Ionian Sailing Information
Thinking About Sailing In The Ionian?
Everything You Need To Know
Choose Your Ionian Sailing Itinerary
It Is No Secret That The Ionian, Being One Of Greece's Top Sailing Destinations, Has Something For Everyone And Is Neatly Split Into Two Cruising Areas. Some Of You May Have The Chance To Experience Both At Once, But For The Rest Of Us That Can Only Take 1 Or 2 Weeks Off Work And School, It Always Comes Down To The Question: How Do I Choose The Right Ionian Sailing Itinerary For Me And My Crew?
To Go North Or South
Where you go may depend on what base you choose to start from and whether you have been here before. We have used local experts to try and help you decide which Ionian Sailing Itinerary is the right one for you, depending on your own needs and personal preferences.
South Ionian Sailing Itinerary. Noticeably easier, we recommend our South Ionian Sailing Itinerary for our new, less experienced sailors; but don't get us wrong this destination is nowhere near boring. With numerous anchorages providing a new experience everyday, you will be sure to return home with more than a handful stories to share.
North Ionian Sailing Itinerary. Should you choose this Ionian Sailing Itinerary, Corfu to Preveza, you will find slightly trickier sailing conditions and majestic views with hues of greens and blues mixing together in idyllic anchorages away from the crowds. Given it's longer distances between the islands, this area is also ideal for mile-building.
Why Sail From Corfu
- Ideal For Slightly More Experienced Sailors
- Good Breezes (Level 2)
- Less Busy
- Longer Sailing Distances
- Recommended for Mile-Building
Why Sail From Lefkas
- Ideal For New Sailors And Families
- Gentle Winds (Level 1)
- More anchorages
- Shorter Sailing Distances
- Recommended for 2 Week Charters
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover Your Ideal Ionian Sailing Itinerary
1. Food And Provisioning
In almost every island in both our North and South Ionian Sailing Itinerary, you'll be able to get your basic provisioning from mini markets, as well as the famous Kiosks (Periptero), where you can find water, cigarettes, snacks and other beverages. In the beginning of your sailing adventure in Corfu or Lefkas, you'll find big name super markets such as "AB" and "Lidl" (AB in walking distance from the marina), as well as marina markets, willing to deliver all your shopping directly to your yacht.
Banks And Health
It's highly unlikely you will experience any difficulties using cash and credit cards on our Ionian Sailing Itineraries. Most places will gladly accept you Visa or MasterCard and you will find numerous cash points across the islands. We do however, advise you to check currency rates if you are travelling from a non EU country.
Hospitals (in bigger places) and health centers are available to you throughout your yacht charter in our Ionian Sailing Itineraries and locals are usually more than happy to help you with directions and appointments.
2. What To Pack
It all depends on the dates of your charter. If you decide to sail from April to May and in September, October and after, we advise you to pack some warmer and wet-proof clothing.
However, during the summer months, Greece is unsurprisingly warm and sunny and wet weather gear generally isn't considered necessary.
One Way Charters
Given it's ideal geographical structure and distances between the islands, the Ionian offers many opportunities for One Way Charters. Usually in the beginning ( April - May ) or end of the summer season ( September - November) fleet operators wish to relocate their yachts from one base to another. These kind of charters give sailors a great opportunity to explore the area without paying any extra one-way fees; on the contrary, these kind of yacht charters are usually discounted. Please ask your SailChecker charter consultant for more information.
3. Med Mooring
It is a widely used mooring technique for boats sailing in the Mediterranean; stern to with mooring line or anchor at the bow.
Take a look at our sketch bellow.
Sailing Qualifications
According to Greek maritime law, to charter a sailing yacht in Greece, you need one recognised sailing certificate (The bearer can be your Skipper should they desire it) and one Signed Sailing Experience Declaration Form ( Co-Skipper). Ideally, 2 sailing certificates will ensure a more relaxed and stress-free week , but that's not considered necessary.
