North & South Explorer Flotillas

About the North & South Ionian flotillas

These two week flotillas offer in depth exploration of the Ionian. The South Ionian flotilla covers ports from Lefkas to Katakolon. The North Ionian flotilla runs from Lefkas to north Corfu.

Quick Choices - Mid Ionian Flotillas

Base:	Nikiana		Difficulty: Easy	Airport: Preveza
Flights from:		Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester & Edinburgh
Qualifications:		to sail yourself: minimum ICC or RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
Other options:		Skippers available or combine your flotilla with an RYA sailing course or Beach Club stay.

FLOTILLA PRICES from NIKIANA

Both routes offer a variety of stops. You will of course stop at bustling holiday towns. But you will also get away from the popular tourist haunts with calls at less visited harbours. There are pretty fishing villages and agricultural centres. And naturally, there is the opportunity to drink in some of Greece’s historic sights.

The North route visits Lefkas, Paxos and Corfu, as well as a umber of attrative mainland destinations. The highlight is a chance to explore Corfu Town at Greek Easter and enjoy the anual firework display.

The South Ionian flotilla takes in the islands of Kefalonia, Ithaka and Zante. From Katakolon there is the chance to visit the historic site of Olympia.

2026 Dates

Flotilla	Apr	May	June	July	August	Sept	Oct
North Ionian 2 weeks	18th
South Ionian 2 weeks							11th

North & South Ionian Itineraries

North Ionian

View the North Ionian flotilla on a map

See About the maps for Key and more information. You can see photos of the area in the Ionian gallery. For what’s included see Flotillas; inclusions and options.

Day	Miles	Destination
1: Sun	0	Check in. Nikiana (Lefkas) Another fishing village that’s become a holiday settlement but it’s been done rather nicely. Set amongst olives and cypress tree, it’s a shady place to relax and chill out. There are several small beaches which of course can get busy. But at least they’re not covered with wall to wall sun loungers. Lefkas town is only 4 ... Read more
2: Mon	5	Lefkas / Levkas The capital of the island of the same name, Lefkas is separated from the mainland by a canal you will sail through when entering or leaving. The town is a maze of narrow streets and is the culturfal and commercial centre for the island, as well as a tourist town and yachting centre. Many of Lefkas’s ... Read more
3: Tue	9	Preveza There’s more to Preveza than an airport and down by the waterfront it’s becoming a place to be seen. There’s plenty of history too, most notably the ruins of Nikopolis a couple of miles to the north of the town. This once unremarkable market town is still more of a working place than a holiday resort ... Read more
4: Wed	32	Gaios (Paxos) The main harbour and largest town on the island of Paxos, Gaios is a picture postcard town with a bit of a colonial feel, set against the green hills of the interior. It’s also a rather unique port, with a lush green island plugging the centre of the harbour leaving a channel around it where you ... Read more
5: Thu	13	Mourtos / Vola Tucked in behind the Sivota Islands of Nikolaos, Mavros Notos and Sivota itself, lies the harbour of Mourtos with its recently refurbished sea front set against the green woodland behind. Neither these renovations nor a scattering of holiday centres along nearby shores have spoilt this small town which is well worth a visit. For those fancying a ... Read more
6: Fri	12	Petriti (Corfu) It’s hard to believe anywhere on Corfu can be as quiet as Petriti, or that this small village was only built in the last 50 years. Set amongst gently sloping olive groves, it’s a charming spot. The rocky bay includes a beach immediately south of the harbour and there are a couple of restaurants. Shopping opportunities are rather ... Read more
7: Sat	12	Corfu Town The capital of the Island, Corfu Town is steeped in history. It offers much to entertain you whether your interests are archaeological, cultural or more retail focused! The various occupying forces have left their influence. In particular, the Venetians provided both the two fortress and many of the attractive buildings around town. As well as exploring ... Read more
8: Sun	0	A day ashore to enjoy the delights of Easter in Corfu
9: Mon	11	Kassiopi (Corfu) Officially a village, Kassiopi is more like a small town. The settlement is focused around the harbour. As well as the usual tavernas and bars, there are banks with ATM’s, doctors, pharmacies and supermarkets. It’s a good place to stock up on your cruise. Kassiopi dates back to 5BC. The Church of the Panayia Kassopitra overlooks ... Read more
10: Tue	27	Plataria Visiting yachtsmen aside, Plataria is off the tourist trail. Consequently, the excellent sand and shingle beach lined with palm trees is rarely busy although it’s just a few minutes walk from the harbour. The small town here dates back to around the 2nd Century BC, though it’s had a few name changes along the way. Considering how ... Read more
11: Wed	19	Parga A town steeped in history, Parga is as much a Greek holiday destination as an international resort. Built around its prominent Venetian Citadel perched on the promontory between two bays, the town has all you’d expect of a moderate size resort with a wide range of restaurants and plenty of narrow winding streets to explore. The ... Read more
12: Thu	35	Vonitsa With its large fortress overlooking the bay, Vonitsa is hard to miss. It’s a nice spot too, especially now the new breakwater leaves one feeling much more secure than previously. Lounge on the beach, take a swim, or just park yourself in a seafront cafe and take in the air. Take a walk up to the ... Read more
13: Fri	26	Spartochori / Porto Spilia (Meganisi) This pretty bay on the north of Meganisi is a place of several parts. You’ll need to burn a few calories to reach the best bit, the village of Spartochori itself. As most Ionian yacht charter crews don’t seem to use many during the day this shouldn’t be a problem! In the north west corner the small ... Read more
14: Sat	6	Nikiana (Lefkas) Another fishing village that’s become a holiday settlement but it’s been done rather nicely. Set amongst olives and cypress tree, it’s a shady place to relax and chill out. There are several small beaches which of course can get busy. But at least they’re not covered with wall to wall sun loungers. Lefkas town is only 4 ... Read more
15: Sun	0	Check out and depart
Average	17	Note: you will do more miles than this!

