Photo: Dimitra Papadimitriou ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Gentle winds, green islands.
The Ionian is usually called Greece’s friendliest sailing ground: calm mornings, a steady north-westerly after lunch and islands sheltering each other from the swell. From Lefkas Marina we head via Meganisi to Ithaca and Kefalonia — turquoise coves, the villages of Kioni and Fiskardo and harbours where yachts moor stern-to right in front of the taverna. The best choice if this is your first week under sail.
- Mooring stern-to on the quay at Fiskardo
- Swimming under the cliffs of Meganisi and the Papanikolis cave
- Ithaca: Vathi bay and the village of Kioni
- Passing the Lefkas canal and its swing bridge
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Handover
Lefkas Marina and meeting the boat
We meet at Lefkas Marina after 17:00, take over the yacht, settle into the cabins and shop for provisions in town. Briefing and dinner by the canal in the evening.
Overnight: Yacht, Lefkas Marina - DAY 2 · 12 nautical miles
Through the canal to Meganisi
We wait for the bridge, transit the Lefkas canal and enter the inland sea. Twelve miles to Meganisi with lunch at anchor near Skorpios and a night in the village of Vathi.
Overnight: Yacht, Vathi harbour, Meganisi - DAY 3 · 18 nautical miles
Meganisi to Ithaca
Around the southern cliffs of Meganisi, a look into the Papanikolis cave and then a course for Ithaca. By evening we moor at Kioni — a village of three windmills and five tavernas.
Overnight: Yacht, Kioni, Ithaca - DAY 4 · 14 nautical miles
Vathi and across to Fiskardo
A morning call at the deep bay of Vathi, Ithaca’s capital, then across the strait to Kefalonia. Fiskardo is the island’s only village to survive the 1953 earthquake; we moor stern-to on the quay.
Overnight: Yacht, Fiskardo - DAY 5 · 12 nautical miles
Down Kefalonia to Agia Efimia
Down Kefalonia’s east coast with swims in white-pebble coves. We stay at Agia Efimia, a short taxi ride from Myrtos beach and the Melissani cave lake.
Overnight: Yacht, Agia Efimia - DAY 6 · 22 nautical miles
Back towards Lefkada: Sivota
The longest leg of the week — 22 miles north past Ithaca and Arkoudi to the bay of Sivota on southern Lefkada. The afternoon breeze is typically 10–15 knots, so we practise sailing to windward.
Overnight: Yacht, Sivota - DAY 7 · 16 nautical miles
Sivota to Lefkas Marina
A morning swim, then 16 miles back up Lefkada’s east coast to the canal. Refuelling, berthing in the marina and a farewell dinner in town.
Overnight: Yacht, Lefkas Marina - DAY 8 · Check-out
Check-out
We hand the yacht back by 09:00; the transfer to Preveza airport takes 20 minutes.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Berth in a double cabin on a 40–50 ft sailing yacht
Professional skipper for the whole week
Yacht insurance and the boat’s security deposit
Bed linen, towels, dinghy with outboard
Final cleaning of the yacht
Ivan’s support: preparation, watches, daily debriefs
Transfer between Preveza (Aktion) airport and Lefkas Marina
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Kitty: provisioning, marina fees, fuel, water — usually €250–350 per person
Dinners in tavernas ashore
Greek cruising tax (TEPAI) and port dues
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Suitable for beginners and families. Ivan sends a short primer on terminology and safety beforehand, and the first day is entirely about getting to know the boat.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- A soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
- Shoes with clean, non-slip soles
- Sun and wind protection, and a light rain layer
- Personal essentials suited to your experience at sea
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.