Sailing in Kefalonia

[RagnStick]

Hello

I'm taking the family away for a week of unhurried sailing in Kefalonia; just wondering if anyone has any experience of sailing the island and can offer-up any good or bad advice, things to avoid or to head for? Crafty local harbours - guess you know what I mean

Any feedback appreciated

Cheers

Chris

 

[Tranona]

Get yourself a copy of Rod Heikells Ionian Pilot which has all the harbours and anchorages in it. Kefalonia itself is rather limited but going north and east there are plenty of places to visit on Ithaca, Levkas, Meganisi and Kalamos as well as the mainland coast.

Impossible to list them all, but the Pilot will give you a good flavour of each to help plan your route.

Enjoy

 

[RagnStick]

Thanks - will order a copy.

 

[RagnStick]

Thanks Tranona - have ordered a copy. Cheers. Chris

 

[greenalien]

Be very careful of the sudden increases in wind speed that can occur as a result of an air mass coming over the high mountains. I was entering Argostoli on one occasion, and the wind speed went from 10kt to 50kt in a couple of minutes, with very little warning.

 

[affinite]

Fiskardo - a quiet unspoilt little fishing village at the North of the island should be on the itinerary. (Take a fat wallet, italian phrase book and a long stern line in August though)

 

[daveyw]

Assos is quaint but get there early as space is very limited and check the forecast first. Not good for northerly winds.

 

[Sy-Revolution]

Go clockwise......

 

[RagnStick]

Thanks guys, all noted down in my 'little blue book' and will add to the margins of my Ionian Pilot, when it arrives.

Trip is in less than two weeks time so hopefully not too conjested yet?

Kid's are looking forward to swimming and shore leave - but Dad will be enjoying the sailing.

Chris

 

[bretonbrit]

bretonbrit

I spent 3 very enjoyable weeks in Nidri Bay last year,theres a very friendly yacht club further in the bay opposite Vliho,also spent time in Sivota,as it was april we had the place to ourselves,probably be a bit busier this month!

 

[affinite]

I spent 3 very enjoyable weeks in Nidri Bay last year,theres a very friendly yacht club further in the bay opposite Vliho,also spent time in Sivota,as it was april we had the place to ourselves,probably be a bit busier this month!

The OP said he was sailing around Kefalonia.
Nidri and Sivota are on Lefkas. Your are right about Sivota - nice sheltered bay but will be very busy now

 

[KellysEye]

Don't miss are Fiskardo, Kastus, Kalamos and the bay on the south of Atoko. The bays on the north side of Meganissi are also good.

 

[Seajet]

Just in case it's so obvious no-one thinks worth mentioning, you have read ( not just seen the film ) 'Captain Correli's Mandolin', haven't you ?!

 

[whiteoaks7]

So go to Sami where the film was shot; also Poros is not so bad as it seems at first. Avoid Fiskardo, it's just all flotillas (but you'll probably have to go anyway - everyone does). BTW there's a bay just south of Fiskardo which has an unmarked wreck - we nearly snagged it last year... Good sailing between the islands, wind almost always guaranteed (actually true of most channels between the Ionion islands. It's all lovely really...

 

[Flying Penguin]

Fiskardo - a quiet unspoilt little fishing village at the North of the island should be on the itinerary. (Take a fat wallet, italian phrase book and a long stern line in August though)

Fiskardo is quite nice, but avoid it Friday lunchtime to Sunday lunchtime as it's busy at the best of times, but during that time it will be stuffed with Sailing Holidays boats on turnaround. If you arrive any later than 1pm Friday you will join the inevitable mele of Flotilla boats, near collisions, unsecured kedge anchors, lead boat dinghys etc. Made that mistake last week, we got in (just) but the view from the bar of the ensuing bedlam when all the flotillas turned up was a sight to behold!

 

[bryantee]

kefalonia

Fiskardo - a quiet unspoilt little fishing village at the North of the island should be on the itinerary. (Take a fat wallet, italian phrase book and a long stern line in August though)

not sure about the unspoilt.

but get there about noon. to pick a spot if your lucky after two in the afternoon its market day every day,the flottillas often have three in a bed.
there are a few other bolt holes on the west side of kef. efissima is nicer than fiskardo and better organised. sami is uncluttered but open to swell. they skimped on the north /west sea wall so the waves gets through the openings,
I will keep the other lesser known spots . but beware the kabatic winds.
but enjoy