From our apartment inside the Old Town, the sea is never more than a 10-minute walk away. But if you're after serious snorkeling — the kind with 20-metre visibility and octopus under the rocks — you'll need to venture beyond the city walls. The good news is that nothing on this island is far, and most of the island's best underwater spots are within a 45-minute drive from the heart of Corfu Town.
Below is an honest rundown, ordered by distance from our front door. We start with what you can walk to and build up to the ones worth a full day out.
The Walking-Distance Options
Be honest: Corfu Town isn't really a snorkeling destination. The Old Port is industrial, the Spianada waterfront is busy, and the rocks near the New Fortress see a lot of boat wash. But two spots within 20 minutes on foot do deliver a decent swim.
Faliraki (below the Old Fortress)
A tiny rocky swimming spot wedged below the walls of the Old Fortress, with a small bar and diving platform. Locals call it Mon Amour. Visibility is 5–8 metres — nowhere near the island's best — but the setting is extraordinary, and for a late-afternoon dip between a morning museum visit and dinner, it's perfect. Ten minutes on foot from our apartment.
Mon Repos Beach
Twenty minutes south on foot, within the Mon Repos estate where Prince Philip was born. Small shingle beaches along the edges of the park, with some rocky entry points that hold more marine life than you'd expect. A good compromise spot for a half-day that combines a walk in the palace gardens with a swim.
Day-Trip Spots Worth the Drive
For the serious underwater experiences — the reason you'd tell someone back home about Corfu's snorkeling — you'll want to drive or catch a bus. Here are the six we consistently recommend to guests at the apartment.
La Grotta, Paleokastritsa
Forty minutes west by car, and the single most memorable swim on the island. A rocky platform with a ladder straight into deep, hyper-clear water along a cliff face. Octopus live in the overhangs; schools of damselfish work the mid-water. If you only pick one destination from this list, make it this.
Nissaki & Kalami
Thirty-five minutes north on the east coast. Two small bays that deliver 20-metre visibility and the calmest water in northern Corfu. Kalami has the Durrell literary connection and three good tavernas; Nissaki is quieter and slightly better for snorkeling. Easy to combine in one day.
Bataria, Kassiopi
Forty-five minutes north, below the old Byzantine fort. The sea floor here is a maze of tumbled stone, probably a mix of natural and ancient fortification, with superb fish activity. A thoughtful half-day combines the fortress walk with a snorkel and a long lunch in Kassiopi village.
Rovinia Beach, Liapades
Forty-five minutes west, then either a 20-minute hike through olive groves or a short boat hop from Liapades. The payoff is the clearest water in Corfu outside La Grotta, usually an empty beach, and enough underwater terrain for a long slow morning. Pack lunch.
Canal d'Amour, Sidari
About an hour drive north to the island's top. The sandstone channels create a micro-landscape of natural swim-throughs, and the water is shallow enough for first-time snorkelers or children. Best before 10am, before other swimmers cloud the bottom.
A Corfu Town Tip
If you're relying on buses, the KTEL Green Buses depart from the Corfu Town terminal near the New Port for Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi and Sidari. Services are regular in summer but drop off sharply from October. A hire car is the only way to reach Rovinia or to comfortably combine two spots in a day.
Getting Around Without Luggage
Arriving in town and wanting to swim straight away? Leave your bags with our partners at Lock and Walk, 5 minutes from our apartment near the Old Port — a small fee for storage while you explore. Much easier than dragging suitcases across cobblestones.
Car Hire: Herbie
The easiest way to reach the island's best snorkeling is with your own wheels. Herbie delivers free to the apartment door, the airport, or the port, with a range from compact city cars to 4x4s for the rougher access roads.
Book a carGear Notes
Bring your own mask if you snorkel often — rental quality in Corfu Town is mediocre. Several sports shops on the Spianada side sell decent sets if you need one.
Water shoes are essential. Every spot on this list has rocky or pebble entry. Sea urchins are common. Buy a cheap pair at any of the Liston-side tourist shops.
When to Go
Peak visibility season is June to late September. Water temperature is warmest in August (around 26°C) but every month in this window delivers excellent conditions. The key timing variable is hour of the day — always snorkel before 11am for the clearest water.
Staying in the Old Town
Our apartment is inside the historic Old Town, a 10-minute walk from the Spianada and 5 minutes from the Old Port. For guests who prefer a coastal stay, our friends at Corfu Beach and Town have a beach house on the north coast — closer to the water, further from the cobblestones.
Further reading: our Old Town guide and our east coast beach day-trips.