7-day Sailing the Ionian Islands
Greek Water Yachts trying to respond to requests for sailing holidays in the Ionian islands, launches for 2020 a partnership involving a Lagoon38 catamaran
Discover the most popular sailing destinations in the Ionian: famous beaches and beautiful islands reveal their secrets.
Full with green trees on their hills, down to the sea level the Ionian islands are a great sailing destination.
You will spend one week sailing around Lefkas island and the islets nearby, such as Meganissi, Kalamos, Kastos, and Atokos, with beautiful bays for anchorage for your catamaran sailboat. These destinations offer the ideal landscape for easy going and relaxing holidays.
- Islands hopping: Lefkas(Vathi), Meganissi – Kalamos – Kastos- Atokos- Vathi(Ithaka)- Sivota, Lefkas- Lefkada(Vathi)
- Duration: 7 days
- Suggested for: Couples and friends sailing, Family Sailing adventure, honeymoon
- Dates you can do this trip: May, June, July, August, September, October
- Max sailing time per day: 2-3 hours
- Miles in total: 80
- Sailboats you can pick: Lagoon38 catamaran
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Map for Your Sailing Vacations in the Ionian Islands
Gallery
Route info
Day 1: Lefkada – Meganisi
You will begin your excursion from the port of Lefkas and travel south to the islet of Meganissi. It needs alert to cross the channel, because of constrained profundity. From that point onward, the islet of Megannissi lies 6 miles toward the south. This territory is generally an interesting field for cruising, as the breeze is forced inside Lefkas, Meganissi and the terrain and dependably comes somewhat more grounded, yet without huge waves in this protected region. You will have a great cruising time, either downwind (toward the south) or upwind.
At the Megannisi islet, you can find a large number of protected bays just to anchor. You can berth in the port of Vathi, a quiet bay with few taverns, a perfect place for a romantic time
Day 2: Meganisi – Kalamas
You will left early and sail towards the islet of Kalamas. You will find a lot of place for swimming, open bay, and white sand. As you will reach the Kalamas you will head south in order to find a protected bay. You should expect to have a wonderful afternoon and an overnight stay in a beautiful landscape.
Day 3: Kalamos – Kastos
After a relaxing coffee and breakfast in on the boat, set sail to the nearby islet of Kastos – only a couple of hours away, toward the south-east. Make a stop on the northern bays of the islet. Although you may sail in the busy period you may not find anyone sails in the same area. Again, a wonderful landscape will be revealed: turquoise waters for swimming, colorful trees on the island, and wild goats! At the evening we sailed to berth in the port of Kastos. Enjoy a relaxing dinner in the small village
Day 4: Kastos – Atokos
The 4th day you will sail towards the Isle of Atokos. Prepared for a unique sense of peace and beauty. The island rises like an extinct volcano (which it may well be) from the ocean bed and is mostly rocky and steep-to around its coasts. There is one bay on the SE side, popularly known as One House Bay, which is the only suitable anchorage for an overnight stop – and that in settled weather only. There are no facilities on the island whatsoever. If you are looking for a day-stay for lunch and an exceptional snorkeling (and scuba) experience, the Cliff Bay on the SSE side is the place you will remember for a long time. The east side of Cliff Bay is unspoiled, often very little visited, exceptionally clear water with turquoise water over large spots of the fine sandy seabed. Go as close as possible due to anchoring depth.
Day 5: Atokos – Ithaki(Vathi)
After overnight in Atokos, we continue your sailing tour for Ithaca island. Leaving behind the rich flora on the hills of Atokos later in the afternoon we head to the port of Ithaca, in the picturesque bay of Vathi. If there is a prevailing western afternoon wind in the port, we may berth at the western side of the port. Dinner at the restaurants with fish is a must
Day 6: Ithaki(Vathi)- Syvota(Leykada)
Heading north towards our next destination Syvota we will pass the island of Arkoudi. A stop for swimming and lunch is a must here. Amazing landscape!, as the form of the white, shiny rocks slide from the hills, sharp down to the sea level. Early in the afternoon, we arrive in Syvota Lefkadas. Syvota is a traditional and cute port perfect for a coffee and lunch. It’s one of the most picturesque harbors in the Ionian. Surrounded by green hills with olive groves and the sea to penetrate between them reminiscent of Scandinavian fjords, the village of Sivota rightly characterized as a traditional settlement. Sivota during the day resembles a quiet little village. When the nightfall comes it raises the rythm, as many sailboats and other vessels arriving in port.
