SeaTV · Ionian Islands · Paxos
Gaios Port, Paxos — Sailing & Mooring Guide
A natural channel between the island and a small offshore islet — the most sheltered harbour in the Ionian, and the nearest thing to “all-round protection” the islands offer.
Gaios is the capital of Paxos and the only proper port on the island. The town sits along a narrow channel between the main island of Paxos and the smaller offshore islet of Panagia, with a second islet (Agios Nikolaos) closing off the southern end. The result is one of the few harbours in the Ionian that’s effectively closed off from open water — sheltered from almost every direction, with shallow water and fixed quays running its full length.
For sailors, this means Gaios is the bad-weather refuge of the entire Paxos and southern-Corfu cruising area. It is also the only place on the island with serious provisioning, banks, ATMs, and a full village with restaurants, bars, and shops. The trade-off: in season the channel is busy with day-tripper boats from Corfu between 11:00 and 16:00, and the quay fills up by mid-afternoon.
⚠ Reality check: The southern (SE) entrance to the channel has a notorious reef extending from the mainland of Paxos. Many boats have hit it. Use the northern entrance unless you know the reef position cold — and if approaching from the south, give the cape a wide berth.
⚓ Quick Facts for Sailors
North Entrance
39°12.26’N · 20°11.51’E · Fl.R.3s.3M / Fl.G.3s.3M
SE Entrance
39°11.80’N · 20°11.32’E · Fl.R.2M / Fl.G.2s.3M
Distance from Corfu
10.5 NM south of Cape Lefkimmis
Channel Depth
3–6 m typical along the quays
Bottom & Holding
Mud and weed — good once dug in
VHF
Ch. 16 (distress) · Ch. 12 (port authority)
Wind, Weather & Approach Notes
North entrance — the safe one
From the north, the entrance is between the small islet of Nisis Panagia (with its whitewashed-walled lighthouse) and the main coast of Paxos. The channel is narrow but well-marked with a red and green pair of lights at the entrance. Watch the depth as you turn in — you’ll see 6 m, then 4 m, then suddenly the quay structure appears on your starboard side.
SE entrance — and the reef
The southeastern entrance threads between Nisis Agios Nikolaos and the mainland of Paxos. There is a submerged reef extending from the south side that is poorly marked and snags an unfortunate number of boats every season. Use the lighthouse on Antipaxos at night for orientation, and approach the channel only when you can clearly see the bottom.
Inside the channel
Once inside, Gaios is calm in almost any conditions. The narrow channel and the islets break any swell. The only weather event that makes Gaios uncomfortable is strong sustained NW that funnels down the channel — and even then, it’s “uncomfortable” not “untenable”.
⚓ Mooring Options Inside the Channel
Main Town Quay · Stern-to
The Village Front Quay
The quay running along the main square is the prime spot — step off the boat into the heart of the village. Holds about 25–30 yachts on a busy night.
Berthing: Stern-to with your own anchor. No laid lines. Drop in 4–6 m of water out in the channel and reverse in carefully — the channel is narrow and other boats are manoeuvring.
Services: Water and electricity (small fee, prepaid), good bollards, easy step-off.
⚠ Watch: Day-tripper traffic from Corfu (11:00–16:00) keeps the channel busy. Plan your arrival outside that window if you can.
North Quay · Stern-to
North End of the Channel
North of the main town quay, a quieter stretch of waterfront. Slightly further to walk to the village core, but a calmer overnight in season.
Berthing: Stern-to with anchor. Good holding in mud once through the weed.
⚠ Note: Some sections show rocks protruding from the quay structure — fender accordingly and use a long stern line.
⚠ Watch: Strong NE winds make this section uncomfortable — move toward the south end of the channel if a NE blow is forecast.
Mongonissi · 2 NM South
Mongonissi Anchorage
A protected bay at the southern tip of Paxos, the only sandy beach on the island. A quieter overnight option than the channel — most boats prefer Mongonissi when the village quay is full or the crew wants peace.
Anchoring: 4–6 m, sand bottom, good holding. There’s also a small taverna pier where you can take a line ashore.
Lunch stop: A natural break between Gaios and the run to Antipaxos. Swim, lunch, then continue.
