Yacht charter in the Ionian Sea: family boat holidays
The Ionian Islands offer perfect conditions for sailing in moderate winds that are ideal for a family vacation. There are a multitude of cruising terrains that you can choose from. Charter a yacht in the Greek Ionian Sea is very affordable. The culture and cuisine are beautiful and there are a wealth of historical sights and things to do. The landscape is much greener and more lush than in the other archipelagos of Greece and the area is out of reach of the strong Meltemi winds that occur further east. So let us tell you a little more about this charterer’s paradise in detail.
Why is chartering a yacht in the Ionian Sea so popular?
The Ionian Sea contains the seven main islands of Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and Kythira, as well as many smaller islands. The northern six are located off the west coast of Greece and Kythira is at the southern tip of the Peloponnese. Although it is listed as one of the Ionian Islands, it is part of the Attica region. The Ionian Sea borders southern Italy and Sicily, southern Albania, and the west coast of Greece. There are several ferry connections to the Greek and Italian mainland, as well as between the islands. However, they are very easily accessible by plane and you can fly to the international airports of Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos or to Preveza on the mainland.
The historic area of the Ionian Islands is immensely popular with yacht charters and large cruise ships due to its natural beauty and charm. However, they are also greener and more fertile than the other eastern Greek islands or even the adjacent mainland. Another advantage is the mostly moderate winds, which are ideal for a yacht charter vacation with the family. The infrastructure for sailors on the islands of the Ionian Sea is good even though the area is still quite unspoiled. You will find the typical authentic Greek tavern with the wonderful Greek food, picturesque ports, incredible historical places and easy sailing conditions. Also, bareboat charter in Greece is much less expensive than in other western Mediterranean destinations. All of this adds up to a wonderful cruise experience.
Some relevant information for an Ionian bareboat charter:
Location: part of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Adriatic Sea
Main Islands: Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Kythira
Main Airports: Corfu, Preveza, Kefalonia, Zakynthos
Country code: +30
Climate: Mild, Mediterranean
What are the main charter destinations in the Ionian?
There are many itineraries and islands to explore on a sailboat rental in the Ionian. If you’re flying into Corfu, the resort town and port of Gouvia make a good flight base from which to head south and explore the other islands. It is located 6 km from Corfu town and 7 km from the airport and can accommodate up to 1,235 yachts with a length of up to 80 m. It has many services and shops and is often referred to as a natural link between the Adriatic and the Mediterranean Sea.
From Corfu it is only 8 nautical miles to beautiful Paxos. Right at the northern end is the beautiful sheltered bay and the town of Lakka with great restaurants and shops. The main port of the island is Gaios on the east coast. It is a perfect natural harbor because the islet off the coast creates a narrow and highly protected channel with ideal conditions for mooring. The charming little town has restaurants, taverns, and charming souvenir shops to offer.
South of Paxos is the small island of Antipaxos, perfect for enjoying the laid back pleasure of the Greek island. For example, anchor and relax on Voutoumi Beach with its turquoise waters and white sand and look for a relaxed tavern where you can eat some wonderful Greek food with your feet in the sand. Navigate about 25 NM to the southeast and you will arrive at Preveza, another main charter base.
The Preveza marina in the town of Preveza has a very good range of services and 500 moorings for boats up to 20 m. Larger ships can use Cleopatra Marina near Preveza and only 2.4 km from the city’s “Aktion” airport, also called Lefkada airport. It offers 100 berths for yachts up to 30 m.
For a less traveled path, explore the beautiful estuary of the Ambracian Gulf, east of Preveza. It is a beautiful nature reserve with lagoons, salt marshes, and lots of special wildlife. You can find good anchorages and there are two small ports called Menidion and Votsina.
Head only about 6 NM south of Preveza and you will reach the northernmost beaches of Lefkas. This island has many coves and beaches to explore. On the northeast coast is the town and marina of Lefkas, or Lefkada, as it is also called. There is a 50m long bridge that connects Lefkas to the mainland, making it easily accessible from the airport. Lefkas Marina has 620 berths for yachts up to 45 m in length and a very good range of nautical services. It is one of the most modern and magnificent marinas in Greece and there are supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, a swimming pool and much more.
From Lefkas you have a great variety of sailing territories in the form of many smaller islands at your fingertips, as well as the main ones. To name just the large islands, there are Kefalonia and Ithaca, for example, both within 6 NM range of the southern tip of Lefkas.
