Private Full Day Boat Tour in Diapontia Islands

The best part of this private Corfu boat trip is its reach. You leave Gouvia Marina for the Diapontia Islands, a small chain far west of Corfu, and spend a full day moving between beaches, clear water, cliffs, and sea caves. The 35-foot RIB, known as Viper Grigoris, gives your group a fast, stylish base on the Ionian Sea.

I like the private format, which means your group controls the mood and shares the boat only with your own party. I also like the useful extras: snorkeling gear, a sea scooter, towels, soft drinks, water, snacks, Wi-Fi, fuel, and a bottle of Prosecco are included. The main drawback is cost. At $2,634.05 for up to 11 people, this makes the most sense for a full group, and the hostess fee and staff tips are still extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Three islands in one long day: Erikousa gets about four hours, while Othonoi and Mathraki each receive about two.
• A 35-foot private RIB: Viper Grigoris is described as powerful and comfortable, with captain Greg handling one of the reported outings.
• Water gear is included: You receive towels, snorkeling equipment, and use of a sea scooter.
• Drinks and snacks are covered: Bottled water, Coke, lemonade, Fanta, mini cakes, and one bottle of Prosecco are included.
• The price favors larger groups: A full party of 11 pays about $239 per person before the hostess fee and tips.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

Leaving Gouvia for the Diapontia Islands

Your day begins at 10:00 a.m. at D-Marin Gouvia Marina, north of Corfu Town. The return is to the same marina, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup from another island or port.

The boat is a 35-foot rigid inflatable boat, or RIB. That gives you a private vessel with a sporty shape and enough room for a group of up to 11. The experience is designed around being out on the water rather than staying in a large enclosed cabin, so I would choose it for sun, swimming, and open-air cruising.

Your captain is an important part of the day. Captain Greg is specifically named in the available feedback, and the captain on this service is described as knowing secluded beaches around the Ionian Sea. That matters here because the islands are small, and the appeal is less about checking off famous sights than finding the right patch of coast for a swim or a quiet stop.

There is no separate admission charge at the three stops. Fuel and the captain fee are already included, which makes the quoted group price easier to understand. The hostess fee is not included, however, and staff tips remain your responsibility.

Erikousa gets the longest stop

Erikousa, also spelled Ereikousa, is the first stop and receives about four hours. That is half of the listed eight-hour day, so this is where you have the most time to slow down.

The island is presented as a place of golden beaches and clear water, with a quieter feel than Corfu’s more developed coastal areas. You can use the snorkeling equipment here, take a swim, or simply spend time on the beach with a towel and a cold drink.

The four-hour allocation is useful because swimming stops can feel rushed when a boat tries to visit too many places. Here, you have enough time for more than a quick jump overboard. You can split the stop between the beach and the water, and the sea scooter adds another option for enjoying the coast.

Still, the exact balance of beach time, swimming, and cruising depends on the captain and the day. The published plan gives the stop four hours, but it does not promise a particular beach, restaurant, walking route, or village visit. If you want a land-based island tour with museums or structured sightseeing, this is not that kind of day.

Othonoi offers two hours of quiet water

After Erikousa, the boat continues to Othonoi, the westernmost island in the group. The stop lasts about two hours and focuses on its secluded character and unspoiled coastline.

Othonoi is a good fit for you if your ideal island visit means less infrastructure and more time looking at the sea. The description emphasizes calm surroundings rather than a packed schedule. You can expect the boat to take center stage, with time for swimming and enjoying the island from the water.

Two hours is enough for a focused stop, but it is not a great deal of time if you hope to explore every corner of the island on foot. I would treat Othonoi as a scenic water stop, not as a full island visit. That distinction helps set fair expectations.

The private setup also gives your group room to decide how active you want to be. If some people want to snorkel while others prefer to stay dry, the boat’s equipment and open schedule make that easier than on a fixed group cruise. You should still keep in mind that the tour is shared only with your own party, not an entirely custom charter with unlimited time at every beach.

Mathraki brings cliffs and sea caves

The final stop is Mathraki Beach, where the coastline becomes more rugged. The plan allows about two hours for this stop, with views of dramatic rock formations and sea caves along the shore.

This is where the boat itself becomes especially useful. A RIB can take you along the coast, giving you a water-level view of cliffs and formations that you might not see from a beach. The sea scooter and snorkeling gear also fit this part of the day well, provided conditions are suitable.

The wording for this stop focuses on navigating beside the cliffs and discovering caves, rather than promising a particular cave visit or a long walk ashore. You should think of Mathraki as a coastal viewing and swimming stop. The precise route can vary, and the activity requires good weather.

With only two hours here, you will want to be ready when the boat arrives. Keep your swimwear, towel, and sun protection easy to reach. The tour includes towels, but personal items such as hats, phones, and clothing are still your responsibility.

What is included on the boat

The inclusions are one of the stronger parts of this outing. You receive bottled water, Coke, lemonade, Fanta, mini cakes, towels, snorkeling equipment, and use of a sea scooter. Wi-Fi is also listed, along with fuel and all fees and taxes.

