Secret anchorages in Ionian, (I won't tell a soul)

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rigpigpaul

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Secret anchorages in Ionian, (I won\'t tell a soul)

Hi all,
I wil be back in the Ionian in June with a couple of friends (first time sailors). I am looking for some anchorages for lunch stops or maybe for a night. I want to make it special for them. It could be the start of a regular sailing holiday. We are up as far as Parga/Paxos and down as far as southern Cephalonia. I already have the names of a couple of restaurants I intend to visit.
regards
RPP
 
Re: Secret anchorages in Ionian, (I won\'t tell a soul)

I started to write a shortlist, but I'm on page 3 already, and I haven't even got to Ithaca yet...!
Haven''t you got any easy questions? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Re: Secret anchorages in Ionian, (I won\'t tell a soul)

Heh heh, we both know that's like asking for secret caravan parks in Blackpool.

From personal experience taking my first time sailor girlfriend to the ionian the places that made most positive impact on her were;
Port leone (seeing squid and octopus at night with an underwater light).

The amvrakian gulf generally (we think a higher chance of seeing dolphins due to the fish farms) and picking our way into the tiny islands in the middle of the gulf. The castle at Vonitsa.

Cycling up to and swimming in the waterfall at Nidri early morning, brrrrrrrr /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Kioni (Fiskhardo sans the poseurs and loud music /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ).

Spartachori

Papanikolis cave etc etc.
 
As I write, I am moored in Nikiana

Chas has been coming to the inland sea since 1978 and i since 2001 but this is the first time that we have visited this little harbour. it is delightful but don't tell everyone. mongonisi on paxoi is good too. the one taverna really tries to be good and it is! we weren't charged in gaios last night - miracle! French-greek restaurant in poros cephallonia is also something to write home about.
others will tell more i think.
Kentrina
 
Re: Secret anchorages in Ionian, (I won\'t tell a soul)

Port leone (seeing squid and octopus at night with an underwater light). WASN'T SHE FRIGHTENED BY THE GALE FORCE WINDS THAT SPRING UP EVEN IN JUNE ON THE APPROACH? IF NOT MARRY THE GIRL!

The amvrakian gulf generally (we think a higher chance of seeing dolphins due to the fish farms) and picking our way into the tiny islands in the middle of the gulf. The castle at Vonitsa. OK BUT THE GULF OF AMVRAKI MAYBE HAS ONLY ONE "PEARL".

Cycling up to and swimming in the waterfall at Nidri early morning, brrrrrrrr WHERE?

Kioni (Fiskhardo sans the poseurs and loud music ). SO LONG AS YOU DON'T MIND INDIFFERENT TAVERNAS AND A SWARM OF FLOTILLAS! Tassia RULES - OK?

Spartachori WOT! YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT BAVIS RULES!


Chas on Kentrinas handle yet again
 
Re: Secret anchorages in Ionian, (I won\'t tell a soul)

OK, no need to yell /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Port leone (seeing squid and octopus at night with an underwater light). WASN'T SHE FRIGHTENED BY THE GALE FORCE WINDS THAT SPRING UP EVEN IN JUNE ON THE APPROACH?

[/ QUOTE ] No because I told her that cabin windows underwater is a normal and desirable "point of sailing" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
[ QUOTE ]
IF NOT MARRY THE GIRL!

[/ QUOTE ] I may well, but don't tell her, she hasn't passed *all* the stringent aptitude tests yet

[ QUOTE ]
The amvrakian gulf generally (we think a higher chance of seeing dolphins due to the fish farms) and picking our way into the tiny islands in the middle of the gulf. The castle at Vonitsa. OK BUT THE GULF OF AMVRAKI MAYBE HAS ONLY ONE "PEARL".

[/ QUOTE ] I just think the inland sea is the Ionian's Lytham (a bit quieter)

[ QUOTE ]
Cycling up to and swimming in the waterfall at Nidri early morning, brrrrrrrr WHERE?

[/ QUOTE ] *WHERE* You're kidding, right? Hire a bike and follow the signs off the main drag into the hills

[ QUOTE ]
Kioni (Fiskhardo sans the poseurs and loud music ). SO LONG AS YOU DON'T MIND INDIFFERENT TAVERNAS AND A SWARM OF FLOTILLAS! Tassia RULES - OK?

[/ QUOTE ] I prefer both to big MBs full of Italians and Overpriced food /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Spartachori WOT! YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT BAVIS RULES!

[/ QUOTE ] You got me there.

As I said, Ionian = Blackpool with nice Greek people and more sunshine.

It's all a jewel, tarnished (to mix a metaphor) by the likes of you and me all wishing that we could find bays with nobody in them and glaring at all the other peeps who are thinking just the same!!

IMHO of course
 
Re: As I write, I am moored in Nikiana

[ QUOTE ]
Chas has been coming to the inland sea since 1978 and i since 2001 but this is the first time that we have visited this little harbour. it is delightful but don't tell everyone. mongonisi on paxoi is good too. the one taverna really tries to be good and it is! we weren't charged in gaios last night - miracle! French-greek restaurant in poros cephallonia is also something to write home about.
others will tell more i think.
Kentrina

[/ QUOTE ]

No charge Gaiaos since the EC funded the new quay and square.

I have to say I found Paxos the most overtouristed of the over-visited N Ionians - mainly due to hordes of charterers from Kerkyra.
 
Re: Secret anchorages in Ionian, (I won\'t tell a soul)

I'd lay £1 : £0.001, that you won't find a single safe, secret anchorage which hasn't been described (sometimes incorrectly) by Rod Heikell.

Whilst I don't always agree with his opinions you could do worse than follow his recommendations, rather than those of the contributors to this site.
 
Re: Secret anchorages in Ionian, (I won\'t tell a soul)

[ QUOTE ]
you won't find a single safe, secret anchorage which hasn't been described

[/ QUOTE ] I haven't got an up to date copy, but Mytikas? the sandy coves along the NE shore of Ithaka? ditto SE corner Keffalinia?

These were my high season hideouts. I guess Mytikas has been found now, but the coves are great. OK, not safe in anything except settled northerlies, but lovely quiet and private spots.
 
Re: Secret anchorages in Ionian, (I won\'t tell a soul)

it's no secret but after the stress/bother/hullaballoo of trying to find a spot in Fiskardo without a)parking in a tour boat bay, b) getting in at 7am to avoid the flotillas, c) crossing anchors with just about every yacht if you're in the south west corner of the bay...
anyway, Ormos Polis across from Fiskardo is great (as long as the flotillas aren't in) and Polyphemus is the best restaurant to go to (in your tender to the beach then about a mile uphill stroll)! We did it in September last year and there was us and two other yachts in......when we woke the next morning we were the only ones there.......luxury!
 
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