This is the week we recommend for a first cruise in Greece, and by far the most in-demand in the country: short hops, sheltered anchorages within easy reach, a steady afternoon breeze and never the Meltemi. Around 130 miles in a loop from Lefkada, in a pocket-sized cruising ground where you sail from island to island by eye. Perfect for pure enjoyment without stress, for families and beginner crews alike. Here is the full detail: distances, anchorages, plan B options in strong wind, and the variations to match your level.
In brief
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base | Lefkada (Lefkas) or Preveza; Corfu variant possible |
| Access | Fly to Preveza (PVK, seasonal) or Corfu (CFU) then transfer; base 15-45 min away |
| Total distance | ~130 NM (loop) |
| Sailing time | ~28 h over 6 sailing days |
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Level | Beginner to intermediate, ideal for a first cruise |
| Recommended boat | 38-46 ft monohull or catamaran, excellent family ground |
| Best time | May to October, steadiest breeze in July-August |
| Winds | Maestro from NW, 10-20 kt, rising in the early afternoon |
| Indicative budget | ~700 to 1,100 € per person all in (see Sailing budget in Greece) |
Explore the stops
Approximate destination locations for trip planning. Use current nautical charts and local information for navigation.
Lefkada · Sivota (Lefkada) · Meganisi · Kastos · Kalamos · Ithaca · Fiskardo
Weather month by month
| Month | Wind | Air | Sea | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Light maestro | 22-24° | 19-20° | Calm, few people |
| June | Moderate maestro | 26-28° | 22-23° | Ideal |
| July | Steady maestro 12-20 kt | 30-32° | 24-25° | Ideal, breezy |
| August | Steady maestro | 30-33° | 25-26° | Book early |
| September | Easing | 26-28° | 24-25° | Ideal |
| October | Variable, milder | 22-25° | 22-23° | Quiet end of season |
What to understand about the area
The maestro is your ally. This NW thermal gets up around 1-2 p.m. and drops in the evening. So you sail in the morning under engine or gentle downwind, then under sail in the afternoon, and you are at anchor before it freshens. An ideal rhythm for beginners.
The Lefkada canal and its bridge. The northern exit runs through a narrow channel and a floating bridge that opens on a fixed schedule (usually on the hour). Plan around the timing so you don't have to wait at anchor. The channel is buoyed and straightforward in manageable wind.
Mediterranean mooring with a line ashore. Many Ionian coves are taken with the anchor down and a long line run ashore. Carry plenty of warp and a crew member for the dinghy. It's the signature of sailing here.
Day by day
Day 1: Lefkada to Sivota (Lefkada), 12 NM, ~2 h 30
Sailing: exit south of the island, often under engine in the morning then sail in the afternoon. A short leg to get the feel of the boat.
Anchorage: the deep, very sheltered bay of Sivota, anchor plus line ashore or a taverna quay. Water and provisions in the village.
Plan B: in a crowd, the neighbouring cove of Vlicho or Rouda bay, further north.
Warning: the bottom shoals fast at the head of Sivota, anchor in 6-8 m.
Day 2: Sivota to Meganisi, 10 NM, ~2 h
Sailing: a short hop to the island of Meganisi, one of the finest anchoring grounds in the Ionian.
Anchorage: Port Atheni or Kapali bay, anchor plus line ashore; or the little harbour of Vathi for the village feel.
Plan B: Spartochori (Porto Spilia) with its taverna mooring buoys.
Warning: deep coves, carry enough chain and warp for the shore line.
Day 3: Meganisi to Kastos or Kalamos, 12 NM, ~2 h 30
Sailing: down to the two most authentic islands in the area, almost out of time.
Anchorage: the tiny harbour of Kastos (calm) or Port Leone / Kalamos village, taverna quay with a mooring line.
Plan B: Atheni bay on Kalamos if the harbour is full.
Warning: gusts pour off the heights of Kalamos in an established maestro; few facilities, stock up the day before.
Day 4: Kastos to Ithaca (Kioni / Vathi), 18 NM, ~4 h
Sailing: the longer leg toward Ulysses' island, a fine sail on the afternoon maestro.
Anchorage: the picturesque harbour of Kioni (anchor plus line, or quay) or the deep bay of Vathi.
Plan B: Frikes, a small harbour to the north, if Kioni is full.
Warning: Kioni fills early in high season, arrive before 4 p.m.
Day 5: Ithaca to Kefalonia (Fiskardo), 10 NM, ~2 h
Sailing: a short hop to the prettiest village in the Ionian.
