Castle sunsets on Kefalonia’s wild west coast, a cave lake by scooter, and the best harbour-front dining in the Little Ionian. A week-long loop from our base in Vliho Bay.
This route trades the shortest possible hops for the most memorable stops. You sail from the sheltered east coast of Lefkada to Kefalonia’s dramatic west coast, spend a day exploring its famous caves on land, and finish with a morning swim inside Papanikolis Cave on Meganisi.
Legs are longer than on our Classic Island Hopper, so it suits crews with some sailing experience, or anyone travelling with one of our skippers.
Distances are approximate. Your skipper adjusts each day to the forecast, so treat this as the ideal plan rather than a fixed schedule.
Check in at our pontoon from 18:00 on Saturday, settle into your cabins, and let the base team walk you through the yacht. Provisions ordered in advance can be delivered straight to the boat.
Skipper’s tip: Order provisions at least 48 hours ahead so they are waiting on board when you arrive.
An easy first sail south along Lefkada’s sheltered east coast, with time for a long lunchtime swim before turning into the horseshoe bay of Sivota. The village wraps around the quay, so your table is a few steps from the stern.
Skipper’s tip: Sivota fills quickly in high season. Aim to be tied up by mid-afternoon.
Cross to Kefalonia and round its northern tip to the west coast, where Assos sits beneath a Venetian castle on a wooded peninsula. Watching the sun drop behind the castle walls is the moment most crews remember from this route.
Skipper’s tip: The west coast is exposed to the afternoon NW Maestro wind. Your skipper only commits to Assos on a calm forecast; otherwise the night is spent in Fiskardo instead.
Sail back around the northern tip for lunch in Fiskardo, the colourful Venetian village that survived the 1953 earthquake, then continue down Kefalonia’s east coast to the relaxed harbour of Agia Efimia.
Skipper’s tip: Agia Efimia’s large, newer quay makes docking straightforward, even for catamarans and less experienced crews.
A day off the water. Rent a scooter or take a taxi inland to Melissani, the underground lake lit through a collapsed cave roof, and nearby Drogarati Cave. In the evening, the harbour tavernas serve excellent, fairly priced seafood.
Skipper’s tip: Visit Melissani around midday, when the sun is high enough to light up the water inside the cave.
The longest leg of the week: north past Ithaca’s coastline and back into the sheltered waters around Meganisi. End the day stern-to in Little Vathy, where the quay is lined with tavernas and the dining is the best in the Little Ionian.
Skipper’s tip: Leave early. Morning winds are lighter, and you arrive before the evening rush for quay space.
Round Meganisi to Papanikolis Cave, where a Greek submarine hid during WWII. Take the dinghy inside to the tiny beach at the back, then make the short final sail home to Vliho Bay.
Skipper’s tip: Be at the cave before 10:00 to beat the tour boats from Nidri.
A predictable NW breeze, typically Force 3–5, builds in the afternoon and dies down at night. Plan longer legs for the morning and enjoy the sailing when it fills in.
Expect stern-to mooring on town quays and anchoring off Assos and Papanikolis. Popular harbours like Sivota and Fiskardo fill up, so arriving early pays off.
Kefalonia’s west coast is only a good stop in calm conditions. If the forecast turns, your skipper swaps Assos for a sheltered harbour and the rest of the week carries on.
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WITH SKIPPER
Agile and comfortable, ideal for skippered family or friends charters.
View CatamaranNot sure where to start exploring Lefkada, the amazing Ionian islands, and hidden coves? Our team has lived and sailed the region for years, offering insider knowledge every step of the way.
We love the Ionian and we love sailing. Our local crew and instructors strive to make your vacation seamless, safe, and unforgettable.
Direct communication, transparent pricing, and instant support from our base manager to ensure easy planning from initial inquiry to embarkation.
Our fleet catamarans undergo strict commercial inspections and maintenance, featuring solar upgrades, upgraded power systems, and premium safety gear.
Starting directly from sheltered Vliho Bay, you gain immediate access to Meganisi, Ithaca, Kefalonia, and Paxos without wasting time motoring against heavy open seas.
Protected from all sides, Vliho Bay in Lefkada offers calm waters and instant access to the South Ionian island archipelago.
Location: Vliho, Lefkada Island, Greece
Coordinates: 38°41'N 20°43'E
Operating Season: April – October
Google Maps: Sail2day Lefkada base
Charter Base InfoReal stories from charter guests and sailing students
Tell us your dates and crew size, and our team in Vliho Bay will match you with a catamaran and adjust this route to suit your group.