Corfu Travel Information & Planning Guide

A valid passport (for each passenger) and crew list is compulsory for clearance. Expiration date must be no earlier than 6 months after your planned return. A customs declaration form must be completed at the port of entry.

EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES)
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital border registration system for non-EU travellers visiting Schengen countries for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Instead of relying on passport stamps, the system will electronically record each entry and exit, including biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial images) for first-time registration.

For our customers, travelling to our Mediterranean destinations, this means slightly longer processing on first arrival as details are captured, but faster and more streamlined border crossings thereafter. Please allow for plenty layover time to account for any delays.

The EES is designed to improve border efficiency, enhance security, and more accurately track permitted stays across participating European countries.

Learn more here: What is the EES? – EES

Corfu’s, and the rest of Greece, official currency is the Euro. You will not be able to pay with US Dollars during your yacht charter so it’s a good idea to exchange your money before you kick off your sailing adventure.

Accepted Credit Cards

Visa and MasterCard are accepted but American Express may only be accepted at limited locations and most local tavernas accept only cash.

Traveler’s Checks

Our Marina Gouvia base cannot accept cash or personal checks. Money changing should be done either with cash or by travelers’ checks and Euro checks. Money changing facilities are present in the majority of towns, although they are not that readily available and off the beaten track which is why it is best to exchange your money when you first arrive at the airport, provided you’ve arrived during opening hours.

Airport 

Whether you’re flying commercially or privately, taking to the skies is one of the most popular ways to reach Corfu. Corfu Airport (CFU) is located on the east side of the island 4 miles from the base. From the airport, the trip takes 15 minutes.

You’ll find daily domestic flights on Olympic Airways, along with international charter flights. You can also travel with Aegean Airlines to reach the stunning island of Corfu.

Transfers from Corfu Airport to the base can be arranged – please reach out to our Pre-Travel team paperwork@thlmarine.com. The transfer time is approximately 10-15 minutes.

Transfer costs:

• Taxis are an easy way to get around Corfu, particularly from the airport to the Marina Gouvia base.

You can also get from Corfu Airport to our base at Marina Gouvia by bus. It takes around 40 minutes and is a simple route. Hop on the 2A at KAPATZA E towards KANONI – ANΩ ΠΛAETIA (ΛΙΣΤΟΝ) and jump off at ΠΛΑΤΕΙΑ ΣΑΡΟΚΟΥ ΓΡΑΜΜΗ where you can get the 07 towards ΣΑΡΟΚΟ (ΠΟΛΗ) – ΥΨΟΣ which takes you to ΓΕΝΙΚΟ ΝΟΣΟΚΟΜΕΙΟ-ΚΟΝΤΟΚΑΛΙ, just a 7 minute walk from the base.

From the port in Corfu to the base at Marina Gouvia, the distance is 2.5 miles. Use the following helpful resources to plan your journey, view the timetables and book your tickets:

• Strintzis Lines 30 2661 025232
• Minoan Lines 30 2661 025000
• Hellas Flying Dolphins

The following reliable car rental companies have bases at the airport:

• Hertz 
• Avis 
• Europcar

Your rental car can be collected upon arrival at the airport or at the base, whichever suits you best.

Experience Required
Level 1

• At least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht.
• Level 1 destinations offer the easiest cruising grounds with line-of-sight navigation. Lazy line mooring or mooring balls are common.

Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area.  View here for more information.

A formal sailing license is mandatory to charter here.
Review the sailing and power requirements for Greece while planning your charter vacation.

To charter in Greece, there must be at least one certified skipper over 18 years old. The skipper should be competent at handling a yacht in close quarters, anchoring and mooring in varying conditions and be able to use navigation and pilotage skills to plan the day’s sailing and know your position at any time.
The Skipper should be accompanied by at least one crew member (First Mate) of “Competent Crew” level (ASA 103 or RYA Competent Crew Course) or a similar/equivalent certification from any recognized sailing association.
*If the First Mate does NOT have a sailing license, they must fill out our online sailing or power resume / CV to confirm that they have the necessary skills to sail in Greece aboard a The Moorings vessel. They must also fill out a Declaration of Honor to provide a legal declaration to the Greek Port Authorities that said crew member is competent to crew aboard a chartered yacht.

As a yacht skipper, you are required to have an official sailing license
If the sailing licence is in a language other than English or Greek, it must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Please ensure you bring your sailing qualification certificate and any supporting documents with you when you travel. These documents are required by the Greek Port Authorities as proof of sailing competence and are required at check-in.

To ensure a smooth departure, please provide your sailing experience and qualification details in advance. Failure to do so may delay the check-in process or your departure from the base. If you do not hold a recognised sailing qualification, you must obtain one before your charter.

