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Nautilus Yachting > Yacht Charter > Greece Yacht Charter > Ionian Yacht Charter

Yacht Charter & Sailing Holidays in the Ionian

If a relaxed yacht charter in Greece is what you are after then head to the Ionian for quintessential Greek charm, an abundance of islands to explore and gentle sailing conditions. 

For the majority of the season, the Ionian sees gentle breezes accompany the line of sight sailing, combining to create a wonderful sailing area for families and less experienced sailors. The Ionian continues to be one of the most popular destinations for boat charters in the Mediterranean and the mix of lively seaside towns and sleepy traditional fishing villages make for an interesting and varied Greek sailing holiday. 

There is no shortage of things to do and see in the Ionian, with plenty to keep the whole crew happy. Anchor in secluded bays for refreshing swim stops or beach picnics, take the dinghy to explore fascinating caves, hike coastal trails for incredible views or wander the cobbled streets of the seaside towns to shop for local products before dining on delicious locally-caught fish in a waterfront taverna.

A bareboat sailing holiday is the perfect way to discover the beautiful unspoilt Ionian islands and gives you total freedom to explore the area at your own pace and to choose an itinerary that suits you. For those wanting more assistance and guidance whilst also enjoying a sociable holiday, discover the Ionian Flotilla.  Or why not add a professional skipper to your yacht charter to have invaluable local knowledge and leave you to sit back, relax and enjoy your sailing holiday!

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Yacht Charters from:

£982.00

7 nights / 2 cabins


Experience Level: Level 1

Lighter winds Force 2-5, line of sight sailing Find out more...

Ionian Yacht Charter

Sailing holidays in the Ionian

Suggested Sailing Itineraries

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android
  • DAY 1 : Palairos

    A charming Greek harbour with a choice of restaurants and a nearby beach. The superb setting, with views across to Meganissi and Scorpio, will soon put you in the holiday mood!

  • DAY 2 : Sivota, Lefkas (16nm)

    Enjoy a sail across to Sivota on the east coast of Levkas. This unspoilt fishing village is surrounded by hillsides covered in olive and cypress trees. The shops, cafes and tavernas on the waterfront cater for visiting yachts.

  • DAY 3 : Fiskardo, Cephalonia (11nm)

    On the way you pass a choice of bays on Meganisi for a lunchtime anchorage. Fiskardo on the northern tip of Cephalonia is one of the prettiest waterfronts in the Ionian and offers a safe and picturesque harbour. Enjoy cocktails and ice creams on the harbourside and watch the yachts mooring up.

  • DAY 4 : Vathi, Ithaca (16nm)

    Ithaca is reputedly the island home of Odysseus and the east coast offers numerous bays and anchorages. Vathi has good shopping and numerous tavernas in the town.

  • DAY 5 : Port Kalamos (20nm)

    Walk up to the traditional village above the harbour for fresh bread in the morning and a stunning view.

  • DAY 6 : Spartochori, Meganissi (15nm)

    Sail to Spartohori on Meganissi, just opposite Scorpios island, with fabulous view from the town up the hill.

  • DAY 7 : Palairos (15nm)

    Stop for a last lunchtime swim in your favourite bay on Meganissi.

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android
  • DAY 1 : Lefkas Marina

    The marina is in the centre of Lefkas town. Restaurants and small supermarkets are within walking distance.

  • DAY 2 : Sivota, Lefkas (15nm)

    Head south through the Lefkas canal. Sivota has a very pretty waterfront with shops and tavernas.

  • DAY 3 : Fiskardo, Cephalonia (19nm)

    Fiskardo offers a safe and picturesque harbour on the island of Cephalonia.

  • DAY 4 : Ay. Eufimia, Cephalonia (15nm)

    Attractive harbour and convenient for visiting Lake Melissani and the underground caves of Drogarati.

  • DAY 5 : Poros, Cephalonia (13nm)

    Small harbour on the southeast corner of Cephalonia.

  • DAY 6 : Zakinthos (22nm)

    Port Zakynthos was rebuilt in 1953 following an earthquake but retains its Venetian charm.

  • DAY 7 : Poros (22nm)

    Stop off at Ay. Nikolaos on the north of Zakynthos for a lunchtime swim.

  • DAY 8 : Vathi, Ithaca (20nm)

Ithaca, reputedly the home of Odysseus, has numerous bays and anchorages on the east coast. The main harbour at Vathi has good shopping for provisions and numerous tavernas in the town.

  • DAY 9 : Kioni (14nm)

Kioni is one of the prettiest harbours in the Ionian. Sip an aperitif in one of the waterfront tavernas and watch the harbour activity.

  • DAY 10 : Kalamos (20nm)

Kalamos offers remote anchorages and spectacular scenery. Limited shops and restaurants in Port Kalamos, although the walk up to the village centre is worthwhile.

