What's best? Sailing North or South Ionion in August

[dennism]

I am looking at a flotilla week in August in Greece, Ionian, but unsure of which is the best one to join - North or South?

I would like some wind (from the skies) as do not want to be motoring all the time and so really looking at which area would offer the best sailing in Aug.

Has anyone been on a flotilla on the North and South routes, or anyone you knows the areas and can offer some advice.

Fly to Preveza, then either:
North route is Sivota, Platarias, Corfu, Lakka, Gaios, Targa, back to Sivota
South route is Nidri, Kalamos, Vathi, Frikes, Fiscardo, Sivota, back to Nidri

Thanks...

 

[SarahJ]

I am guessing you are going with Neilson, great company. We have been on both routes. In the South, the only place you will not get much wind is the bit around Nidri and North of Meganissi. There is usually good winds between Lefkas and Ithaca/Kephalonia and out to Kalamos. In the North there are good wins usually south of Corfu across to Paxos. So wind wise, I would say its 50:50. In August everywhere's going to be quite busy but flotilla crews will find space for you. There are some super bays in the South on Ithaca, Kastos and Cephalonia for lunch stops which for families are great. My preference would be South but others might disagree.
If you have other criteria, then do ask.
Have fun!

 

[mjcoon]

... In August everywhere's going to be quite busy but flotilla crews will find space for you. ...

But note that may involve, e.g. for Fiskardo, making your destination also your lunch-stop in order to have space. I'm a non-swimmer, but I know that the rest of the crew did have somewhere to go swimming even at that location. (Leaving me on board, to fend off an Italian mobo who was trying to force himself into an inadequate space next to us. It took a threat with our bolt-cutters to induce him to go elsewhere. At least that drew a ripple of applause from the assembled passers by on the quay! And a round of beers later in the bar from a flotilla leader!!)

Mike.

 

[l'escargot]

We did both some years ago. Based only on one visit to each area, I found the places in the north nicer to visit for overnight stops but the conditions for sailing better in the south.

 

[laika]

I did south Ionian in August a few years ago. No wind in the morning building to a decent breeze in the afternoon predictably every day, but flotilla leaders encouraging punters to be in by 3 before the best of the wind built. Wouldn't be my choice of a holiday again. Last time in the Ionian was a one way bareboat south to north:in october. Respectable amounts of wind (a bit too much at one point), much less crowded and *much* more actual sailing and far more interesting/varied than the tedious motor-swim-scramble-for-a-berth routine day in day out.

I notice that Sailing Holidays do a one way whole Ionian flotilla if you have two weeks

 

[Davy_S]

I am biased, both have their merits, I would go for the south, kefalonia has a great and varied coastline so has Ithaka, wind wise, not much to chose, you will enjoy both. If you could combine north and south all the better. Forget the tales of, be in by three etc, nonsense, the flotillas job is to save you a place, you have paid for it, and they will, places are already booked at the harbour, simply enjoy it!

 

[nimbusgb]

Hmmm. Flotillas 'reserving' spaces, why I anchor off instead.

 

[Davy_S]

Hmmm. Flotillas 'reserving' spaces, why I anchor off instead.

I can see your point, but of course you know that most flotillas consist of husband and wife, friends and even children!
From a bums on seats perspective, the tavernas and supermarkets are pleased to see a couple of flotillas arriving, and the owner of the main tavern where get togethers are held, starts doing cartwheels and singing as soon as he knows one is on the way! I have to admire how the flotilla lead boat can fit 10 boats into a 2 boat space

 

[KellysEye]

We've done the north twice and the south four times bareboat chartering, which I think says it all.

 

[dennism]

Thanks for the responses...thus far I have
Go South 4
Go North 0
Don't bother 1
Take bolt cutters 1
Anchor off 1
Squeeze in 1
Sounds like South it is then. I must admit though we thought that North would have been the better sail with longer stretches between the berth scrambles.
...and well done SarahJ for guessing Neilsons...no prize though but I may end up with some sardines (by the sound of the squeeze mooring)...well see
WHAT ABOUT >>> a change in tack - Would you go South Ionian, Croatia or Turkey else where for a flotilla?

 

[charles_reed]

S Ionian for more wind but the E Aegean for the most.

 

[mjcoon]

S Ionian for more wind but the E Aegean for the most.

That's not a bad summary. Though if you refer to my tabulation (http://www.mjcoon.plus.com/page38.htm - not all flotillas) you'll see that in July 2008 we had a major gale in the Sporades in July. It shredded a mainsail of a charter yacht which is pictured. It can be exciting anywhere!

Mike.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Turkey gets my vote, especially from Marmaris taking in Ciftlik, Selimiye, Dirsek, Sailors's Paradise, Datca, my very favourite cruising area. Plenty of wind, great anchorages and good restaurants.

 

[Davy_S]

Turkey gets my vote, especially from Marmaris taking in Ciftlik, Selimiye, Dirsek, Sailors's Paradise, Datca, my very favourite cruising area. Plenty of wind, great anchorages and good restaurants.

What part of the Ionian is that? are you on commission from Turkey, sorry but this is not the first time you have pushed Turkey!

 

[jordanbasset]

WHAT ABOUT >>> a change in tack - Would you go South Ionian, Croatia or Turkey else where for a flotilla?

Turkey gets my vote, especially from Marmaris taking in Ciftlik, Selimiye, Dirsek, Sailors's Paradise, Datca, my very favourite cruising area. Plenty of wind, great anchorages and good restaurants.

What part of the Ionian is that? are you on commission from Turkey, sorry but this is not the first time you have pushed Turkey!

I think VS was being helpful in response to the latest request from the O.P.

 

[Daedelus]

Depends on experience, Turkey can be interesting, S Ionian especially if younger children would be my choice. Turkey in late season can be very blowy.

 

[Appleyard]

Turkey has been very blowy all this week!

 

[KellysEye]

>a change in tack - Would you go South Ionian, Croatia or Turkey else where for a flotilla?

If it's your first time chartering with a flotilla go to the Ionian. Then look a the other areas but do some serious homework on the weather in each area at the time you want to go. Some places are seriously windy most of the year, any area can get a gale.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

What part of the Ionian is that? are you on commission from Turkey, sorry but this is not the first time you have pushed Turkey!

Steady tiger!

 

[Davy_S]

Steady tiger!

Will do Mrs cake! I should have added a smiley.