TRIP OVERVIEW

7 days
Yoga Swim
Up to 3km/day
Leisurely

Trip Dates

2027
15 May - 21 May
4 Spaces
22 May - 28 May
4 Spaces
29 May - 04 Jun
5 Spaces

Tour Highlights

  • Looking for a leisurely swimming holiday? Get back to nature and unwind as we spend our mornings swimming and afternoons in relaxing yoga sessions.

  • Settle into island life with private yoga sessions on a traditional ‘shala’ overlooking the Ionian Sea. We even try a sound bath ceremony on our final evening.

  • Explore the neighbouring islands of Antipaxos and Paxos and swim through the Mongonissi Channel, forming a protected bay and safe anchorage for visiting sailboats.

  • Seek out the islands’ many mystical caves, marvel at sheer cliffs and sea arches as swallows circle overhead. In the water, you may spot colourful reef fish, sea turtles and even an octopus – if you’re lucky!

  • Enjoy an intimate dinner at Orkos Estate, your yoga teacher’s family estate nestled among six acres of olive trees. You will have plenty of opportunities to sample classic Ionian cuisine, with Greek and Italian influences.

Nestled in a turquoise bay at the northern tip of Paxos, the charming harbour village of Lakka is one of the Ionian Sea's hidden gems. With its crystal-clear waters, relaxed pace of life and warm Greek hospitality, it's the perfect place to recharge and reconnect.

Each morning begins with a stroll through Lakka's narrow, flower-lined streets as the village gently comes to life. Watch fishing boats and catamarans set sail for the day, locals sweep the fronts of their tavernas, and the waterfront cafés fill with the murmurs of conversation. The village's pebbled beaches curve around the bay, inviting you into the sparkling blue waters beyond.

Alongside our signature swims each morning, each afternoon our experienced yoga instructor will guide sessions tailored to the needs of the group. Whether you're completely new to yoga or have an established practice, each class is designed to complement your swimming, helping you stretch, restore and find balance. Set within a beautiful private estate surrounded by olive groves, you'll build strength and flexibility each day overlooking sun glitter on the Ionian Sea.

Our swims also showcase the very best of Paxos and its smaller neighbour, Antipaxos. Discover secluded coves, dramatic limestone cliffs and some of the clearest water in Greece, all while enjoying the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation and wellbeing.

Who is this trip for?

This trip is for SwimTrekkers who want a slice of Greek island village life. Compared to our Classics, this YogaSwim is for those who prefer a single swim per day (3km max per day) and complement their swimming with a yoga session.

The yoga shala is up a hill (the walk is around 700m, but it is steep) and our hotel is a local family-owned guest house that has no lift - so we only recommend this trip for guests with good mobility who can walk up and down a hill.

We take one swim per day, combined with our yoga sessions, and the average daily swim distance is around 2.5km with a maximum distance of 3km.

No prior experience of yoga is required.

We have given this trip a ‘Leisurely’ grading designed for people who want to swim at a more relaxed pace and enjoy the scenery.

Are you a Pioneer?

We are excited to share our entirely new Paxos YogaSwim trip for an action-packed 2027 of adventures. Our first departures will be Pioneer Departures. These are perfect for those who want to get out first to experience the relatively unexplored waters that await us. You will have the opportunity to explore the destination in-depth with an amazing group of swimmers, helping us discover the possibilities for future trips.


What's included?

  • Swim guides and full safety escort on all swims (swimmers only)
  • 5 Private yoga sessions, which includes a sound bath on the final night
  • 6 Nights’ accommodation
  • Welcome drink
  • 6 Breakfasts
  • 2 Lunches
  • 1 Private dinner hosted by your yoga teacher and her family
  • 1 Return evening transfer to dine at the oldest taverna in Paxos
  • Full ABTOT Financial Protection

What's not included?

  • 3 Lunches
  • 5 Dinners
  • Travel to and from the start of the trip
  • Drinks and additional activities
  • Climate Resilience Tax, which must be paid at the hotel

Sample Trip Itinerary

Please note that the below daily itineraries are an example of the swims that may take place during your trip, however, actual swim locations and distances will vary according to local weather and swim conditions. Your SwimTrek guides and local boat pilots will determine the most suitable swim locations each day and will communicate the plan with all guests as soon as possible.

