Sailing Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos: a 7-day route
Sailing Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos gives you big mountain islands, short hops between village harbours and one proper open-water crossing. A typical week from Sami runs north up the strait to Fiskardo, over to Ithaca's harbours at Kioni and Vathy, then south to Zakynthos for the sea caves and a look at Navagio from the water, and back via Poros. Mornings are usually calm and the north-westerly fills in after lunch, so you plan your miles around it.
Where to charter a yacht for the southern Ionian?
The two bases for this area are Sami on Kefalonia's east coast and Zakynthos. You can compare yacht charter in Kefalonia and sailing yachts in Zakynthos, or browse every base in Greece. Charter weeks usually run Saturday to Saturday. For a bareboat charter the skipper needs a licence the charter company accepts, see our guide to the boat licence in Greece and the ICC certificate; if nobody on board has one, book a skipper or a crewed yacht.
A 7-day sailing itinerary from Sami
Check-in is on Saturday in Sami, which has quays for leisure boats and shops for provisioning (Port Fund of Kefalonia and Ithaca). The Melissani lake cave and Drogarati cave nearby are run by the Municipality of Sami. From a Zakynthos base, sail the same loop in reverse.
Day 1: Sami to Fiskardo via Agia Efimia
Approx. 14 nm. Sail up the east coast with Ithaca to starboard and stop at Agia Efimia, about 4 nm north of Sami, for a swim; the Greek National Tourism Organisation notes that the seabed here hides ancient amphorae. Carry on to Fiskardo at Kefalonia's northern tip, one of the few places on the island that escaped the 1953 earthquake. Overnight in Fiskardo harbour, with water and electricity at some berths.
Tip: Fiskardo is the busiest harbour in the area and the port fund advises planning your approach early in peak season. Aim to arrive by early afternoon.
Day 2: Fiskardo to Kioni via Polis Bay
Approx. 10 nm. Cross the strait to Polis Bay on Ithaca's north-west coast, below the village of Stavros. The Municipality of Ithaca describes a small sheltered harbour used by fishing boats, a sunken ancient town on the seabed and the Loizos cave on the north side. It makes a calm lunch and swim stop. Then round the north of Ithaca to Kioni and overnight in the harbour.
Tip: Kioni has few berths and is very popular in summer. Plan B is Frikes, a small, well-organised port nearby.
Day 3: Kioni to Vathy
Approx. 7 nm. A short day down Ithaca's east coast to Vathy, the island's capital, with tiled-roof mansions and stone-paved lanes. It's Ithaca's largest port, in a sheltered bay with water and electricity. Overnight on the town quay.
Tip: Vathy is only exposed in a strong north-westerly, which makes it a good place to wait out weather before the long crossing. If the forecast for tomorrow is poor, stay two nights here.
Day 4: Vathy to Zakynthos town – the crossing
Approx. 40 nm, the long day. Round the south of Ithaca, run down Kefalonia's east coast and cross the open channel to Zakynthos town, rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake with respect for its Venetian heritage. Zakynthos port is a commercial port, not a marina: berths can't be reserved, and leisure boats moor in designated zones (blue for boats under 20 m) with water and electricity pillars (Zakynthos Port Fund).
Tip: leave at first light, while the morning is calm. A shorter option that skips Zakynthos is Vathy to Poros, approx. 17 nm.
Day 5: Zakynthos town to Poros via Cape Skinari
Approx. 30 nm. Head north to Cape Skinari at Zakynthos' northern tip and the sea caves known as the Blue Caves. If the sea is flat, carry on down the west coast to see Navagio cove from the water (adds approx. 10 nm), keeping more than 50 m off the shore. Then cross to Poros in south-east Kefalonia, a ferry port that also takes sailing boats and motor yachts, and overnight there.
Tip: the west coast of Zakynthos faces the prevailing north-westerly, so only go round in the calm morning. If the wind is up, skip Navagio.
Day 6: Poros to Sami
Approx. 10 nm. A short last leg up Kefalonia's east coast to Sami, with time for a final swim. Check the return time in your charter contract.
Tip: six sailing days leave one spare day. Use it for a second night in Vathy or Fiskardo, or to wait for a good crossing day.
| Leg | Distance | Overnight | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sami – Agia Efimia – Fiskardo | approx. 14 nm | Fiskardo harbour | Amphorae on the seabed off Agia Efimia, 1953-survivor Fiskardo |
| Fiskardo – Polis Bay – Kioni | approx. 10 nm | Kioni harbour (few berths) | Sunken town and Loizos cave in Polis Bay |
| Kioni – Vathy | approx. 7 nm | Vathy town quay | Ithaca's sheltered capital |
| Vathy – Zakynthos town | approx. 40 nm | Zakynthos port (no reservations) | The open crossing to Zakynthos |
| Zakynthos – Cape Skinari – Poros | approx. 30 nm (+10 for Navagio) | Poros harbour | Blue Caves, Navagio from the sea |
| Poros – Sami | approx. 10 nm | Sami (base) | Last swim, return to base |
All distances are estimates. Plan with up-to-date charts and a pilot book.