Please note: The Day Skipper qualification is not accepted in Greece at this time.\

Click here to view the sailing requirements in Greece.

The Greek Maritime Authorities have changed their sailing license requirements for 2022 and 2023 and have confirmed that they will no longer accept the RYA Day Skipper qualification for Yacht Chartering in Greek waters.

All RYA Day Skipper Qualification holders are able to convert their current qualification to the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) qualification. This can be done online through the RYA website or via a paper form which can be downloaded from the website and printed. If you are a RYA member, an ICC can be issued free of charge, please visit the website and complete the application form.

The conversion period may take several weeks, therefore please plan ahead to ensure you receive the ICC certificate in time. The skipper must bring a physical copy of their sailing qualification – a photocopy or picture on a phone will not be accepted by the marine authorities.

By Greek Law, Port Police officials require a ‘Solemn Declaration’ to be signed and presented on request alongside the official boat papers, stating that you hold the relevant qualifications to sail in their waters. With 50 years at the forefront of the sailing holidays industry, we pride ourselves on being the best. Our valued reputation is second to none, and we conduct all operations with great diligence, and according to the current laws and regulations of each destination. This is why we ensure that you have the necessary qualifications and paperwork to fully enjoy every sailing destination, and that you are made aware of any clauses or terms and conditions that may affect your vacation.

A security deposit must be paid at the base by Visa or MasterCard and is refundable at the end of your charter subject to there being no loss or damage. To significantly decrease your security deposit, purchase our Yacht Damage Waiver insurance ahead of time.

Charter Boarding Time: 3:00pm

Briefing Times: Boat & Chart briefings are available on request only.

The base personnel will wait for you until 7:00 pm. After 7:00 pm, you will find an information sign at our reception office with a message for you indicating your yacht’s berth. Your boat will be open and indicated by a sign with your name.  The boat’s equipment will be ready for the night. The base personnel will be available the next day at 9:00 am.

All charterers must return to base by 5:00 pm the night before disembarkation for debriefing and checks. Disembarkation is at 9:00 am the following morning.

If you anticipate any crew changes during your charter, please advise your Sales or Pre-Travel agent as early as possible so that the base can prepare accordingly. Greek regulations require accurate records of all passengers onboard, and all passenger information must be correctly submitted through MyAccount. Failure to notify us of planned crew changes or to ensure passenger details are accurate may result in significant fines from the Greek Port Authorities.

The skipper’s time is booked from 12pm-12pm in 24-hour periods. If you have reserved a skipper for the first day of your charter and have a 6pm start, he or she will use this time to ensure they are happy with all aspects of the yacht and will be at the base to meet you upon your arrival. If you’ve reserved a skipper for a later date on your charter they will start at 12pm on that day.

The skipper is responsible for the safety of the yacht at all times. They are not permitted to dive with you, nor leave the vessel overnight. He or she must conduct a safety brief with you before leaving the dock regardless of the duration of the contract with you.

For “check out charters” (anything less than the full duration of the charter) the check out skipper’s time is booked from 6pm-6pm to allow for a meet and greet in the evening and go over basic systems, then a full day with you the next day.

The skipper is required to give you a thorough briefing on all aspects of the yacht and dinghy in addition to assisting you with planning an itinerary for the trip and advising you how to contact the base, the return to base procedures and the emergency assistance procedures. We suggest that you attend the scheduled chart brief that will be supplemented by the skipper during his or her time with you on the yacht. We also suggest that you make it clear exactly what you want to cover: anchoring, docking, etc.

The skipper fee does not include food or beverages for the skipper and this is your responsibility. We suggest that you discuss this on the first day with your skipper and establish whether you’ll provide cash for meals, whether you’ve included him or her in your provisioning or whether you’ll accommodate him or her as part of the group for meals ashore.

The skipper must have his or her own cabin. We prefer not to put the skipper in the bow due to the shared head and size of the cabin. If you expect your skipper to stay in the bow, please let us know well in advance so that we can choose the appropriate (small) skipper.

For one-day check out skippers, it’s your responsibility to get the skipper back to the base. If you prefer not to come back to the base you must pay all expenses (ferry, taxi, etc.) to get him or her back to the base.

Gratuity and industry expectations
A gratuity is expected and is typically given to the skipper at the end of the charter. The amount is entirely at your discretion.

Provisioning 

Moorings Care packages are included on every yacht. These packages contain some of the basics to get you started for your vacation.

Mobile phones  

The mobile network is well developed all over Greece. You can use your own mobile after checking with your supplier to find out if Greece is included in your contract. Mobile phones are NOT available to rent locally – we strongly suggest reviewing service options with your provider before travelling.

