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Destination · Lefkas Base
Green islands, short distances and a breeze that arrives after lunch and leaves before dinner. The friendliest sailing ground in Greece — and the one we would put a first-time crew on every time.
The southern Ionian is a pocket of sea about thirty miles across, ringed by islands that shelter it from everything. Within that pocket sit Lefkada, Meganisi, Kalamos, Kastos, Ithaca and Kefalonia — close enough that you can see tomorrow's anchorage from today's, and separated by water that rarely gets rough.
That geography is the whole appeal. You sail in the afternoon because you want to, not because you have to cover ground. Mornings are for swimming off the stern in water so clear you can count the links of your own anchor chain. Evenings are for a village quay, a walk of two hundred metres, and dinner at a table close enough to keep an eye on the boat.
Conditions
A thermal sea breeze that fills in after midday and dies at sunset. Mornings are typically flat calm.
Two to four hours between anchorages. Nothing in the southern Ionian is far from anything else.
Warm from June to October, and sheltered enough to stay glassy on most mornings.
May, June, September and early October are the quiet months — same water, half the boats.
The islands
You will not fit all of this into seven days, and you should not try. Pick five, and go slowly.
Three villages and a coastline of deep, narrow inlets — Spartochori on its cliff, Vathy around the corner, and the quiet fingers of Porto Atheni and Abelike where you drop anchor and take a line ashore. The great sea cave on the west coast is worth the detour.
A steep, wooded island with one small harbour on its eastern side, a handful of tavernas and very little else. Famous among Ionian sailors for the welcome on the quay and for evenings that end early and well.
The smallest inhabited island in the group: one village, one quay, a windmill on the hill and a walk to a beach you will probably have to yourself. The definition of doing nothing, properly.
Odysseus’ island, and still one of the least developed. Kioni and Frikes are two of the prettiest small harbours in Greece; Vathy sits at the head of a long, protected bay that feels like an inland lake.
The big one. Fiskardo is the smart Venetian-coloured harbour everybody wants a berth in; Assos sits below a ruined fortress on a green isthmus; Agia Efimia is calmer and easier if you want a quiet night.
Your base island. Sivota is a deep, sheltered inlet lined with tavernas; Vasiliki catches the afternoon wind and fills with windsurfers; the canal north takes you to Preveza and the vast Amvrakikos Gulf.
A longer hop north, and a change of character: Gaios, Lakka and Loggos are Venetian and green, and Antipaxos has water so bright it looks retouched. Best on a ten-day charter or a fast week.
The eastern shore is often overlooked. Palairos and Vounaki offer easy berthing and a straightforward run home, and the mountains behind them turn gold in the last hour of light.
Sample itinerary · Ionian South route
A route that works for most crews in most weeks — comfortable distances, a mix of quays and quiet anchorages, and no day that eats the whole afternoon.
On our way to the quiet island of Kalamos, we stop at the idyllic Asprogialli beach for a refreshing swim. Later, we arrive at the picturesque port of Kalamos, where you can enjoy authentic Greek food in a local taverna and settle in for a peaceful night.
Leaving the port of Kalamos, we head towards Vathi in Ithaca, with a swim stop either on Kastos or the stunning Atokos island. We then settle into the charming harbour of Vathi for the night.
Leaving Vathi, we sail towards the white-sand Gidaki beach or the popular Filiatro beach for a swim in crystal-clear waters. In the afternoon, we continue to Kioni, where the three iconic ruined windmills mark the entrance to this tiny, picturesque harbour to spend the night.
Departing from Kioni, we sail towards the striking Afales beach on the north-west coast of Ithaca for a swim in its deep-blue waters. Later, we continue to Fiskardo, Kefalonia’s prettiest and most atmospheric harbour, where we spend the night surrounded by colourful Venetian-style houses and lively waterfront tavernas.
Departing from Fiskardo, we head south along the coast of Kefalonia, stopping at Foki beach or another hidden gem in the area for a swim and a slow, nature-filled afternoon. We spend the night at anchor, surrounded by calm waters and starlit skies — an ideal moment to disconnect and enjoy the wild beauty of Kefalonia.
From our anchorage in Kefalonia, we enjoy a final swim stop before sailing north towards Lefkas. We spend the night in the beautiful bay of Syvota, where you can savour authentic Greek food and relaxed cocktails along the waterfront.
From Syvota, we sail towards the famous Papanikolis Cave on Meganisi for a memorable swim inside its impressive cavern. We then continue around Thilia Island and explore the beautiful coastline of Meganisi before making our way back to base in Lefkas.
Good to know
The Ionian runs on a thermal sea breeze. Mornings are usually calm, a north-westerly fills in around one o'clock and builds to force 4–5 through the afternoon, then fades away at sunset. It is predictable enough to plan a whole week around.
Two to four hours. Most anchorages are 10 to 20 nautical miles apart, which leaves the morning free for swimming and gets you onto a village quay in good time for the evening.
Yes — it is the area we recommend most for families. The islands shelter the water, the passages are brief, the swims are shallow and warm, and there is a taverna within walking distance of almost every anchorage.
Not at all. Many crews spend half the week at anchor with a long line ashore, which is quieter, cooler and free. We show you how at the briefing.
You can, but it makes the week about passages rather than places. We usually suggest Paxos and Corfu for ten days or more — or as a one-way with a Corfu finish, if the dates allow.
Lefkas base
Send us your dates and crew size and we will tell you which yachts are free, and sketch a route for the forecast you are likely to get.
