Ionian Islands Ionian sailing holidays

Ionian Islands - Ιόνια νησιά, are also known as Eptanisa (Seven Islands), are strung out along the west coast of Greece from the Albanian frontier to the Peloponnese. In this westerly situation, with more rain in early spring than most other parts of Greece, the islands have a mild climate and lush growth of vegetation. Only second to Saronic gulf - Athens, the Ionian is one of the most important areas for yacht charters in the east Mediterranean Sea; for bareboats, flotillas and for crewed yacht charters on gulet motorsailers.

Due to less severe winds than in other regions these islands form the perfect ground for sailing holidays and yacht charters with kids or less experienced crew. The best bases for yacht charters can be found in Preveza, Corfu, Gouvia, Lefkas and Nidri. Ionian sailing itinerariesGPS waypoints for the Ionian The charts should not be used for navigational purposes. History Ionian IslandsEvidence of settlement dating back to Mycenaean times has been found on the islands, but their first emergence into the light of history was in 743 BCE, when Corinth founded the city of Korkyra, later Kerkira. In the 5th century BCE the islands came under Athenian influence, and in the 2nd century BCE the Roman Empire took over.

Later they became under Byzantine rule, and in 1085 were conquered by the Normans; subsequently in 1203-04 the Fourth Crusade brought another change of masters. The islands now fell into the hands of Italian rulers, and came under Venetian control. Venetian rule lasted until the fall of the Republic of St Mark in 1797. And during this period the islands provided a refuge for many Greeks fleeing from the Turks, including artists from Crete who founded a school of their own here, and throughout these centuries they enjoyed a richer cultural life than the rest of Greece. After an interlude of French rule the young Republic of the Seven Islands became a British Protectorate in 1815; in 1864 Britain returned the islands to Greece.


Preveza The Preveza port of entry lies on the Greek mainland guarding the Gulf of Amvrakia (Ambracian Gulf). Leading lights will guide your way into this gulf. On the left side of the channel a dense forest and Fort St. George can be seen. Some guides mention a strong cross-current and the channel is not likely to live up to the 'official' depth of 8 meters - due to silting: 5 meters!

Sailing holidays Corfu - Κέρκυρα - Kerkira is the most important and most northerly of the Ionian Islands and is situated only 1 nm off the coast of Albania and the Greek region of Epirus (mainland Greece). It houses one of the main charter bases for most yacht charter companies and offers gentle green uplands in the south and rugged limestone hills in the north, rising to 911 m in the double peak of Pantokrator.

The medieval name of the island, now the accepted English name, is believed to be derived from the Greek Koryphi (Peaks).

From 1386 to 1797 Corfu was held by Venice, thereafter it was briefly part of the Napoleonic empire; and in 1815, together with the rest of the Ionian islands, it was assigned to Britain. It was reunited with Greece in 1864.In the course of its eventful history the island was frequently devastated and plundered, so that it has preserved few relics of ancient or medieval times.   
The island's capital, Corfu (Kerkira), is beautifully situated on a promontory on the east coast, dominated by the Neo Frourio (New Fortress). The ancient city is farther south. Corfu is the seat of both a Greek Orthodox and a Roman Catholic archbishop.

From the harbour you can go either east on the road running above the seafront (view), passing the old royal palace, or south-east along Odos Nikiforou, the town's busy main road.

An attractive excursion from Corfu town is to the villa of Akhillion, 16 km south. This villa in Italian Renaissance style, situated at an altitude of 145 m, has magnificent gardens and panoramic views.Three kilometres further south is the charming fishing village of Benitses and its remains of a Roman villa.

Ports The old harbour of Corfu/Kerkira just east of the customs harbour has the best shelter for the prevailing NW winds.
The Corfu Yacht Club is usually for member only, but the smaller Naok Yacht Club at the other side of Cape Sidhero has a few berths for visitors.

Gaios is the principal port of Paxos Island. On the islets off the harbour are a Venetian fort and the former Monastery of the Panayia.
You can moor right in the middle of the busy touristy scenery of this charming place.

Paleokastritsa - on the West side of Corfu Island - is a lively and attractive tourist resort dominated by the Monastery of Panayia Theotokos on a high crag.
Near the village there are seacaves. From here it is a 1.5 hours climb (with guide; stout footwear required) to the ruined Angelokastro Castle (13th c; panoramic views).
Lots of caves can be reached by tender or RIB.


Gouvia is located 5 nm north of Corfu town and features a Venetian arsenal of 1716.
One can climb to the summit of Mount Pantokrator for a beautiful view of the surroundings and an abandoned monastery of 1347.
The village of Kondokali - adjacent to Gouvia - is nowadays more German or English than Greek. Fortunately, the facilities are excellent.

