10-Night Ionian Complete — Corfu to Zakynthos
Route Overview
The Route
Day 1 — Corfu: Embarkation
Board at Gouvia Marina and explore Corfu Town — the Venetian old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Liston arcades recall Rue de Rivoli in Paris, and the old olive grove at Palaiokastritsa is superb. Welcome dinner aboard.
Day 2 — Paxos
Sail south to Paxos — anchor at Lakka, the most sheltered and beautiful bay, and explore the olive groves by bicycle. The famous Blue Caves on the western coast are best visited by tender in the morning before the wind arrives.
Day 3 — Antipaxos
A morning at Voutoumi Beach — widely considered one of the finest beaches in Greece, with water of Caribbean clarity. Lunch at the single taverna (fresh grilled fish) before heading north towards Lefkada.
Day 4 — Lefkada Canal & Nidri
Transit the Lefkada Canal — the drawbridge opens at scheduled times — and anchor in Nidri Bay with views of the surrounding islands. Meganisi by tender for dinner at the Meganisi Taverna.
Day 5 — Porto Katsiki & Vassiliki
The spectacular western coast of Lefkada — Porto Katsiki beach in the morning (anchor off the white cliffs), then round the cape to Vassiliki Bay in the south, one of the world's top windsurfing spots. The afternoon Maistros sea breeze is reliable.
Day 6 — Kefalonia: Fiskardo
The Venetian harbour of Fiskardo — arguably the most beautiful anchorage in the Ionian. Dinner at Tassia restaurant on the quay, surrounded by fishing boats and yachts of every size.
Day 7 — Kefalonia: Myrtos & Assos
Explore Kefalonia's most dramatic coastline — Myrtos Beach (turquoise, white pebbles, sheer white cliffs) is one of the most extraordinary in the Mediterranean. The Venetian castle at Assos overlooks a tiny, perfectly formed harbour. Continue to Argostoli for the evening.
Day 8 — Ithaca
Odysseus's island — the Bay of Vathy, the Monastery of Kathara and the Cave of the Nymphs. A quiet day of classical mythology, excellent local honey and complete peace.
Day 9 — Zakynthos: Shipwreck Beach
Sail south past the Ionian's most dramatic sight — the famous Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach, set in a turquoise cove between towering white cliffs on Zakynthos's northwestern coast. Visit by tender in the morning before the tour boats arrive. Anchor in Port Vromi for the afternoon.
Day 10 — Zakynthos: Sea Turtles
Zakynthos is one of the most important nesting sites for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean. The national marine park at Laganas Bay protects the nesting beaches; guided snorkelling with the turtles is available through the park authorities. A final dinner in Zakynthos town.
Day 11 — Disembarkation
Disembarkation at Zakynthos port or return north to Corfu or Preveza. Zakynthos Airport connects directly to many European cities.