Internet/Wi-Fi

All the Moorings yacht (Exclusive Plus and Exclusive) have Wi-Fi included

Music/iPods  

While most of our newer boats have Bluetooth capability, we cannot guarantee all boats are outfitted with this equipment. For your convenience, we highly recommend you bring an AUX cord so you can listen to music from your mobile devices.

Electricity

Certain yachts are equipped with power cords, a battery charger and 220v plugs, but unfortunately the marina piers don’t often have electrical outlets. The piers in the marina are not equipped with 220v. There is a 12V cigarette lighter outlet at the chart table and USB ports in the cabins on all of our yachts.

For more information on what’s included on your yacht, please view the full list here for Bareboat Charters or here for Crewed Charters.

If you’re planning on mooring up and exploring the shores of Corfu, it’s important to understand that you cannot make a reservation at any ports in Corfu, or Greece more widely.

A passing through berth is usually available for the night at Greek ports. Note that your passage might not be recorded if you are passing through a small port. Occasionally, Port Authorities may request the boat’s papers and your charter contract but this is standard procedure and nothing to worry about, as long as you don’t forget to retrieve your documents before leaving!

Moorings fees and taxes vary depending on which port you’re mooring up at but they tend to be between 30-70 Euros.

All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are issued at your chart briefing.

Starting from Corfu, navigation is only permitted in Greek territorial waters. Under no circumstances should you go to Albania.You must be moored at least one hour before sunset. Night Sailing is not allowed without permission from the base manager. The decision to allow night sailing is based on your skill level and can be requested in advance. You will need to fill out the Sailing or Power resume for the base to review but we cannot guarantee approval.

Soft-sided luggage or duffel bags are best, as luggage storage space on your yacht may be limited. We have no facilities for holding luggage at the base. Pack lightly and review our suggested packing list for required and necessary items to bring.

• Pack essential prescription medicine and change of clothing in a carry-on bag*
• Passport and other travel documentation
• Tickets and paper confirmations for pre-planned activities
• Light-colored, light-weight clothing
• Formal wear for upscale dining establishments
• Swimwear and cover up
• Hats and sunglasses
• Sandals and flip-flops
• Athletic shoes and hiking boots
• Travel-sized toiletries and hygiene products
• Insect repellent and OTC pain relievers/ointments
• AUX cable for playing music through your device
• 12V DC to 110V AC power inverter (for boats without generators**)
• 12V to USB power adapter for charging mobile devices

*We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do.

**All boats include a 12V DC outlet (a “car” outlet). Boats with generators have 110V outlets in the Caribbean and 220V in the Mediterranean and Exotic locations.

The use of flying drones may be restricted in some areas. For current drone regulations in this destination, please visit https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-greece/.

Tipping waiters, taxi drivers, etc. is generally not expected in Greece, but if you round up the bill it will be appreciated.

Your health and safety are important to us. For advice on how to stay safe while on charter, please review Travel Advice Information. Current travel and safety information can be obtained by visiting travel.state.gov

Swimming is often a fun and important part of a vacation. However local rules, flag systems, currents and where swimming may be permitted, can be different and vary from country to country. Snorkel vests, Life Jackets and Diver Down flags are all available on board. 

Children:

• Talk to children about water safety at the start of a vacation, making them aware of the potential dangers.
• Accidents can happen at any time on vacation, but often they happen on the first and last day, so keep watch and do not get distracted when your children are playing by, or in the water.
• Children in or near water should always be supervised by an adult and never left unattended. 
• Get in the water with them, it is easier to keep an eye on them as well as good fun. Floatation devices are highly recommended for children but are not a substitute for supervision.

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

• Check warning flags and signage on the beach and only swim where it is permitted. 
• Beware of dangerous currents, these can be very powerful. Not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth and marine life.
• Never swim where a sign says not to e.g. in zoned areas for jet boats or jet skis.
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol.

LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS

• Never swim alone, ‘buddy up’ with others in your party and use the snorkel vests provided.
• Know how and where to get help. If you see someone in difficulty; raise the alarm, preferably the emergency services. Ensure you know the correct number for the country you are in.

DO NOT OVERESTIMATE YOUR ABILITY

• Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open water swimming can be very different.
• Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming technique.

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests & diver down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use of this equipment during your vacation. This safety equipment will be displayed in the saloon of your boat on boarding – If you have any questions feel free to ask our base staff during your briefing. 

We have a very limited supply of children’s life jackets on base so highly recommend that if you are travelling with children, you bring their own. This ensures that children have correctly fitting jackets that are comfortable for them. 

Children should not be allowed in the dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and should wear a buoyancy aid or harness whilst on deck. 

Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy. 

This destination is generally risk-free of contagious disease. Visit cdc.gov for the latest information.

The Moorings offers comprehensive travel insurance through our partner, for your peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, verify that it covers the destinations and activities of your Moorings vacation.