Snorkel· Paxos· Greece — Ionian, Saronic & Argolic
Blue Caves of Paxos (West Coast: Ortholithos, Ypapanti, Kastanida)
39° 11.7′ N · 20° 9.1′ E
Paxos's west coast is a wall of white limestone cliffs, eroded at sea level into dozens of sea caves (some say more than thirty). Light glows electric blue inside them. Ortholithos, a giant needle of rock standing in front of a cave, is the signature sight; Ypapanti is the biggest cave.
Practical
Coordinate is the Ortholithos rock (OSM). Visit Greece says the caves can only be reached from the sea. Day boats run from Gaios, and the route is easy in settled weather, but caution and experienced handling are needed when westerlies blow. Go in the morning, before the afternoon NW breeze builds swell on the west coast. Boote suggests sailing the west side from Lakka next day, before the thermals, and visiting a cave by swimming or dinghy. There are no anchorages under the cliffs: motor-sail along, leave the yacht hove-to or drifting offshore with someone aboard, and swim or dinghy in. Mediterranean monk seals use the Seal Cave at Kastanida (Paxos Map, 39.21824N 20.13238E): if you meet one, keep your distance and never enter a cave with a seal inside. Ypapanti is named in Visit Greece and Greek Wikipedia but no verified position was found, so identify it visually.
Best for
A calm-morning cliff cruise and cave swim
Season
Calm mornings, May-Oct; dangerous in any westerly swell
Nearby
- Agrilas Reef & Anemone Caves0.3 NM away
- Cathedral Cave & Achai Caves0.3 NM away
- Avlaki & Galazio Beaches (SW Paxos)0.7 NM away
- NW Maistro & West-Coast Swell (Paxos)0.8 NM away
- Paxos Olive Grove Walks (Ostries & Old Paths)0.8 NM away
- Erimitis Cliffs Sunset0.9 NM away
- Paxos Health Centre (Bogdanatika)1 NM away
- Paxos Olive Press Museum (Magazia)1.1 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).