Marina di Gouvia

Located within a beautiful natural inlet on the coast of theisland of Corfu, the Marina of Gouvia finds its greatest strength in being just a stone’s throw from the capital and its international airport; surrounded by beautiful scenery, it is truly equipped with everything one could ask of a modern marina. This is precisely why it is the ideal stopover for those who want (or need) to leave their boat for a few days or weeks and catch a plane to head home or to another destination for tourism.

It is located right in the center of the island of Corfu, in a natural bay chosen since antiquity as an ideal shelter for sailors from all over (with a large Italian presence: Neapolitans and Venetians, especially); its location is strategic, allowing easy visits to the beautiful island rich in fortresses, Byzantine churches, ancient monuments-present at the marina car, scooter and bike rental services.

There is, of course, no shortage of opportunities for those who want to do a bit of beach life: Corfu has plenty of beautiful sandy beaches, especially on the southern part of the island, on the western side (the side facing Italy). Lovers of tranquility can indulge in excursions into the verdant hinterland, which features olive trees and small, picturesque villages. Gouvia Marina is also a good starting point for a day trip to the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, south of Corfu, which boast heavenly beaches.

The port, which began as a public one, underwent a crucial makeover in 1996, when its management was taken over by a company specializing in private marinas, which brought it up to the high European standards of nautical tourism, tripling its berths and shore facilities. Today the Gouvia marina has 1,235 berths (up to 80 m in length), cafes, restaurants, stores, and above all a large number of useful services for boaters.

The entrance to the marina is marked by two green and red lights, incoming boats should contact the marina via VHF on channel 69: the moorers will take you over and tell you where to put you. The ports are open year-round 24 hours a day, offices are open according to season (June to October 8-20 daily).

Access to Gouvia Bay presents no particular problems, while inside the bay mud banks abound, with a real risk of running aground. Stay strictly within the navigation channel marked by buoys to reach the port.

The more than 1,000 berths are distributed between fixed and floating docks, and boats are divided by length (80 m is the maximum length accepted; 5.5 m is the maximum draft); berths designated for transit are located quite far from the marina entrance and its offices: if you have a bicycle, you’re in luck. Berths can be reserved on a daily or annual basis. All berths are equipped with electricity (220V free, 380V for a fee) and water: beware, however, that the water is not drinkable, only the water dispensed from the blue columns placed here and there can be drunk. The ports also has 520 dry berths.

As mentioned, services abound. Among the essential ones: toilets, showers (both also for the disabled), public telephone, laundry, supermarket, port police office, an ATM for cash withdrawals. Tourist facilities include a children’s playground, swimming pool, cricket field; there is no shortage of cafes and restaurants. The marina is covered by wi-fi network for a fee; there are prepaid cards for sale at the marina office. The ports has a fueling station.

Special attention has been paid to maintenance and repair services. A 65-ton travelift, three 65-, 45-, and 25-ton cranes, a small 5-ton crane, and a boat transport vehicle are available at the port, and the marina is equipped with equipment and personnel to carry out mechanical, electrical, electronic, and wooden repairs, as well as sail repair and underwater inspections and operations.

Free anchoring in the marina area is not allowed, except in case of emergency. Same for the entire bay of Gouvia, anchoring is not possible. For those who want to anchorage, an alternative is to anchor in the small bay of Ormos Kammeno, north of the entrance to Gouvia Bay: depth 6-10 meters, bottom of mud and seaweed, fair tenor. The anchorage is not the smoothest in warm weather because of water-skiers and the many motor boats that pass to and from the bay.