Ionian flotilla holidays provide the first taste of flotilla sailing for many. The gentle sailing around islands like Lefkas, Ithaca and Meganisi is ideal for families and less experienced crews. For those wanting longer windier sailing, the Kefalonia flotillas take you into more open seas.
Easy Ionian Flotillas
Gaios: The pretty town square and quay
Many Ionian flotilla holidays start from the Lefkas area and head south around the islands. Ports vary from bustling holiday towns, to fishing villages where the few visitors almost all arrive by sea. From Corfu there are option to sail nort or south.
To sail your own yacht you need experience to ICC or RYA Coastal Skipper level. Day Skipper holders can obtain an ICC from the RYA.
With some flotillas, there’s the option to gain a certificate during your holiday. The Ionian flotilla holidays can also be combined with a beach club holiday. In truth, I still think the Peloponnese flotillas are better for beginners. However the numbers going to the Ionian suggest I’m in a minority.
Kefalonia flotillas
These Ionian flotilla holidays reach as far south as the island of Zante. They’re aimed at those with some previous experience who want the Ionian charm but a bit more wind. It’s the same mix of small towns and villages but taking in some quieter less visited destinations.
Ionian flotilla choices
North Ionian flotillas from Corfu 2026
| Flotilla | Apr | May | June | July | August | Sept | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faraway | 13th 27th | 11th 25th | 8th 22nd | 5th 19th | |||
| Paxos | 9th 16th 23rd 30th | 6th 20th | 4th 18th | 1st 15th 29th | 12th 26th | 3rd 10th 27th 24th |
Central Ionian flotillas from Lefkas 2026
| Flotilla | Apr | May | June | July | August | Sept | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | 10th 24th | 7th 21st | 5th 19th | 2nd 16th 30th | 13th 27th | 25th | |
| Lefkas | 3rd 17th 31st | 14th 28th | 12th 26th | 9th 23th | 6th 20th | 4th |
South Ionian flotillas from Kefalonia 2026
| Flotilla | Apr | May | June | July | August | Sept | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kefalonia | 10th 24th | 7th 21st | 5th 19th | 2nd 16th 30th | 13th 27th | 11th | |
| Zante | 3rd 17th 31st | 14th 28th | 12th 26th | 9th 23th | 6th 20th | 4th |
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About the Faraway flotilla
The 1 week Faraway flotilla explores the region north of Corfu. It’s an easy flotilla, an ideal introduction for the less experienced.
The flotilla reaches up to Greece’s most northerly islands, the Diapontia Islands, which translates as the Faraways. Along the way you will visit bays, villages and towns on Corfu and the mainland.
It’s a good mix of tranquil anchorages and livelier stops. There are countless swimming opportunities and the chance to try some watersports. For the culture vultures there are monasteries and archaeological sites ...
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About the Ithaca flotilla
The Ithaca flotilla offers easy sailing. Starting from the island of Lefkas, the flotilla visits Meganisi, Kefalonia and Ithaca. There’s a chance to visit Kalamos or Kastos too.
The flotilla offers the full Ionian experience. The colourful houses of Fiskardo contrast with the traditional whitewashed walls of sleepy Spartochori. You’ll visit the windsurfing capital, Vasiliki and the popular village of Frikes.
The Ithaca flotilla offers a good selection of yacht sizes. There’s a good mix of older and newer boats available.
There’s an associated RYA sailing school ...
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About The Kefalonia Flotilla
The Kefalonia flotilla explores the islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca. It’s an intermediate level flotilla.
First stop is the popular yachting hub of Vathi. Then it’s back to Kefalonia for a visit to Fiskardo. A stop at Assos gives the chance to take in the spectacular scenery of the less visited west coast. The peninsula there is almost an island. It’s held to the mainland by just a narrow isthmus.
Back to Ithaca, you’ll get to visit the sheltered bay at Port Polis. You will see it at its best ...
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About the Lefkas Flotilla
The Lefkas flotilla visits the islands of Meganisi, Ithaca and Kalymnos. It’s an easy flotilla. It runs from Nikiana, a few miles south of Lefkas Town. The nearest airport is Preveza.
The flotilla takes in some less visited stops, including Palairos and Port Leone. But it doesn’t ignore more familiar places such as “little” Vathi. You will get a day free sailing giving the chance to visit Frikes or Kioni on Ithaca.
There’s a good range of yachts on offer. These include older and newer boats. Sizes range from 2 ...
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About the Paxos flotilla
The 1 week Paxos flotilla explores the area south of Corfu. It’s an easy flotilla, an ideal introduction for the less experienced.
