Central Ionian flotilla - 2 weeks

About the Central Ionian flotilla

The Central Ionian flotilla visits the islands south of Lefkas. It is one if the most popular flotilla areas.

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

The area is a mass of what were once primarily fishing villages. But the more accessible places, such as Kefalonia and Lefkas are now well established holiday destinations.

However, some of the 6 islands you visit are quieter as you can only get there by ferry or on a yacht.

There are few tourist attractions as such, not least as much of the area was flattened in the earthquake of 1953. Fortunately, many buildings were rebuilt in traditional style so the charm has been retained.

The route comprises two one week routes back to back. Over the middle weekend you can explore on your own. You will enjoy a more tranquil time as many of the charter yachts will be back at their bases. The Lead Crew will brief you on the choice of places to visit

2026 Dates

Flotilla	May	June	July	August	Sept
Central Ionian - 2 weeks
....Route A then B	3rd 17th 31st	14th 28th	12th 26th	9th 23th	6th 20th
....Route B then A	10th 24th	7th 21st	5th 19th	2nd 16th 30th	13th 27th

Central Ionian itineraries – 2 weeks

Central Ionian Route A then B

View this 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 details of what’s included see Flotilla 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	7	Vathi (Meganisi) The main port for the island of Meganisi, the village is none the less known as “little Vathi” to distinguish it from “big Vathi” on Ithaca. The village is so popular with yachts that it now boasts it’s own marina, but don’t worry – the single pontoon on offer doesn’t exactly overwhelm the place! As well ... Read more
3: Tue	9	Palairos / Paleros / Zaverda This small fishing town is an attractive yet low key resort for those in the know. Palairos lacks the cache of an island location though has excellent views of them. It is often overlooked by international travellers and so feels more truly Greek. It also means yachts will find more room in the harbour than ... Read more
4: Wed	13	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
5: Thu	3	It's Beach Party night at: Port Leone (Kalymnos) This pretty bay was the location of a village called Kefali, once the main port of Kalamos. The settlement, particularly its water system, was severely damaged in the 1953 earthquake and the villagers abandoned the place. Most buildings have now crumbled but the church remains and islanders still return for regular services. Read more
6: Fri	17	Free Sailing. There are numerous options. Why not try: 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 or: 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
7: Sat	17	Free sailing. How about: 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 or: 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
8: Sun	9	Free sailing. Why not try: Polis / Port Polis (Ithaca) Polis is a pretty bay on the west side of Ithaca, ringed with a shingle beach and popular with swimming parties thanks to the clear waters. Yachtsmen see it at its best – after the beach has emptied at the end of the day. you also have the luxury of the shade on your yacht, ... Read more or: Assos (Kefalonia) Assos is a charming quaint village. It’s built around a narrow isthmus which is all that prevents the peninsula becoming an island. The small pebbled beaches are popular with those wanting a swim. There are several restaurants and cafes clustered around the small horseshoe bay. But before you sit down for dinner, take a walk up ... Read more
9: Mon	13	Vasiliki (Lefkas) The windsurfing capital of Greece, Vasiliki’s long pebbled beach offers a range of watersports activities. For the less energetic, the village waterfront is lined with cafe’s, restaurants and shopping opportunities and is a pretty place to relax. Vasiliki lies at the end of a fertile valley and for many years the locals combined fishing and agriculture ... Read more
10: Tue	12	Fiskardo (Kefalonia) A beautiful place of multi coloured houses ringing the clear bay, set at the foot of dense pine clad slopes. Fiskardo escaped the ravages of the 1953 earthquake and now enjoys a high level of protection from development. This gives a rather up market air and a number of the Hollywood set have visited. It’s a very ... Read more
11: Wed	9	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
12: Thu	15	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
13: Fri	16	Free sailing. There are countless options. Why not try: Kastos Slightly less lush than some of the surrounding harbours, Kastos has an undiscovered feel. There’s excellent homemade ice cream on the seafront, a sandy beach and a choice of a handful of restaurants but the place gives the impression it’s missed out in the battle for the tourist purse, which is no bad thing. In truth, ... Read more or: Polis / Port Polis (Ithaca) Polis is a pretty bay on the west side of Ithaca, ringed with a shingle beach and popular with swimming parties thanks to the clear waters. Yachtsmen see it at its best – after the beach has emptied at the end of the day. you also have the luxury of the shade on your yacht, ... 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	12	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.

