Browse Boat Rentals in the Ionian Islands
A sailing holiday in Lefkas usually starts in Lefkas town, at the north end of the island, where most charter boats are based. 250+ boats sail from Lefkas: 150+ sailing yachts and 100+ catamarans. A week on a sailing yacht with 3-5 cabins costs €1,700-3,850 in May and October and €2,900-6,300 in July and August; obligatory extras come on top. Boat numbers, prices and booking months in this guide come from the boats listed on Yacht4Less (2027 prices, checked October 2026).
This guide covers sailing holidays in Lefkas, Kefalonia and the islands nearby. Planning more of Greece? See our guide to sailing holidays in Greece, or browse our boat rentals in Lefkas.
Lefkas, also known as Lefkada, is one of the largest Ionian islands, joined to the mainland by a causeway, and the main starting point for a South Ionian yacht charter.
| Category | Key information |
|---|---|
| Sailing season | May to October. June and September offer the best balance of weather and crowds. |
| Wind | North-westerly maistro, usually Force 3-5 in the afternoon; mornings are often calm. |
| Busiest months | June, July, August and September (2026 bookings). |
| Starting points | D-Marin, Lefkas Main Port, Perigiali and Nikiana Marina. |
| Boats | 250+ boats: 150+ sailing yachts and 100+ catamarans, with 2-6 cabins. |
| Weekly price | Sailing yacht, 3-5 cabins: €1,700-3,850 in May and October, €2,900-6,300 in July and August. Catamaran, 4 cabins: €3,700-5,350 in May and October, €6,550-9,150 in July and August. Obligatory extras come on top. |
| Skipper | About €220 a day, plus the skipper's food on most boats. |
| Licence requirements | Bareboat: a licence from your own country, or a certificate from a club or sailing school abroad (for example ICC, RYA Day Skipper or ASA 104), and a competent crew member. Skippered or crewed: no licence needed for guests. |
| Key destinations | Meganisi, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Kalamos, Kastos and Zakynthos. |
If this is your first time sailing in the Ionian, start from Lefkas and sail the South Ionian: Kefalonia, Ithaca and Meganisi, and past the privately owned island of Skorpios. Sailing distances are short, the wind and weather are predictable, and there are many secure places for the night: ports, marinas, town quays and bays. The west coast of Lefkas has some of the Ionian's best-known beaches, such as Porto Katsiki and Egremni; the east coast has traditional fishing villages and resorts.
The South Ionian suits first-time sailors, advanced sailors who wish to relax, groups with young children or older people, and 2-week charters. Are you a family? Read our guide to planning the perfect family sailing holidays.
Sailing around Lefkas and Kefalonia is best from late spring to early autumn. Unlike the gusty Aegean, this region has predictable winds (the maistro), which makes it a good place for relaxed family charters and quiet coves. In 2026, 98% of booked charter days from Lefkas fell between May and October, and August and September were the two busiest months, each with about 21% of booked days. From November to March, fewer than 1% of charter days were booked.
| Month | Air (average high) | Sea | Rain | Wind | Share of bookings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 23°C | 19°C | 40 mm | Maistro, Force 3-5 in the afternoon | 9% |
| June | 28°C | 23°C | 20 mm | Maistro, Force 3-5 in the afternoon | 17% |
| July | 30°C | 25°C | 10 mm | Maistro, Force 3-5 in the afternoon | 20% |
| August | 31°C | 26°C | 15 mm | Maistro, Force 3-5 in the afternoon | 21% |
| September | 27°C | 25°C | 50 mm | Maistro, Force 3-5 in the afternoon | 21% |
| October | 23°C | 23°C | 130 mm | More variable | 10% |
Air and rain: monthly averages for Lefkada, 1991-2020 (Climatestotravel). Sea: monthly average. Wind: Yachting Monthly. Share of bookings: booked charter days of the Lefkas boats listed on Yacht4Less in 2026, all booking channels.
The weather is usually sunny and warm. From spring to autumn, a north-westerly wind, the maistro, starts almost every afternoon (2-3 pm) and dies down after sunset. In summer it is usually Force 3-5 (about 7-21 knots, from a gentle breeze to a fresh breeze). On the way south it is behind you: the 11 NM from Lefkas Marina to Meganisi takes about 2 hours at 5 knots.
