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Chartering in Corfu and Paxos: the Albanian border, anchorages and the afternoon wind
Short answer
Chartering in Corfu and Paxos means sailing next to a sea border: in the north,
the far shore is Albania,
and most charter contracts keep you out of its waters.
The Paxos anchorages fill early in summer,
and the north westerly wind usually builds in the afternoon.
Corfu is one of the busiest charter areas in the Ionian, with direct summer flights from British and Irish airports and charter bases in the marinas along the east coast. From there Paxos and Antipaxos are a few hours to the south. To the north the channel between Corfu and the mainland narrows, and the mainland opposite is Albania rather than Greece. The sea border runs down the middle of the channel, and a few long tacks can bring you much closer to the Albanian shore than you meant to be.
Albania is outside the EU and the Schengen area. Most charter agreements in Corfu limit the cruising area to Greek waters, so a trip to Sarandë needs the base's written consent and proper clearance out of Greece and into Albania. Keep the distance shown on the chart in the north. On Paxos, Gaios, Lakka and the popular bays fill early in July and August; anchoring on sand rather than seagrass protects the seabed and holds better, and a late arrival often means a long search.
The summer pattern is simple: mornings are often calm, and from midday the maistros fills in from the north west and can blow hard. Start long legs south early and allow time for the return north, which will be against wind and sea. Ask for the cruising limits and the rules on Albania in writing at handover. If you damage someone else's boat or property with the charter yacht you are personally liable, so your own skipper liability insurance belongs in the preparations.
Worth remembering
Morning
often calm, good for the long leg south
Afternoon
maistros from the north west, return upwind
In Corfu you leave early and keep clear of the border in the north.
Questions
What owners ask us about this
Can I take the charter yacht from Corfu to Albania?
Only with the base's written consent and proper clearance out and in. Most agreements in Corfu limit you to Greek waters.
When do the Paxos anchorages fill up?
In July and August often by early afternoon. Arriving early gives you the choice.
What is the maistros?
A north westerly that usually builds in summer afternoons and can be strong. Plan longer legs for the morning.
Related
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