Othonoi
Othonoi is the westernmost point of Greece, the largest of the Diapontia Islands northwest of Corfu, just 10 square kilometres, with 700 residents scattered across small hamlets around Ammos, the port. It is rocky and heavily wooded with olives, with a rugged coast of sea caves, cliffs and clear water, most famous for the Cave of Calypso at Aspri Ammos where Odysseus is said to have been held for seven years.
Reaching it means a ferry from Corfu town via Ereikoussa and Mathraki, and once there life is quiet: a couple of tavernas, the lighthouse at the north cape, hiking to the summit Imerovigli, and beaches like Ammos and Fyki that are mostly empty outside August. Like its sister islands it is losing population to Corfu and Athens, but keeps a strong Ionian island culture of fishing, olive oil and seafaring.
The westernmost point of Greece — Calypso’s island
Othonoi, also called Othoni, is the largest of the Diapontia Islands in the Ionian Sea northwest of Corfu. It marks the westernmost point of Greece, located 7.5 nautical miles from Corfu and about 40 kilometres from the Italian coast, 6 kilometres away from Corfu. It covers 10.8 square kilometres and is just 11 square kilometres total, a small and secluded paradise that remains virgin and minimally developed in tourism.
The island is verdant, mainly mountainous with its highest peak Merovigli at 393 metres and altitude up to 408 metres at Fano, abundant in olive trees and coasts surrounded by tall cliffs. Its nickname is Calypso Island — Ogygia — where according to legend Calypso kept Odysseus captive for seven years. You can swim inside the sparkling turquoise Cave of Calypso near Aspri Ammos beach, which is only reachable by boat, plus hike to the lighthouse in the northeast with views to Corfu and Albania, and relax at beaches like Aspri Ammos and Fyki accessible only by sea. There are 5 small settlements hidden among the olive groves.
This is for you if you want Greece’s last untouched Ionian corner for sailing, hiking and swimming in mythical caves with no crowds. It is not for easy access or resort infrastructure.
How to get there & around
Othonoi can only be reached from Corfu — it has no airport, so you go only by boat. Ferries are operated by Kerkyra Lines with 6 connections per week, with morning departures. The ferry ride from Corfu Town port takes over 3 hours, typically 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 50 minutes, averaging 3 hours 37 minutes, despite the islands looking close on the map. There are also smaller ferries and sea taxis from Agios Stefanos in north Corfu. Tickets range from around £10 to €16-€40 with car. Seasonal ferries and private luxury day cruises also connect Othonoi with Mathraki and Ereikoussa. On the island you walk or use small local transport — roads are minimal and many beaches are boat-only.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diapontian_Islands | Diapontian Islands Greek island complex Ionian Sea located northwest Corfu 6 km away Corfu 40 km away Italian coasts main islands Othonoi Ereikoussa Mathraki largest Othonoi area 10.8 km2
- https://greece.terrabook.com/corfu/villages/othonoi/ | island Othonoi largest Diapontia Islands located north-western part Greek Territory small secluded paradise remains virgin minimally developed tourism covers area 10.8 square kilometers distance 7.5 nautical miles Corfu verdant mainly mountainous highest peak Merovigli 393 m
- https://greecehighdefinition.com/blog/othonoi-the-untouched-paradise-of-the-ionian-sea | total area just 11 square kilometers largest Diapontia Islands also marks westernmost point Greece ideal sailing hiking tranquil getaways
- https://www.corfuhops.com/islands-near-corfu-othonoi/ | legend where Calypso kept Odysseus captive seven years How To Get From Corfu To Othonoi only reached from Corfu doesn’t have airport only by boat
- https://www.realgreekexperiences.com/othoni-island-greece | few ferries week Corfu Town port to Othonoi ferry ride over 3 hours very long trip close on map depart tiny port north Corfu Agios Stefanos
- https://www.vivanoda.co.uk/routes/corfu-othonoi | average ferry crossing time Corfu Othonoi 3 hours 37 min slowest 3h50 fastest 3h10 tickets £10 average price
- https://www.netferry.com/ferries/corfu/othonoi | sea crossing Corfu Othonoi operated Kerkyra Lines operate 6 connections per week morning departures traveling times shorter than 3h50 suitable for cars motorbikes campers
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Last Updated on August 30, 2026 by admin