Indicative Yachts And Prices For An Ionian Cruise
Jeanneau SO 389 (2016) from 3000 EUROS
Jeanneau SO 409 (2013) from 2765 EUROS
Benetteau Oceanis 41 (2013) from 2865 EUROS
Jeanneau SO 469 (2013) from 4950 EUROS
Bavaria Cruiser 46 (2016) from 4050 EUROS
Bavaria Cruiser 51 (2015) from 5000 EUROS
Gib Sea 41 (2003) from 1890 EUROS
Gib Sea 43 (2003) from 1965 EUROS
*All prices are per boat, for one week. For more yacht options and exact prices, please contact us info@sailchecker.com
Join Us Now To Enjoy Your Favourite Ionian Sailing Itinerary!
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Where Charters Went
Past trips from Corfu can help you weigh up where to sail.
Where trips from Corfu went
- 1 Paxos 89
- 2 Agios Nikolaos 60
- 3 Antipaxos 37
- 4 Parga 34
- 5 Notos 21
- 6 Petriti 16
- 7 Town Marine (NAOK) 13
- 8 Kouloura 12
- 9 Plataria 10
- 10 Lefkas 8
2026 season to 8 October (not finished).
Destination Groups
Furthest From Base
The furthest point reached on each trip, measured in a straight line from base in nautical miles. This is not the distance sailed.
First Night Stops
- Agios Nikolaos
- Paxos
- Notos
Last Night Stops
- Agios Nikolaos
- Paxos
- Town Marine (NAOK)
How We Worked This Out
Boats at sea broadcast their position through AIS, a ship-tracking system. We combine the overnight stops of many charter boats based in Corfu, so the figures describe the whole area and never one boat. Distances are measured in a straight line from base.
Aggregated AIS ship-tracking data for the sailing area. No individual boat is shown, and these patterns do not predict future routes.
Past trips from Lefkas, the Inland Sea and Kefalonia can help you weigh up where to sail.
Where trips from Lefkas, the Inland Sea and Kefalonia went
- 1 Meganisi 60
- 2 Fiskardo 54
- 3 Sivota 46
- 4 Vathy 41
- 5 Kioni 37
- 6 Kastos 34
- 7 Kalamos 32
- 8 Sarakiniko 22
- 9 Frikes 16
- 10 Assos* 11
* Marked places have limited evidence. Their figures may change as more trips are recorded.
2026 season to 8 October (not finished).
Destination Groups
Furthest From Base
The furthest point reached on each trip, measured in a straight line from base in nautical miles. This is not the distance sailed.
First Night Stops
- Meganisi
- Sivota
- Kalamos
Last Night Stops
- Meganisi
- Sivota
- Kastos
How We Worked This Out
Boats at sea broadcast their position through AIS, a ship-tracking system. We combine the overnight stops of many charter boats based in Lefkas, the Inland Sea and Kefalonia, so the figures describe the whole area and never one boat. Distances are measured in a straight line from base.
Aggregated AIS ship-tracking data for the sailing area. No individual boat is shown, and these patterns do not predict future routes.
Past trips from Preveza can help you weigh up where to sail.
Where trips from Preveza went
- 1 Meganisi 52
- 2 Fiskardo 49
- 3 Sivota* 45
- 4 Vathy 30
- 5 Kioni* 29
- 6 Kastos 22
- 7 Kalamos 20
- 8 Paxos* 16
- 9 Vasiliki* 14
- 10 Sarakiniko* 13
* Marked places have limited evidence. Their figures may change as more trips are recorded.
2026 season to 8 October (not finished).
Destination Groups
Furthest From Base
The furthest point reached on each trip, measured in a straight line from base in nautical miles. This is not the distance sailed.
First Night Stops
- Meganisi
- Sivota
- Aetolia-Acarnania Regional Unit
Last Night Stops
- Meganisi
- Sivota
- Fiskardo
How We Worked This Out
Boats at sea broadcast their position through AIS, a ship-tracking system. We combine the overnight stops of many charter boats based in Preveza, so the figures describe the whole area and never one boat. Distances are measured in a straight line from base.
Aggregated AIS ship-tracking data for the sailing area. No individual boat is shown, and these patterns do not predict future routes.
Other Greece routes
Greece Saronic
Aegina, Poros, Hydra, and Spetses — the closest sailing ground to Athens, with shorter passages and elegant island towns.
Greece Sporades
Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos — the green islands where Mamma Mia was filmed, with the Aegean's quietest anchorages.
Greece Cyclades
Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, and the iconic whitewashed islands of the central Aegean — for sailors with sea legs.
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