Sivota Blue Lagoon by Boat from Corfu

Where the Mountains Meet Impossible Blue

The stretch of coastline between the Greek mainland village of Sivota and the cluster of small islands guarding its bay contains one of the most striking natural swimming pools in the Mediterranean. Locals call it the Blue Lagoon — a shallow, turquoise-floored channel between the islets of Mourtemeno and Agios Nikolaos where the water glows with a luminosity that seems artificial until you are floating in it.

Reaching Sivota’s Blue Lagoon from Corfu by private boat takes roughly ninety minutes, crossing the strait that separates the island from mainland Epirus. It is one of the most rewarding full-day itineraries available from Corfu — combining open-water cruising, sheltered lagoon swimming, a charming village lunch, and a coast that rivals anything in the Cyclades.

The Route from Corfu

Most departures leave from Gouvia Marina or the old port in Corfu Town, heading southeast across the Corfu Strait. The crossing to the mainland coast takes forty-five minutes to an hour depending on the vessel. On calm days, the Albanian mountains to the north and the Epirus peaks to the east frame the horizon in grey-blue layers.

The boat follows the mainland coast south, passing Igoumenitsa’s commercial port and rounding into the bay of Sivota. The approach reveals why this stretch of coast has drawn attention in recent years: steep green hillsides dropping into deeply indented bays, each one hiding a different shade of blue.

Sea Conditions

The Corfu Strait is generally calm in summer, with moderate northwesterly breezes in the afternoon. Your skipper will choose the best crossing angle based on the day’s forecast. Once inside Sivota’s bay, the water is almost always flat — the islands create a natural breakwater.

The Blue Lagoon Itself

The lagoon forms in the narrow channel between Mourtemeno island and the smaller rocky islets to its south. The seabed here is white sand at a depth of two to four metres, and the combination of sand, sunlight, and the sheltering rocks produces that signature colour — a gradient running from pale aquamarine at the edges to vivid turquoise at the centre.

Swimming in the lagoon feels different from open water. The shallowness warms the water a degree or two above the surrounding sea. The shelter means no current and no chop. You float in clarity, watching your shadow on the sand below.

Snorkelling Around Mourtemeno

The rocky edges of Mourtemeno island offer surprisingly good snorkelling. Sea bream and wrasse move between the boulders, and the visibility routinely exceeds fifteen metres. The north side of the island, where the rocks drop into deeper water, holds the most marine life.

Sivota Village: Lunch on the Waterfront

After the lagoon, most private boat itineraries include a stop at Sivota village — a compact harbour settlement of pastel-coloured houses, fishing boats, and waterfront tavernas that has managed to grow in popularity without losing its character.

Your skipper can moor directly on the harbour wall or anchor in the bay and tender you ashore. Either way, you are steps from some of the best waterfront dining on the Epirus coast.

Where to Eat

Taverna Limani sits right on the water and serves grilled octopus that has been hanging to dry on the line outside since morning. The fresh fish — usually sea bream, sea bass, or red mullet — is priced by the kilo and grilled simply with olive oil and lemon.

For something lighter, Mikros Cocktail Bar offers fresh salads, bruschetta, and cold drinks with a view across the harbour to the islands you just swam around.

The village also has a small supermarket, bakery, and several shops selling local honey and olive oil — worth a browse if you want to bring something back.

Additional Swim Stops

A full-day Sivota tour from Corfu typically includes three to four swim stops beyond the Blue Lagoon:

Mega Ammos Beach

A long sand-and-pebble beach just south of Sivota village with beach bars and shallow water. Good for families and anyone wanting a longer beach stop.

Bella Vraka

A striking sandbar connecting a small island to the mainland, creating beaches on both sides. When the tide is right, you can walk across knee-deep water to the island. The sand here is unusually fine for this coast.

The Hidden Cove at Agia Paraskevi

Accessible only by boat, this small pebble beach sits in a cliff-walled cove south of Sivota. The water depth goes from knee-height to three metres within a few steps — perfect for jumping in from the rocks.

Combining Sivota with Other Destinations

Some guests combine the Sivota route with a stop at Parga — the photogenic mainland town with its Venetian castle and colourful waterfront — though this extends the day significantly. A more manageable combination pairs Sivota with the sea caves near Mourtos or the quiet beaches north of Igoumenitsa.

For those based in southern Corfu, the Paxos and Sivota combination is possible on a long day, covering both the island and mainland highlights of the Ionian.

When to Go

The Sivota lagoon is at its most vivid from June through September, when the sun angle brings out the full colour range. Early morning visits — before 10:00 AM — offer the calmest water and the most intense colour. By afternoon, the boats and the breeze can stir up just enough movement to slightly cloud the lagoon.

Water temperature in the lagoon runs one to two degrees warmer than the open sea, reaching 27-28 degrees in August.

Practical Information

The full-day Sivota tour from Corfu typically runs eight to nine hours, departing around 9:00 AM and returning by 5:00 or 6:00 PM. Most SeaDreamers vessels carry all necessary equipment — snorkelling gear, towels, a cooler with drinks and snacks.

Sivota village has ATMs, pharmacies, and public restrooms. Some tavernas accept only cash, though most now take cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to reach Sivota from Corfu by boat?

Approximately 75 to 90 minutes from Gouvia Marina or Corfu Town, depending on the vessel and sea conditions.

Is the Blue Lagoon in Sivota the same as the one in Erikoussa?

No. These are two different locations. The Sivota Blue Lagoon is on the Greek mainland coast south of Igoumenitsa. Erikoussa is one of the Diapontia Islands northwest of Corfu. Both are beautiful, but they are separate destinations.

Can you visit Sivota and Paxos in the same day?

It is possible on a long full-day charter with an early departure, but the itinerary would be rushed. Most guests prefer to dedicate a full day to each destination for a more relaxed experience.

Is the Sivota boat tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes. The lagoon’s shallow, calm water is ideal for children. Sivota village is easy to walk, and several beaches along the route have gentle entries. Most private boats carry child life jackets.

A Day Worth Crossing the Strait

Sivota’s Blue Lagoon has the kind of beauty that feels too good to be real — until you are in the water, looking down at white sand through three metres of flawless clarity, with the green mountains of Epirus rising behind you. Combined with a village lunch and a handful of hidden beaches, it makes a full-day boat tour from Corfu that holds its own against any itinerary in Greece.

Get in touch with SeaDreamers to book your Sivota Blue Lagoon day trip from Corfu.