July and August are hot, and harbours like Fiskardo are busy. May and June bring blooming landscapes and easier berthing. By September the sea is still warm and the atmosphere mellows, and the season runs into October, before the wetter, greener winter months.
Prices are per week for the whole boat, not per person, and depend on the season, the type of boat and the number of cabins.
| Boat | May and October | June and September | July and August |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sailing yacht, 3 cabins (sleeps 6) | €1,700-2,550 | €2,350-3,550 | €2,900-4,050 |
| Sailing yacht, 4 cabins (sleeps 8) | €2,250-3,300 | €3,150-4,400 | €3,750-4,950 |
| Sailing yacht, 5 cabins (sleeps 10) | €2,750-3,850 | €4,050-5,300 | €4,400-6,300 |
| Catamaran, 4 cabins (sleeps 8) | €3,700-5,350 | €5,600-7,750 | €6,550-9,150 |
2027 bareboat prices on Yacht4Less, checked October 2026. Each range leaves out the cheapest quarter and the most expensive quarter of the listed weekly prices. "Sleeps" counts the berths in the cabins. Boat sizes with fewer than 10 bareboat boats in Lefkas are left out.
On top of the boat price come obligatory extras, such as a final cleaning or a starter pack: €250-500 for a week. They are not hidden: the boat page lists them as "Obligatory", and checkout shows them before you pay.
A skipper costs about €220 a day, and on most boats you also pay for the skipper's food. Browse bareboat charters in Lefkas or catamarans in Lefkas.
Example: a 3-cabin sailing yacht for a week in July. The boat costs about €2,900-4,050. Obligatory extras add €250-500. A skipper for the 7 days adds about €1,540, plus the skipper's food. Without a skipper, the week comes to about €3,200-4,600. With a skipper, it is about €4,700-6,100 plus food. The refundable security deposit, usually €2,000-3,500, is not included.
Fly in and out of Aktion airport in Preveza (PVK), about 30 minutes from Lefkas; easyJet flies to PVK from London Gatwick. Yacht4Less can organise your transfer from the airport to Lefkas marina, from €35 each way, depending on your group and luggage. You can also reach Lefkas by car or bus from Athens and Corfu (from Corfu, take one of the frequent ferries to Igoumenitsa first).
Most boats start in Lefkas town, from the D-Marin Lefkas marina or the town port. Smaller numbers start from Perigiali, near Nydri, and Nikiana, both on the east coast south of the town. Boats have 2-6 cabins. Another 70+ boats are based in Preveza, near the airport.
Lefkas marina is well organised, with bathrooms, showers, bars, restaurants, a chandlery and laundry. Security guards the main entrance 24/7, so you can park your car inside at no extra cost. The showers are for marina guests only; buy shower cards, and water and shore power cards, at the marina offices. A small supermarket inside the marina stays open on Sundays, and 5 minutes away three big-name supermarkets deliver to your yacht for free.
Yes, for a bareboat charter one person in your group acts as skipper. Greek law accepts a licence from your own country, or a certificate from a club or sailing school abroad, such as an ICC, RYA Day Skipper or ASA 104. A certificate from outside the EU that is not in Greek or English needs a translation into one of them. Charter companies also ask for at least one competent crew member; a co-skipper without a certificate can often sign a "Declaration of Honor". Charter companies in Lefkas ask for physical proof of competence before departure.
No licence? Book a skippered charter (the skipper's fee is in the cost section above) or join a flotilla. Not sure your certificate is accepted? Ask us before you book.
Lefkas is a major charter hub, and from it you can charter bareboat, skippered or crewed. Experienced sailors often set off bareboat from its marina, on their own timetable: through the calm water to Ithaca, legendary home of Odysseus, to Kefalonia's Fiskardo harbour, or to a quiet cove off Meganisi. Browse bareboat boats in Lefkas.
To relax more, take a skippered charter: your skipper handles the Lefkada Canal and Kefalonia's coastline and brings you to secluded beaches, such as the cliffs of Porto Katsiki, and to the best local tavernas. Most boats in Lefkas list a skipper as an extra; add one when you book.
