There’s an expression about taking the lemons life hands you and turning them into tasty lemonade. Occasionally, life doles out so many lemons you might well drown in lemonade, and such was a recent holiday to Corfu. Booked for my other half’s fortieth birthday present, we were both really looking forward to it. Alas, everything that could have gone wrong in the run up, did. I lost my beautiful dog, Dexter, to a long illness a couple of weeks before we left. And then there was a huge drama with Simon’s ex and kids that left us both feeling we should go home to support them (the kids, not his ex), but they were insistent; stay, enjoy your holiday.

And we did. Despite everything we had a great time in the end, but those lemons just kept on coming. We’d booked a cruise for a day with Jet2Holidays, but they never turned up to collect us, and we were unable to contact the rep in time to book another before leaving. We were both gutted as we were really looking forward to it, so we decided to that hiring a boat from Barbati Beach – the beach right by our hotel – was a great way to make some lemonade. So, instead of going on a planned cruise we ended up on a spontaneous boating adventure. And sometimes the unexpected leads to the memorable experiences. 

Spiros Boat Hire Was A Great Choice!

A day on the Ionina Sea after hiring a boat from Barbati Beach and sailing down the coast of Corfu.We’d actually booked a cruise day through Jet2Holidays but they never came to collect us, and we couldn’t get hold of the rep to rearrange (infuriating, I have to say, I was fuming!). BUT we were quite determined to still have some form of boaty adventure. There was initially talk of renting a pair of jet skis and I was well up for the challenge and the adventure (much to Simon’s surprise I think) but he talked me out of it. In hindsight, it was a good call; I’ve never been on one and would likely have been nervous while he’d have been tearing the ocean up and left me in his wake. Also we’d recently watched the (admittedly quite good!) shark film Bait.

I have shark issues at the best of times but that particular film is all about a misadventure several people have while titting about on a pair of jet skis so… yeah. On a different holiday, it probably would have gone differently, but on this one we were actually trying to enjoy some quality time together so the boat was definitely the better bet! 

We opted for Spiros Boat Hire, a reputable local business known for its friendly service and well-maintained fleet. As the oldest boat hire in the area, Spiros Boat Hire had great reviews and was also recommended by a lovely lady I met on our first day on the beach, who had been coming to the area every year for two decades or more. 

When we arrived, we hadn’t booked in advance, just hoping for the best. Luckily, Spiros Boat Hire had a suitable boat available, which was perfect for our needs. Their approach to new renters is thorough and friendly, ensuring everyone feels comfortable before heading out. Georgio spent over ten minutes with us, explaining the ins and outs of boat operation and safety protocols. 

This initial briefing was reassuring. Bear in mind I’m quite overweight currently so I was very nervous about getting on and off the boat the part. I’m not nervous about boats at all – I grew up sailing around Anglesey with my Pop on his little boat – but I hadn’t had to do it since the weight gain, which has completely changed my centre of gravity and makes me very clumsy, not to mention lacking in grace and flexibility. I needn’t have worried, however, as I was very easily helped on and off by the lovely Georgio who did not make me feel at all self conscious or concerned.

Spiros Boat Hire offers a variety of boats, from 25 hp to 60hp, available in both 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. No driving licence is required, making it accessible for holiday-goers like us who just want a simple day out on the water. The boats come equipped with life jackets, comfortable cushions, sun canopies, and even children’s life jackets are available on request. They also provide large cool boxes for storing food and drinks, which is a nice touch for those planning to spend several hours exploring.

One of the best parts about renting from Spiros is the opportunity to explore the beautiful North-East coastline of Corfu at your own pace. The boat included a map, which to be honest we didn’t use for much beyond making sure we didn’t go too far before we turned back (we were obviously limited by the fuel available). We opted to stay on the boat, but there are plenty of stops along various secluded beaches and coves along the way—many of which are only accessible by water. Had we been there longer, or if we hadn’t waited until the last full day of the holiday to go, we’d have gone again another day when we’d planned better and visited some of the places along the coast. 

For those planning a visit, remember to look for the SPIROS BOAT HIRE sign to ensure you’re at the right spot. Booking in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment, especially during peak season.