Anchorage: Fiskardo, Med-mooring on the quay or anchor plus line in the neighbouring coves (Foki, Emblisi).
Plan B: Assos bay further south, or back to anchor on the Ithaca side.
Warning: Fiskardo is very popular, quay space is limited; the nearby coves are an excellent fallback.
Day 6: Fiskardo to Sivota or Kastos, 25 NM, ~5 h
Sailing: the climb back north, the longest day, to plan around the wind.
Anchorage: Sivota (Lefkada) to be near the base, or a last night at Kastos.
Plan B: Abelike bay on Meganisi to break up the leg.
Warning: the leg is into the afternoon maestro, leave early to sail in the calm.
Day 7: back to Lefkada, 15 NM, ~3 h
Sailing: back up the Lefkada canal, anticipating the floating-bridge opening. Refuel before handover.
Variations and personalisation
Beginner / family version (the gentlest). Stay in the triangle Sivota, Meganisi, Kastos, Kalamos, with legs of 2 h maximum and swim-friendly bays. You can even drop Kefalonia so as not to lengthen Day 6.
Experienced / sporty version. Push further south to Sami or Agia Efimia on Kefalonia, even a round trip to Myrtos bay, with longer legs on a solid reach.
Corfu base variant. From Corfu (Gouvia), come down via Paxos and Antipaxos, Parga on the mainland, then Lefkada: a rollier but spectacular week. Allow 30 to 40 NM more.
+2 day extension. Carry on to southern Kefalonia (Argostoli) and Zakynthos, or head back up to linger at Paxos. Turns the loop into a fuller 9 days.
By season. May-June and September for calm and clear water; July-August for a firm maestro that airs out the heat, ideal for really sailing every afternoon.
Summary table
| Day | Leg | NM | Time (~5 kn) | Anchorage | Shelter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Lefkada to Sivota | 12 | ~2 h 30 | Sivota bay | Very good |
| D2 | Sivota to Meganisi | 10 | ~2 h | Port Atheni / Vathi | Very good |
| D3 | Meganisi to Kastos/Kalamos | 12 | ~2 h 30 | Kastos or Kalamos | Good |
| D4 | Kastos to Ithaca | 18 | ~4 h | Kioni or Vathi | Good |
| D5 | Ithaca to Fiskardo | 10 | ~2 h | Fiskardo (Kefalonia) | Moderate (busy quay) |
| D6 | Fiskardo to Sivota | 25 | ~5 h | Sivota | Very good |
| D7 | Sivota to Lefkada | 15 | ~3 h | Base | n/a |
| Total | ~130 | ~28 h |
Practical checklist
- Licence: coastal licence plus ICC plus VHF Short Range Certificate. See Do you need a licence to sail in Greece.
- Gear: carry a long shore line and good fenders, mooring with a line ashore is the norm.
- Lefkada bridge: check the floating-bridge opening times on the way out and back.
- TEPAI and the usual papers on board.
- Provisioning: shop at Lefkada and Sivota, scarcer at Kastos and Kalamos.
Booking and preparation
- Compare boats available from Lefkada or Preveza for your dates.
- Consider charter insurance (deposit waiver), simple peace of mind on this easy area.
- Flights: Paris to Preveza (PVK) or Corfu (CFU); road transfer to the base.
- Ashore: Myrtos beach (Kefalonia), Melissani cave, Ithaca villages.
See also: the guide Sailing the Ionian Islands and the article How much does a week's sailing in Greece cost.
A word from the crew
Logbook. The Southern Ionian is the Greece that forgives: you cast off without stress, tack on the afternoon maestro, and drop anchor in a pine-fringed cove with the line ashore, engine off, cicadas full blast. We've taught beginners to helm here in a single afternoon.
The mistake to avoid. Underestimating the Lefkada bridge opening. Miss the slot and you circle for an hour; time your departure and return to the schedule.
Our favourite, and what we skip. Favourite: Kastos and Kalamos, the two out-of-time islands where the harbour falls asleep with the sun. What we skip: cramming onto the Fiskardo quay, the nearby coves are prettier and calmer.
Our verdict. Beauty 4/5. Anchorages 5/5. Ease 5/5. Crowds 3/5. Verdict: the best ground in Greece for a first week or a family cruise, to sail with your eyes closed from May to October.
Nautical data: Ionian distance tables, harbour offices of Lefkada, Fiskardo and Ithaca. Weather and temperatures: HNMS, 2025 averages. Lefkada bridge times to confirm locally before departure.
