Fjord-like bays on Meganisi, Gidaki’s electric-blue water, dinner on the harbour in Fiskardo, and pine-covered Kalamos. Our most popular week, a loop of easy legs from our base in Vliho Bay.
If you sail only one route in the Ionian, make it this one. It links the best-known stops in the South Ionian, from the fjord-like inlets of Meganisi and the harbours of Ithaca to Fiskardo on Kefalonia and quiet, pine-covered Kalamos.
Most legs are short, with just two longer crossings, so there is always time for a long lunch at anchor. That makes it our first recommendation for first-time charterers and families.
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.
A gentle first day. Meganisi is only four miles from the base, and its northern coast is cut into narrow, sheltered inlets where you can tie a line to the rocks and swim straight off the boat. End the day in Porto Spilia and walk up to the whitewashed village of Spartochori.
Skipper’s tip: The tavernas in Spilia often help you dock and offer lazy lines if you eat there. An easy first night’s mooring.
Sail south to Ithaca and drop anchor off Gidaki, often voted the island’s best beach and unspoiled because it is hard to reach on foot. After lunch, continue into Vathy through its winding natural channel, which suddenly opens into a huge, sheltered bay.
Skipper’s tip: The afternoon Maestro wind can funnel down the valley into Vathy. Make sure your anchor is well set before you go ashore.
A short, easy sail up Ithaca’s east coast to Kioni, a traditional fishing village built around a small green bay. Plenty of time for a swim stop on the way and a slow afternoon in the village.
Skipper’s tip: Kioni’s harbour is small. Aim to arrive early in the afternoon to find a good spot.
Cross the narrow channel to Kefalonia’s northern tip and Fiskardo, the only village on the island to survive the 1953 earthquake. Its colourful Venetian waterfront is the liveliest harbour on the route and the best place for a long dinner.
Skipper’s tip: Fiskardo gets very busy. Arrive before 14:00 to find a spot with long lines to the rocks on the north side.
The longest sail of the week, heading east past Ithaca’s northern coast to Kalamos. This mountain island is covered in pine forest down to the water, and its harbour town is quiet, with stone houses and family tavernas along the quay.
Skipper’s tip: Harbourmaster George is famous for meeting incoming yachts and helping with lines. Give him a wave on your approach.
Start with a morning swim in one of Kalamos’s secluded pine-fringed coves, then sail west past Meganisi back into the calm waters of Vliho Bay and the sail2day pontoon.
Skipper’s tip: Leave the cove by late morning to make the crossing before the afternoon breeze builds.
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.
Mostly stern-to on town quays, plus lines ashore in Meganisi’s inlets and at anchor off Gidaki. Fiskardo is the busiest harbour on the route, so arrive early.
This is the route we suggest for a first week on the water. If you don’t hold a licence yet, you can sail it with one of our skippers. See licensing & crew in our FAQ.
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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.