  • DAY 11 : Spartokhori, (Meganisi) (9nm)

Choice of bays on the north side of Meganisi for a lunchtime anchorage. Overnight at Spartakhori. The view from the village at the top of the hill is worth the walk!

  • DAY 12 : Nidri (5nm)

Nidri is fast becoming the sailing/watersports centre for Lefkas and has good shopping for provisions and many waterfront tavernas.

  • DAY 13 : Lefkas (10nm)

Shopping for souvenirs in Nidri before heading back up the canal to Lefkas marina.

  • DAY 14 : Lefkas Marina.

Fleet 1 2025 Prices shown are in GBP(£) per yacht for 1 week

Yacht details 27 Apr - 21 Jun 22 Jun - 26 Jul 27 Jul - 16 Aug 17 Aug - 13 Sep 14 Sep - 27 Sep 28 Sep - 02 Nov
Model / layout Year Cabins WC
Bavaria 32 2004 2 1 from
£1,071
from
£1,696
from
£1,964
from
£1,696
from
£1,473
from
£982
Bavaria 33 2006 2 1 from
£1,250
from
£1,964
from
£2,232
from
£1,964
from
£1,652
from
£1,071

Fleet 1 2025 Prices shown are in GBP(£) per yacht for 1 week

Yacht details 27 Apr - 21 Jun 22 Jun - 26 Jul 27 Jul - 16 Aug 17 Aug - 13 Sep 14 Sep - 27 Sep 28 Sep - 02 Nov
Model / layout Year Cabins WC
Sun Odyssey 349 2017 3 1 from
£1,786
from
£2,589
from
£2,991
from
£2,589
from
£2,143
from
£1,339
Oceanis 37 2008 3 1 from
£1,696
from
£2,232
from
£2,634
from
£2,232
from
£2,054
from
£1,339
Sun Odyssey 380 2025 3 2 from
£2,723
from
£3,884
from
£4,357
from
£3,884
from
£3,482
from
£2,054
Bavaria 39 Cruiser 2007 3 2 from
£1,875
from
£2,589
from
£3,036
from
£2,589
from
£2,321
from
£1,429
Oceanis 41.1 2020 3 2 from
£2,813
from
£3,929
from
£4,375
from
£3,929
from
£3,482
from
£1,964
Sun Odyssey 419 2017 3 2 from
£2,589
from
£3,750
from
£4,196
from
£3,750
from
£3,259
from
£1,875
Bavaria C42 2023 3 2 from
£3,125
from
£4,375
from
£4,821
from
£4,375
from
£3,732
from
£2,321

Fleet 1 2025 Prices shown are in GBP(£) per yacht for 1 week

Yacht details 27 Apr - 21 Jun 22 Jun - 26 Jul 27 Jul - 16 Aug 17 Aug - 13 Sep 14 Sep - 27 Sep 28 Sep - 02 Nov
Model / layout Year Cabins WC
Sun Odyssey 449 2019 4 2 from
£2,946
from
£4,375
from
£4,821
from
£4,375
from
£3,571
from
£2,143
Oceanis 45 - 4 cab. 2012 4 2 from
£2,571
from
£3,661
from
£4,196
from
£3,661
from
£3,170
from
£1,920
Sun Odyssey 509 - 5 + 1 cab. 2015 5 3 from
£3,357
from
£4,643
from
£5,268
from
£4,643
from
£3,929
from
£2,679

Please note: Prices may be subject to change. Compulsory and Optional extras will be added to your quote.

Sailing conditions in the Ionian

Weather conditions in the Ionian are very favourable for a calm sailing holiday. There are good sailing breezes from late morning through the afternoon, with winds from the northwest Force 2-5 reducing around sunset. The winds tend to be stronger at the start and end of the season. Summer temperatures reach 27-31ºC.

We have rated this destination a 'Level 1' (levels info) and you will need an ICC qualification for bareboat charters from Corfu.

You can see all of the bases we offer in Greece along with the level ratings here so that you can find the most suitable destination for you. If you are at all unsure about a destination then please get in touch and our sales team will be more than happy to make their recommendations for you.

Getting There

Flights to Ionian

EasyJet have flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Preveza (PVK). Thomson have flights from most UK airports. British Airways also fly from London Heathrow.

Transfers

The transfer time to Lefkas is approximately 35 minutes (depending on bridge) and to Palairos is 30 minutes

Tourist Board

For more information on things to see and do in the Ionian on your yacht charter please click HERE

Useful Information

The best time to take a sailing holiday in Greece is between April and October, with peak season being June, July, and August.

High Season

The Meltemi winds are strongest in July and August, making a more exhilarating sailing challenge for the more experienced sailors. These months also fall within the UK school summer holidays, the perfect time for a family holiday, with lots of opportunities for the children to make new friends. Why not try one of our family-friendly flotilla holidays

For easier sailing aim for the end of the summer when the winds are less intense making for more relaxed sailing conditions.

Shoulder Season

April and October benefit from smaller crowds as well as cheaper flights, great yacht availability and reduced costs.

