Best Diving & Snorkelling in Corfu
If you’re looking into a holiday in Corfu and absolutely love snorkelling and diving (or h
ave always wanted to try them), this island is home to dozens of fantastic dive sites. In fact, many of the best dive sites and snorkelling beaches in Greece (and the Mediterranean) are in Corfu!
Corfu’s underwater world is rich with vibrant reefs, mysterious wreck dives, and tranquil cave explorations. From colorful marine life to historic shipwrecks, the island promises unforgettable underwater adventures.
This blog will cover just five of the best places to snorkel and best dive sites in Corfu, including:
After this, you should be able to craft a fantastic Corfu sailing itinerary that satisfactorily accounts for all of Corfu’s underwater treasures.
When is the best time to dive in Corfu?
The best time to dive in Corfu is in summer, specifically from May – September. The water is clearer in the summer months, and much warmer than it would be off-season, reaching peak temperatures of 25 to 27°C. The bright, sunny weather also leads to fantastic underwater visibility of up to 20m depth. Crucially, you’re far more likely to find diving instructors in business in the summer season!
Where is the best area for snorkelling and diving in Corfu?
The best area for snorkelling and diving is Palaiokastritsa, a village on the west side of Corfu. Many of the best beaches in Greece and most sought-after dive sites in Corfu can be found in Palaiokastritsa. Two popular spots, La Grotto Bar and Agia Triada Beach, are included in this blog, but the Monastery, Nausika’s Cave and Alipa Beach are also great places to go.
La Grotto Bar
La Grotto Bar, nestled 142 steps down a craggy cliffside, is a must-visit in Corfu. Known for its dramatic setting and expansive terraces, it’s a prime spot for both relaxation and snorkeling in the emerald waters below.
Drop your anchor here, and you can either sip cocktails and watch the world go by, or go swimming and snorkelling in the bay below. The emerald waters are crystal-clear perfect for admirer the passing fish. The best places to snorkel are a little ways out – if you take your yacht further afield, make sure that you use a marker when you’re underwater to make your whereabouts clear to other sailors.
This is a totally unmissable place to snorkel in Corfu. Note, however, that if you visit off-season the bar may be closed – read our Best Time to Sail in Greece blog to learn more.
The Hole of Ha
Corfu’s diverse underwater landscapes, including renowned sites like Dionysis Cave and Neptune’s Hole, offer divers the thrill of exploring expansive caverns and rich, aquatic ecosystems.
We want to spotlight The Hole of Ha as one of the best dive sites in Corfu. This cavern is especially wonderful because it has no roof – when you ascend you’re met with a window of dappled sunlight, and you can see the trees surrounding the hole when you look up through it. It’s a uniquely magical experience.
The added sunlight also leads to great underwater visibility – swim down at least 18m and observe fossilised conch shells, a mix of different fresh and saltwater fish, and vibrant flora and fauna carpeting every surface.
Agia Triada Beach
Located in Palaiokastritsa, this is one of the best snorkelling beaches in Corfu. When you arrive you’ll be met with the most glorious scenery – Agia Triada Beach is located within a large bay, so you are met on all sides with views of towering cliffs, hills and a peninsula, covered in lush vegetation.
You could lie down on the golden sand, or rent an umbrella and deck chair, and laze the day away. But if you want to do some snorkelling, swim out to the right side of the bay – marine life you may see includes different kinds of bream, comber fish, flounder fish, and starfish as well as the occasional octopus.
If you want to, you could also venture just outside the bay to the Blue Eye Cave, a sea cave only accessible by boat with gorgeous natural rock formations and more marine life to see – we recommend going early so you can avoid some of the boat traffic from other tourists!
Kassiopi
Explore the vibrant culture of Kassiopi, a picturesque village on Corfu’s northeast coast. From lively local festivals to traditional Greek dancing and the historic Kassiopi Castle, this village offers a rich tapestry of experiences.
If you’re interested in diving and snorkelling, Kassiopi has four main beaches (Kalamonias Beach being the most popular) that you could visit. Each one offers some of the best snorkelling in Corfu – just swim out from the shore and see what you find, or take your yacht a little further out for a dive if you feel confident!
You can swim alongside colourful shoals of fish, and spot octopuses scurrying across the ocean floor, and you may even spot eels or turtles if you’re lucky. Make sure to wear sea shoes so you don’t accidentally stand on spiny sea urchins and injure your feet! See our Sailing Holiday Packing List to discover what else you should account for when you’re preparing.
Theodoros Wreck
Near Othonoi Island – a fantastic getaway northwest of Corfu – the Theodoros Wreck is one of the Mediterranean’s few wreck dives, and one of the best dive sites in Corfu. Lying 18m below the surface, this immense shipwreck is now an artificial reef. Every inch is covered in corals and vegetation, and surrounded by schools of fish.
This is a great option for beginners and experienced wreck divers alike. Unlike many other wreck sites, you can penetrate Theodoros Wreck and explore spaces like the engine room to really revel in the haunting serenity of the site.
Once you’ve explored the shipwreck, you can head back to Othonoi Island and enjoy all the things to see and do there. Dine in Ammos for a fantastic culinary experience, or visit Akrotiri Kastri on the east side of the island for the Venetian castle ruins and grand lighthouse sitting 100m above sea level.
Plunge Feet-first Into Sunsail
If you see yourself spending a lot of time in the water throughout your holiday, why not book a Corfu yacht charter. Whether you’re more interested in the freedom and privacy of a bareboat charter, or the lively social atmosphere of a flotilla charter, this is the best way to see Corfu if you care most about beaches, sea caves, reefs and marine life.
Sunsail has a long and storied history of offering incredible, life-changing yacht charters. For over 50 years now, we’ve sent adventurers off to fantastic destinations on world-class monohulls and catamarans – with options in all four corners of the world, or right here at home, there is a sailing holiday for everyone at Sunsail.
Ready to set sail? Use our personalised quote builder to start planning your Corfu sailing holiday.
Contributor
isabelcoltham
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