Trip Schedule

Start Point: Hotel Erida

Start Time: 18:00 on Day 1

Finish Point: Hotel Erida

Finish Time: 11:00 on Day 7

Paxos

Day 1

We gather down in Lakka village in the evening for our welcome meeting and a sunset drink. This is a chance to get to know everyone and learn about the plan for our Greek adventure. We can then order dinner and enjoy our first group meal together in the village square.

Paxos

Day 2

We wake up in our family-run hotel and head down into town to our designated breakfast cafe. Here we can have our breakfast and watch as Lakka town comes to life.

Paxos

Bellies full, we get on our boats and head out to the outside of Lakka Bay. We then swim down the east of the island to the next village, Longos. Here we have a lovely meal planned at a local trattoria. After lunch the boats take us to the beautiful Orkos Beach. A quick hike up a secret wooded path takes us to our yoga shala. After meeting our yoga instructor over a cup of tea, we start our yoga practise overlooking the deep blue of the Ionian Sea. Then your guide will accompany you back down the hill into Lakka village.

The evening is yours to enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many local restaurants, or you can opt to take advantage of the kitchen facilities at your accommodation and enjoy a homecooked meal on your hotel balcony.

Day 3

Today we venture to the neighbouring island of Antipaxos! After breakfast, we are picked up by our boat crew and taken to the southernmost islet, called Daskalia. After a circumnavigation we stop in a cove for a pre-made lunch. Afterwards the boat will take us on a leisurely trip back to Lakka where our afternoon yoga session awaits. After yoga you are once again free to enjoy the evening as you please.

Paxos

Day 4

After breakfast, we head out a little earlier to visit the western coast of Paxos, defined by spectacular sea caves. According to legend, here lies the remnants of an underwater palace Poseidon shared with his wife. We find a quiet spot close by and start our swim heading south towards Avlaki Beach. Our boat picks us out the water and we scoot past the soaring Tripitos Arch, headed over to the Island’s main town, Gaios. Here we have lunch in a local taverna and soak up the town’s atmosphere.

Paxos

Our boats then take us from Gaios over to Lakka where we end the day with another yoga session. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy.

Your SwimTrek guide can help you organise a trip to the local inland village of Platanos where you can dine at the oldest trattoria in Paxos, family-owned and operating since 1888.

Day 5

After a good breakfast our boats take us back to Antipaxos. This time we will have the unique opportunity (we don't do this on our Paxos Explorer trip) to visit the unspoilt northern side of the island.

Paxos

Later, we ride the boat to the Paxos coast and weave our way through the narrow channel between Paxos and the small island of Mongonissi. We find a local shipwreck and follow the coastline for a relaxing swim into the bay of Mongonissi. There we will stop at the local taverna for lunch before we finish the day with some more ‘cat cows’ and ‘downward dogs’ back in Lakka.

Another evening of island bliss awaits to spend at your leisure. Maybe you’ll choose to head into Gaios for the evening or stay local.

Day 6

After breakfast, we group together for an exciting swim along the western coast of Antipaxos, with steep cliffs of limestone and sea caves reminiscent of the famous blue caves of Paxos. Then we can enjoy a picnic by a creek, or a visit to a local taverna.

Paxos

In the afternoon, we take the boats back to Lakka and enjoy a leisurely walk to our familiar yoga spot, above the glittering seascape. Later that night, we will join for a peaceful sound bath ceremony, which is the perfect way to end our yoga sessions on the island. The setting couldn’t be more serene, shaded by olive trees, with waves rolling far below.

Our last dinner is a homecooked meal in the garden, where we spend the evening together, handing out certificates and reliving our favourite memories from a week of island swims and restful yoga.

Day 7

We finish our island stay with a farewell swim in sheltered Lakka harbour. After saying our goodbyes there are many ferries leaving the island to whisk you away in the early morning. There is also a small cafe at Paxos ferry port, serving coffee and food – so, you can take a moment and refuel before you go.

Accommodation

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Erida

Nestled in the heart of the charming village of Lakka on the island of Paxos, Erida guest house offers a perfect retreat for travellers seeking tranquility, and authentic Ionian hospitality.

