SeaTV · Ionian Islands · Corfu
Petriti — Sailing & Mooring Guide
A working fishing village on Corfu’s southeast coast — and the best place on the island to eat fish that was swimming this morning.
Petriti sits on the southeast coast of Corfu, roughly 30 kilometres south of Corfu Town. It is the island’s largest fishing port — and it shows. The harbour is dominated by working boats, the seafront tavernas serve whatever came out of the nets that day, and the village has none of the polish of the northeast resort bays.
For sailors, Petriti is a useful staging post on the way south to Paxos and Antipaxos. It sits on a quiet stretch of coast between Corfu Town and the southern cape, with a sheltered anchorage bay and a small breakwater for those who want to step ashore for dinner without launching the dinghy.
⚠ Reality check: Petriti is shallow. The 5 m contour begins 100 m east of the breakwater and decreases steadily. Approaching from the south, give Cape Levkimmis a wide berth — shallows extend half a mile north of the cape.
⚓ Quick Facts for Sailors
Coordinates
39°27.20’N · 20°00.19’E
VHF Watch
Ch. 16 (distress) · Ch. 12 (port authority)
Quay Depth
3 m on outer 50 m of breakwater · 2.0–2.5 m inside
Anchorage Depth
3–7 m SE of breakwater, sand and weed
Holding
Excellent in sand and weed once dug in
Fee
Anchorage free · Quay typically free or nominal
Wind, Weather & Approach Notes
Approach from the north
The run down from Corfu Town and Gouvia is straightforward — open water with no hidden hazards on the direct line. The 100-metre breakwater extending south is visible from a couple of miles out. Aim for the outer end and watch the depth sounder as you close.
Approach from the south
If you’re coming up from Lefkimmis or returning from Paxos, the danger is the shallows extending roughly half a mile north of Cape Levkimmis, three miles east of Petriti. Stay well offshore until you’re clearly past the cape, then turn in for the harbour.
Wind protection
Reasonable shelter from the prevailing NW winds — but a slight swell creeps in even in light northerlies. A rocky shoal south of the harbour offers some protection from southerlies. Anything strong from the east or south, however, makes the anchorage untenable.
⚓ The Harbour & Anchorage
Outer Breakwater Quay
Stern-to or Bows-to Mooring
The outer 50 metres of the breakwater quay are open for visiting yachts. Around 8–10 boats fit comfortably with anchors out. The quay was extended and resurfaced a few years back and now has heavy-duty mooring rings.
Depths: Around 3 m along this stretch. Inside the harbour shoals to 2.0–2.5 m and is occupied by the local fishing fleet.
Inner harbour: Reserved for fishing boats. Don’t squeeze in there — you’ll be unpopular and aground.
⚠ Watch: Frequently visited by charter flotillas in season. If you arrive after 17:00 in July or August, the breakwater spots are likely gone — fall back to the anchorage.
SE Bay Anchorage
Free Anchoring South of the Harbour
The bay south-east of the harbour is the best free anchorage in the area. Plenty of space, excellent bottom, and a short dinghy ride to the village.
Anchoring: 3–7 m, sand and weed. Holding is excellent once the anchor is dug in. To find good depth, drop outside the line extending south from the breakwater end.
Spread out: Lots of swinging room — no need to crowd. Most boats anchor with 30–40 m of chain in 5 m of water.
⚠ Wind shifts: Strong winds from E or S make the anchorage untenable. If anything from that quadrant is forecast, keep moving — there’s no shelter here.
Where to Eat — Sailors’ Picks
Petriti is a fishing village first, restaurant village second — and the menu reflects it. Whatever the boats brought in this morning is on the chalkboard tonight.
Limnopoula Taverna
Waterfront seafood, simple and consistent. Order the catch of the day, salt-grilled and split open at the table. €€
Taverna Stamatis
A long-running family-run kitchen close to the quay. Greek classics done well — moussaka, pastitsio, fried calamari, plenty of carafe wine. €€
Leonidas Taverna
Near the root of the breakwater. A quick walk from your stern lines, and reliably good if you’re tired and just want a plate of fish and a beer. €€
Apaggio
A slightly more polished waterfront option with a wider menu — including pasta and grilled meats for the non-fish eaters in the crew. €€
Facilities & Shore
Water: Available on the quay for boats moored on the breakwater.
Provisioning: Limited. There’s a small supermarket about 200 m inland on the road south from the harbour — basics only. For a proper provisioning run, plan a stop at Gouvia or Corfu Town instead.
Beach: A small sandy beach south of the harbour is the village swim spot. Shallow, family-friendly, public showers ashore.
Bus to Corfu Town: Twice a day. If you have an afternoon and like village walks, the road north and south of Petriti gives you a different angle on the southeast coast — bring bicycles aboard if you can.
Pro Tips for Petriti
Drop early. The bay is deep enough to anchor anywhere, but the breakwater quay fills by mid-afternoon in season. If you want a stern line on the wall, plan to arrive by 14:00.
Time your provisioning earlier. Petriti has a corner-shop feel — fine for bread, eggs and a bottle of wine, not for restocking from scratch. Do your full provisioning at Gouvia before you leave.
Don’t tighten too far on the breakwater. The quay catches some swell from passing fishing traffic and ferries. Long stern lines, fenders out, and leave slack for movement.
Order what’s on today’s blackboard. The “menu” is largely fictional. The blackboard has what came in. Order off it.
Watch the weather window before leaving. The hop down to Paxos is 13 NM of open water with no shelter. Go on a calm morning, not in a building afternoon thermal.
Suggested Routes
Stepping stone to Paxos
Gouvia → Petriti (overnight) → Lakka, Paxos. Roughly 13 NM from Petriti to Lakka — a comfortable morning sail in light NW air. The advantage of overnighting at Petriti: you start the open-water leg fresh, rather than having to push the full 25+ NM from Corfu Town to Paxos in one day.
Day off the boat
Anchor in the SE bay, take the dinghy in for lunch, walk south along the road for a couple of hours, and back for an early dinner. A useful “decompression” day when the crew has had enough of moving every morning.
South Corfu loop
Gouvia → Benitses (lunch) → Petriti (overnight) → Lefkimmi or back to Gouvia. A quieter alternative to the standard NE-tip route, especially in July–August when Kalami and Agni are packed.
More multi-day plans on the SeaTV Corfu sailing route page and the Corfu–Paxos–Lefkada–Kefalonia route.
✅ Sailor’s Safety Checklist
▢ Forecast checked — no E or S component before overnighting
▢ Approach from the south clear of Cape Levkimmis shallows
▢ Depth sounder on as you close the breakwater
▢ Anchor set with 30+ m of chain in 5 m
▢ VHF on Ch. 16
▢ Long stern line and 4 fenders ready before approaching the quay
Emergency Numbers — Corfu
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Corfu (VHF Ch. 12): +30 26610 32655
Port Police Corfu: +30 26610 32655
Corfu General Hospital: +30 26613 60400
Gouvia Marina (VHF 69): +30 26610 91900
Watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot Video
Approach footage, breakwater views and the SE bay anchorage as you’d see them from the cockpit — Petriti as it actually looks when you arrive. Free for members.
Plan your Ionian charter
Continue south or stay in Corfu — explore more anchorages and routes.
→ Ionian Islands hub · East Coast Corfu · Lakka, Paxos · Gaios, Paxos
“In Petriti, the menu is whatever the boats brought back.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Corfu Edition
