Ionian Islands Yacht Charter
About Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands were never Ottoman. While the rest of Greece was under Constantinople for four centuries, the seven islands of the Ionian were ruled by Venice, then by Britain for fifty years, before joining Greece in 1864. The Venetian and British centuries left a clear mark, which is why Corfu's old town was UNESCO-listed in 2007 for its Venetian fortifications, why the cricket pitch on the Spianada square is still in use, and why the food has more olive oil and red sauce than anything you find in the Aegean.
The yachting here is gentler than the Cyclades, with no meltemi to plan around: greener islands, lush hillsides, and short calm crossings. Antipaxos, the smaller sister island of Paxos, has the Voutoumi and Vrika beaches, which are tender-only and consistently named the clearest water in Greece. Lefkada has Porto Katsiki and Egremni for the cliff beaches, while Kefalonia, the largest island in the chain, has the cave at Drogarati inland, the long Myrtos beach for swimming, and the harbour tavernas at Fiskardo for the evening. Ithaca, the smallest of the seven and the home Odysseus tried to get back to in the Odyssey, is small enough that everyone on the harbour notices a new yacht the moment it ties up.
The season runs late April to October, longer than most Greek charter destinations because the islands are sheltered enough for early-season trips. A week is enough to do three or four of them properly, and ten days lets you add Paxos and Ithaca to the route. Charters pick up in Corfu, at Lefkas marina, or at the airport at Preveza on the mainland.
Highlights
Destination Info
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Where to sail
Corfu and the north
The usual start in the north. Corfu's old town was UNESCO-listed in 2007 for its Venetian fortifications, and the cricket pitch on the Spianada is still in use. The channels between Corfu and the mainland give sheltered anchorages before the run south.
Paxos and Antipaxos
A short hop south of Corfu. Paxos has small harbour towns and olive groves; its smaller sister Antipaxos holds the Voutoumi and Vrika beaches, tender-only and often called the clearest water in Greece.
Lefkada and Meganisi
The heart of the chain. Lefkada has the cliff beaches of Porto Katsiki and Egremni on its west coast, and the Lefkas marina is a common pickup point; just off it, Meganisi is a cluster of quiet coves and small villages that make an easy overnight.
Ithaca and Kefalonia
The southern islands. Ithaca, the smallest of the seven and the home Odysseus tried to return to, is small enough that the harbour notices every new arrival. Kefalonia, the largest, has the Drogarati cave inland, the long Myrtos beach and the tavernas at Fiskardo for the evening.
What it costs
- From
- From about EUR 20,000 per week for a crewed yacht
- Included
- The weekly fee covers the yacht and all its equipment, including the tenders and water toys, the full crew, and the yacht's insurance.
- Extras
- Your running costs are paid separately, through an advance provisioning allowance (APA): a sum of around 25 to 35 percent of the fee that you pay before the charter. The captain uses it to pay for fuel, berthing and harbour dues, provisioning, and the food and drink for your party, then gives you a full account at the end and refunds whatever is left. Greek charter VAT and a customary crew gratuity are the two other costs on top of the fee.
Prices rise with the size of the yacht and the time of year.
We explain the money side properly: What is included under MYBA terms, APA explained, VAT on yacht charters in 2026, and How much to tip the crew.
Before you go
When to go
The Ionian season runs from late April to October. July and August are the warmest and busiest, with the water at its calmest and the tavernas and beaches at their fullest. Late May, June and September give you the same settled weather with fewer boats and easier berthing. The Ionian sits west of mainland Greece and is out of reach of the meltemi, so the sailing here is gentle for most of the summer, with a light afternoon breeze rather than the hard northerlies of the Aegean.
Getting there
Most charters start in Corfu, at Lefkas marina, or from Preveza, all of which are reached through Corfu, Preveza (Aktion) or Kefalonia airports. Corfu has the widest choice of direct flights from Europe in season. From the north you work your way down through Paxos and Antipaxos to Lefkada and the inland sea around Meganisi, then out to Ithaca and Kefalonia; from Lefkas or Preveza you can do the same run in either direction.
Choosing the yacht
The Ionian suits almost any yacht. The distances between islands are short and the water is sheltered, so a crewed catamaran or a motor yacht is comfortable for a family or a group who want space and stability at anchor. A sailing yacht makes the most of the steady afternoon breeze. Tell us the islands you want to reach and the pace you want, and we will match the yacht to it from the wider Greek fleet.
Explore Ionian Islands
Interactive map view of Ionian Islands • Click and drag to explore • Open in full screen
