Sail the Ionian Islands

Ionian yacht charter guide

The Ionian Islands are to the west of mainland Greece and are home to one of the Mediterranean’s most popular yacht charter sailing destinations providing the perfect cruising ground for fun, relaxed and varied Greek island sailing. The Ionian has a wonderful Mediterranean climate with beautiful warm summers and the sun shines here for over 3000 hours a year!

The Ionian sailing area consists of major islands including Kefalonia, Lefkas, Ithaca in the south, Corfu and Paxos in the north as well as the Greek mainland and Gulf of Amvrakia with its own array of beautiful villages, harbours and bays.

ionian yacht charter

Southern Ionian Islands

The Southern Ionian islands including Lefkas and Cephalonia (Kefalonia) enclose an ‘inland sea’ with more than twenty smaller islands dotted within this wonderful cruising area including Meganissi, Kastos, Kalamos and Ithaca. Sailing around these Greek islands discover safe anchorages in picturesque bays surrounded by olive groves and cypress trees and explore a fantastic choice of pretty ports.

Greek islands sailing holidays

Northern Ionian Islands

The Northern Ionian includes the beautiful Greek islands of Corfu, Paxos and anti-Paxos. Corfu itself has a number of bays, anchorages and harbours to explore. A short sail across to the mainland coast you will find small fishing villages, island groups with crystal clear water perfect for snorkelling and popular towns with Venetian fortresses. The idyllic islands of Paxos and Anti-Paxos have many secluded emerald bays and beautiful beaches - fantastic for lunchtime swimming stops.

Western Coast of Mainland Greece

East of the Islands of the Ionian stretches the western coast of Mainland Greece (Epirus). The ports of Preveza, Parga and Sivota Mourtos nestle along these shores and are washed by the same crystal blue waters of the Ionian Sea. The towns and villages along this coastline share many of the same characteristics and ambience of the Ionian islands which makes them great places for sailing yachts to visit.

lefkas yacht charter

Lefkas & Corfu Ionian Yacht Charters

Yacht charters, flotillas and sailing courses start on the Ionian islands of Lefkas (or Lefkada) and Corfu. Bases include the Lefkas marina in Lefkas town and Gouvia marina on Corfu which are ideally located for sailing in the North Ionian and the South Ionian. All the yacht charter bases are between 15 and 30 minutes drive from either Preveza/Lefkas airport or Corfu airport making them perfect locations to start your sailing holiday.

Map & Guide to the Ionian Islands

Find out more about where to sail with our Map & Yacht Charter Guide to the Ionian Islands with over 50 villages, harbours and bays.

Ionian Yacht Charter Itineraries
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What's it like to sail in the Ionian Islands?

The Ionian Sea is renowned for its perfect sailing conditions with plenty of wind to have a really fun yacht charter holiday in the sunshine.

Typically winds build about lunchtime and drop again at sunset. This means that you can spend the morning sailing gently to a lunch time stop to a secluded bay or pretty village and go for a swim or snorkel, have lunch on board and then have a great sail to your evening destination. The winds are fairly consistent and usually result in a very calm evening with still waters.

Finding your way around the Ionian Islands

Navigation in the Ionian islands is simple and stress free and due to the close proximity of the islands is predominantly by sight with almost no tide or currents and very few hazards.

We offer a comprehensive Island Sailing yacht charter guide to the Greek Ionian as well as the Rod Heikell Ionian Guide. Your yacht has all the charts and navigation aids, including chartplotters and autopilot. Our teams can suggest route plans and intineraries and let you know about of all our favourite spots.

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