Location Summary

Paxos and Antipaxos

These unspoilt Greek islands are neighbours in the Ionian Sea, framed by blue-green waters and cast off from the southern coastline of Corfu. Paxos is the bigger of the two, known for its local dining options, natural harbour and the fishing village of Lakka on its northern tip, where yachts seek refuge. Meanwhile, Antipaxos is quieter and mostly uninhabited, edged by white-sand beaches, carved with sea caves and washed by some of the clearest waters you’ll ever have the privilege of diving into!

Lakka

We stay on Paxos at the northern reaches, where the village of Lakka sits by a harbour of crystalline water, suitable for swimming, snorkelling, and yachting too. It’s a short walk to the white-pebbled beaches of Kanoni and Harami, as well as rocky bays secreted away up and down the coast. Your setting is also surrounded by cypress trees and ancient olive groves, alongside a waterfront of cafes, bars and lively tavernas.

Gaios

The main port and capital of Paxos is as charming as you might expect for the smallest of the seven major Ionian Islands. Found on the island’s eastern coast, the port sits alongside a natural harbour, shielded by the small islets of Agios Nikolaos and Panagia. Look out for nearby landmarks, like the natural formation of Tripitos Arch, standing where a former sea cave collapsed.

Trip Grading

We have given this trip a ‘Leisurely’ grading designed for people who want to swim at a more relaxed pace and enjoy the scenery.

Swimming Distances

Swim Distance
Orkos to Longgos 3km
Daskalia Circumnavigation 2.5km
Avlaki 2.5km
North Anti-Paxos and Mongonissi 3km
West Coast Anti Paxos 2.5km

*Please note that these swims are an example of what may take place during your trip and should be used as a guide only. Actual swim locations and distances will vary according to local weather and swim conditions.

Swimming Conditions

Swimming in the open water is a fantastic experience, however you should be aware that certain marine life such as jellyfish, plankton, sea lice, sea urchins and coral could be present during the swims and may cause some discomfort. In all cases we will work on reducing your contact with these creatures and that any interactions are managed safely. If you suffer from anaphylaxis, please consult the office prior to booking.

Month Water Temperature Air Temperature
May 19-20C 23-25C
Sept 23-25C 24-26C

*Please note that these temperatures are indicative and should be used as a guide only.

Walking Distances

Please note that this holiday may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility.

The hotel is set on a hillside, and some rooms are accessed via up to four flights of stairs. There are no lifts within the property. We have a small number of first-floor rooms available, which offer easier access; however, these feature more traditional, non-refurbished bathrooms. Please contact the customer service team if you wish to request one of these rooms.

Our yoga shala enjoys an elevated setting above Orkos Beach. The walk from Lakka village is approximately 700 metres and takes around 10 minutes, following a steep uphill path.

The beach approach to the shala is a short two-minute walk through a small woodland area, where the path includes some uneven ground, exposed roots and rocks.

Most guests find these walks straightforward and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings and amazing views over Lakka Bay.

Weather Caveat

For safety reasons, we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out our swims. Therefore, open water swimming holidays require a certain degree of on-trip flexibility which can result in changes to the planned itinerary. These changes often add a touch of uniqueness to your trip and will be communicated to you by your SwimTrek guides as quickly as possible.

Trip Information

Group Size

This trip has a maximum group size of 15. The group will be split into a maximum of three groups, based on speed, with each group being accompanied by their own safety vessel/escort. 

Boat Support

Boat support on this trip includes 2 RIBS and 1 hard hull speed boat, piloted by local crew and your SwimTrek guides. Please note that this boat support is subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed.

Equipment Checklist

Water in May can be cold (around 19°C) so you might want bring a wetsuit. We will be having lunch on the beach on two of the days. They might want to bring a beach towel to sit on. You may want to bring a changing robe to change on the boat. Blocks and yoga mat are provided.

For your basic, essential packing list, please visit our Packing List page on the website.

Getting There

As SwimTrekkers come from all over the world, and join our swimming holidays in numerous destinations, we don't currently offer flights as part of our SwimTrek packages. We do however want to do as much as we can to ensure that our guests get the best deals when travelling to one of our trips so check out SwimTrek's tips to help you get the best deals for your flights page on the website.

The fastest and most direct way to reach the start of your trip is to fly to Corfu and catch a connecting ferry to the island of Paxos

Transfer from Corfu airport to the ferry port

There are taxis available at the airport that will provide transfers to Corfu Ferry Port. The journey will take approximately 10-15 minutes and cost between €10-€20. There is also a public bus line available from outside the airport to the ferry port. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and costs between €1-€2. Please view the bus timetable and more information directly at ktelkerkyras.gr/.