On a fully crewed yacht, the crew serves fresh seafood on deck and shares local stories as you sail into the sunset. Fully crewed yachts are rare in Lefkas, so ask us if you are looking for one.
Both routes start and end at Lefkas Marina. The 7-day route stays near Lefkas: most days are 9 to 14 NM, about 2 to 3 hours of sailing. The 14-day route also goes down the open west coast of Kefalonia to Zakynthos; four of its days are 24 to 34 NM.
In summer, a north-west wind builds during the day and dies down in the evening. The tables show how it meets you each day: on days marked "against you", leave in the morning, before the wind is strong. With children, the 7-day route is easier: only the last day is longer than 3½ hours, and three days have a swim stop on the way.
Outside Lefkas Marina there are usually no marina staff to help you moor. You moor stern-to: you drop your own anchor, then reverse up to the quay and tie the back of the boat to it. If no one in your crew has done this before, take a skipper (see the cost section above). Keep on reading: Top 5 Reasons to Go Sailing in the Ionian.
| Day | Route | Sailing | Afternoon wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check-in | ||
| 2 | Lefkas to Meganisi | 11 NM, 2 h | behind you |
| 3 | Meganisi caves to Sivota | 11 NM, 2 h | against you |
| 4 | Sivota to Fiskardo | 12 NM, 2½ h | from the side |
| 5 | Fiskardo to Kioni | 9 NM, 2 h | side and behind |
| 6 | Kioni, Atokos, Kalamos | 14 NM, 3 h | from the side |
| 7 | Kalamos, Meganisi, Lefkas | 21 NM, 4 h | against you |
Day 1: Lefkas Marina (Check-in)
Check-in is at 17:00. Have dinner in Lefkas town, a short walk from the marina, and set off for Meganisi in the morning.
Day 2: Lefkas Marina to Meganisi (11 NM)
Moor in Vathi, a village around a bay on the north coast of Meganisi, or go to Spartochori, a village on a rock above the jetties of two tavernas. On the way you pass Skorpios, the private island Aristotle Onassis bought in 1963. He married Jacqueline Kennedy there in 1968.
Day 3: Meganisi caves to Sivota, Lefkas (11 NM)
Swim at the sea caves on the south coast of Meganisi, such as the Papanikolis cave. Then sail to Sivota, a deep bay on the south coast of Lefkas, well sheltered from the wind. Moor on the town quay, in the small marina on the east side, or in front of the tavernas. In summer, the bars and restaurants stay open late into the night.
Day 4: Sivota to Fiskardo, Kefalonia (12 NM)
Arrive early: the quay in Fiskardo is often full in summer. Fiskardo survived the 1953 earthquake, so its old Venetian-style houses still stand. Try Robola, the dry white wine of Kefalonia.
Day 5: Fiskardo to Kioni, Ithaca (9 NM)
Kioni is deep. Drop the anchor in 10-20 m of water; some boats need a second anchor. The north-west wind comes down the steep hills around the bay in strong gusts, mostly in the afternoon, so arrive early. The old houses of the village rise in rows up the hill: have dinner at one of the tavernas on the harbour.
Day 6: Kioni to One House Bay, Atokos, to Kalamos (14 NM)
Swim at One House Bay on the east coast of Atokos. The bay is sheltered from the north-west wind, but it is safe only in calm weather. No one lives on Atokos, so there are no shops or tavernas. Leave in good time for Kalamos: in the late afternoon, strong gusts form off the western tip of the island. Spend the night in Kalamos harbour, or at anchor in Asprogiali Bay on the north-east coast.
Day 7: Asprogiali Bay, Kalamos, to Ampelaki Bay, Meganisi, to Lefkas Marina (21 NM)
This is the longest day, and most of it is against the wind, so leave in the morning. Stop for a swim in Ampelaki Bay on the north coast of Meganisi. It is a Friday, the day before check-out, and the fuel station in Lefkas Marina is very busy, so do not arrive late. For the last dinner, look for two Lefkas foods: Englouvi lentils and the island's air-dried salami. Check-out is at 09:00 the next morning.
