The Ionian Sea islands are the only Greek sailing area that is not NOT exposed to the strong Meltemi winds, that prevail elsewhere in Greece and in the Aegean Sea. From Corfu in the north to Zakynthos in the south, the island world extends for around 140 nautical miles and about 50 islands. All the islands are close to the Greek mainland; the west coast of Kefalonia is the farest from the mainland and is less then 40 nautical miles. Sailing between the island world and the mainland is therefore a tipical part of the cruising experience.

The special thing about the Ionian Sea, and in general of the Greek waters, is that instead of mooring in modern marinas, mostly you can still moor on the promenades of the beautiful harbor towns, to always experience the authentic ambience and Greek hospitality – and often pay little or no mooring fees.

Free anchoring is also possible everywhere; it’s hard to find any prohibited zones, barriers or complicated regulations. Overall, the commercialization and regulation of nautical tourism here is not as advanced and stricht as in other Mediterranean areas.

For boaters on holiday trips, the Ionian Sea actually consists of two areas: in the north is the area around Corfu, Paxos, Antipaxos and some small islands; in the south the area extends around the islands of Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos and other small islands as Skorpio, Meganissi, Kastos, Kalamos and many many other. There is a sort of gap of about 30 nautical miles without islands between the two sections. If you want to sail the entire area between Corfu and Zakythos in one trip, you will end up with around 350 nautical miles on your log (without Zakynthos, the distance can also be reduced to around 250 nautical miles). No problem with two weeks trip, but sure too much for only one charter week!

If you start from Corfu and travel to the destinations south of Paxi-Antipaxi on a one-week cruise, you can look forward to a perfect round trip with attractive stops. If you have two weeks, you will certainly head further south to Lefkas. This explanation should make it clear that both Corfu and Lefkas are suitable for the start of a one or two week charter trip, even if the southern part of the Ionian Sea from Lefkas offers somewhat greater variety and choice.

The number of island and urban harbors you can reach by a keel yacht is further more than 30. Tens tiny harbors and moorings cover all the area and offer many alternatives. As well as dozens piers in small villages, that can also be used by yachts, and that often give an authentic look into local life.

Beautiful island harbors like Gaios, in Paxos

Most of urban harbors offer the typical Greek view of island village, harbor promenade and mooring right in front of the tables and chairs of a taverna. Some are spectacularly beautiful, such as Phiskardo, Gaios, Kihoni or Kioni, others are rather quiet and charming as well. As a rule, even the smallest villages still offer facilities such as a taverna or a small grocery store.

In the larger city harbors, a harbor employee makes a round in the evening and collects directly from the ship; in others, the skipper is expected to come to the harbor office. As a rule, this harbor principle works surprisingly well and, if necessary, the water is delivered by tanker or the electricity comes from a taverna.

There is always a place to anchor

So far, no one has counted and added up all the described and undescribed anchorages in the Ionian Sea. But the number is definitely three digits and therefore more than enough for weeks of sailing around the bays. Each island has its well-protected bays (but usually not on the west side), almost all of which have ideal anchoring depths, between five and ten meters. Free anchoring is therefore possible almost everywhere, although in some heavily frequented bays sometimes boats are moored with shore lines, for space reasons.

Some bays offer tavernas and bars, but many are surrounded by green nature. Unlike in Croatia, for example, many of the bays have beautiful sandy beaches, the sea here has very good water quality and from the end of May the water temperature is also suitable for swimming at around 20 degrees.

The rule of anchoring at least 300 meters from the shore is only enforced, if at all, on frequented beaches. As everywhere in the Mediterranean, you should also avoid anchoring in the Ionian Sea over the seagrass Posidonia. Furthermore, the prevailing thermal wind in the area usually dies down completely at night; that is ideal making an overnight stay at the anchorage safe, uncomplicated and relaxed.

The charm of the island harbours, the low mooring fees, the free anchoring and the very hospitable Greeks still give the area a very relaxed flair, everything here is somehow freer and feels less commercialized.

The ideal weather conditions away from the Meltemis, the many islands at short distances and the easy accessibility make the island archipelago a fantastic destination. Boaters will still experience the authentic vacation flair of Greece. Those who travel anti-cyclically, head for destinations away from the hotspots or come in the low season will also discover the quiet and lonely side of the region. Especially in the many bays surrounded by green slopes, from which the scents of thyme and sage waft all the way to the boat and in the evening not much more can be heard than the chirping of crickets.

Wind and weather situations
in the Ionian Sea

The Summer weather in the Ionian Sea is as relaxed as it is predictable. In the high season of June, July, August and September, the influence of the thermal wind from the northwest (the Maistro) is very constant. Ideal for a vacation cruise, the wind starts slowly in the morning and reaches its peak in the late afternoon with three to a maximum of five Beaufort. By early evening it is usually calm again. Occasionally this wind is deflected by coastal formations and can therefore sometimes occur as a north-westerly or even south-westerly wind. In the well-known wind gust between Kefalonia and Ithaca (very popular with kitesurfers!), the wind can pick up again significantly and strong downslope winds can also occur on the east side of the islands.

In the months before and after Summer, this thermal influence quickly diminishes and the wind then comes more often from the south-east. However, due to the lack of thermals in the off-season, there are often pronounced periods of calm.

The journey to the Ionian Sea

Lefkas is easy reacheble, you will find many flight offers to Preveza (Aktio Airport). At about 20 kilometers and around only 30 minutes by cab, you can reach the harbour where the boat waits for you.

Also Corfu is very easy to reach with cheap charter flights from many German and European cities. Gouvia Marina is only about eight kilometers and ten minutes away by cab. Alternatively, there are also ferry connections from Italy to Corfu, for example from Venice, Ancona or Bari.

The two islands of Lefkas and Corfu are connected to each other with a direct ferry connection or a combined boat and bus connection.

Further tips
for sailing the Ionian Sea

Communication in English with port staff and innkeepers is usually possible without any problems.

Holding tanks are mandatory, but there are virtually no pump-out stations.

The bridge between Lefkas and the mainland opens every hour on the hour, but at night the opening should be requested via VHF marine radio channel 12.

Nautical documents
for the Ionian Sea

• Greek Waters Pilot;  Rod & Lucinda Heikell; Imray
• NV Charts Greece GR1. Ionian Island & Peloponnese- Albania, NV Verlag 
• Greece Sea Guide vol. 3. Ionian Seas, Peloponnisis except the Eastern coast; Nicholas D.Elias; EagleRay
• 777 Pilot Book – Ionian Greece and Albania. From Velipoje to Capo Maleas and Ionian Islands; D.Silvestri, M.Sbrizzi, R.Merli; Magnamare

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