Ionian under sail
A longer Ionian circuit built for sailing rather than sightseeing, moving between Lefkada, Ithaca and Kefalonia on a reliable afternoon breeze.
- Length
- 9 days · 8 nights
- Months
- May – early October
- Stops
- 5
The route on a map
1 · 1 night
Lefkada marina
The main charter base for the Ionian, linked to the mainland by a floating causeway.
2 · 1 night
Meganisi
A quiet island of deep, fjord-like inlets a short sail from Lefkada.
3 · 2 nights
Vathy, Ithaca
A well-sheltered natural harbour on the island identified with Odysseus.
4 · 2 nights
Fiskardo, Kefalonia
Venetian buildings along the quay, spared by the 1953 earthquake.
5 · 2 nights
Gaios, Paxos
A harbour framed by a small island in the bay, after a longer open crossing.
Day by day
Day 1
Board in Lefkada
Sleep · Lefkada marina
Provision and board, with a short shakedown sail in the afternoon.
Day 2
Sail to Meganisi
Sleep · Meganisi
A short crossing, anchoring in Vathy or Abelike bay.
Day 3
On to Ithaca
Sleep · Vathy, Ithaca
A longer sail south, mooring in the deep natural harbour.
Day 4
Ithaca ashore
Sleep · Vathy, Ithaca
The island's Homeric sites and a swim at Filiatro beach.
Day 5
Sail to Fiskardo
Sleep · Fiskardo
Cross to Kefalonia's northern tip, mooring at the Venetian village.
Day 6
Kefalonia coastline
Sleep · Fiskardo
A day sail along the north coast, with a stop at Assos.
Day 7
Crossing to Paxos
Sleep · Gaios
The longest open-water leg, north to Paxos, arriving by evening.
Day 8
Antipaxos and the coves
Sleep · Gaios
A short sail to Voutoumi and Vrika before returning to Gaios.
Day 9
Return to Lefkada
Departure
Sail back north to disembark, or fly out via Preveza.