Gaios, Paxos Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Port Gaios, Γάιος
Gaios is the capital of Paxos and one of the finest natural harbours in the Ionian — a long, narrow channel between the main island and St Nicholas island, with breakwaters sealing both N and S entrances. The result is a near land-locked basin with over 1,000m of quay space. Venetian architecture, good restaurants, well-stocked supermarkets, fuel dock, and a chandlery make Gaios the resupply point for Paxos. Use the N entrance (S entrance only 2m deep and 30m wide). Extremely crowded in August.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
39°11.9'N 20°11.2'E
Depth
5–8m
Bottom
mud, sand
Holding
Good holdingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
Exposed To
None (all-weather)
Best Months
April, May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free for anchoring; small quay fee possible at town quay
Permit Required
No
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m covers the typical swing in 5–8m in the channel. Near all-round shelter — only a rare strong sustained NE blow requires evacuation.
North Quay (anchor and stern-to): 50m recommended — North Quay (~20–25 yachts, stern/bows-to) in 2.
Anchorage off St Nicholas island: 60m recommended — Anchor off the E side of St Nicholas island in 5–10m.
Anchoring Zones
Gaios, Paxos has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics. Choose the zone that matches your boat size and the expected overnight conditions.
Zone 1: North Quay (anchor and stern-to)
- Depth: 2–8m
- Bottom: mud, weed
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 50m
North Quay (~20–25 yachts, stern/bows-to) in 2.5–3m at the quay face; anchors drop into 5–8m in the channel. Good holding in mud and weed. Tripper-boat section off-limits 10:00–17:00.
Zone 2: Anchorage off St Nicholas island
- Depth: 5–10m
- Bottom: sand, mud
- Holding: Good holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 60m
Anchor off the E side of St Nicholas island in 5–10m. Good holding in sand/mud. Preferred free-swinging option with excellent all-round shelter.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Gaios, Paxos is primarily mud and sand with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 5–8m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m depth).
- Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back — do not allow chain to pile on the anchor.
- Set firmly in reverse. Apply moderate throttle astern for 30–60 seconds. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
- Take a GPS bearing. Note your position once set and compare to the scope calculator to confirm you have adequate chain for the depth.
Recommended anchor types for this bottom: CQR, Delta, Rocna. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Gaios, Paxos are excellent — 360-degree protection means minimal boat movement.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 55m radius before going below for the night.55m covers the typical swing in 5–8m in the channel. Near all-round shelter — only a rare strong sustained NE blow requires evacuation.
Open year-round. August is the busiest month in the entire Ionian. May, June, September, and October are far more comfortable.
Navigation Hazards
- Tripper boats dominate certain quay sections during the day — time arrival accordingly
- S entrance (30m wide, 2m deep) — use N entrance only
- Extremely crowded August — arrive before noon for a berth
Rules & Regulations
- Permit: Not required beyond standard Greek DEKPA transit log
- Anchoring fee: Free for anchoring; small quay fee possible at town quay
- Restrictions: Tripper-boat quay sections off-limits 10:00–17:00. Use N entrance only for yachts.
For a full overview of Greek anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Available
- Restaurant: Multiple tavernas and cafes along the waterfront
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Use the N entrance. The S entrance channel is dangerously shallow for yachts.
- Arrive before 12:00 in August. After 14:00 the quay is usually full.
- Best provisioning stop on Paxos — fuel, water, supermarket, chandlery all available.
A note on this guide: The data in this guide has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Anchorage conditions — including depth, holding, and local regulations — can change. Before visiting, always check current weather forecasts, NAVTEX and VHF weather bulletins, and consult your up-to-date charts. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Gaios, Paxos
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously through the night and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts outside your set radius — so you can relax and enjoy the Corfu & Paxos anchorage.
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