⚠ Eddies: SE of the islet of Kaltsonisi — keep clear when manoeuvring.
Where to Eat — Sailors’ Picks
Gaios has more restaurants than the rest of Paxos combined. The waterfront places are obvious; the better kitchens are usually one street back.
Taka Taka
A long-running favourite under a vine-covered courtyard, set back from the waterfront. Specialty: octopus, slow-grilled in red wine. €€ · Booking essential in season.
Karkaletzos
A short walk inland — meat-focused, family-run, the lamb chops are the order. Worth the walk for the price-to-quality. €€
Dodos Restaurant
A Gaios institution at the SE end of the village quay, just past the breakwater. Eccentric, multilingual, decorated with the owner’s wood carvings. The food is solid Greek and the experience is memorable. €€
Capriccio Gelateria
Not a restaurant but mandatory after dinner — proper Italian-style gelato on the village square. €
Ashore — Provisioning & Shore
Supermarkets: Two reasonably stocked supermarkets in the village — fresh fruit, cold meats, bread, yogurt, the basics for several days. ATMs on the village square.
Bakery & butcher: One bakery (open early) and one butcher in the streets behind the waterfront. Fishmonger usually has fresh catch in the morning.
Old town walk: The streets behind the waterfront are stone-paved, pedestrian-only, and worth an hour. Look up — many of the buildings are 19th-century Venetian.
Inland exploration: Rent a scooter or small car from the harbour to drive to Loggos and Lakka in a single afternoon — Paxos is only 7 NM long.
Pro Tips for Gaios
Time your arrival. Day-tripper boats from Corfu fill the channel between 11:00 and 16:00. Arriving at 10:30 or after 16:30 makes manoeuvring easier and quay spots more available.
Use the north entrance. The SE entrance has a reef that catches an unsettling number of charter boats every year. Unless you have local knowledge, the north entrance is non-negotiable.
Long anchor scope. Gaios is shallow — you’ll want at least 4:1 chain ratio because the wind can shift in the channel and there’s no swing room.
Provision here, not in Lakka. If you’re heading further south or doing a circuit, Gaios is your last serious supermarket before you commit to small-village shopping.
Quiet morning swim. The channel is dead calm before 09:00, before the tour boats arrive. Best time to swim, do boat jobs, or take the dinghy round Panagia islet.
Suggested Routes from Gaios
Antipaxos lunch loop
Gaios → Voutoumi or Vrika beach on Antipaxos for a swim and lunch (3 NM south) → return to Gaios for the night. Plan to be off Antipaxos by 16:00 — anchorages there are exposed and unsuitable for overnight in any unsettled conditions.
South to Lefkada
Gaios → 25 NM south to Preveza or to Lefkas Town through the canal. A long day’s sail, often with a strong NW wind on the beam — comfortable but committed once you start. Leave by 09:00.
Up the Paxos coast
Gaios → Loggos (lunch) → Lakka (overnight). About 6 NM up the east coast — enough for a relaxed sailing day with a swim stop midway. Loggos is rather exposed, so treat it as a lunch break, not an overnight.
More multi-day plans on the SeaTV Corfu–Paxos–Lefkada–Kefalonia route.
✅ Sailor’s Safety Checklist
▢ Approaching from the north — confirmed entrance lights visible
▢ If using SE entrance — reef position confirmed on chart and on plotter
▢ Slow speed inside the channel (5 knots max)
▢ Anchor and crew briefed for stern-to
▢ Long stern lines and 4+ fenders ready
▢ VHF on Ch. 16
Emergency Numbers — Paxos
European Emergency: 112
Port Police Paxos (VHF Ch. 12): +30 26620 32533
Police Paxos: +30 26620 32222
Medical Centre Paxos: +30 6982 639252
Diver (Babis): +30 6972 111995
Watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot Video
Approach footage from the north, the manoeuvre into the channel, and quay-side detail — Gaios as you’d see it from the cockpit. Free for members.
Continue your Ionian charter
Cross south to Lefkada, loop up the Paxos coast, or run back to Corfu.
→ Ionian Islands hub · Lakka, Paxos · Lefkas Marina · Preveza
“In Gaios, the wind doesn’t reach you — but the day-trippers do.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Paxos Edition