A bottle of Prosecco is included as well. That gives the day a celebratory touch for a birthday, anniversary, or small group gathering. Alcohol is not the main point of the trip, but having one bottle included is a pleasant extra rather than something you need to arrange yourself.

The snacks are simple. Mini cakes are useful between stops, but you should not book this expecting a full lunch. No substantial meal is listed, and no restaurant stop is promised. If you need more than light snacks for eight hours on the water, bring up your food plans with the operator before departure.

The sea scooter is a particularly notable inclusion. It gives you another way to enjoy the water beyond ordinary swimming and snorkeling. I would ask about its use and any safety instructions at the start, especially if several people in your group want a turn.

What the $2,634.05 price really means

The price is $2,634.05 for the entire group, with up to 11 people aboard. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $239.46 per person. That calculation does not include the hostess fee or tips.

For 11 people, the price can be reasonable for a private day on a 35-foot boat with fuel, captain service, drinks, snacks, equipment, Wi-Fi, and a full route through three islands. You are paying for privacy and access to a boat rather than buying individual seats on a standard cruise.

For two or three people, the same price becomes a major splurge. The boat, captain, fuel, and most inclusions remain the same, so the per-person cost rises quickly. I would book it for a family group, several couples, or friends who value having the entire boat to themselves.

The value also depends on your priorities. If you want a flexible water day with swimming, remote beaches, and private space, the package is easier to justify. If you mainly want a short scenic cruise or a simple beach transfer, it is probably more than you need.

The private format is the real luxury

The strongest reason to choose this outing is not just the list of equipment. It is control over your own day.

A private boat means you are not trying to match the pace of a large group. You can spend more time swimming at one stop and less time at another, subject to the captain’s judgment and the day’s conditions. You also avoid sharing the boat with strangers, which can make a long eight-hour outing more comfortable.

The boat is described as both powerful and comfortable. That combination matters when the itinerary covers three islands in one day. You are not simply sitting in one bay for eight hours. The route requires extended time on the water, and the RIB is intended to make that movement part of the experience.

There is a tradeoff. A fast private boat is not the same as a slow sailing cruise or a large ferry with lots of indoor room. If you prefer a quiet vessel with broad shade and plenty of cabin space, ask Sea Dreamers Boat Rental Corfu what shade and seating are available before paying. The supplied details do not specify a cabin, sun cover, or toilet aboard.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to a group that wants a full day outdoors and is comfortable making the water the main event. Families with older children, friends, and couples traveling together could all make good use of the private format.

It is especially suited to you if you want:

• Three different island settings in one outing
• Swimming and snorkeling rather than formal sightseeing
• A private boat instead of a shared cruise
• Light snacks and drinks already arranged
• The freedom to enjoy the coast at your group’s pace
• A special occasion with Prosecco included

I would be more cautious if anyone in your group dislikes long boat days, prefers a fixed meal, or needs extensive information about onboard facilities. The tour is eight hours, and the itinerary is water-focused from beginning to end.

Service feedback is mostly warm about the boat, the captain, and the secluded beaches. One piece of feedback involved a forgotten top and confusion over returning the item through a hotel. The operator stated that it does not charge for returning personal belongings. My practical advice is simple: check your seat, bags, and the deck carefully before leaving each stop, and contact the operator directly if anything goes missing.

Timing, weather, and booking details

With a 10:00 a.m. start and an approximate eight-hour duration, you should expect to return to Gouvia around 6:00 p.m., though the exact timing can change. The three scheduled stops total eight hours, but time on the water and the captain’s decisions can affect the final rhythm.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Service animals are allowed, the marina is near public transportation, and the activity states that most people can participate. Those details are helpful, but they do not replace asking the operator about specific mobility needs or boat access before booking.

Should you book the Diapontia Islands boat tour?

Book it if you can fill the boat and want a private, active day on the Ionian Sea. Erikousa gives you the longest beach and swimming stop, Othonoi adds quiet island scenery, and Mathraki brings cliffs and sea caves. The equipment, drinks, snacks, fuel, and captain fee remove several small costs and planning tasks.

Think twice if your group is small, price-sensitive, or hoping for a full meal and extensive land sightseeing. The $2,634.05 group price is easiest to defend when divided among 11 people, and the hostess fee and tips still need to be added.

For the right group, this is a polished way to reach three less-developed islands from Corfu, with Captain Greg and the Viper Grigoris adding a personal, boat-centered feel. Just go in expecting a long day outdoors, light refreshments rather than lunch, and an experience shaped by the sea and weather.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at D-Marin Gouvia Marina in Gouvia, Corfu, Greece.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and returns to the starting marina.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to 11 people.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Erikousa, Othonoi, and Mathraki Beach.

Are snorkeling equipment and towels included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and towels are included, along with use of a sea scooter.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, Coke, lemonade, Fanta, mini cakes, and one bottle of Prosecco are included. A full meal is not listed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.