| Day | Route | Sailing | Afternoon wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check-in | ||
| 2 | Lefkas to Meganisi | 11 NM, 2 h | behind you |
| 3 | Meganisi to Fiskardo | 17 NM, 3½ h | from the side |
| 4 | Fiskardo to Argostoli | 34 NM, 7 h | side and behind |
| 5 | Argostoli to Agios Nikolaos | 24 NM, 5 h | behind you |
| 6 | Agios Nikolaos to Kalamaki | 24 NM, 5 h | behind you |
| 7 | Kalamaki to Zakynthos Town | 12 NM, 2½ h | against you |
| 8 | Zakynthos Town to Poros | 25 NM, 5 h | against you |
| 9 | Poros to Sami | 12 NM, 2½ h | against you |
| 10 | Sami to Agios Andreas | 10 NM, 2 h | partly against |
| 11 | Agios Andreas to Vathi | 10 NM, 2 h | against you |
| 12 | Vathi to Frikes | 7 NM, 1½ h | against you |
| 13 | Frikes to Kastos | 14 NM, 3 h | from the side |
| 14 | Kastos to Lefkas | 23 NM, 4½ h | against you |
Days 1-2: Lefkas and Meganisi
The same as on the 7-day route: check-in, then Vathi or Spartochori on Meganisi, past Skorpios.
Day 3: Meganisi to Fiskardo, Kefalonia (17 NM)
As on the 7-day route, arrive early in Fiskardo: the quay is often full in summer.
Day 4: Fiskardo to Argostoli, Kefalonia (34 NM)
The longest day: about 7 hours along the open west coast of Kefalonia. In Argostoli, moor on the long town quay; the best places are at its north end, out of the north-west wind. Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia, with a busy promenade and local markets, and loggerhead turtles feed in the harbour.
Day 5: Argostoli to Agios Nikolaos, Zakynthos (24 NM)
Agios Nikolaos is a small port on the north tip of Zakynthos, with two quays. The water gets deep fast, so let out plenty of anchor chain. If day-trip boats fill the quay, anchor south-west of the small island in the bay. From here, boat trips go to the Blue Caves and to Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach.
Day 6: Agios Nikolaos to Kalamaki, Zakynthos (24 NM)
Kalamaki beach is in Laganas Bay, inside the National Marine Park, where loggerhead turtles nest. Boats keep to 6 knots and may anchor only in Zone C of the park. Before you go, ask the port authority in Zakynthos Town where you may anchor; the park rules are in the rules section below.
Day 7: Kalamaki to Zakynthos Town (12 NM)
Zakynthos Town has no marina for visiting boats. Moor stern-to or nose first on the town quay; places go to whoever arrives first. When a cruise ship is in port, boats may not enter or leave, from about 09:00 to 17:00, and there is no warning. The town was rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake, with its old arcades and squares, and has cafés along the waterfront.
Day 8: Zakynthos Town to Poros, Kefalonia (25 NM)
This day is against the wind, so leave early. Poros harbour is shallow, 2-4 m, and the mud holds the anchor well. Restaurants and a supermarket are less than 100 m from the quay.
Day 9: Poros to Sami, Kefalonia (12 NM)
In Sami, a harbour master shows you where to moor and collects the harbour fee; drinking water on the quay is free. Sami is one of Kefalonia's main ports, with many places to eat. Near the town are Melissani, a lake inside a cave lit by the sun through a hole in its roof, and Antisamos Beach, where the 2001 film Captain Corelli's Mandolin was shot. Try kreatopita, the Kefalonian meat pie.
Day 10: Sami to Agia Efimia to Agios Andreas, Ithaca (10 NM)
Stop in Agia Efimia, a fishing village 4 NM north of Sami. Staff on its visitors' quay guide you in by radio, and there is water and electricity. Then cross to Agios Andreas (Antri, Agiou Andreou on some charts), a narrow bay at the southern tip of Ithaca, for a night at anchor. It is exposed in anything but calm weather, and other boats are often there.
Day 11: Agios Andreas to Vathi, Ithaca (10 NM)
Vathi is the main town of Ithaca, in a deep bay sheltered from all winds except the north-west. In the afternoon that wind blows into the bay and makes mooring on the town quay hard; it usually dies at night. You can also anchor in the bay, where the anchor holds well in 5 m of water. Vathi has a small archaeological museum.
