Best time for Ionian (how much wind?)

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ridgy

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Hi all,

Planning a charter in the Ionian next summer and just curious how much wind I can expect? I can find plenty of temperature/sunshine info but nowt about wind.

Thinking last 2 weeks of June or first 2 weeks of September, probably around Corfu but could go further south.

Cheers,
Nick
 
Hi,

You'll be in for more wind in September.
June tends to be pretty breathless (in my experience - some may wish to differ) until about 3 - 4 in the afternoon when the catabatic kicks in.

September should also be slightly less crowded in the popular anchorages/harbours, as the school holiday charterers will have been and gone.

Have you been to the area before?
I'd be happy to offer any further advice if I can (eateries, best places to visit etc).

Hope this helps.

Helen
 
Thanks.

I was looking at a Flotilla so as to avoid thinking about where to go, just don't really want to have to motor everywhere, or bob about at 2 knots....

I have this dream of being wafted along in a warm, pleasant F4 every day. Am I going to be disappointed?
 
I don't know about disappointed but we do say that down here one has to get used to motoring in between gales.

However, the clarity of the sea and the gorgeous scenery more than make up for it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Good god no!!
In my opinion you can never be disappointed in the Ionian, it's beautiful!

Dream this;

A warm sunny day drifting along, slipping peacefully through clear blue water. Not a cloud in the sky, smiles on everyones faces, cold beer in the fridge, stop for a swim at lunchtime in a perfect little bay to swing on the anchor.
Spend the evening in a lovely taverna swapping stories with your fellow flotilla guests, wathcing the sun go down with not a care in the world.

Sound good?

I've done flot and bareboat in the Ionian for the last 14 years and am in love with it!
So much so that I hope to be working on flotilla this season fongers crossed!

If you need anymore info or anything, please ask, I love to talk about it!!!!!
 
Early September can still be very hot, humid and short of wind - it was last year. June is probably better balance of heat and wind.

Yes, you will do quite a bit of motoring, but mostly in the morning to get your distance in to the next delightful swim and lunch stop including getting the beer cold and the water hot for your shower! Most afternoons you will get enough wind for a couple of hours sailing to your overnight stop.

As Master nd Commander says the whole area, North and South is difficult to beat as a holiday area - even with the Euro!. We are now in our 10th year of chartering or owning a boat in Corfu and still have places to discover.

Enjoy!
 
Couldn't agree more with M&C I've only been 3 times all out of the July/August busy period. The last time was helping to bring some boats down from Croatia via Brindisi.

If you can I would choose further South than Corfu, get into the Inland Sea I think it's called. But stop off at Lakka on Paxos on the way.

One time I went with a friend who had never sailed before, we left Sivota on Leflkas with full sail and by the time we reached Friskardo we just had a tiny bit of the Genny rolled out and we still were doing 5kts. The downside was that nobody had left Friskardo....too windy /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif so we anchored just around the corner and I made my mate swim to the nearest tree with a line!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
We have been a few times and like the end of May as it is warm but usually not too hot.
It's been perfect each time for us - no wind in the morning then picking up to about F4 in the afternoon for a great sail then back to no wind in the evening.
Been with Sailing Holidays each time and would recommend them.
 
Ah, now we're talking.

I was going to go with Sailing Holidays.

They have this "Faraway Islands" flotilla that appealed as it has longer distances to quieter areas, but now I'm thinking I might want shorter distances if there won't be any wind.

Perhaps the "Whole Ionian" might be the job then?
 
Regarding crowds, in the South Ionian, no probs June or September. In fact last August was the least crowded I have ever seen it, for some reason the large 50ft plus Mobo cruisers did not arrive in any numbers. Sign of the times I suppose!
 
Personally, the "Faraway Islands" flot sounds like not much sailing (2/3 nights on each of the Diapondia islands), start base Platarias, which we found a dump, night in Sayaidha, right on the Albanian border.
Agree with other posters' rcommendations re Southern Ionian - if you're go with Sailing Holidays, prefer S Ionian or whole Ionian.
 
I went with Sailing Holidays the last two weeks in October two years ago. Motored most days, three days good sailing wind. Beautiful area though (S Ionian) and will go again when I have some more money.
 
Blimey!! I've never had so many people agree with me!!

Aah, the Ithaca channel - I remember it well, I used to head round the corner and approach Ay, Uefimia sitting on the swimming platform in ignorant bliss, then the yacht would get caught and slam off on one tack or the other!! I'd then be left to struggle back on deck. I'd like to say I learnt my lesson but alas I still do silly things like that!! It's fun!

Hopefully I'll be out working for Sailing Holidays very soon (I've wanted to do it for 14 years!), so keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Happy Sailing

Helen xx
 
I'd recommend June - usually good winds all pm, then dying out by 1900 odd for a peaceful night at anchor. The anchorages on the NE tip of Meganisi are just the stuff of dreams outside of the Jul/Aug madhouse!
 
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