Ithaca is the smaller of the two and has beautiful bays to anchor. The highly protected port city of Vathi is a popular destination and Odysseas Marina offers 72 berths for boats up to 20 m, as well as many services.
Kefalonia with its capital Argostoli has many sandy coves and steep limestone cliffs. For example, head to the stunning Myrtos Beach on the north side with stunning white sand and aquamarine water that sits between two mountains. There is also a cave that you can visit.
You will find equally beautiful beaches on Zakynthos, or Zante, which is only approx. 10 NM south of Kefalonia. The so-called Shipwreck Beach on the northeast side has crystal clear water, a sparkling white pebble beach, and is surrounded by high-rise cliffs. The city of Zakynthos is large and offers many sights and things to do, plus the international airport is nearby, making it easy to stop or start your sailing or motor yacht charter in the Ionian Islands there.
What are the predominant weather systems for navigating the Ionian?
A sea breeze from the northwest, the Maestral, moderates temperatures from afternoon to sunset. The Ionian area does not have very strong winds, making it ideal for a family boat vacation. Summers are long, hot, and dry. July and August have an average of 12 hours of sunshine a day. There are no significant tides.
Summary of the weather conditions for sailing on a yacht in the Ionian Sea:
Month with the highest average temperature: August, 25.5 °
Month with the lowest average temperature: January, 9 °
Month with the highest average rainfall: December, 167 mm
Month with the lowest average rainfall: August, 7-11 mm
Average wind speed in summer: 2 – 5 Bft.
Months with the highest average water temperature: July / August, 25 °
Month with the lowest average water temperature: March, 14 °
Main Season: May – October
How much does a yacht charter cost in the Ionian Sea and what are the different types of charter?
You can rent a 12 m sailboat, for example, from around € 1,400 a week. Prices go up depending on the size, model and equipment of the yacht. Fleet rental is as popular as ever. You can rent a boat without a crew or with a skipper, and choose between the catamaran rental and the rental of sailboats or motor yachts. You could opt for a one-day charter. And another option is the luxury boat rental that comes with many extras and a crew according to your specific needs.
What activities, besides sailing, are there in a bareboat charter in the Ionian?
Visit the Corfu Classic Yacht Race, a two-day regatta in September where you can see traditional and contemporary classic sailboats compete off the beautiful city and fortress of Corfu.
If you have time between boat trips, visit Corfu’s old town within its fortifications. It really is a must see and a maze of magnificent narrow cobbled streets filled with good shops and restaurants. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and has a lot of ancient Venetian architecture as it was under the rule of Venice for a long time. The massive Venetian fortress, or ancient citadel, stands separated on an artificial islet and is wonderful to behold. From there, you have a splendid view of Corfu. Then there is the huge new citadel, which you can take a tour of and pass through medieval corridors and fortifications. It is located on the northeast part of the city and from there you can see the sea in the distance and see sailboats and luxury yachts go by. The Spinada square in the center is one of the largest in Europe and you can stroll through its green spaces and monuments or dine in one of its restaurants. Get a taste of the nightlife, especially along the Gouvia coastal road with its many bars and clubs. Alternatively, the cities of Kavos, Sidari, Ipsos and Dassia have good options for going out. The Achilleion Palace in Gastouri on the east side built by Empress Elizabeth of Austria has a very beautiful interior and exterior and is well worth a visit.
Head to the ruins of the ancient city of Nicopolis, 7 km north of Preveza. It used to be a splendid city built by Emperor Octavian and the impressive remains such as the theater, the city gates and the thermal baths as well as the museum are very interesting for anyone who likes history.
If you are not too tired from your day on the charter yacht, visit Argostoli with many bustling streets and shops, as well as the bell tower in the center.
Take a wine tour in Kefalonia where you will be taken to different wineries and you can learn about the different grape varieties and the wine making processes.
You can also visit the Lefkas wineries. Or visit the island’s largest resort, Nidri, a sheltered harbor overlooking Skorpios, formerly owned by Aristotle Onassis. 20 km to the south is the Vasiliki windsurfing center, and further south is Cape Lefkada, where supposedly the Greek poet Sappho jumped and died.
While renting a boat, do water sports like sea kayaking / canoeing, water skiing, wakeboarding, diving, snorkeling, parasailing, fishing, and many more.
Go to observe turtles or dolphins, for example in Marathonisi, where there are many incredible loggerhead turtles.