The entry fee is €150 with a 50% discount offered to Greek Nationals. The fee covers transport from Gouvia to Albania, a GP checkup, a swimming cap, refreshments on arrival at St Stephano and transport from St Stephano back to Gouvia after the event.

If you can't make the swim because, for example, the flight is cancelled or you miss the doctor's check-up, the entry fee is non-refundable. All profits from the event go to charity so we hope you do not find this unreasonable.

The mandatory doctor’s check-up is at midday on Friday 5 September and will take place at Piedra del Mar in Barbati. 
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Please note that you will not be able to take part in the event if you do not attend the doctor’s check-up. While we encourage you to be there at midday, the check-up will go on throughout the afternoon so please arrive by 3pm at the latest. 
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If you arrive after 3pm we cannot guarantee that the doctor will see you.

Swimmers need to be at the international terminal in the port of Corfu Town on the morning of 6 September at 6.00 am.

Note: there is free parking at the port so you can leave a car there for the morning.

The swim begins on a pristine headland south of Saranda (Ksamil) in Albania and ends in the picturesque fishing village of
St Stephano (Ag. Stefanos) in Corfu.

Please bring a bag with you in order to store your personal items. Bags will be loaded onto a boat in Albania before the swim starts and will meet you at the finish in St Stephano.

Albania is not in the EU so passports are required for entry. Please note that there are no changing facilities at the start point in Albania so bear that in mind when planning your attire. More detail will be provided prior to the event.

In September the water is warm, so wet suits are not necessary. We will endeavour to start the swim as early as possible, as the sea is at its calmest and quietest in the morning.

We can’t predict the weather, but safety comes first. If conditions make the channel crossing unsafe, our swim team will decide whether to adjust the route or cancel the swim.

We work closely with the Coast Guard, and if needed, we’ll arrange an alternative swim. In 2022, strong winds led us to Butrint for a 2.5km swim down the ancient canal to Ali Pasha’s Castle (see the gallery). In 2024, we followed the Corfu coastline instead.

While the weather is out of our hands, we’ll do our best to ensure a safe and memorable swim.

Both Greek and Albanian Coast Guard vessels are on hand, along with professional lifeguards and private boats, to ensure that the swim is as safe as possible. However, it is every swimmer's responsibility to be in the best physical condition.

All swimmers must be in good physical condition and will be required to have a health check by a GP on the island prior to the swim. We would advise everyone to do some training.

You will be greeted in St Stephano with refreshments and we encourage you to stick around and clap any remaining swimmers in. A bus will be on standby to transport the swimmers back to the port to collect their cars.

The event will take place on the evening of the 2nd at Damianos Bar in St Stephano. This will be a ticketed event to raise further funds for our supported charities

Need more space?
‍For bigger groups - Villa Collective can source a villa. 10% of the rental fee will be donated to the cause for properties booked for the swim week.
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