The Ionian is one of the best known destinations for yacht charter in Greece. The Ionian Islands are a group of islands located to the northwest of mainland Greece – the side facing Italy. The northermost of the Ionian islands are opposite Albania and the most southerly islands is off the southern tip of the Pelopponese.

The islands are traditionally called the Seven Islands, or Eptanisia in Greek. The seven main islands, from north to south, are Corfu (Kerkyra), Paxos, Lefkada, Ithika, Kefallonia, Zakinthos, and Kythira. There are many smaller islands as well as the seven principal ones, including some that are uninhabited. 

Off the south-east coast of Lefkas, for instance, is the beautiful island of Meganisi. This has unspoilt sandy beaches and famous sea-caves. It is a delightful area for relaxed family sailing.

You’ll find a variety of spellings for the names of the islands as they acquired Itailian names during the time of Venetian rule, and like all  Greek names, they can be wriiten slightly differently when translated into English characters.

The Ionian is a particularly popular sailing area for families and less experienced skippers and crew. More flotilla companies operate there than in any other area of Greece. They are attracted by the calm seas and gentle winds for which the area is best known. However, do not be fooled into thinking that it is always calm. Although the winds are typically less strong than elsewhere in Greece it is still subject to storms from time to time.

One of the features of sailing in this area is that there are many harbours and anchorages to choose from and plenty of sheltered sailing areas. The Ionian tends to get very busy in mid summer, especially August, and it can be difficult to find a berth in the more popular harbours if you arrive late. However there are often delightful places to anchor nearby. In Spring and Autumn sailing in the Ionian is a paradise.

The Ionian is slightly cooler and much greener than most of Greece. It has more rainfall over the winter. 

Often the area is sub-divided into the North and South Ionian with Lefkas and the Lefkas canal as the ‘dividing line’. Most people would sail in one or other area if on a week’s sailing holiday. In a fortnight it is possible to take in both south and northern islands.

The best bases for sailing holidays in the northern Ionian are Corfu and Gouvia with Preveza, Nidri and Lefkas being the main bases for yacht charters in the southern Ionian. You will find numerous yacht charter and flotilla companies to choose from. 

Among the companies offering sailing holidays in the Ionian are Sailing Holidays. They have both flotillas and bareboat yacht charter available.

It is possible to take skippered sailing holidays in the Ionian on either a yacht or luxury catamaran such as that run by Cata Sailing.

There are also several sailing schools in the area for those who want to ‘learn the ropes’. These include Corfu Sea School and Sail Ionian, both of which are RYA recognised training centres.

The Sailing Issues website has four suggested itineraries for a sailing holiday in the Ionian islands together with masses of useful information on the area – click here to see their suggestions.

If you haven’t sailed in Greece before the Ionian is a good place to start. I’d recommend taking a look at an interesting article Sailing the Ionian Sea, for a personal view of a sailing holiday in this lovely part of the world.

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