Erikousa
3.2/5The greenest Diapontia island — sandy Porto beach and an Astoria diaspora
3.2on its own→4.0with the Diapontia islandsPorto harbour beach, the village, and pine-backed Bragini bay.
Part of the Diapontia islands
One boat out of Corfu, three islands, almost no other visitors — the access penalty that drags each island down on its own disappears once you treat them as a single trip.
Base4.2Corfu4 daysErikousa is the most populated and easiest to reach of the Diapontia islands off northwest Corfu — a small, green, low island whose harbour opens onto a broad sandy beach. It has an unusually tight bond with Astoria, New York, where much of the island emigrated; in August the population multiplies as families return. Outside that peak it is deeply quiet: a few tavernas and guesthouses, cypress and olive slopes, and two good sandy beaches. It makes the gentlest introduction to the Diapontia trio.
Getting there
No airport. It is the closest Diapontia island to Corfu — passenger ferries from Agios Stefanos in the northwest run several times a week in summer, around 2.5 hours. Some Sidari day-cruises also call.
Read full route
Tip: The easiest Diapontia island to reach — a good first step, or a base for the other two.
Best time to visit Erikousa
Rooms and tavernas open roughly May to September. August is the one busy month, when the diaspora returns; June, July and September give warm sea and calm, near-empty beaches. Little runs in winter.
1-day itinerary for Erikousa
Day 1: Harbour Sand & the Pine Bay
- 11:00 · Porto (harbour & beach)
The ferry lands right beside a wide, shallow sandy beach — the centre of island life, with tavernas, rooms and the church just behind. Warm, calm water ideal for families.
- 🍴 Stop for lunch · Porto — see Eat & Drink below
- 13:00 · Bragini beach
A quieter sandy bay backed by pines a short walk northeast of the harbour, with shade at the treeline and clear shallow water. Often you'll have it to yourself.
- 16:00 · Erikousa village & church
The small main village just inland, gathered around its church — the social heart in August, sleepy the rest of the season. A short loop takes in the cypress slopes and sea views.
Top beaches of Erikousa
Bragini
The best beach of the Diapontia — a quiet sandy bay backed by pines a short walk northeast of the harbour, with shade at the treeline and clear shallow water. Outside August you'll often have it entirely to yourself.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 150 m
- Depth
- Shallow — clear
- Wind protection
- East-facing — sheltered from the Ionian's afternoon maïstros (NW breeze); typically calm all day
- Facilities
- None — natural shade from the pines.
Porto (harbour beach)
Erikousa's main beach, right where the ferry lands — wide golden sand, warm shallow water and tavernas at the back. The easiest good beach in the Diapontia.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 350 m
- Depth
- Shallow — family-friendly
- Wind protection
- South-facing — sheltered from the prevailing NW winds; calm in summer, exposed only to rare southerlies
- Facilities
- Tavernas & rooms behind; some sunbeds.
All three Diapontia islands in one trip · One of the 20 quietest Greek islands