Greece has over 6000 islands to offer and the Ionian Islands offer a few routes which are exceptional in their beauty and adventure. This experience is popular but also features many stops off the beaten traditional tourist track. Sleep on the free anchor under the stars in little hidden bays or spend an evening anchored in picturesque ports to enjoy the exquisite food in Greek tavernas with unrivalled views & vibrant nightlife. Over the course of the week sailing, you can expect to visit 7 different islands. Lefkas - Meganissi - Antipaxos and Paxos – Kefalonia – Ithaca - Skorpios - Lefkas
Here is what a proposed 1-week experience can look like. This can be further modified according to personal wishes and preferences of guests.
Your sailing cruise starts on Lefkas island. The closest destination was the small islet of Meganissi, 2 hours from the South from the port of Lefkas.
You reach the bay of Spartochori at the north of Meganissi, just before dark falls. You can get berthed at the floating piers at the west coast of the cove, which belong to the nearby tavern. They offer a safe berth along with a delicious meal at the traditional Greek tavern! Enjoy a marvellous dinner on the table on the beach, surrounded by the tall trees down the coast! After dinner enjoy some drinks onboard and prepare for a good night rest.
Next day early in the morning sail to the famous Paxos island. Cross the Lefkas canal and exit from its northern end. Sailing further north, first stop to the small island of Antipaxoi, 29 miles far from Lefkas. Anchoring by the east coast of Antipaxoi, just after the small port of the island. The place rocks! Calm, turquoise waters, trees and beautiful nature on the hills and the endless blue of the Greek islands surround, all composed a breath-taking landscape, which you enjoy either swimming or sunbathing on the yacht's deck.
In the afternoon sail further north to the nearby island of Paxoi. You head to the main port of the island, called Gaios. It is a very picturesque and romantic place, on the equally beautiful island of Paxos. Enjoy dinner onboard or at one of the taverns in the port. There are cosy bars at the port to enjoy a post-dinner drink or two!
The next day you sail north for less than an hour, toward the cove of Lakka. Breathtaking sailing destination, absolute turquoise and transparent waters, the cove of Lakka gives the impression of a swimming pool, all-natural and beautiful. You can berth at the north-west coast of the cove, to stay protected from the prevailing north/western wind of summer months. Stay on the free anchor to enjoy the amazing sight, indulge in a swim and have lunch on board. You can stay for the whole day and visit a small port at the far end of the cove. There are some truly delicious tavernas to enjoy some local delicacies at the eastern end of the village. Sleep on the free anchor under stars for an unforgettable experience.
You need to start sailing early in the morning to the island of Kefalonia and the famous port of Fiscardo. The distance is 52 miles or about 7-8 hours, so start at sunrise to catch the day from the start. Arrive at the beautiful Kefalonia in the afternoon and swim in a cove just above Fiscardo, before you enter the port, around 4 pm. Fiscardo is a very beautiful and picturesque place, so you are likely to spend the rest of the evening in the shops around the port, or in restaurants and bars for coffee, dinner and later drinks or both! It’s really vibrant and you can socialise into the early hours!
The next day take a tour around some beautiful, nearby destinations. Sail from the port of Fiscardo to the small islet of Arkoudi, located at the southern side of Lefkas. Make a short stop at the small port of Syvota at the southern coast of Lefkas, and go for a swim at the small cove, western of Syvota. Afterwards get berthed in the port of Syvota, a traditional and cute port and enjoy a coffee at an authentic little coffee shop at the entrance of the port.
Afterwards, you can continue your daily tour for Ithaca island. The coastline just south of the bay of Aetos is wonderful with numerous spots for a swim (not all of them are suitable for staying overnight as they are exposed to the waves of the open sea and the N/W winds that blow from afternoon till late evening). Enjoy a couple of hours swimming by the cape of Gidaki, which has an Amazing landscape of white, shiny rocks slide from the hills, sharp down to the sea level. The rich flora on the hills offers turquoise colour to the bright and shiny waters of the small cove.
Later in the afternoon head to the port of Ithaca, in the picturesque bay of Vathi. Enjoy scrumptious dinner at the restaurants on the port side famous for its freshly caught fish and seafood.
In the morning enjoy your breakfast on the boat followed by a walk in the traditional alleys of the small, beautiful town of Vathi. You can visit the folk museum to view the traditional craftwork, machinery of the previous centuries, charts and nautical uniforms.
At around noon sail to explore the eastern coast of Ithaca, full with secluded, paradise places, one after the other! Get anchored in the cove of Kato Pigadi, few hundred meters south of the rock. Spend the day swimming, fishing and sunbathing! Many guests catch fish, which can then be cooked for delicious dinner aboard a yacht. Enjoy the chilled wine under the stars.
The next day return to Lefkas port in the afternoon. Sailed from Kato Pigadi and head to Lefkas; on the way you can sail near the islet of Arkoudi, the strait between Lefkas and Meganissi, with attention to the reef close to the rock of Thillia, near Meganissi. On the north was lying the islet of Skorpios, full of trees of shiny, green colour. Make a little stop to the south coast of Skorpios for a short swim; another amazing spot for swimming and relaxation. A few hours later we sail to the port of Lefkas. Stay on the boat for the last night, recalling the beautiful memories of a fantastic sailing cruise. Disembark in the morning.