Day 12: Vathi to Frikes, Ithaca (7 NM)
Frikes has a small quay: boats moor side-on to it and tie up to each other, with water and electricity on the quay. Frikes is a small fishing village with a handful of tavernas.
Day 13: Frikes to Kastos (14 NM)
Kastos is 7 km long and 800 m wide, with one village and about 40 people. It has four restaurants and three bars, mostly closed in winter: anchor in the bay and have dinner at one of them.
Day 14: Kastos to Lefkas (23 NM)
The last sailing day is against the wind, so leave in the morning and stop for a swim on the way. It is a Friday: fill up with fuel early, before the queue at the marina. Check-out is at 09:00 the next morning.
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Hours: at an average of 5 knots. Afternoon wind: the summer north-west wind, compared with the day's course.
NM: the shortest sea route between the harbours, rounded to whole nautical miles; days with a swim stop include it. With wind and tacking you will sail more.
Sailing here follows standard Greek rules: the charter company provides the boat's papers, and no special regional permits are needed. The trickiest part is the Lefkas Canal, where you time your passage with the bridge openings and listen to the VHF announcements. The bridge no longer opens every hour, only at set times. In summer 2026 (29 June to 15 September) it opened at 08:00, 10:00, 14:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00 and 22:00Lefkada port fund. The bridge was also closed to boats for a time from 14 July 2025, so check the current schedule before you plan a passage north to Preveza or Corfu.
Lefkas has a large, organised marina; in Kefalonia you usually Med-moor on town quays such as Fiskardo or Sami, where fees are modest. Avoid Posidonia seagrass, keep to the no-wake zones for sea turtles, and watch for depth limits in dredged channels and the military zones near the Amvrakikos Gulf. Ferries have right of way.
The 14-day route above visits Laganas Bay on Zakynthos, a National Marine Park for loggerhead turtles. From 1 May to 31 October, boats may not enter its Zone AMarine Park, and in the rest of the bay the speed limit is 6 knots. Ask the port authority in Zakynthos Town where you may anchor before you sail to Kalamaki.
Venetian history, ancient myths and local traditions shape both islands. Moor in Lefkas town and you are in the island's colourful capital. Lefkas has the historic Faneromeni Monastery and the International Folklore Festival, first held in 1962 and held in late August, and it is a candidate for Homer’s Ithaca.
On Kefalonia, villages like Sami have the "Captain Corelli" atmosphere, and sea turtles swim in Argostoli's harbour. Take a boat across the sunlit water of Melissani Lake Cave, or, in August, see the "snake festival" in Markopoulo.
In the evening, order the local food. Lefkas is known for its Englouvi lentils and local sausages, the wines of the Lefkaditiki Gi winery and pasteli honey sweets. Kefalonia has kreatopita (meat pie), sofigado stew and Robola, its crisp, citrusy white wine. Snack on red sugar-coated mandola almonds, and at the harbour, order grilled octopus and local mizithra cheese.
The yachting community's most-asked questions, answered by our experts.
Rarely. Four boats in Lefkas offer one-way trips, to Athens or Preveza; the boat page shows the fee. To book one, ask us. Most charters start and end in Lefkas.
Yes. The base takes a refundable security deposit at check-in; on the Lefkas boats that list one, it is usually €2,000-3,500. On some Lefkas boats a deposit waiver is also an obligatory extra, usually €350-500 for a one-week charter. The waiver lowers what you pay if something is damaged, and it is not refunded. Ask the base how it takes the deposit (card hold or cash).
Charters in Lefkas run from Saturday to Saturday. On almost all boats, check-in is at 17:00 and check-out at 09:00. Book flights that land by the afternoon on arrival day and leave after mid-morning on departure day.
While Porto Katsiki is impressive from the water, it is an open roadstead with no protection from the prevailing north-westerly winds. It is strictly a daytime stop for swimming and photography. You should never attempt to anchor here overnight. Most sailors visit in the early morning before the tour boats arrive and then head to the sheltered waters of Vasiliki for the evening.
Yes. Yacht4Less can arrange for groceries to be delivered to your boat before you arrive; you pay for the food itself. Tell us what you need when you book.
