For American travelers dreaming of Greece, the first images that come to mind are usually the whitewashed villages of Santorini and Mykonos. But a growing number of visitors are discovering a quieter, greener side of the country: the Ionian Islands, off Greece’s western coast. And one of the best ways to see them is from the deck of a sailboat.
Here is what to know if you are considering a sailing vacation in the Ionian.
Why the Ionian?
The Ionian Sea is often described as one of the most beginner-friendly sailing areas in the Mediterranean. The islands sit close together, so most trips between harbors take only two to four hours. In summer, a steady afternoon breeze usually builds around midday and dies down by early evening, leaving calm mornings for swimming and peaceful nights at anchor.
The scenery is different from the Aegean, too. Instead of dry, rocky landscapes, the Ionian islands are covered in olive groves and cypress trees, with turquoise bays and small fishing villages tucked along the coast. Islands such as Lefkada, Meganisi, Ithaca and Kefalonia make up a natural loop that can be explored comfortably in a week.
Do you need to know how to sail?
Not necessarily. There are several ways to charter a yacht, depending on your experience:
- Bareboat charter: You rent the boat and act as captain yourself. You will usually need a recognized sailing qualification, such as an International Certificate of Competence or equivalent, plus some prior experience.
- Assisted bareboat: You still skipper your own boat, but you get daily briefings and help with docking in harbor. It is a popular choice for newly qualified sailors.
- Skippered charter: A professional local skipper sails the boat for you. This is ideal for families or groups with no sailing experience who simply want to relax.
- Day charters: If you are staying on land, a day trip on a skippered yacht offers a taste of island-hopping without a full week afloat.
Getting there
Most Ionian sailing holidays begin on Lefkada, an island linked to the mainland by a short causeway and bridge. The nearest airport is Preveza-Aktion, about 30 minutes away by road. There are no direct flights from the United States, so most travelers connect through Athens or a major European hub such as London, Frankfurt or Amsterdam. Seasonal flights from several European cities make the connection straightforward in summer.
On Lefkada’s east coast, the harbor town of Nidri is a popular base for charter fleets, with views across to a scattering of small islands and easy access to sheltered sailing waters.
Choosing a charter company
Travel experts generally recommend booking directly with an operator that owns and maintains its own boats, rather than through a booking agent. That way, the people you deal with before your trip are the same people who will help you if anything goes wrong on the water.
Before booking, it is worth asking about the age and condition of the fleet, what is included in the price, and how the security deposit works. Established, family-run operators offering sailing holidays in Greece can also help first-timers plan a realistic route and recommend the best harbors and anchorages for their group.
When to go
The sailing season runs from late April to late October. For many visitors, the best months are May, June and September, when the sea is warm, the weather is reliably sunny and harbors are less crowded. July and August are hotter and busier, so sailors arriving in popular harbors should plan to dock by mid-afternoon.
A different kind of Greek vacation
A week on a sailboat in the Ionian offers something a hotel stay cannot: the freedom to wake up somewhere new each morning, swim straight off the back of the boat and decide over breakfast where to go next. For travelers looking for a more personal way to experience Greece, it is well worth considering.
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