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Departure and Return: Preveza, Greece
Duration: 7 days / 7 nights
Embarkation: Saturday afternoon
Return to Preveza: Friday afternoon
Yacht Type: Catamaran
Average Cruising Speed: Approximately 8 knots
Daily Cruising: Approximately 3-4 hours
The Ionian Islands are an exceptional cruising area for a catamaran, combining lush green islands, crystal-clear waters, secluded bays, traditional villages and numerous sheltered anchorages.
Embarkation takes place in Preveza on Saturday afternoon and the cruise begins that same afternoon towards the first destination. The itinerary is designed around approximately 3-4 hours of cruising each day, combining sailing with swimming stops, snorkelling, relaxed lunches at anchor and visits to some of the most attractive locations in the Ionian Sea.
Day 1 - Saturday: Preveza - Meganisi | First cruise and overnight in Meganisi
Day 2 - Sunday: Meganisi - Atokos - Kastos | Secluded bays and small islands
Day 3 - Monday: Kastos - Ithaca - Kioni | Cruise towards Ithaca
Day 4 - Tuesday: Kioni - Ithaca Coast - Vathy | Exploring Ithaca by sea
Day 5 - Wednesday: Vathy - Kefalonia - Fiskardo | Bays and overnight in Fiskardo
Day 6 - Thursday: Fiskardo - Lefkada - Sivota | Begin the return north
Day 7 - Friday: Sivota - Lefkada - Preveza | Final swim and return to base
After embarkation and the safety briefing in Preveza, we begin cruising south. We pass through the Lefkada area before continuing towards Meganisi, a small and peaceful green island offering excellent bays and anchorages.
Depending on the yacht handover time, passage through Lefkada and weather conditions, we can choose Spilia, Vathy or Atherinos Bay for our first night.
Spilia is an excellent choice for walking up to Spartochori, a traditional hilltop village overlooking the bay. Vathy offers a slightly livelier atmosphere with an attractive waterfront and several tavernas beside the sea.
Activities: First swim of the holiday, explore Spartochori or Vathy and enjoy sunset drinks.
Overnight: Meganisi, in harbour or at anchor depending on conditions.
Captain's Note: Departure from Preveza should be coordinated with the Lefkada bridge schedule. If the catamaran handover is delayed, the first overnight location can be adapted to avoid a rushed passage.
After breakfast at anchor, we cruise towards Atokos, a small and largely uninhabited island with a wild character and exceptionally clear water.
Atokos is best enjoyed as a daytime stop. Depending on the wind, we select a suitable bay for swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding and a relaxed lunch on board.
In the afternoon we continue towards Kastos, one of the small gems of this part of the Ionian. The island retains a peaceful atmosphere with very few permanent residents, Mediterranean vegetation, small beaches and a tiny village around the harbour.
Activities: Swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, tender exploration and an evening walk through Kastos.
Overnight: Kastos harbour or a nearby sheltered anchorage.
Captain's Note: Atokos is better suited to a swimming and lunch stop than an overnight destination. Peaceful Kastos is a much better place to finish the day.
Leave Kastos and cruise towards Ithaca, legendary homeland of Odysseus and one of the most atmospheric islands in the Ionian Sea.
Ithaca's eastern coastline is particularly enjoyable by catamaran. During the day we select a peaceful bay for swimming and lunch before continuing towards Kioni.
Kioni is one of the most beautiful villages on this itinerary. Traditional houses surround a small bay backed by green hills, while tavernas and terraces sit almost directly beside the water.
Activities: Cruising, swimming in an Ithaca bay, snorkelling, paddleboarding and exploring Kioni.
Overnight: Kioni or a nearby anchorage if the harbour is full.
Captain's Note: Kioni is small and extremely popular in July and August. Arriving with sufficient time and keeping an alternative anchorage in mind is always advisable.
Today is dedicated to discovering Ithaca from the sea. There is no need for a long passage, allowing us to enjoy relaxed coastal cruising, small bays and plenty of time on board the catamaran.
We can select a clear-water bay for the morning, with time for snorkelling, paddleboarding and a relaxed lunch at anchor.
In the afternoon we cruise towards Vathy, the capital of Ithaca, located at the head of a large natural bay. Its waterfront is lined with houses, cafes, small shops and restaurants.
Vathy has a very different character from Kioni, and visiting both gives guests a better feel for the island.