Central Ionian Route B then A

View this 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 details of what’s included see Flotilla 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	11	Sivota / Syvota (Lefkas) A pretty bay at the south end of Lefkas Island, surrounded by steep olive clad slopes, Sivota lives primarily for the charter boats that visit and is a popular spot for flotillas. Most of the sea front is available for mooring and you can step off your yacht straight in to a restaurant. There’s a small ... Read more
3: Tue	12	Fiskardo (Kefalonia) A beautiful place of multi coloured houses ringing the clear bay, set at the foot of dense pine clad slopes. Fiskardo escaped the ravages of the 1953 earthquake and now enjoys a high level of protection from development. This gives a rather up market air and a number of the Hollywood set have visited. It’s a very ... Read more
4: Wed	9	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
5: Thu	15	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
6: Fri	15	Free sailing. There are countless options. Why not try: Kastos Slightly less lush than some of the surrounding harbours, Kastos has an undiscovered feel. There’s excellent homemade ice cream on the seafront, a sandy beach and a choice of a handful of restaurants but the place gives the impression it’s missed out in the battle for the tourist purse, which is no bad thing. In truth, ... Read more or: Dragonera Islands / Echinades Islands This group of around 20 islands offers some lovely anchorages. There is nothing here facilities wise – this is anchor and eat aboard territory, a great chance to get away from it all for a night. The best spots vary with the weather but in most cases you will have to get well in to the ... Read more
7: Sat	16	Free sailing. How about: 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 or: 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
8: Sun	16	Free sailing. Why not try: Polis / Port Polis (Ithaca) Polis is a pretty bay on the west side of Ithaca, ringed with a shingle beach and popular with swimming parties thanks to the clear waters. Yachtsmen see it at its best – after the beach has emptied at the end of the day. you also have the luxury of the shade on your yacht, ... Read more or: Assos (Kefalonia) Assos is a charming quaint village. It’s built around a narrow isthmus which is all that prevents the peninsula becoming an island. The small pebbled beaches are popular with those wanting a swim. There are several restaurants and cafes clustered around the small horseshoe bay. But before you sit down for dinner, take a walk up ... Read more
9: Mon	19	Vathi (Meganisi) The main port for the island of Meganisi, the village is none the less known as “little Vathi” to distinguish it from “big Vathi” on Ithaca. The village is so popular with yachts that it now boasts it’s own marina, but don’t worry – the single pontoon on offer doesn’t exactly overwhelm the place! As well ... Read more
10: Tue	9	Palairos / Paleros / Zaverda This small fishing town is an attractive yet low key resort for those in the know. Palairos lacks the cache of an island location though has excellent views of them. It is often overlooked by international travellers and so feels more truly Greek. It also means yachts will find more room in the harbour than ... Read more
11: Wed	13	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
12: Thu	3	It's Beach Party night at: Port Leone (Kalymnos) This pretty bay was the location of a village called Kefali, once the main port of Kalamos. The settlement, particularly its water system, was severely damaged in the 1953 earthquake and the villagers abandoned the place. Most buildings have now crumbled but the church remains and islanders still return for regular services. Read more
13: Fri	14	Free Sailing. There are numerous options. Why not try: 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 or: Dragonera Islands / Echinades Islands This group of around 20 islands offers some lovely anchorages. There is nothing here facilities wise – this is anchor and eat aboard territory, a great chance to get away from it all for a night. The best spots vary with the weather but in most cases you will have to get well in to the ... 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	12	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..