CC BY-SA 2.5, Bogdan Giuşcă, Wikimedia CommonsAnchorage· Paxos· Greece — Ionian, Saronic & Argolic
Gaios Harbour (Paxos)
39° 11.9′ N · 20° 11.1′ E
Paxos's capital sits on a fjord-like channel behind the wooded islet of Agios Nikolaos, so you berth stern-to with the cafe tables almost touching your passerelle. Pastel houses, a church square and a Venetian fort across the water make it one of the most memorable town quays in the Ionian.
Practical
Berth stern-to (or bows-to where shallow) on your own anchor; there are no lazy lines and no toilets or showers for yachts. Quay depths are 2-4 m and the bottom is mud with good holding (mySea). Tangled anchors are routine because boats lie tight together; if you plan an early start, clear crossed chains the evening before. Some quay sections in the north part are reserved for tripper boats from 10am to 5pm (Boote 2023); yachts can use them outside those hours. Space goes early, so aim to arrive by early afternoon in July-August; one 2024 report found many free berths after 5:30pm, once the day boats left. Fees are collected in the late afternoon by a Corfu Port Authority representative. mySea gives about EUR 20/night for 12 m, EUR 23 for 14 m and EUR 36 for 20 m, plus 35% for berthing alongside (undated; Noonsite reported EUR 17.50 for 12 m in high season in Sept 2013). Verify locally. Ten water and power pillars run along the promenade: buy a magnetic card at the Deep Blue cafe-bar on the quay (mySea: EUR 10 for 500 L water plus power, EUR 10 deposit; verify locally). Water and diesel also come by truck (see Gaios New Quay & Fuel). Shelter is good from all directions; in strong northerlies the anchorages near the south entrance are calmer, and the north part of the harbour is the better spot in S-SE winds. Ferry and tripper-boat wash surges along the quay, so lay plenty of chain and keep the stern well off the wall. Noonsite users report rats on the quay: fit rat guards to your lines. ATM, laundry, supermarkets, butcher, pharmacy and many tavernas are all within a few minutes' walk.
Best for
The classic Paxos town-quay night, with everything ashore
Season
May-Oct; crowded July-August, so arrive by early afternoon
Nearby
- Paxos Port Police & Clearance Note (Gaios)Right here
- Peak-Season Crowding (Paxos & Syvota)Right here
- Agios Nikolaos Islet Fortress (Gaios)0.1 NM away
- Gaios Supermarkets & Bakery0.1 NM away
- Gaios Outer Anchorages (North & South Entrances)0.2 NM away
- Gaios Tavernas (Mambo, Taka Taka, Pan & Theo)0.2 NM away
- Paxos Museum (Gaios)0.2 NM away
- Gaios New Quay & Fuel0.3 NM away