Greek Ionian Itinerary

Zen Zero

Zen Zero

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 Mar 2011
Messages
1,591
Location
Boat:Syvota, Epirus, Greece. Me:Rome, Italy
Visit site
Her ladyship and I will be rejoining our boat later this month in Syvota (near Igouminitsa (on the mainland opposite the southern tip of Corfu)) for two full weeks of cruising. The only fixed bits of this itinerary are the start and finish in Syvota. Other considerations are:

1. I've never set foot on Corfu
2. I'd like to visit Ithaca
3. We cruise at between 4 and 6 kts and can cover up to 60 NM a day but her ladyship likes anchoring in secluded bays and time ashore.
4. I don't think we'll go further than Corinth
5. We don't need much electricity and have a 100 litre fresh water tank

What suggestions would the forumites give us?

Thanks
 
1. No point in going beyond Astakos (mainland) and S Cephallinnia.
2. Going back to Sivota may well be an afternoon beat into a F5. So consider going back via Paxos so you're not forced into too much discomfort.
3. Corfu doesn't offer a lot compared to the variety of the Inland Ionian Sea. South of Levkas there are hundreds of anchorages, tens of harbour quaysides, all within 5 - 10 nm radius of wherever you are. More than enough to fill a fortnight . . . bit short of wind in most mornings though.

For a list of possibilities in the Inland Ionian, with a simple map for guidance, see http://jimbsail.info/mediterranean/greece/inland-ionian

Sivota and Paxos are just north, on the N Ionian page of that site.
 
Despite being different from the southern Ionian, Corfu is still worth a visit, particularly the north east coast. Look at going first north to Corfu, then back south - Petriti on Corfu or Platarias on the mainland as overnight stops. Lakka and Gaios on Paxos good. Parga on mainland, Preveza then through the canal to Levkas. Don't take more than 5 days on that which leaves plenty of time to sample the southern islands. As Jim says, getting back north can be hard work and worth considering a morning passage under motor rather than a hard afternoon beat.
 
If you get as far a Corinth you are going to have a hard day/two days beating back north.

Paxos, Ithaki, Kalamos, Paleros, Keffalonia, Meganissi all have lots of places to go and things to see.

Our trip in May covered about the same time, we could have stopped in Ithaki but pressed on because the sailing was so much fun that day! http://cariad.imolesworth.info/?page_id=79
 
Last edited:
A couple of years ago now I went back to the Ionian after being there for a summer in the late 90's. Ended up in Paraliaki or Παραλιακή as google describes it. It was like going back to Ionian in the late 90's, worht a visit if you end up out that way...
 
Having returned from three months in the Ionian, just a couple of thoughts: even in mid-May yacht traffic was increasing. Particularly in the South distances between the attractive stops aren't great, but build early departures into your schedules if you want to get the best (maybe even the only) anchorage/berth. We didn't find water a problem but you may have to pay for it, and you can often access electricity. We found a real shortage of small change was a problem in the smaller shops and took to carrying a purse full of shrapnel with us.

Corfu is a magic island; we played croquet and watched live cricket in Gouvia, took regular bus trips into the hills and around the island - all for tiny prices, and met some great characters. Kassiopi in the N is worth a visit, if only for an award-winning restaurant at the W. Quay. You may have trouble getting space at Gaios, Paxos, (arguments about mooring were already breaking out last month) but to the S Mongonnisi is a good anchorage - though I wouldn't recommend eating at the Taverna.

If you do visit Ithaca, take in Kioni and Frikes, and on the way back up try the 'other' Syvota (Lefkas). Spartakhori and Vathi on Meganisi also have their charms.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top