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Embarkation: Saturday around 3:00 PM - Lefkas, Greece
Disembarkation: Following Saturday - Lefkas, Greece
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Yacht type: Catamaran
Estimated cruising speed: 7-8 knots
Daily cruising: Generally between 2 and 4 hours
Cruising area: Ionian Islands - Lefkas, Meganisi, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Kastos and Kalamos
Estimated total distance: Approximately 105-120 nautical miles
This itinerary has been designed to explore the Ionian Islands by catamaran at a comfortable and relaxed pace, avoiding unnecessarily long passages and leaving plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, lunch at anchor and exploring traditional villages ashore.
Starting from Lefkas, the route heads south through Meganisi, Kefalonia and Ithaca before returning north via the smaller islands of Kastos and Kalamos.
By leaving Zakynthos out of the route, daily distances are considerably reduced. Most days involve approximately 2-4 hours of cruising, creating a much better balance between sailing and enjoying each destination.
The Ionian Islands are particularly well suited to this style of charter, with green landscapes, clear water, traditional villages, numerous sheltered bays and relatively short distances between islands.
Saturday - Day 1: Lefkas - Meganisi. Approx. 10-12 NM / 1.5-2 hrs.
Sunday - Day 2: Meganisi - Fiskardo, Kefalonia. Approx. 18-22 NM / 2.5-3 hrs.
Monday - Day 3: Fiskardo - Agia Efimia, Kefalonia. Approx. 15-18 NM / 2-3 hrs.
Tuesday - Day 4: Agia Efimia - Kioni, Ithaca. Approx. 15-18 NM / 2-3 hrs.
Wednesday - Day 5: Kioni - Vathy and the bays of Ithaca. Approx. 12-16 NM / 2-3 hrs.
Thursday - Day 6: Ithaca - Kastos - Kalamos. Approx. 20-24 NM / 3-4 hrs.
Friday - Day 7: Kalamos - bays of Meganisi - Lefkas. Approx. 20-24 NM / 3-4 hrs.
Saturday - Day 8: Breakfast and disembarkation in Lefkas.
Embarkation takes place in Lefkas at around 5:00 PM. After settling into the catamaran, meeting the skipper or crew and completing the safety briefing, the first cruise of the week begins.
Rather than spending the first night in the marina, the plan is to leave Lefkas during the afternoon and cruise towards Meganisi, a small and beautiful island located east of Lefkas.
The passage is relatively short and provides an ideal introduction to the catamaran. Depending on departure time and conditions, there may also be time for a first swim before heading to the chosen overnight location.
Meganisi offers numerous deeply indented and sheltered bays surrounded by olive groves and Mediterranean vegetation. The skipper can select a peaceful anchorage or head towards one of the island's small villages.
Activities: First cruise, swimming, paddleboarding and sunset drinks.
Dining: Dinner aboard or at a traditional taverna in Meganisi, depending on the selected anchorage.
Overnight: Meganisi, at anchor or in a small harbour depending on availability and conditions.
After breakfast and a morning swim, cruise south towards Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands.
During the passage, a stop can be made in a sheltered bay for swimming, snorkelling and lunch aboard before continuing towards Fiskardo.
Fiskardo lies at the northern end of Kefalonia and is one of the most attractive and best-known villages in the Ionian Islands. Its small harbour is surrounded by colourful houses, terraces, restaurants and lush vegetation.
Unlike many other towns on Kefalonia, Fiskardo retained numerous traditional buildings after the 1953 earthquake, giving the village a particularly attractive architectural character.
Activities: Swimming, snorkelling, exploring Fiskardo and enjoying its small shops and waterfront terraces.
Gastronomy: An excellent stop for fresh fish, seafood, Greek salad and Ionian specialities beside the harbour.
Overnight: Fiskardo or a nearby bay, depending on availability.
Enjoy a relaxed departure after breakfast and cruise along the eastern coast of Kefalonia. The day's moderate distance leaves plenty of time for swimming stops in some of the small, clear-water coves along the coastline.
Continue towards Agia Efimia, an attractive coastal village facing Ithaca. Its small harbour, waterfront promenade and tavernas create a relaxed atmosphere, particularly towards the end of the day.
From this area, guests may also choose to organise an excursion ashore to explore other parts of Kefalonia, depending on their interests and the day's programme.
Activities: Swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, relaxing in secluded coves and exploring Agia Efimia.
Gastronomy: Dinner at a waterfront taverna or aboard the catamaran.
Overnight: Agia Efimia or a nearby anchorage.
After breakfast, cruise towards Ithaca, the legendary island associated with Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey.
Ithaca's coastline offers a beautiful combination of green mountains, rocky shores and small bays with clear water. The relatively short passage allows time for one or more swimming stops before reaching Kioni.
Kioni is one of Ithaca's most charming villages. Built around a small natural harbour, its houses rise along the green hillsides while tavernas and terraces cluster close to the waterfront.
