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Mathraki - Relax and Explore

  • Multiple dates
  • Mathraki Island, Greece
  • From £1,548pp
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The original SwimQuest classic. Hidden among the little-known Diapontia Islands off the coast of Corfu, Mathraki is a tiny island where days revolve around swimming, good food, great company and the wonderful rhythm of Greek island life - the perfect setting for a memorable Greek swimming holiday.
Duration
6 Nights
Distance per day
2-4km
Water temperature
20-23°C
Max. group size
12
Ability level
All Abilities
Swim type
Open Water, Sea
Non-swimming Partners
Welcome - 10% Discount
Technique coaching
Included

This trip combines rewarding swimming with time to enjoy the peaceful rhythm of Greek island life. Most days include two swims of varying distances – along beautiful coastlines, between neighbouring islands and sometimes around entire islands. We return to the hotel for lunch each day before heading out again in the afternoon, with support boats always nearby so you can swim as much or as little as you wish. Few people leave without falling for its quirky charm. 

Mathraki lies just 6km from Agios Stefanos harbour on Corfu and forms part of the small Diapontia archipelago alongside Erikousa and Othoni. Surrounded by crystal-clear water, shallow beaches, marine caves and fascinating underwater rock formations, it is an exceptional location for coastal swimming and exploring this beautiful corner of the Ionian Sea.

Highlights

Authentic Greek Hospitality

Giorgios and his wonderful family are exceptional hosts and cooks - and, together with your SwimQuest guides, will help you discover the magic of Mathraki.

Remote and undiscovered

Mathraki is remote, unhurried and utterly unspoilt - a tiny Greek island where the only agenda is swimming, eating and slowing right down.

Swim routes that feel like discoveries

From the tooth-shaped Kravia rock to sea caves, turtle-spotting crossings and a golden east coast beach - every swim here feels like exploring somewhere the guidebooks forgot to mention.

Coaching included

Get filmed underwater, work on your stroke with expert guides, and swim as much or as little as you like each day. Hop on the boat when you're done - nobody's counting.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival and Acclimatisation

The boat transfers to Mathraki leave Agios Stefanos (West) at 4pm. Your guides and our local host Giorgos will meet you at the harbour and boat you across to Mathraki, ready to begin our adventure. After a warm welcome and safety briefing, we’ll head out for our acclimatisation swim in the hotel bay, the perfect way to get comfortable in the water before a well-deserved sundowner and dinner together at the hotel taverna.
Day 2

Swimming out to Trachia Island

This morning, we'll boat over to Trachia, a small island off Mathraki's north coast said to have provided the stone for many of the island's buildings. We'll swim the 2.5–3.5km crossing from Kodragas to Trachia, keeping an eye out for Mathraki's resident turtle, with the option to extend the swim with a loop around Trachia if conditions allow. After lunch back at the hotel, we'll head out for a gentle afternoon coastal swim along the yellow-sands of paradise bay.
Day 3

Plateia and the West Coast

We'll start the day with a swim from Plateia Island, an islet off Mathraki's west coast whose name means "table top" in Greek. From here we'll swim the 2.5–3.5km back towards Mathraki's southern coast, watching the rocks rise and fall beneath you as the sea floor shelves away into deep blue. After lunch, we'll explore Mathraki's dramatic west coast, with its tiny pebble beaches and striking white rocks.
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Three men standing in the sea after a swim

Accommodation

Hotel Paradise
    Free Wifi Restaurant Bar

In Mathraki we stay at the family run Hotel Paradise. As Hotel Paradise is the only hotel on the island, it’s not unusual for us to have the hotel (and the island!) to ourselves. Our local hosts Giorgos, Giannis and Nora provide fantastic home-cooked food and local knowledge, and look forward to welcoming you.

Rooms
There are just seven rooms in the hotel. Unless you wish to opt for a sole use room supplement at £340, rooms are allocated on a twin / double share basis. Please indicate your room choice on the booking form when booking. Rooms are subject to availability.
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What's included

Included
  • Accommodation in The Hotel Paradise, the only hotel on Mathraki
  • Swimming, assisted by safety boats where required and always escorted by swim guide/s
  • Breakfasts
  • Traditional home-cooked lunches (except for one day when we will eat lunch in Arillas on Corfu)
  • Safety boats
  • Swim guides
  • SwimQuest swim cap and gift
  • VAT
  • ABTOT Financial Protection
Not included
  • Travel to and from Mathraki Island (see ‘Getting there’ tab for more information)
  • Wetsuits and fins (if required)
  • Evening meals
  • One lunch (weather pending, we will swim into Arillas on Corfu mid week for lunch at a taverna)
  • Alcohol
  • Single room supplement or room upgrades

Getting there

Getting to Mathraki
Trip begins Saturday afternoon
Fly to Corfu

Fly to Corfu airport (IBZ). For help finding flight information and prices, you may wish to try a flight search engine such as Skyscanner or Kayak. 

 

We advise you land in Corfu around lunchtime on Saturday.

Taxi to Agios Stefanos harbour

We arrange a taxi to pick up the group at 2.15pm from Hotel Bretagne (a short 5 min walk up the road from the airport). You are welcome to opt into this group taxi which will take you all to Agios Stefanos harbour ready for your boat transfer to Mathraki at 4pm. 

 

If you would like to book your own transfer we recommend booking through Corfu Holiday Taxis. Dimitris and his team will look after you and are familiar with SwimQuest and how to get to Agios Stefanos Harbour for your downward journey to Mathraki. Simply email info@corfuholidaytaxi.com, use the website www.corfuholidaytaxi.com or call 0030 6972767803. Tell them you are going to Mathraki with the swimmers.

 

Alternatively, come out of arrivals and you will see the taxi rank in front of you. An airport taxi to Agios Stefanos harbour is approximately €70-110. Make sure the taxi driver knows which Agios Stefanos harbour you need (emphasise ‘West’ and that you’re heading onto Mathraki). The taxi journey takes approximately 50 minutes.

Boat transfer to Mathraki Island

To circumvent all local ferry times (which an be extremely unpredictable) our hoteliers on Mathraki Island offer a sea taxi service from Agios Stefanos harbour. This will run at 4pm on your arrival day, and 8am on the departure day, and costs €55pp for the return journey. Should you wish to get across to the island outside of these times, it is possible to book a private transfer for €120 each way.

Departures

We advise booking a flight for 11.30am or later on the Friday morning. Transfers off the island will run early, around 7.30 – 8am.

Trip ends 8am Friday morning

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Did you know we cater for groups?

Special discounts for 4+, or ask us about a private group departure.

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