Ionian advice

[duncan99210]

I wouldn't anchor outside Koronisia for anything other than a lunch stop, as the afternoon winds tend to leave it on a lee shore and it gets quite choppy. 2.1m is too deep for the quay.

At Vonitsa you can also anchor to the west in a deep bay running east west, nothing there but quiet. You can anchor off Kopriana in the north eastern corner: not much there but it's sheltered from the north westerlies. In the south eastern corner there's Amphlocia, used to be some pontoons there no there's a bit of a quay as well. Modern town shops and tavernas.

You can also head up into the north western corner, keep an eye on the depth sounder and anchor when you feel you don't want any less water under the keel..... Again, nothing on shore but it makes a real change from the frenetic pace of elsewhere.
Hope that helps.

 

[SarahJ]

Thanks. Most helpful. Will definitely look at anchorages in the Gulf. Hope you enjoy the quieter Peloponnese!

 

[cynthia]

We're anchored up in a good bay on Kefalonia. Only boat here at the moment, other than two day boats using the bay as a swim stop. One other boat overnight.
No problems this year with overcrowding other than Fiskhardo, but we avoided Ay Efemia this year as Sailing Holidays now have a base there so a lot of the quay now not available.
Sami also was busier than usual, but still had some space.
A lot of bareboat charterers around this year, some with little experience, so quays are not as relaxing as usual. I can understand the frustration of some yachties re crossed/ lifted anchors, but isn't that always the case in the Ionian?

 

[rib]

Hi vic,is it still quiet down there,at the moment were heading to levkas ,and look to make s plan/route from there ta

 

[Crisby]

Just returned to the UK today, Paxos starting to get busy but no problems if you get in by 4pm, (Gaios and Mongonissi) Parga busy but there was a Flottilla in. Spent a few nights in Sparochori on Meganissi which seemed quiet, still space on the south wall (Taverna Spillia) Also popped into Preveza briefly to look at a couple of boats for sale, plenty of room on the town quay and Cleopatras visitors pontoon but it was lunchtime.
It will be a bit different in 6 weeks when we are back, brushing up on my Italian already!

Chris

 

[Greg2]

Also just returned from a week’s Paxos flotilla - had no problem mooring anywhere we went but it was well planned by the lead boat. Plenty of room in Parga when we went in but it filled up later in the afternoon. Popular locations it pays to be in a little earlier but otherwise no real issues.

Think we were on your lad’s flotilla by sound of it Crisby - he/you rescued our paddle board in Mongonnissi late at night after the fire dancing I think
The lead boat crew were all young but did a great job - very calm and collected dealing with a fleet of ten boats of very mixed ability.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Hi vic,is it still quiet down there,at the moment were heading to levkas ,and look to make s plan/route from there ta

Couldn't say but I would imagine it no where busy like further north .
We now in the Aegean ,not as busy as the Ionian was when we left , by what I been reading it's a lot dryer here and plenty of wind , since we left the Ionian other then one day when we had to motor for three hours we only used out engine for anchoring that over 480 miles of under sail .
Anyone coming this way fuel up before leaving yesterday fuel on siros was 1.65 lt

 

[langstonelayabout]

We've been back a week from a couple of weeks going from Plataria to Sivota. Nice holiday but little wind and plenty of rain for the last couple of days.

Yes, isn't the south getting crowded. A far cry from what it used to be. We enjoyed a crowded but quiet night by the bakery in Fiskardo (hasn't the Thai got expensive...) but our neighbours were caught out by the tide going out and had to be pulled away from the quay by a chap with a decent power boat. Their antifouling still remains on a piece of underwater rock...

Ay Ephemia was pleasant: nice restaurant 'Pergola' up the road away from the quayside but the tour boats stank of diesel all the time. We also had 2 nights in Sami by the tavernas and that was lovely (except for a bloke who clearly needed more practice with his violin).

Antri bay on Ithaka was lovely as usual but a bit busy for bathing 'au naturel', our favourite place for it.

Kalamos was lovely. Weather and conditions fab, shame about the walk up the world's steepest road to the bakery (but still well worthwhile )

Little Vathy on Meganisi was nice but the quayside rather bouncy all night. Our own fault for not checking that the wind was blowing straight up the creek. Have you seen their new and rather high tech rubbish bin in the square?

Otherwise we had a good couple of weeks and saw LOADS of dolphins! Have a great time

 

[Crisby]

Hi Greg, glad you had a good week, James has to take the credit for rescuing your paddle board though! After taking him Sailing in the Ionian most years since he was 18 months old it almost brought a lump to my throat seeing him working out there, oh to be 19 again.
They do work hard and 7months on a 32ft Maxi with 2 other people must be hard at times but they all really seemed to be enjoying it and the clients have to take some credit for that (and the beer and sunshine!) He hasn’t done an August yet but I think he knows what he’s got coming!

Chris

 

[capnsensible]

Beware of any local people bearing gifts.

 

[Greg2]

Hi Greg, glad you had a good week, James has to take the credit for rescuing you paddle board though! After taking him Sailing in the Ionian most years since he was 18 months old it almost brought a lump to my throat seeing him working out there, oh to be 19 again.
They do work hard and 7months on a 32ft Maxi with 2 other people must be hard at times but they all really seemed to be enjoying it and the clients have to take some credit for that (and the beer and sunshine!) He hasn’t done an August yet but I think he knows what he’s got coming!

