A flexible Ionian itinerary from Lefkas

This week uses D-Marin Lefkas as the home base and focuses on the islands immediately south and east of Lefkada. The distances are manageable, but the route still requires a qualified skipper, current charts and close attention to the operator briefing. In particular, local shoals, rocks around the smaller islands and ferry wash near Ithaca mean that short passages should not be mistaken for risk-free navigation.

Saturday — Yacht handover and first night at Lefkas

After a normal late-afternoon handover, stay at the marina. The Lefkas canal, bridge timing and the need to check the yacht make an improvised evening departure poor value. Use the first night to provision, understand the route through the channel and confirm any no-go areas. Beginning early Sunday preserves the same itinerary without sacrificing safety or dinner.

Sunday — Lefkas to Meganisi | about 12–18 nm

Sail south past the Nidri area and choose between Meganisi’s northwest bays and eastern villages. Porto Spilia below Spartochori gives access to the hilltop settlement. Vathy offers a longer waterfront and more activity. Abelike and nearby inlets can work for lunch or a quiet anchorage when suitable. The route between Skorpios, Thilia and Meganisi contains charted hazards highlighted in operator briefings, so use the prescribed passage rather than the visually shortest gap.

Monday — Meganisi via Kastos to Kalamos | about 15–22 nm

Use Kastos as the day’s contrast: its small harbour and east-coast bays suit a lunch stop or a quiet overnight when space and weather allow. Continue to Kalamos Town for a wider choice ashore and a useful position for Ithaca. The channel between Kalamos and the mainland includes hazards that must be identified during the base briefing. If the crew prefers a slower day, remain at Kastos and move the rest of the route back by one stop.

Tuesday — Kalamos to Vathy, Ithaca | about 18–22 nm

Sail southwest and choose a lunch bay along Ithaca’s east coast before entering the long inlet to Vathy. The capital gives the group the broadest selection of shops and restaurants on Ithaca and is a practical place to replenish. It is also a very different experience from Kioni or Frikes, so using two Ithaca nights is not repetitive. Allow time for the final approach instead of treating the enclosed water as an excuse for a late arrival.

Wednesday — Vathy to Kioni or Frikes | about 10–16 nm

This is the natural exploration day. Gidaki or another suitable east-coast bay can provide the swimming and lunch stop. Kioni has the most photographed village waterfront and a compact evening ashore; Frikes is smaller and can feel less polished. Both are affected by ferry or commercial-vessel wash at times, so the skipper should use appropriate mooring practice and current local advice. If neither is suitable, return to Vathy or select another approved bay.

Thursday — Ithaca via Atokos to Meganisi or Sivota | about 20–28 nm

Begin the return north. In settled weather, a bay on Atokos can provide a remote lunch stop, but the island has no town facilities and should not be treated as a guaranteed overnight. Finish at Meganisi for a second bay, or continue to Sivota on southern Lefkada for restaurants and a shorter Friday. The longer option should be decided before lunch so the afternoon is not spent racing the clock.

Friday — Meganisi or Sivota to D-Marin Lefkas | about 12–22 nm

Return through the approved channel route with enough margin for bridge timing, fuel and marina procedures. A final swim stop around Meganisi or the Nidri side may fit, but reaching the base before 5 p.m. takes priority. Spend Friday night at D-Marin Lefkas when the charter contract permits. Confirm whether fuel is taken before or after entering the marina during the original briefing.

Meganisi, Ithaca and the smaller islands compared

The strength of this area is choice. Several stops can replace one another without breaking the route, which makes the Ionian useful for mixed-experience groups.

Porto Spilia, Vathy and Abelike on Meganisi

Porto Spilia is the access point for Spartochori and suits a village evening. Vathy has more waterfront activity. Abelike and nearby bays are better for a quieter anchorage or lunch. Use one village and one bay rather than moving constantly between neighbouring stops.

Kastos versus Kalamos

Kastos is smaller and more tranquil; Kalamos Town has more facilities and serves as the stronger staging point for Ithaca. The two can be combined in one day, but staying at Kastos is a valid choice when the group wants a slower week.

Vathy, Kioni and Frikes on Ithaca

Vathy is the practical capital and best provisioning stop. Kioni is the most picturesque small-village evening. Frikes is compact and useful for a shorter route north. Harbour wash and space should influence the decision as much as photographs.

Sivota and Nidri on Lefkada

Sivota is a natural final-night alternative before returning to the base. Nidri is busier and closer to Lefkas, with convenient services. Neither is essential if the group prefers a second night on Meganisi.

Who should choose this route?

The itinerary works well for families and mixed-experience groups hiring a skipper, as well as qualified bareboat crews wanting short-to-moderate passages. It is less suitable for travellers determined to cover Kefalonia and Zakynthos in the same week. Those larger islands require a different route with longer legs.