The afternoon can be spent exploring the village, enjoying a drink beside the harbour or simply relaxing in the peaceful surroundings.
Activities: Swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding and exploring Kioni.
Gastronomy: Dinner at one of the traditional waterfront tavernas.
Overnight: Kioni or a nearby bay, depending on availability.
A relaxed day dedicated to exploring Ithaca without the need for a long passage. After breakfast, cruise between some of the bays along the eastern coastline, stopping for swimming and enjoying the sea.
Later, continue towards Vathy, the capital of Ithaca and one of the largest natural harbours in the Ionian Islands.
The town extends around a deep bay surrounded by hills. Traditional houses, cafes, small squares and tavernas create a distinctly Greek atmosphere.
The shorter cruising distance allows the day to combine sailing, swimming and plenty of time ashore, maintaining the relaxed pace of the itinerary.
Activities: Snorkelling, paddleboarding, swimming, visiting Vathy and walking around the harbour.
Gastronomy: Dinner aboard or at one of Vathy's tavernas.
Overnight: Ithaca, selecting Vathy or a nearby bay according to conditions.
After breakfast, gradually begin the return journey north, cruising towards the small islands of Kastos and Kalamos.
The first stop can be made at Kastos, a small, peaceful and largely undeveloped island, ideal for guests looking for a quieter and more traditional side of Greece.
Its clear waters and small bays provide excellent opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and enjoying lunch aboard.
During the afternoon, continue towards Kalamos, a mountainous and exceptionally green island rising dramatically from the Ionian Sea. Its pine forests descend close to the shoreline, creating beautiful scenery when approached from the catamaran.
Activities: Swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, visiting Kastos and exploring Kalamos.
Gastronomy: Dinner aboard or at a small local taverna, depending on the overnight location.
Overnight: Kalamos or a sheltered bay in the surrounding area.
The final full cruising day begins after breakfast, heading from Kalamos towards the sheltered waters between Meganisi and Lefkas.
The route allows time for one or two final stops in small bays for swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding before returning to base.
The aim is not to return to Lefkas as quickly as possible, but to make the most of the final day at sea. The skipper can select a peaceful bay for lunch and one last swim before completing the passage.
During the afternoon, return to Lefkas, leaving time to organise luggage and enjoy the final evening of the charter.
Activities: Swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, a final bay stop and relaxing on deck.
Lunch: Served aboard in a bay selected along the route.
Dinner: Farewell dinner aboard or at a taverna in Lefkas.
Overnight: Lefkas.
Enjoy a final breakfast aboard before disembarkation, according to the charter agreement and the yacht's operational schedule.
Day 1 - Lefkas / Meganisi: Approx. 10-12 NM
Day 2 - Meganisi / Fiskardo: Approx. 18-22 NM
Day 3 - Fiskardo / Agia Efimia: Approx. 15-18 NM
Day 4 - Agia Efimia / Kioni: Approx. 15-18 NM
Day 5 - Kioni / Vathy / Ithaca: Approx. 12-16 NM
Day 6 - Ithaca / Kastos / Kalamos: Approx. 20-24 NM
Day 7 - Kalamos / Meganisi / Lefkas: Approx. 20-24 NM
Estimated total distance: approximately 105-120 nautical miles.
Distances and cruising times are approximate and may vary according to the bays visited, selected anchorages, weather conditions and the skipper's decisions.
The main cruising season in the Ionian Islands runs from approximately May to October.
May, June, September and early October are particularly attractive for pleasant temperatures and fewer yachts.
July and August offer the warmest weather and excellent sea temperatures, although popular harbours and anchorages can be considerably busier.
The Ionian Islands are one of the Mediterranean's most enjoyable areas for a catamaran charter, thanks to moderate distances and the large number of bays and harbours available.
During summer, the breeze commonly strengthens during the afternoon. For this reason, longer passages can often be completed in the morning, leaving the afternoon for swimming, sightseeing and relaxing at anchor.
During the high season, small harbours such as Fiskardo and Kioni can be busy. The skipper may therefore choose a nearby anchorage when this provides a more comfortable alternative.
The itinerary remains flexible and is subject to weather, sea conditions, berth availability and the skipper's final decision.
Depending on the equipment available on the catamaran, guests may enjoy snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, swimming and tender excursions.
The shorter distances of this itinerary leave more time to enjoy the destination: relaxed breakfasts, long swimming stops, lunch at anchor, sunset drinks and plenty of time to explore the villages of each island.
This is a suggested itinerary specifically designed to maintain comfortable daily cruising distances for a catamaran charter.
The skipper may modify the order of stops, overnight anchorages or cruising distances according to weather conditions, berth availability and the operational requirements of the yacht.
Passenger safety and comfort always take priority over the published itinerary.
