SAILING TRIP IN THE IONIAN ISLANDS

Day 1: Lefkas marina – Meganissi islet, bay of Vathi (8 nautical miles, nm)

We started our trip from the port of Lefkas and headed south to the islet of Meganissi. It needs caution to cross Lefkas canal, due to limited depth. After that, the islet of Megannissi lies 6 miles to the south. This area is usually a fascinating field for sailing, as the wind is pressured within Lefkas, Meganissi and the mainland and always comes a little stronger, but without significant waves in this protected area. Sailing can be exciting there, either downwind (to the south) or upwind.

The northern coast of Meganissi forms a high number of bays offering safe berth, just on anchor, or in the small port. We berthed in the port of Vathi; it is located in a quiet and fully protected bay but the berths in the port are rather few. There are a few taverns in the village, spread romantically around the port.

Day 3: Kioni – Kefalonia, bay of Fiscardo (10 nm on the northern route, 27 nm on the southern route)

The next day we continued our cruise toward the island of Kefalonia. The most famous sailing destination, as well as one of the most beautiful places of the island, is the bay of Fiscardo, at the northern cape of the island. As we had to sail around Ithaca island, we chose not to follow the short route toward the north but instead take the long course to the south. We had several reasons to do so: As the weather forecast mentioned a wind increase for the day (up to 6 beauforts), we considered that the open sea waves could be too high for our happy-sailing mood, so we preferred the calm conditions in the south. Another reason is that we wanted to visit Vathi, the main village in Ithaca and a beautiful natural port. On the same ground, we also wanted to visit a bay in the central Kefalonia island, Antisami. Last but not least, the strait between the two islands, Kefalonia and Ithaca, offer a wonderful field for sailing, with good winds but low waves, which we enjoyed in a close reach cruise, later in the day.

Day 4: Fiscardo – Lefkas, bay of Syvota (11 nm on straight line, 25 nm through En Gremnoi and bay of Vassiliki, in Lefkas southwestern coast)

In the morning of the next day we moved the yacht to secure a berth in the port of Fiscardo. We did that as soon as the first boats had started to leave, because we had to refill our water tank. Soon we set sails toward the western coast of Lefkas, a spectacular area called En Gremnoi. Typical for the area, the colours of the landscape are amazing, the turquoise waters, the sharp, white rocks surrounding the endless, sandy beach, as well as the pine trees “hanging” from the cliffs. The swim lasted until the afternoon, as the beach is exposed to the waves of the open sea. We left early in the afternoon heading to Vassiliki bay and the small port in the natural bay.

Day 5: Syvota Lefkadas – Kastos islet (14 nm)

After a relaxing coffee and breakfast in beautiful Syvota, we sailed to the nearby islet of Kastos – only a couple of hours away, toward the east. It was probably the first day we sailed before noon, so the wind was not so strong like other days (4-5 beauforts after noon, falling after dark). We made a first stop at the southeastern bays of the islet. Despite sailing in a busy period, we were the only yacht in the place that stopped for swimming. Again, a wonderful landscape was revealed to us: trees and colorful bushes on the island, few goats! and turquoise waters for swimming. We had a super relaxing afternoon in Kastos. Later, we headed a mile to the north, to berth in the port of Kastos. 

As we arrived late (just before sun set), all spots in the port were occupied so we berthed at the outer side of the quay, within the open but tranquil bay of Kastos. We kept a distance of 30 meters from the quay and were getting in and out the islet by our dinghy. In the evening we had a short walk by the small village and the windmill and enjoyed dinner within the relaxing atmosphere of Kastos.