Bareboat Sailing Vacations in Lefkas, Greece

Day 1, Meganisi Island

Lefkas Island to Meganisi Island – 11 nm. Your Lefkas itinerary begins on the day you arrive at the Moorings base. Once you check in, purchase provisions (if you haven’t elected to have us do it for you), and receive your pre-cruise chart briefing, board your yacht at 3:00 P.M. and get under way for a short sail to the south down the Lefkas Canal into the protected lagoon between mainland Greece and the island. Off the bow you’ll see scenic Meganisi Island. It has plentiful coves and bays, most of which make fine anchorages. There are three communities on Meganisi, each with its own character. Spartakhori sits atop rugged hills above Spilia Bay and is quite beautiful. Vathi is a traditional little fishing port situated in a sheltered inlet, and Katomeri lies just inland. The pace of life is slow on Meganisi, a perfect way to ease into your Lefkas sailing itinerary.

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Day 2, Kefalonia Island

Meganisi Island to Kefalonia Island – 15 nm. The next leg of your Lefkas sailing itinerary takes you southwest past the northern tip of Ithaca to nearby Kefalonia’s northeast shore. The coves and bays along this stretch of the Kefalonian coast are absolutely beautiful, and the little port towns are picturesque and fun to explore. Fiscardo is situated at the far northeast end of Kefalonia, marked by two stone lighthouses. Farther down the west coast is Assos. You can’t miss the looming Venetian fortress perched on the heights. If you’re looking for seclusion, you can find it, whereas if you want to enjoy nightlife in a town, that’s available too. The scuba diving is superb in Kefalonian waters, though you’ll need to go on an organized excursion due to regulations.

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Day 3, Ithaca Island

Kefalonia Island to Ithaca Island – 13 nm. After enjoying your time on Kefalonia, set sail for a pleasant passage to the fabled isle of Ithaca, home of Odysseus (Ulysses), hero of the Trojan War and Homer’s epic poem the Odyssey. The sailing is superb, with flat seas and fair winds, as the mountains of Kefalonia soar skyward, verdant and beautiful. Kefalonia and Ithaca are superior cruising grounds, offering a mix of interesting towns with potential side trips inland, pristine beaches, and snug coves. Some of the best anchorages at Ithaca are in the ports of Frikes, Kioni, and Vathy. Going ashore to explore the villages and to savor a delicious meal in a taverna is a delightful way to relax.

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Day 4, Atokos Island

Ithaca Island to Atokos Island – 10 nm. Just a short sail to the east brings you to the Echinades Islands, beautiful, unspoiled, and remote. These islands were named after sea urchins because the coasts are often sharp, or indented, providing you with a selection of snug coves and harbors. Atokos Island is uninhabited. Its craggy brush-covered heights run down the middle, rising to 1,095 feet at the highest point. You’ll see Atokos long before you reach it. There are two anchorages. The one on the south side of the island at One House Bay is sheltered and quite beautiful, with the solitary house on the shore and the old church perched on the hill. The other anchorage is on the east side of the island. The snorkeling is exceptional.

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Day 5, Kastos Island

Atokos Island to Kastos Island – 9 nm. Your Lefkas sailing itinerary routes you to the northeast to the long, low-lying isle of Kastos, another in the Echinades group. The Echinades are comprised of about 25 islands, most of them uninhabited islets with the exception of seabirds and wild goats. As Kastos draws near off the bow, you will find yourself entering the heart of the Echinades and marveling at the natural beauty all around you. The island has two anchorages. The best one is midway up the east coast in the bight just off the picturesque village of Kastos. Only 50 people live on the island year-round, and at the height of the summer the population increases to roughly 500. In the village are several excellent tavernas.

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Day 6, Kalamos Island

Kastos Island to Kalamos Island – 5 nm. Assuming you anchored off the village of Kastos the night before, you’ll have a wonderful sail northeast around the north end of Kastos Island and the tiny Provato isle. As you pass the islet, a magnificent view gradually materializes. Kalamos Island, yet another of the larger landmasses in the Echinades, rises off the port beam to 656 feet at the highest point. Dense pine forests, rare in most of Greece, cover the steep slopes. The port and village of Kalamos is only a few miles to the northwest, where you can enjoy a delicious meal, amble down the narrow lanes, and take a swim at the nearby beach.

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Day 7, Lefkas Island

Kalamos Island to Lefkas Island – 18 nm. The final day of your Lefkas itinerary takes you northwest, leaving beautiful Kalamos behind as you trim the sails for a windward crossing on flat water. The scene inspires the imagination as you consider all the history of this part of the Mediterranean. As the balmy wind fills the sails of your yacht, you will find yourself reveling in the special charm that can only be found in Greece. Arriving back at the Moorings base at Lefkas Town by 5:00 P.M., you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a sumptuous dinner at one of the restaurants near the marina, a fitting end to a leisurely foray into one of the best cruising grounds on Earth.

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