7 Day South Ionian Islands POWER Itinerary – longer distances 

Kalami bay

A charming former fishing village, Kalami is located on the northeast coast of Corfu, with lush olive groves surrounding and scenic hilltops peeking through in the background. This horseshoe-shaped bay is riddled with natural beauty and the bustling harbor town has something to offer visitors of all kinds. Kalami’s blue flag pebble beach makes for an idyllic place to bask in the Mediterranean sun or partake in water activities. Go ashore to enjoy some shopping in Kassiopi and if the timing is right, to soak up the culture during one of the annual festivals like the Vacarola or Pie Festival. Kalami is also home to a number of traditional restaurants, where you can tempt your palate with authentic Greek cuisine and sample the local wines. And because the bay is protected from north westerly winds, it provides a superb anchorage for charterers.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr 24 mins Sailing time
• 7 Nautical miles

Mooring

Free anchoring. No moorings.

Things to do

Swimming, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, Shopping, Dining, Hiking.

Facilities

ATM, WIFI, Super Market, Restaurants.

Bay of Lakka Paxos

Bay of Lakka Paxos sailing is an open-water affair, taking you past the southern end of Corfu into the heart of the north Ionian Sea. Off the bow are Paxos and Anti Paxos islands, two jewels that most cruising sailors don’t want to miss. Sparsely populated and fertile, the islands are known for their remote and quiet ambience. The interior of Anti Paxos is covered in vineyards and olive groves, and there are paths that take you past the lush greenery interspersed with flocks of sheep, bleating contentedly in the warm sun. The anchorages are snug and the beaches are beautiful, making sailing in the Bay of Lakka Paxos divine.

The day’s sailing

• 2 Hr 18 mins Sailing time
• 32.4 Nautical miles

Mooring

No moorings are available. The best anchorages in Paxos are at the ports of Lakka and Gaios. There is also a serene anchorage in the bay of Spuzzo, just south of Gaios, the main harbor of Paxos. You can also anchor in the creeks of Anti Paxos in settled weather.

Things to do

Both islands have numerous beautiful beaches and walking paths leading to the interior. The snorkeling in the area is excellent. On the south coast of Paxos, you will find the sea caves of Ypapanti. Caves along the rocky coast and inland are common in the Ionian Islands. There is ferry service to Gaios, on Paxos Island, which means little shops and several tavernas are in the port to cater to tourists. The harbor has a walled lighthouse on a tiny island, very picturesque and nautical in appearance. An old fort is on an adjacent islet. Gaios is a pleasant place to go ashore to explore. Of particular interest are the Monastery of Panagia (it’s on a small island of the same name) and the Museum of Paxos, which has a distinctly local collection of assorted artifacts. The hot springs on Paxos have long been known for their therapeutic properties.

Facilities

Fuel and water are available on Paxos.

Kefalonia

Cruising in Kefalonia waters is a marvelous experience. As you proceed down Ithaca Channel, with Ithaca close off the port beam, the mountains soaring from the interior of Kefalonia block out the west, towering more than one statute mile high at Mt. Ainos (elevation 5,308 feet). At 546 square miles in area, Kefalonia is the largest of the seven main Ionian Islands, with approximately 365 villages and towns sprinkled like jewels along the coast and inland. In 1953, a massive earthquake struck the area, destroying many of Kefalonia’s historic buildings, but some survived. The picturesque village of Fiscardo, a beautiful harbour at the northeast tip of the island, escaped most of the damage. Tavernas, nightclubs, boutiques, museums, fortresses, monasteries, beaches, hiking trails, and many other attractions await you. Kefalonia sailing is varied and exciting.

The day’s sailing

• 4 Hr 3 mins Sailing time
• 56.8 Nautical miles

Mooring

No moorings are available. The anchorages are available at Fiscardo on the northeast coast and at Assos on the northwest coast of Kefalonia. The entire area along the northeast coast has snug and secluded coves where you can enjoy the beauty and solitude south from Fiscardo. Farther south on the east coast are Efimia, Sami, and Poros. On the southwest coast is a large bay, where you’ll find Argostoli, the island’s capital. Assos is on the northwest coast and is somewhat off the beaten track.