All routes may be subject to change for weather and operational reasons. Your Lead Crew will keep you advised during the week. Flotilla names may differ from those used by the operator.

South Ionian

View the South Ionian flotilla on a map

See About the maps for Key and more information. You can see photos of the area in the Ionian gallery. For what’s included see Flotillas; inclusions and options.

Day	Miles	Destination
1: Sun	0	Check in. Nikiana (Lefkas) Another fishing village that’s become a holiday settlement but it’s been done rather nicely. Set amongst olives and cypress tree, it’s a shady place to relax and chill out. There are several small beaches which of course can get busy. But at least they’re not covered with wall to wall sun loungers. Lefkas town is only 4 ... Read more
2: Mon	16	Kalamos / Port Kalamos Kalamos is the capital of the island of the same name and a popular stop. The village itself is on the hill overlooking the harbour where you’ll find the bakery, a grocers and some bars. For those that don’t fancy the climb, there’s a mini market and a couple of tavernas by the quay. George’s ... Read more
3: Tue	16	Frikes (Ithaca) Location for the best Greek restaurant, the best bar, and the best mini market in the Ionian, according to one of the pilot books for the area. Frikes is also a very picturesque place, with the green hills behind watered by the stream that runs through the village. Like most of Ithaca, there are few tourists, ... Read more
4: Wed	18	Sami (Kefalonia) The fishing and ferry port of Sami dates back to Prehistoric times. It was once the capital of Kefalonia. Sami’s main attractions today are two nearby caves; Melissani and Drogarati, though there are good beaches nearby and some archaeology to explore as well. Melissani is the result of an underground stream that flows from the other side ... Read more
5: Thu	12	Poros (Kefalonia) Poros is steeped in mythology. Hercules’ footsteps are stamped in to the hillsides, and rocks thrown at pirates by the Cyclops lie on the beach. Just out of town is the possible burial place of Odysseus and a cave once inhabited by a she-dragon. It’s described in several guides as an unpretentious place! Situated at the end ... Read more
6: Fri	17	Agios Nikolaos (Zante) Agios Nikolaos is a small bay at the north est end of Zakynthos. The small fishing village is the start point for popular boat trips to the Blue Caves of Volimes, towards the north tip of the islands where you can snorkel amongst the limestone caves and arches. These trips usually head on to Shipwreck Bay, also known ... Read more
7: Sat	35	Katakolon Who would have thought the fishing village of Katakolon would become a major cruise ship destination! Katakolon. Small town turned cruise ship destination It’s all thanks to the town’s richest son, multi-billionaire shipping, oil, construction and banking magnate, Ioannis “Yiannis” Latsis. He realised the village’s proximity to the historic ruins of Olympia presented a great opportunity. In ... Read more
8: Sun	0	A rest day in Katakolon, allowing you time to visit the ancient ruins at Olympia
9: Mon	23	Zante Town / Zakynthos Zante bustles with tourists. Add to this its popularity with yacht charterers and flotillas and you have a heady mix that borders on controlled chaos at times. However, do not be put off by all this razzmatazz. Even if you don’t appreciate the charms or associated hoopla that goes with of a bevy of twenty somethings embarking on a ... Read more
10: Tue	16	Free sailing. How about: Kyllini / Killini Kyllini is now the main ferry hub for Zakynthos and Cephalonia and as such can be a very noisy and busy place. Kyllini is not a usual stop for bareboat charters or flotillas but, that being said, it does make a handy port for those heading in to and out of Gulf of Patras or if ... Read more or a quiet night at anchor at: Kato Katelios (Kefalonia) The long beach at Kato Katelios has long attracted the loggerhead turtles but in recent times it’s been discovered by holidaymakers and yacht charters too. Once there were just a few fishermens shacks with the main agricultural settlement, Ano Katelios a short walk inland. In recent times holiday accommodation has appeared at Kato Katelios. However the ... Read more
11: Wed	34	Efimia / Eufimia (Kefalonia) A holiday town particularly popular with Greeks, which has ensured retention of its Greek atmosphere, Efimia is also a good base to explore the Melissani Cave and Lake. There are a number of white pebbled beaches a short walk south of the town, or if you want to go a little further afield, you can hire motor boat. ... Read more
12: Thu	17	Vathi (Ithaca) After many of the small fishing villages that make the staple of a yacht cruise in this area, “big Vathi” (as opposed to “little Vathi” on Meganisi) seems huge. As towns go, its actually pretty small but it is a bit of a hub for both local boats and yachts. In summer, it’s a lively place, ... Read more
13: Fri	6	Kioni (Ithaca) Though largely flattened by the 1953 earthquake, Kioni has re-emerged with little to betray the more modern origins of many of the buildings. The whitewashed house with their red tiled roofs, run up the green densely tree’d hillsides, offering some pleasant walks. The bustling harbour with yachts going to and fro is ringed with cafes and restaurants. ... Read more
14: Sat	19	Nikiana (Lefkas) Another fishing village that’s become a holiday settlement but it’s been done rather nicely. Set amongst olives and cypress tree, it’s a shady place to relax and chill out. There are several small beaches which of course can get busy. But at least they’re not covered with wall to wall sun loungers. Lefkas town is only 4 ... Read more
15: Sun	0	Check out and depart
Average	19	Note: you will do more miles than this!

All routes may be subject to change for weather and operational reasons. Your Lead Crew will keep you advised during the week. Flotilla names may differ from those used by the operator.