Chris

Yes, we didn’t envy their living conditions with three on a relatively small boat all summer but they seem to have it well sorted. The three of them are a good team and James dealt with whatever came his way calmly and confidently - much to be proud of Chris.

Cheers, Greg

 

[langstonelayabout]

Beware of any local people bearing gifts.

Any particular reason?

 

[capnsensible]

Troy.

 

[Davy_S]

Any particular reason?

Ever tried scraping Trojan horse muck up

 

[mjcoon]

Ever tried scraping Trojan horse muck up

From the Augean or Aegean stables?

 

[NoIllusion]

Just finished a 9 night charter out of Lefkas Marina on a 40 ft catamaran. Had no problem getting berths in Little Vathi, Sivota, Fiskardo, Kioni and Nidri. We even had the opportunity to plug into shore power on 6 of our 9 night charter. Odyseas Marina in Little Vathi is expensive.......€68 for one night. Better and cheaper option is to use “George’s” ( taverna and Quay) on your starboard side as you enter Little Vathi. No charge for mooring, water or power if you eat in the taverna. Managed to grab a brilliant berth in Fiskardo.......bows in on the northern side of the Quay used by the public tour boats. (Outside the ice cream parlour).Power and water available there at no cost. Only possible with a catamaran. Weather was good although we did experience some amazing lightning/thunderstorms on two occasions. Now in a hotel which offers us amazing views over the southern exit/entrance to the Lefkas canal. Can confirm that over 200 boats either entered or exited the canal on Friday afternoon/ evening.......yes it’s busy.......but it’s a beautiful cruising area.

 

[Crisby]

It certainly is beautiful, trying to get my act into gear to spend a whole summer, 7 or 8 months out there before Brexit ‘possibly’ scuppers my plans of many many years. 90 days will not be enough!!

Chris

 

[SarahJ]

As the OP, just replying that we stayed South of Lefkas during an unusually wet and stormy end June week. Still lots of fun had and bonus of a very quiet Kioni on the Friday night. Some reflections on Ionian berthing are below:

How do you choose to behave in the busy Ionian waters? Choose your answers below to find out what type of yachtie you truly are;



You are anchored in Fiscardo and there is a yacht going to leave next to you. Would you

A. Relax and go for an ouzo brunch at the Captains Cabin followed by cocktails at Theodora’s

B. Pop your head up meerkat style, walk to the bow and stand hand on hips ready to protect your boat and shout at any incompetent sailors who mess with your anchor

C. Jump in the dinghy and go to help with crossed anchor even though you pulled a muscle winching in the sails the day before



You are coming into Kioni early and there is one spot left on the quay with a yacht slightly in front of you do you

A Anchor off the more exposed beach as plannned and have a swim, climb into a hammock and rock to sleep on the incoming ferry wash waves

B spin round astern and speed up to make for quay space to bag spot before other yacht claiming they took too long to set up

C. Smile at other yacht broadly and go off to take line ashore bravely in a fierce crosswind, cutting your knee on the sharp rocks and shrug off the injury.

You are anchored in One House Bay on Atoko when a charter boat comes in and anchors so close to you, they are nearly touching.
Do you

A dive off into the crystal clear water with champagne in a dry bag to enjoy with friends on the beach

B tell the charter boat skipper to sling his hook while demonstrating some dubious hand signals

C hand the charter boat crew some cool beers over your pulpit which is now inches from their stern

You are free swinging at anchor near to the shore at the head of Abelike bay when a yacht comes past and yells that you should set up for lines ashore to allow more yachts space.
Do you

A. Enjoy a gourmet lunch in Little Vathi then leave for a night sail under the full moon

B. Ignore the yells and tell him too bad, you’re staying put free swinging.

C. Acknowledge advice, hack your way through undergrowth to find suitable points for ropes , take an hour to finally anchor with lines ashore and shiver at the sight of rat droppings in the cockpit the next day.

Mostly A. You are a bon viveur enjoying the delights of the Ionian, who shrugs off any damage suffered to your yacht as incidental.

Mostly B. You yacht will be pristine but you will be surprised to make few friends when sailing in the area.

Mostly C. You are an upstanding member of the yachting fraternity with the scars to prove it and a newly acquired rat trap in the aft locker.

 

[Angele]

As the OP, just replying that we stayed South of Lefkas during an unusually wet and stormy end June week.

Shame you missed some cracking weather here in the UK.

In answer to Q1, at the start of June right outside the Captain's Cabin, I was buying bread in the bakery when the adjacent boat left, taking my anchor with them. Fortunately, the lovely bunch of Swede's on the next door boat (they seem to follow us around from Kalamos and Frikes) leapt on board to assist my crew member who wasn't entirely sure what had just happened. It was a bit early for an ouzo brunch.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Some reflections on Ionian berthing are below:

How do you choose to behave in the busy Ionian waters? Choose your answers below to find out what type of yachtie you truly are;

<big snip>

What a lovely post!
Sounds as though you're mostly C, or ex flotilla staff!

google "jimb ionian" to see my take on Ionian sailing