Ionian Islands

The Ionian Islands line the western coast of Greece, offering some of the most accessible and well-protected sailing in Greece. Calmer seas than the Aegean, a reliable northwesterly wind known as the maestro and a landscape of green hills, olive groves and clear water make this a popular choice for sailing throughout a long season, running from April to October.

Corfu is the natural gateway- a large, well-equipped island with a Venetian Old Town recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as an ideal base, with good marina facilities and a lively waterfront.

Heading south, the sailing follows one of the most rewarding stretches of coastline in Greece. Paxos and its smaller neighbour Antipaxos are just a short passage away, known for their sea caves and turquoise coves. Further south, Lefkada offers a dramatic western coast with some of the finest beaches in Greece. Kefalonia impresses with its large natural harbour and clifftop scenery, while neighbouring Ithaca - small, quiet and steeped in mythology as the home of Odysseus - rewards those who venture across. Zakynthos completes the circuit, with the iconic Shipwreck Beach and important sea turtle nesting grounds.

For those looking to extend their voyage, the Corinth Canal provides a great shortcut connecting the Ionian Sea to the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean. Cutting through a narrow limestone gorge just over six kilometres long, it opens the door to the Saronic islands, the Cyclades and beyond - making a combined Ionian-Aegean itinerary entirely achievable within a two-week charter.