Gouvia marina is a major base for skippered, crewed and bareboat yacht charters in the north Ionian sea. The other bases are Lefkas and Preveza, further south.

Sailing holidays Lefkas

Lefkas - Λευκάδα - Lefkada (ancient Leukas; Italian Santa Maura) is a hilly island marked by karstic action, lying off the Playia Peninsula in Acarnania, from which it is separated by a shallow lagoon varying in width between 600 m and 5 km. It is now linked with the mainland by a causeway and a ferry.

Most of the island is occupied by a range of hills rising to a height of 1158 m in Mount Stavrotas and running south-west to end at Cape Doukato. It was from this Leucadian Rock of gleaming white limestone that Sappho was supposed to have thrown herself for love of the handsome Phaon.

Lefkas never had any permanent natural connection with the mainland. The shingle spit at the northern tip was pierced in ancient times by the Corinthians to provide a channel for shipping, much like the spit to the south of Lefkas town, which came into being in the Middle Ages as a result of the establishment of salt-pans.   

Off the south-east coast of Lefkas is the beautiful unspoilt island of Meganisi, with sandy beaches and famous sea-caves and therefore a exquisite area for relaxed family yacht charters, either bareboat, in flotilla or skippered.

The must-see ports and anchorages include: Palairos, Mytika, Kastos, Port Leone, Episkopi, Papanikolis Cave, Vathi, Spartakhori, Menidion (Ambracian Gulf), Sivota, Vasiliki and Rouda Bay,

History of Lefkas

The earliest evidence of human settlement on the island dates from the Neolithic period. In the 7th c. BCE the town of Leukas was founded by settlers from Corinth, who closed off the south end of the lagoon, opposite the St George Fort, by a 600 m long mole, remains of which are still visible under water (the sunken breakwater). They also cut a channel through the spit of shingle at the north end of the lagoon, opposite the Santa Maura Fort.   

In the Middle Ages the island belonged to the barons of Kefallinia and Zakynthos. In 1479 it was taken by the Turks - the only Ionian Island to fall into their hands - but was recovered for Venice by Morosini in 1684.
As a result to the vicissitudes of its history and of a series of earthquakes (the most recent in 1953) Lefkas has preserved very few old buildings.

Ports
Preveza, Nidri and Lefkas port are the most important bases for bareboat yacht charters in the southern Ionian, as is Corfu and Gouvia in the north Ionian.
The Lefkas canal enables us sailors to pass along the east side of the island, which has 90% of the good anchorages.
From the north the entrance can be found by locating the Santa Mauro Fort.


Looking SW: The Santa Maura Fort and the north entrance to the canal and in the distance, Lefkas town.

The canal proper (dotted lines) starts after Lefkas Town and is marked by red and green poles and by red and green buoys when the canal turns south.

The ancient submerged breakwater is located opposite the St George Fort.

In Lefkas Town the houses have an unusual structure. The supporting timber posts and beams and lightly build upper storeys are designed to withstand earthquakes. Go stern-to or bows-to the town quay on the NE or S side, the muddy bottom is generally good holding.

The high town of Spartakhori on the island of Meganisi can easily be seen from the north and west. Once you are in the bay the small harbour will be seen. Good shelter, though you will have to anchor in considerable depths (15-25 m).
With NE winds (night!) the anchorage near the taverna is the best location in the bay.
The village of Spartakhori - enjoy the beautiful winding road to reach it - is enchanting and definitely worth the climb.

The port of Vassiliki is located in the south-east of Lefkas deep in the large bay of vassiliki. In the west side of this bay - close to the village Pondi - is a nice anchorage (anchor in 4-8 m).
The actual port is located in the east of the bay and is very shallow. Just stay close to the breakwater.
A natural spring favours this part of the island and runs through a washing house at the south of Vassiliki.

The landlocked Vlikho Bay provides good all-round shelter to anchor in a muddy bottom of just 8-2 meters. Anchoring off the quay of the quiet Vlikho village can be uncomfortable in stronger daytime winds.


Nidri village, however, is more boisterous, just like the fair but crowded inlet across. Outside July, August this inlet is a must anchor and you can use the sunken coaster here to tie an extra line. The Nidri quay self provides water, fuel etc. but places you in the middle of yacht charter bases, tripper boats, ferries etc.

The villa on Modra Island belongs to the family of Arist. Valaoritis (1824-79), greece's national poet. Anchor in front of the baroque building.

