.boat-trip
A boat trip in Paleokastritsa was one of those outings where the scenery kept changing without us having to go very far. We left the waterfront in a small boat, passed below the monastery on its wooded hill and explored three sea caves. The brightest moment was Blue Eye, where the water beneath the rocks glowed a vivid blue. La Grotta added another memorable view: a narrow rocky inlet with clear water and platforms tucked against the cliffs.
This is our account of the trip, illustrated with our own photographs. The route board at the beach names the three caves as Blue Eye, St. Nikolas Cave and Nausika Cave. Spellings vary between operators, but the photographed board is a useful reference when asking which route a boat follows.
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Our Paleokastritsa Boat Trip at a Glance
| Starting area | Paleokastritsa waterfront, Corfu |
|---|---|
| Our main sights | Three sea caves, Blue Eye, the monastery from the sea and La Grotta |
| Boat | A small sightseeing boat with shared seating and a canopy |
| Route reference | Our photograph of the Boating to the Caves board |
| Before booking | Confirm duration, price, departure point and any swimming stops |
Where Our Paleokastritsa Boat Trip Started
The departure area was easy to recognise: small boats, a wooden jetty and a route board beside the beach. Seeing the boats close up helped us picture the trip before setting off. This was a small-boat outing, with passengers sitting close to the water rather than looking down from the deck of a large cruise vessel.
There was a canopy over part of the seating, though the bow and sides were more exposed. Bring a hat and keep your camera or phone within reach: the views start as soon as the boat leaves the waterfront. Ask the operator where to wait and how boarding works before leaving bags or heading off for a drink.
The Route Board: Names of the Three Caves
We photographed the board headed Boating to the Caves. It marks BLUE EYE, ST. NIKOLAS CAVE and NAUSIKA CAVE, alongside other coastal places such as Limni Beach, Marmara and Stelari. Those additional places advertise the wider area; they should not all be assumed to form part of every short cave trip.
Use the board as a conversation starter with the skipper. Ask specifically whether your chosen departure visits all three caves, whether it passes La Grotta and whether any beach stop is included. Different boats and ticket options can cover different distances.
Paleokastritsa Monastery Seen from the Sea
From the boat, Paleokastritsa Monastery appeared above the coastline on a green hill, with a tall palm standing beside the buildings. It is a lovely change of perspective after seeing the headland from the shore: you can appreciate how the monastery sits above the bays.
READ NEXT: OUR PALEOKASTRITSA MONASTERY GUIDE
Paleokastritsa Boat Trip: Inside the Three Sea Caves
The caves were the main reason for taking this boat. As we drew closer to the cliffs, dark openings appeared at water level. Inside, the shade, textured stone and light reflected off the water made the atmosphere very different from the bright sea outside. We visited three caves; the photographs below show several moments along that route rather than claiming that every opening can be identified from its shape alone.
Blue Eye: The Glowing Blue Water
Blue Eye was the standout for us. Beneath the rock wall, the water looked intensely blue, almost as though there were a light below the surface. That colour was the detail we remembered most clearly afterwards. Our photograph captures the contrast between the warm colour of the stone and the luminous patch of sea.
St. Nikolas Cave and Nausika Cave
The other two names on the board are St. Nikolas Cave and Nausika Cave. We have kept those spellings here because they are visible in our own route photograph. The different openings, pale walls and narrow passages give the three-cave outing variety beyond the Blue Eye colour alone.
Some of the clearest water was close to the rocks, where submerged shapes remained visible below the surface. Passing another small tour boat also gave a sense of scale: these are places experienced close up, with cliffs rising immediately beside the boat.
La Grotta: A Rocky Inlet at the End of Our Photo Story
La Grotta is the place in our final photograph. The clear turquoise water sits between high rocky sides, with waterfront platforms and the bar tucked into the setting. From the boat, it feels enclosed and quite different from the open beach where the outing began. It makes a beautiful closing image for this part of the Paleokastritsa coast.
La Grotta and the James Bond Story
Corfu was a filming location for the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only (1981), starring Roger Moore. La Grotta is sometimes linked to the film in local boat-tour stories, but we could not verify that this particular inlet appears in it. One published account of a boat visit specifically disputes the claim. We would therefore enjoy the view for what it is, without treating La Grotta as a confirmed Bond filming location.
Booking a Paleokastritsa Cave Trip
For our short local outing, the important part was the three caves. Online excursions can be longer and include different beaches, swimming stops or a different kind of boat. Compare the actual itinerary rather than assuming that a similar title means the same experience.
One GetYourGuide alternative is Corfu, Paleokastritsa 1-hour tour: Caves, Paradise, Stelari beach. Its published itinerary includes Blue Eye and St. Nicholas Cave, plus other caves and beaches, with a short swim stop near Paradise Beach. This is an alternative to our outing, rather than a claim that it is the boat we used. La Grotta is not listed in that itinerary, so ask the operator before booking if seeing it is essential.
CHECK PALEOKASTRITSA CAVE BOAT TRIPS
A Longer Paleokastritsa Boat Trip with Swimming Stops
For more time on the water, the Paradise, Yali Beach & Blue Caves speedboat tour is listed as a two-hour trip with cave visits and two swimming stops. It departs from Alipa Port, a different meeting point from our beach departure. Check the selected date, meeting point and current itinerary before booking.
BLUE CAVES, PARADISE & YALI BOAT TOUR
Getting to Paleokastritsa
If you are exploring Corfu by car, allow time to park and walk to your departure point. A boat trip can fit into the same coastal visit as the beach and monastery, but check the monastery’s visiting hours before deciding which to do first.
READ NEXT: OUR CORFU CAR RENTAL GUIDE
Before travelling, check your policy documents for any limits or exclusions that apply to boat excursions and swimming.
READ NEXT: OUR TRAVEL INSURANCE GUIDE
What We Liked and What to Check
- Three distinct cave visits and the vivid blue water at Blue Eye.
- A close-up view of the cliffs from a small boat.
- Seeing the monastery from below, out on the water.
- La Grotta’s sheltered rocky inlet as another scenic highlight.
Things to Check Before You Pay
- Confirm the route, duration and total price with the operator.
- Ask whether La Grotta is included or simply nearby.
- Check whether swimming is part of your ticket
- a cave visit does not automatically include a swim.
- Consider the boarding step, shared seating and time in the sun.
- Follow the skipper’s instructions around cave entrances and moving boats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which three caves did we visit?
Blue Eye, St. Nikolas Cave and Nausika Cave, using the names shown on our photographed route board.
Is Blue Eye the same as the Blue Eye in Albania?
No. Here we mean a sea cave on the Paleokastritsa coast of Corfu. The Blue Eye spring in Albania is a separate destination.
Will every Paleokastritsa boat trip visit La Grotta?
Do not assume so. Ask the operator whether La Grotta is on the specific route you are booking.
Can we combine the boat trip with the monastery?
Yes, they are in the same coastal area. Allow time for the uphill approach and check the monastery’s current visiting hours.
Was James Bond filmed at La Grotta?
For Your Eyes Only (1981) was filmed on Corfu, but we have not found reliable confirmation for La Grotta itself. We have kept that distinction clear in this guide.
Do cave trips include swimming?
Some excursions include designated swimming stops, while other tickets focus on sightseeing. Confirm the arrangement before paying and follow the skipper’s instructions.
READ NEXT: OUR CORFU OLD TOWN GUIDE