Spring

April - June are the perfect months for those looking for a quieter yacht charter. The winds are milder, the weather is warm and the islands are in full bloom. With the reduced crowds it allows you to enjoy them to the fullest!

Autumn Sailing in Greece

Choose the autumn months to avoid the tourist crowds, enjoy the calmer winds and take in the natural beauty of the islands at a leisurely pace.

May & September

The weather is warm but not too hot with average temperatures around 25ºC (77ºF) and the crowds are lower than the peak summer season.

Late May & June

The crowds are still relatively low but the temperatures have started to rise (average 28ºC / 85ºF) and the waters begin to get warm enough for swimming.

July to September

This is when the waters are at their warmest and it is also the peak tourist time due to the school summer holidays. This is a great time for a sociable family holiday - why not try one of our family-friendly flotilla holidays?

October

This is the end of the main sailing season and a good opportunity to take advantage of lower prices and lighter crowds. The weather is on average 21 - 23ºC and the waters are still warm enough to enjoy a spot of swimming.

In general, the best sailing conditions are from April to October when you can enjoy warm waters, clear skies and reliable winds. 

Ionian Sea

The Ionian is great for year-round sailing however the best conditions are late spring to early autumn. The Ionian has hot, dry summers with calmer winds but stronger gusts can occur in the afternoons.

The Aegean Sea

The Meltemi winds provide reliable sailing in the summer months perfect for more experienced sailors looking for a more challenging charter.

The Rainy Season

Typically the rainy season is from November to March and sailing conditions are not always ideal.

 

The cost of your yacht charter depends on several factors:

Boat Type

The type and size of the yacht you book will dictate the price. A 1 week charter on a 2 - 3 cabin monohull starts around £900 in low season whereas 1 week on a luxury catamaran with a skipper in high season could be upwards of £10,000. These are the 2 extremes of the scale for a 1 week charter and we offer plenty of choices in between.

Charter duration

1 week is a popular choice amongst our sailors and makes the perfect getaway however, a longer charter will give you more time to explore all the Greek islands have to offer. We have a range of 1 and 2 week flotillas, as well as custom bareboat bookings which can be tailored to your timescale.

Time of Year

Lower-priced yacht charters are available in the off-season of April, May, September and October with prices starting to rise in June before peaking in July and August.

Crew

Don't have any sailing experience? No problem! We offer several skippered and crewed options so you can enjoy the yachting lifestyle without the stress. From a simple skippered yacht to fully crewed options, we can arrange a charter to suit your needs.

Flotilla vs Bareboat

Flotilla yacht charters are more expensive than a bareboat charter, but for the extra cost, you are getting the assistance of a lead boat with an experienced crew who are ready to help if you need assistance on your voyage. The flotilla lead crew also arrange social activities and lead you on a carefully curated itinerary. Flotillas are great if you enjoy the social aspects of sailing and are perfect for families, especially during school holidays. Children enjoy making new friends, while adults can unwind and connect with like-minded sailors.

If you are experienced and prefer to discover the islands at your own pace then a bareboat charter is the perfect choice for a relaxing holiday in The Med.

For bareboat charters and flotilla holidays in Greece, you will need ICC qualification.

The port authorities in Greece are now insisting on one of the following practical certificates:

  • RYA ICC (International Certificate of Competence)
  • RYA Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster
  • ASA IPC (International Proficiency Certificate)
  • IYT (International Yacht Training) Passport

If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or ASA104 it will no longer be accepted and you need to obtain either an ICC or IPC from the corresponding issuing body (RYA or ASA).

If your RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster or ASA105/106 certificate is more than 10 years old and does not have a photo ID, then you need to apply for an ICC or IPC.

If you are a member of the RYA or ASA, you may qualify for a discount or free certificate, otherwise, you will have to pay. The approximate cost is £50. Please use these links - RYA application for the ICC or ASA application for the IPC.

The mooring fees in Greece are very minimal, you will find it is one of the cheaper Mediterranean destinations in terms of mooring costs. On average, a town quay mooring in Greece (based on a 40ft monohull) would be €20/night.

There are fewer "full-service marinas" compared with somewhere like Croatia, but these would usually be between €50-70/night.

There is also the ability to free anchor in a lot of places too, which keeps the cost of your mooring fees down considerably.

Our most popular sailing destination in Greece is the South Ionian due to its easy sailing conditions and endless bays to visit; this collection of islands (Lefkas, Kefalonia, Ithaka, Meganisi, Kalamos & Kastos) is perfect for beginners and families but has a charm that keeps our guests returning year after year.

You can also set sail in the Ionian from well-connected Corfu which has great options for sail-and-stay to combine your holiday with one of the island's highly-rated resorts. When on a yacht charter from Corfu, you can also explore Corfu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as picture-perfect Paxos.

South Ionian Sailing Journal by Louise, Nautilus Yachting

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