The Skorpios Island is also private (owned by the Onassis family), but as long you don't cross the high water mark you can anchor on both sides of a small sandy isthmus south of the island (alliteration :-).


The entrance to Sivota Bay is sometimes difficult to make out. Once in, you can anchor at the east side just around the cape or - if you proceed through the dogleg - you can anchor anywhere in 3-8 m.
There are quays on the south and west sides with water, tavernas etc.

Sailing holidays Kefalonia and Ithaca

The largest island of the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia - Κεφαλονιά - Kefallinia - Cephalonia - Kefallinia - Cefalonia is made of bare limestone mountains rising to 1618 m in Mount Ainos.

The gorgeous rocky island of Ithaca is separated from Kefalonia by the 2 nm wide Ithaca channel and is almost cut into two by the long Gulf of Molos on its east side; the isthmus is only 600 m wide. Ithaca, together with the Echinades isles - forms a marvellous area for yacht charters. The Echinades islands were named after the sea urchin (Echinoidea) describing their sharp and prickly coastlines. Atokos Island is uninhabited but provides two beautiful anchorages.

The must-see harbours and anchorages include: Frikes, Kioni, Vathy, Polis Bay, Pera Pidagi, Atokos, Astakos, Oxia, Efimia, Poros, Fiskardo, Assos and Argostoli plus the series of bays south of Fiskardo.

History

The earliest finds of pottery point to a first settlement towards the end of the 3rd millennium BCE. A number of Mycenaean sites have been identified, though their poverty is difficult to reconcile with the wealthy Homeric times.
In the 6th and 5th century BCE the Islands were - like Corfu - under the influence of Corinth; then in 456 BCE Tolmides compelled it to submit to Athens. At that time there were four city states on Kefallinia - Kranioi, Pale, Pronnoi and Same - which Thucydides refers to as a tetrapolis.   


The cities were members of the Aeolian League, and Cephallenian vessels fought against the Romans, but eventually the island fell into the power of Rome. Thereafter the islands shared the destinies of the other Ionian Islands.

Ports

The ports of Ithaca and Kefalonia aren't proper bases for yacht charters, the nearest main base to start your sailing holidays is Lefkas (Lefkas port, Preveza or Nidri).
The entrance to Fiscardo bay is difficult to locate, but a few modern buildings north of Fiscardo are conspicuous.
The Large stone lighthouse as well as the smaller Venetian lighthouse are clearly visible.
Excellent shelter in all conditions, although the anchorage just below Fiscardo town has a bad reputation (bad holding and less protected).


Argostoli port is located in the deep Kolpos Argostoliou. This bay is frequented by the ferry between Lixouri and Argostoli (caution). There is a reef running from Cape Pelagia and from Cape St Nikolaos.

When you have reached the port of Argostoli you can berth stern-to or bows-to near the ferry quay. If you prefer to anchor there is a cove on the east side of the entrance of the inlet, poor shelter.

Zakynthos sailing holiday


Zakynthos - Ζάκυνθος (Italian Zante), besides Kythira the southernmost island of the Ionian Islands, lies off the west coast of the Peloponnese. The western half of the island is occupied by a karstic plateau rising to 758 m, the eastern half by a fertile and intensively cultivated alluvial plain with a luxuriant growth of vegetation. With its beautiful scenery and excellent bathing beaches, Zakynthos is very popular with yacht charters and tourists in general.


History of Zakynthos

Since the time of Homer the island has been known by the name it still bears, said to be derived from the wild hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L.). Settled at an early period by Achaeans and Arcadians, it soon developed into a centre of trade and seafaring whose in­fluence extended as far as the Iberian Peninsula, where it found­ed the col­ony of Za­kan­tha, later known as Saguntum.
It was occupied by the Turks in 1479 but recovered two years later by the Venetians, who held it until 1797. The island has preserved an Italian and Venetian stamp, yet its eventful history (Vandals!) and major earthquakes of 1515 and 1953 destroyed most old buildings.



Ports

The port of Zakynthos provides good shelter from the prevailing NW winds. With a strong southerly it is better to anchor in the SW, though clear of the turning circle of the ferries.

Care should be taken to avoid the little reef (marked by a red buoy) just east of the entrance of the harbour. Note also the few unlit mooring buoys south-east of the harbour.

The proposed marina is still not finished. Above the town are the remains of a Venetian Castle (view), which is believed to have collapsed in the 1515 earthquake.


The Vromi bay is a deep inlet and the only anchorage at the west side of the island. In NW-W winds it provides good shelter, but be aware of kat­abatic gusts.