Ferry from Corfu to Paxos

The ferry from Corfu Ferry Port to Paxos takes approximately 1 hour and costs €35 for a one-way journey. Please check the ferry timetable and more information directly at kerkyralines.com/. There are also ferry journeys available at joycruises.gr. Make sure you book your ferry in advance.

Connection from the ferry port to the hotel

Please contact the hotel directly once you have your travel plans confirmed to arrange a pickup from the ferry port to the hotel. This will be at your own expense. The journey is only a 10-minute transfer. Please make sure you organise your transfer in advance, as taxis on the island are limited.

Food and Drink Breakfasts: All breakfasts are included in your package and will be taken at a beach front cafe. It will include hot and cold food as well as tea and coffee. Lunches: Two lunches are included in your package, and these are pre-made packed lunches we will have in picnic style. All other lunches will be taken in tavernas. Most of them accept cards, but please ask your guides for advice. There are ATMs in Lakka village. Dinners: One dinner is included in your package. It will be a family style sharing meal. Dietary requirements will be considered as best as possible please make sure you make a note of them when booking. There will be wine served at dinner. If you wish to order more, please bring cash. All other dinners are not included. For more information, please visit our food and drink page on the website. For more information on any of the following sections please visit the Travel Advice page of our website.

Travel Advice

Money, Extra Expenses and Tipping

The local currency on Paxos and in Greece is the Euro €. There are ATMs on the island, Lakka and in the port of Gaios but lots of local tavernas also take card payments. You should bring extra money with you to cover items such as the Climate Resilience Tax, any meals not already included in your package, drinks, entertainment, souvenirs, etc. In some countries, tipping (gratuities) is not part of the culture - in others it has become an expected norm. We believe that tipping is done entirely at your own discretion. If you have been provided with excellent service, it may be something you wish to do. Your SwimTrek Guides can advise on local norms for service providers like boat crew, waiters or taxis. Nothing is expected for your SwimTrek Guides but many groups like to present something to the Guides at the end of the trip. The resort will also present you with an envelope at the end of your stay should you wish to share a tip with the staff.

Responsible Travel

SwimTrek is conscious of the importance of protecting the world’s natural wonders. We are acutely aware of our responsibility to not only take care of the natural environments which we are lucky enough to explore, but also to educate our guests about the importance of conservation efforts and responsible tourism. It’s for this reason that we have worked so closely with our partners to ensure that our trips are conducted in the most responsible and sustainable way possible, working tirelessly to minimise the impact of our presence on local marine life and the natural habitat.

For more information, please visit our Responsible Travel page on the website.

Passports and Visas

Greece is part of the European Union. Non-residents of Greece require a full passport to enter the country, which should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. Citizens of all EU member states, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand do not require a visa to enter Greece.

Please note that visa regulations are subject to change, and it is important that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Please note that visa regulations are subject to change and it is important that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Travel Insurance

We consider comprehensive travel insurance to be essential, and we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance which includes, but is not limited to, cover for illness, accident, emergency repatriation, ambulance, air ambulance, helicopter rescue services, cancellation, lost luggage and delays. Your travel insurance should also cover you for open water swimming and any other activity listed in your trip itinerary (including races and competitions, where applicable). Please read your policy details carefully and remember to take them with you on your trip for your own reference.

For further information, please visit our Travel Insurance page on the website.

Here at SwimTrek, we pride ourselves on our focus on safety and the well-being of all our guests. As we operate in some beautiful and remote locations medical facilities are not always easily accessible. SwimTrek Guides, and many staff working for our local partners, are first aid trained. However, we ask that you read our Travel Health page to ensure that you are informed about general Travel and Swim Health precautions.

Travel Plugs & Electricity

Wi-Fi is available at the hotel.

For a useful source of information on the different electrical outlets, electrical plugs, and electric sockets, please visit www.worldstandards.eu.

Flexible Booking

Plans change but you can book with confidence. SwimTrek's flexible booking options include:

✅ Free Trip Changes ✅ Refund Guarantee ✅ Financial Protection

Flexible Booking Details

If you've more questions or need help booking


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