Famous for its seaside fish taverns of the great variety of seafood!!
Day 7: Syvota Lefkadas – Lefkas
The last day is already here and we are ready to set sail to our last destination Lefkas. A hop of 16 n.m with amazing views as you pass a lot of islets like Skorpios, Sparti, Madouri. A lot of bays to explore and make the necessary stop for swimming and light lunch. Early in the afternoon, you will arrive in Lefkas. In our last evening, you will walk by the busy port and had dinner in one of the many restaurants. Early the next morning you will be ready to disembark. A wonderful sailing cruise in the beautiful Ionian islands had come to an end as well as the farewell time…
Meet the Islands
Lefkada in a few words: The island of Lefkada is the fourth largest island in the Ionian Sea. Between Lefkas and mainland Greece, the distance is quite short and a small bridge is used to connect the two sides. The name Lefkada comes from the ancient cape called Lefkas which is situated in the south of the island. On that cape was according to the myth the rock where the poetry Sapho climbed and jumped to the sea in order to get rid of her love for Faonas.
See
- the Venetian castle of Agia Mavra
- the park of the poets, a park where are gathered the busts of the most significant poets with origins from the island.
- The beach of Gyra with the windmills
- The village Frini and the Church of Faneromenis with the museum
- The cape Lefkata
- The historical center which is dedicated to Lefkadious Hern, a major writer, and poet who is well known for his books about Japanese history and tradition.
- The Skaron forest: a forest with a rare type of oak
- Ancient Theatre of Koulmos just two kilometers outside of the town of Lefkada.
- Alexandros Salt pans : an industrial museum
- Prehistorical tumuli at Nydri , tombs and ruins dating to the third millennium BC
- Anciend Farmhouse at the villge Pyrgi
- Choirospilia : a cave at Evgyros
- The monastery of Agios Ioannis in Rodaki
Do
- a walk through the city of Lefkada
- hiking starting from Vassiliki/ Agios Nikitas/Spilia/ Katomeri
- visit Nydri, Geni, Desimi
- visit Meganisi, Kalamos, Kastos
- swim in the wonderful beaches of the island
- drink a cocktail in a bar
Eat- Drink
Fresh fish, and shelfish, local sweets and wine
Meganisi- Kalamos-Kastos
From Nydri as a base, you can visit by your catamaran the islands Meganissi, Kalamos or Kastos small islands around Lefkada. All three islands have splendid beaches, small harbours for mooring and hamlets in the style of the 60s. They are fishing grounds and the tavernas serve fresh fish and local delicacies
Meganissi
See :
- the fjord-like coastline
- the traditional hamlet of stones houses
- the unexplored cove of Cyclopes
- Katomeri, a traditional fish-village
- Papanikoli’s cave
- The windmills
Kalamos
See
- The special flora and fauna of the island
- The small villages Episkopi and Kefali
- The splendid beaches
Kastos
See –do
- Fishing, swimming
- The church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos
- Take a sense of the unique atmosphere of a place that belongs to the past
Ithaca in a few words: is the famous homeland of Homer’s Odysseus, the aim of his adventurous ten-year long journey. Ithaca through Homer’s Odyssey became the symbol of the nostalgia for our home and family. It’s a trip to self-knowledge.
Location: in the Ionian Sea, is one of the seven islands in this area. It is located to the west of continental Greece.
See
- Kathara monastery dating around 1700A.D. spectacular view of Vathi bay.
- Lazzaretto in Vathi bay an islet that used to be a prison
- Pernarakia monastery: offers a unique of all Ionian islands
Do
- Sail to the secret beaches of the island, like Afales, Filiatro, Gidaki
- Climb up to the hills and mountains of the island and meet its history and nature (use a local guide)
- Join the local fests, there are a lot during summer in every village of Ithaca where you can dance, taste local food and drink local wine
Eat- drink
Open festival food that is usually roasted lamb or pork.
Tserepa chicken: a traditional plate with oregano chicken roasted in clay oven.
Taste rovani a local sweet with vanilla flavor and syrup.
Local fish and wine.
Booking Form
Make your introductory reservation request to Greek Water Yachts for a journey through the Greek Islands on a skippered charter sailboat by filling out the contact – booking form. We will respond within 24-48 hours.
Faqs
Check out our questions and answers section about common questions concerning your private yachting vacation in Greece with skipper
Travel Sailing Greece – Ionian Islands