Activities: Coastal cruising, snorkelling, paddleboarding, swimming and exploring Vathy.
Overnight: Vathy.
Dining: Dinner in Vathy featuring traditional Ithacan cuisine, fresh fish, seafood and local produce.
After breakfast, leave Ithaca and cruise towards Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands.
Rather than heading directly into harbour, the relatively short distance between the islands allows us to select a bay for a few hours of swimming and a relaxed lunch before continuing towards Fiskardo.
Fiskardo is one of the most attractive harbours in the Ionian Islands. Colourful houses surround the small harbour, while restaurants, cafes and boutiques create a particularly enjoyable atmosphere during the afternoon and evening.
Activities: Swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, lunch at anchor and exploring Fiskardo.
Overnight: Fiskardo or a nearby bay if no suitable berth is available.
Dining: Waterfront dinner featuring Kefalonian specialities accompanied by a glass of Robola, the island's characteristic white wine.
Captain's Note: Fiskardo can fill quickly during peak season. Anchoring in a nearby bay and using the tender to visit the village can be an excellent alternative when conditions permit.
We begin our gradual return north, although there is still an excellent day of cruising ahead.
From Fiskardo we head towards the southern coast of Lefkada. During the passage we select a sheltered bay for swimming, enjoying the sea and having lunch on board.
In the afternoon we arrive in Sivota, located at the head of a deep natural bay surrounded by green hills. Its sheltered position and waterfront tavernas make it an excellent choice for the final night away from the charter base.
Activities: Cruising, swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding and exploring Sivota.
Overnight: Sivota, Lefkada.
Captain's Note: Spending Thursday night in Sivota leaves the catamaran well positioned for Friday's return and avoids an unnecessarily long final passage.
On Friday morning we begin our return towards Preveza without rushing. We cruise along the eastern coast of Lefkada and, if timing and weather conditions allow, make a final stop for swimming and lunch.
We then continue towards the Lefkada Canal. Passage should be coordinated with the bridge opening schedule, making it important to maintain sufficient time in hand during the final day.
After passing through the canal, we set our final course for Preveza, aiming to arrive during the afternoon with sufficient time for refuelling and the catamaran return procedures.
Activities: Final swim, lunch on board and return cruise.
Arrival: Preveza on Friday afternoon.
Overnight: On board at the Preveza charter base.
Preveza - Meganisi: Approximately 15-18 NM
Meganisi - Atokos - Kastos: Approximately 20-25 NM
Kastos - Ithaca - Kioni: Approximately 18-22 NM
Kioni - Ithaca Coast - Vathy: Approximately 18-22 NM including local cruising
Vathy - Kefalonia - Fiskardo: Approximately 18-22 NM
Fiskardo - Lefkada - Sivota: Approximately 20-25 NM
Sivota - Lefkada - Preveza: Approximately 25-30 NM
Estimated total distance: 135-165 nautical miles, depending on the selected bays and anchorages.
The main cruising season in the Ionian Islands runs from May to October.
June and September are particularly attractive, offering pleasant temperatures, warm water and generally fewer yachts than during peak season.
July and August offer the full summer atmosphere, although popular harbours and anchorages, particularly Kioni and Fiskardo, can become very busy.
During summer it is often pleasant to complete the main passages during the morning and reserve the middle of the day for anchoring, swimming, water sports and lunch.
Passage through the Lefkada Canal and floating bridge should be carefully planned both at the beginning and end of the itinerary. Current bridge opening times should always be checked before departure.
During peak season it is advisable to reach small popular harbours such as Kioni and Fiskardo with sufficient time. When cruising on a catamaran, a suitable alternative anchorage should always be considered as catamarans require more berthing space than monohulls.
One of the advantages of this route is its flexibility. If wind, sea conditions or berth availability are unsuitable, the Captain can easily modify the next destination without compromising the overall experience.
This itinerary is ideal for snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, tender exploration and other water sports, depending on the equipment available on board.
The pace of the route allows guests to combine a few hours of cruising with relaxed lunch anchorages, afternoons in the water, sunset drinks and dinners in small Greek waterfront tavernas.
This itinerary is a sample cruising suggestion. The Captain will adapt the route according to weather and sea conditions, Lefkada bridge schedules, berth availability and the characteristics of the catamaran.
Ports, anchorages, distances and cruising times are approximate. The safety and comfort of guests and the vessel will always take priority.
