while exploring the hidden bays and secluded coves of Corfu and her surrounding islands.

More about Private: Circe

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals on board are included in the price. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and hot drinks) Alcohol is not included.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes, please let us know when making your booking.

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  2 x double ensuite cabins, 2x single berths

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  3

• Is there an age limit?

  On scheduled voyages, her minimum age limit is 8 years & there is no maximum. On private charters, there are no age restrictions.

• Is there WIFI?

  No, but you should easily be able to reach 3G/4G from the shore.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes, with 12V adaptors

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure and sunshine

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.

Travel Planning

From: Corfu

To: Corfu

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

Getting There:

Corfu main airport is only 10minutes from Circe’s harbour location in NAOK yacht club. Corfu has direct flights from most major UK and international airports with Easyjet normally offering the best price.

Let us know your flight times and the crew can arrange to pick you up/drop you off at the airport.