The flotilla takes in a variety of towns and villages, both islands and on the mainland. There are plenty of beaches to enjoy and the opportunity to try some watersports. There are some good walks too.
You will visit ancient settlements and newer developments. Plataria dates from the 2nd century BC whilst Petriti is only about 50 year old. You’d be hard pushed to tell though – it ...
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About the Zante flotilla
The Zante flotilla is the most southerly Ionian flotilla. It runs down to the popular holiday island, returning via the Peloponnese mainland.
As well as visiting Zante Town itself, the flotilla stops at Agios Nikolaos. This little fishing village is in stark contrast to the bustle of Zante. There’s also the chance to call in at the scenic Shipwreck Bay.
There’s also the chance to visit the towns of Poros and Sami. From Sami, you can visit the Melissani and Drogarati caves. If you prefer somewhere quieter, the long beach at ...
North Ionian flotillas from Corfu 2026
| Flotilla | Apr | May | June | July | August | Sept | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corfu 2 weeks: | |||||||
| ...North then South | 13th 27th | 11th 25th | 8th 22nd | 5th 19th | |||
| ...South then North | 6th 20th | 4th 18th | 1st 15th 29th | 12th | |||
Central Ionian flotillas from Lefkas 2026
| Flotilla | Apr | May | June | July | August | Sept | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
South Ionian flotillas from Kefalonia 2026
| Flotilla | Apr | May | June | July | August | Sept | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Ionian 2 weeks | |||||||
| ....North then South | 10th 24th | 7th 21st | 5th 19th | 2nd 16th 30th | 13th 27th | ||
| ....South then North | 3rd 17th 31st | 14th 28th | 12th 26th | 9th 23th | 6th 20th | 4th | |
- Read more, see maps etc
About the Central Ionian flotilla
The Central Ionian flotilla visits the islands south of Lefkas. It is one if the most popular flotilla areas.
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 ...
- Read more, see maps etc
About the Central Ionian flotilla
The Central Ionian flotilla visits the islands south of Lefkas. It is one if the most popular flotilla areas.
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 ...
- Read more, see maps etc
About the Corfu flotilla – North then South
The 2 week Corfu flotilla explores the areas north and south of Corfu. It’s an easy flotilla, ideal for the less experienced and a great introduction to the north Ionian.
Depending which week you start you will either go north first and then south, or vice versa. Over the middle weekend you will get a couple of days to sail where you wish, known as free sailing. The Lead Crew will brief you on options.
The flotilla reaches up to ...
- Read more, see maps etc
About the Corfu flotilla – South then North
The 2 week Corfu flotilla explores the areas north and south of Corfu. It’s an easy flotilla, ideal for the less experienced and a great introduction to the north Ionian.
Depending which week you start you will either go north first and then south, or vice versa. Over the middle weekend you will get a couple of days to sail where you wish, known as free sailing. The Lead Crew will brief you on options.
The flotilla reaches up to ...
- Read more, see maps etc
About the South Ionian flotilla – 2 weeks
The South Ionian flotilla offers the best winds and the least crowds of all the Ionian flotillas.
The flotilla goes as far north as the top end of Kefalonia and Ithaca, and as far south as Zante. It’s a great mix of quiet villages and small lively towns such as Vathi and Zante Town. So there is something for everyone.
The journey south involves a couple of longer legs in more open waters where the winds can be better. With few charter yachts based out ...
- Read more, see maps etc
About the South Ionian flotilla – 2 weeks
The South Ionian flotilla offers the best winds and the least crowds of all the Ionian flotillas.
The flotilla goes as far north as the top end of Kefalonia and Ithaca, and as far south as Zante. It’s a great mix of quiet villages and small lively towns such as Vathi and Zante Town. So there is something for everyone.
The journey south involves a couple of longer legs in more open waters where the winds can be better. With few charter yachts based out ...
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More about Ionian flotilla holidays
There is a good selections of yachts available of between 2 and 4 cabins, with a few 5 cabin boats too.
The nearest airport are Corfu, Preveza for the Lefkas area and Argostoli for Kefalonia. All are served by flights from a good range of UK airports.
For those travelling from elsewhere, there are charters from Europe. Alternatively you can change in Athens for internal flights to both Kefalonia and Corfu (however, not Preveza).
The operators offer transfers aither as part of the flotilla package or as optional extras.
Lefkas has an RYA accredited sailing school, run by one of the flotilla operators. They offer cabins on Tuition yachts sharing the yachts with other students, sailing with the flotilla. If you prefer, you can take an instructor on your own flotilla yacht. Courses available include Competent Crew, Day Skipper and the International Certificate of Competence (ICC).