Things to do

Fiscardo is one of the prettiest little seaports in the Ionian Islands, well worth visiting for its shops and tavernas. At Assos, a tiny extension of Kefalonia connected only by a narrow isthmus, you’ll find a serene and beautiful village. Going ashore to sample the local fare and climb the hill to explore the Venetian fortress is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. The fort was built in the 1590s and offers some splendid views of the coast and nearby Ithaca. Near the village of Efimia, on the slopes of the second highest mountain on Kefalonia, is the Monastery of Our Lady Themata. Built in the 1000s, it’s a good example of the monasteries that are so common in the Greek isles. The Archaeological Museum in Argostoli is fascinating, with exhibits dating back to prehistoric times. Also in Argostoli is the Korgialenio Historical and Folk Museum, which will give you further insights into the rich and diverse culture of the Ionian Islands.

Facilities

Dockage, fuel, and water are available.

Drogarati Cave

The Ionian Islands receive far more rainfall than other parts of Greece in winter and early spring, accounting for the abundance of olive groves, vineyards, and pine forests. The seasonal rains have also led to erosion over the millennia that formed caves within the limestone rocks, and perhaps the grandest of them all is Drogarati, near the port of Sami on Kefalonia Island. This natural wonder of the Ionians is a magnificent cavern 196 feet below ground adorned with colorful stalagmites and stalactites, illuminated in bright orange light for the curious onlooker to observe the otherworldly scene. The main “hall” of the cave is 2,952 square feet! Called the Sala of Apotheosis, it has perfect acoustics and is the venue for concerts.
Monopetra
In the waters beneath the sea off the west coast of Corfu lies Monopetra, a long rock shaped something like the hull of an ancient sailing vessel. Legend has it that Monopetra is Ulysses’s proud ship turned to stone. The dive sites in the Ionian Sea are mainly concentrated near Corfu and Kefalonia. The latter is said to be among the best in Europe. Various sea caves, canyons, tunnels, pinnacles, and reefs teem with sea life, exhibiting Nature in its finest form. Scuba diving is strictly regulated in Greece, but the number of dive companies in Corfu and Kefalonia assures a wide choice of dive sites for beginner and advanced scuba aficionados. snorkelling and surface dives are also popular in the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea.

Ithaca

Ithaca is best known as the home of Odysseus (Ulysses), hero of the Trojan War and Homer’s epic poem the Odyssey. You can just picture the beautiful Penelope, wife of King Odysseus, waiting patiently (seemingly forever as one decade passes and another begins) for her wayward husband to return from his overly long adventure. Ithaca sailing is certainly a blending of the historic with the modern, as you venture into the waters of this famous Greek isle, its high hills covered in vineyards, pines, olive groves, and stands of cypress. In contrast to most of the other Ionian Islands, Ithaca is the least developed. Its west shore is rugged and mostly barren, overlooking a channel about three nautical miles wide that separates it from the much larger island of Kefalonia. Ithaca’s three main ports – Frikes, Kioni, and Vathy – are very beautiful and quiet towns on the island’s fertile east coast, offering a pleasant, laid-back ambience where you can walk the narrow streets, browse in the shops, and enjoy the scenery from a waterfront taverna. Sailing in Ithaca waters is delightful, a real pleasure in the southern Ionian Islands.

The day’s sailing

• 2 Hr 23mins Sailing time
• 33.5 Nautical miles

Mooring

No moorings are available. Anchoring is possible off Frikes, Kioni, and Vathy, though most sailors elect to dock at the piers. Vathy is situated in an inlet on the southeast shore of the Gulf of Motos. The gulf nearly splits Ithaca in two. A narrow isthmus is all that connects the north and south portions. There is excellent protection from northwesterly winds. An absolutely beautiful and remote anchorage lies in a deep inlet on the south side of the island, Andreas Bay. Anchoring in this fjord-like setting is like stepping back in time to the days of Odysseus.

Things to do

Ithaca naturally has sites dedicated to its famous king, Odysseus. A pleasant walk or short taxi ride from Vathy, capital of Ithaca, takes you to Arethoussa Spring, where Odysseus, disguised as an old man by the goddess Athena, was recognized by his faithful pigs upon his return to the island, even before Penelope got to see him! West of Vathy is the Cave of the Nymphs, where Odysseus supposedly hid a vast treasure. Several ruins on the islands are said to be all that remains of Odysseus’s grand palace. Renting a motor scooter is a great way to explore. Other inland sites of interest include the Kathara Monastery. You can climb the bell tower and admire a magnificent view of the surrounding islands. The fishing village of Kioni is the place to go to enjoy excellent tavernas. Ithaca isn’t known for its lively nightlife, just the simple pleasures of a slow pace in a beautiful natural setting.

Facilities

Dockage, fuel, and water are available.