Hiring A Boat From Barbati Beach And Taking In The Coast Of Corfu

We travelled along the north-east coast of Corfu towards Kassiopi, where we’d been a couple of days previously. While the trip was limited to how far we could go out and safely return with the fuel in the tank, we had a clear photo map to follow that led us from Barbati to Agios Stefanos. We’d been on two trips by bus already, one in each direction going to Kassiopi and Corfu Town. The view from the water, however, was just stunning. There was so much of the island that we hadn’t seen from the road, but when you are away from it a little and can actually see everything there is, it’s even more beautiful than you thought.

And I was already quite taken with how beautiful it was!

There were a fair few other boats out on the water, but we only encountered one or two at a time, so this was also a much less-travelled way of exploring the island and really revelling in the natural beauty, peace and quiet offered by Corfu’s serene landscapes and captivating seascapes.

We’d already seen Barbati from the water after swimming out the first day we visited the beach. But from there the coastline unfolded into a series of small, secluded beaches, some of which you can only reach by boat. I’d love to say there were white sands at the edge of the crystalline waters, but as with Barbati beach itself, and indeed every beach we saw on this side of the island, there were only pebbles to be seen. Rocky outcrops provided plenty of places for serenely observing the Ionian Sea, and much of the coast was devoid of the large tourist spots that get super busy.

The route showed us a series of quaint fishing villages, punctuated by white-washed houses with brightly painted shutters and terracotta roofs peppered throughout the lush landscape. Sheer cliffs occasionally rose from the lush vegetation and I was quite taken by the rather dramatic difference that could be had around a bend in the coast; forests gave way to craggy cliffs that sloped back into sparse scatterings of trees strewn across rocky terrain. Behind us, across the Ionian Sea, Albania’s distant mountains were clearly visible for the entire ride.

The coastal charm culminated in Agios Stefanos, where we had to end our trip and turn around. We dropped anchor here for a while and enjoyed bobbing around on the water. It’s a beautifully picturesque town, nestled in a sweeping bay, with what looked to be a lively waterfront scene and a fair number of very impressive yachts. 

Culinary Delights at Bahia Mare: Refuelling After a Day at Sea

Culinary Delights At Bahia Mare: Refuelling After a Day at Sea When We Hired A Boat From Barbati Beach

After a genuinely delightful few hours cruising the waters off the coast of Corfu, we returned to shore starving. Again, if you’re going to do this I suggest planning ahead–we really should have taken food and drinks with us so we could stay out on the water longer. But, back on Barbati Beach we returned to Bahia Mare, a decision driven as much by the memory of our first excellent meal there as by the convenience of its beachside location.

We ate at a couple of other places while we were in Barbati but Bahia Mare was I think the best food we had there. They also make a delicious cocktail, so you can’t really go wrong. We settled in at a table rather than loungers, and indulged in what could only be described as the quintessential beachside fare—crispy chicken burgers accompanied by a heap of perfectly seasoned potato wedges. The burgers, served on toasted brioche buns and stacked with fresh lettuce, tomato, Parmesan, and a tangy chilli and BBQ sauce, were so tasty.. The meal was paired with a light, refreshing beer for Simon and a creamy pina colada (or two!) for me.

It was a great way to end our little boating adventure, and we stayed well after to cool off with a swim. My only regret of the day was that I used all the battery in my GoPro filming while we were on the boat, and it died just as I got in the water with my snorkel to search for fish. 

Kumqualade

Wrapping up our holiday, it’s clear that sometimes the best memories come from the plans that never happen. Despite the rollercoaster of events before and during our trip, we still had a blast the whole time we were away. Given how broken I was at the time over Dexter, and how upset and stressed we both were about the situation with the kids, that’s a testament to the beauty and tranquillity of Corfu. The boat trip, in particular, stands out for both of us as one of (if not the) best experiences of the holiday; we turned those kumquats into some pretty spectacular lemonade…or rather, kumqualade. 

Our boat day off Barbati beach with Spiros might not have been the adventure we planned, but it turned out to be exactly what we needed. Corfu, with all its unexpected twists, was a reminder that the best stories might just be the unplanned ones.