Parga

Parga sailing brings you to the coast of mainland Greece, with its splendid beaches, eclectic shops, and wide variety of restaurants.

The day’s sailing

• 4 Hr 17 mins Sailing time
• 60 Nautical miles

Mooring

No moorings are available. No dockage for transient yachts is available in Parga. However, the lovely anchorage in nearby Valtou Bay is an excellent option. There is also a small dock there where you can tie up if space permits. If you anchor out, take the dinghy ashore and enjoy a 15-minute stroll into Parga or take a water taxi into town.

Dinghy dockage:
No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

A path leads along the shore of Parga Bay to the village of Parga. It’s a lovely walk and when you arrive in the small town, you can spend time enjoying the shops and restaurants. On the west side of Parga you’ll find the ruins of a Venetian fortress perched high atop the hills. The views are fantastic. Parga and the surrounding area is known for its superlative sandy beaches, where you can relax, swim, snorkel, or sunbath before venturing into one the many tavernas, cafés, and restaurants. Adjacent to Parga is Valtos Beach, where watersports are popular. The beach is very family friendly, good for young children and adults alike.

Facilities

No facilities for yachts are available.

Corfu

The northernmost of the Ionian Islands and the westernmost point in Greece, Corfu is situated about one nautical mile off the Albanian coast. The island’s north shore is rugged and high, with steep limestone hills dominating the skyline. From seaward, it’s an impressive sight. The west coast is wild, fully exposed to the northwest winds, and there are few harbors. To the south, the land tends to flatten and on the east coast are hospitable towns, snug coves, and beautiful beaches. Cruising in Corfu waters is a delight, especially since it’s the gateway to the Ionian Islands and one of the prettiest cruising grounds on Earth.

The day’s sailing

• 3 Hr 47 mins Sailing time
• 53 Nautical miles

Mooring

No moorings are available. There are numerous anchorages in Corfu’s coves, bays, and harbors. Gouvia, home to the Moorings base, is the most suited to yachts, with all amenities. There are several places to anchor there (you won’t need to, of course!). About five miles to the south is the island’s capital, Corfu. Anchor east of the Customs Office for the best protection. There are at least seven other anchorages at Corfu. The one on the north coast at Sidari is quite beautiful.

Things to do

Taking some time to explore the city of Corfu is well worth the effort. The twin Venetian fortresses loom above the sea. The Palace of St. George and the Esplanade, one of the prettiest public squares in Greece, are well worth visiting. The Venetian district is particularly charming. At least five museums are located in the city. Of particular interest is the Archaeological Museum with its vast collection of sculptures, ceramics, and artifacts, mostly from the Archaic Period (650 to 480 B.C.). The Byzantine Museum has a wonderful exhibit of paintings. Of course, the island of Corfu is a tourist destination, which means you can go scuba diving (guided excursions only), horseback riding on scenic trails, try your hand at watersports on the beaches, play tennis or golf, and rent a car to tour the monasteries, castles, and forts. Some sailors add extra time before or after the charter to include a longer stay on Corfu.

Facilities

All facilities for yachts are available.

Corfu

Often referred to as the jewel of the Ionian Sea, the large island of Corfu, shaped something like a lamb chop, is endowed with beautiful beaches, a mild climate, and old ports rich in history. The island’s capital, Corfu, on the east coast not far from the Moorings base in Gouvia, is just such a place. As a key center of the Venetian stronghold on the island from 1386 to 1797, the town was built with defense held paramount, extending between the two impressive fortresses on either side. The Venetian district is a maze of picturesque narrow streets with small public squares lined with intriguing shops and convivial tavernas. In 1815, the British took possession of the Ionian Islands. Everywhere is an eclectic mix of cultures.

Gouvia Marina Corfu

Gouvia is the main harbor in Corfu and the marina is the largest in Greece, providing a premier location to begin and end your Cofu yacht charter vacation. Past meets present throughout the small former fishing village of Gouvia, where you can marvel in the ancient Venetian architecture and enjoy a number of modern accommodations. For those interested in exploring more of the local land, you have the option to go horseback riding or rent bicycles. Arrive to Gouvia Marina by 5 PM to spend your last night aboard your yacht and disembark by 9 AM the following morning.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr 42 mins Sailing time
• 24 Nautical miles

Mooring

Yes, for a fee

Things to do

Swimming, Snorkeling, Dining, Shopping, Horseback Riding

Facilities

Supermarket, Restaurants, Moorings Buoys, Water, Electricity, Toilets & Showers, ATM and fuel