Rules and safety in the southern Ionian
National Marine Park of Zakynthos. The park covers Laganas Bay in the south of Zakynthos, the islets of Marathonisi and Pelouzo and the distant Strofades, and it's one of the most important nesting areas for the loggerhead turtle in the Mediterranean. The sea area is split into three zones marked by buoys: in Zone A all boat movement is forbidden; in Zone B the speed limit is 6 knots and mooring is forbidden; in Zone C the limit is 6 knots and mooring is allowed (National Marine Park of Zakynthos). Water-skiing, jet skis and recreational fishing, including spear fishing, are banned year-round. If you meet a turtle, don't approach it from the front, stay at least 15 m away, watch for no more than 10–15 minutes and keep boat movements to a minimum (park guidelines). Nesting beaches are open only from 07:00 to sunset, and Sekania beach is closed to the public. Turtles nest from mid-May to late August. Check the zone buoys and the park's map before entering Laganas Bay.
Navagio (Shipwreck) cove. The cove has been closed to visitors for safety reasons under joint ministerial decisions based on a geological risk assessment. The current decision bans any boat from approaching or anchoring within 50 m of the shoreline inside the cove and bans swimming inside the line between its two headlands (Government Gazette B' 3033/2026). The rules are renewed season by season, so check the current status with the Zakynthos Port Authority (VHF 12).
Coastal rules and licence. Greek port rules apply everywhere: keep 200 m from swimmers and do no more than 5 knots within 200 m of the shore. The licence rules are explained in our boat licence in Greece article. Only small motorboats are licence-free (up to 30 hp outboard on a conventional hull, 15 hp on a RIB or multihull). For a bareboat charter the skipper needs a recognised licence (the ICC is the safest choice), and the charter company checks it. With a hired skipper, nobody on board needs one.
Ferries. Expect ferries at Sami, Pisaetos (Ithaca's main ferry port), Fiskardo, Poros, Zakynthos town and, in summer, on the Pesada–Agios Nikolaos route between Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Keep clear of them in harbour approaches.
Wind and exposure. Instead of the Aegean meltemi, summer here brings a north-westerly (maistro). Mornings are calm or have a light south-easterly; around 1 pm the wind turns north-west, with strong gusts at first, and it blows hardest in the strait between Kefalonia and Ithaca (Municipality of Ithaca). In winter the south-easterly sirocco dominates. The west coasts of Kefalonia and Zakynthos face the open sea and the prevailing wind, with few harbours, so treat them as fair-weather morning trips. Harbour exposure matters too: Polis Bay is open to the south-west, Kioni to the south-east, and Vathy only to a strong north-westerly.
Best time to sail Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos
The charter season runs roughly from late April or May to October. Summers are almost dry: long-term averages on Ithaca show about one rainy day in July and one in August, with rainfall rising again from October. The sea warms from about 18–19 °C in May to 25–26 °C in August and is still about 23–24 °C in September. May–June and September combine warm water with the same reliable afternoon breeze. In peak season popular harbours such as Fiskardo and Kioni fill up early.
FAQ
Can you sail into Navagio beach?
No. The current decision bans boats from approaching or anchoring within 50 m of the shore in the cove, and swimming inside the cove is forbidden. You can see the wreck and the cliffs from farther out when the sea is calm. The ban is renewed each season, so check before you go.
How long is the crossing from Kefalonia or Ithaca to Zakynthos?
From Vathy on Ithaca to Zakynthos town it's approx. 40 nm, a full day. From Poros in south-east Kefalonia it's approx. 25 nm. Leave early to make the most of the calm morning hours.
Can I anchor in Laganas Bay?
Only in Zone C of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. Zone A is closed to boats, Zone B has no mooring, and a 6-knot limit applies in both B and C. Check the zone buoys and the park's map.
Is the southern Ionian good for a first bareboat charter?
The Kefalonia–Ithaca part is, with short hops and a predictable afternoon breeze. The crossing to Zakynthos and the exposed west coasts need more experience, or a hired skipper.
Which is better as a base, Sami or Zakynthos?
Sami puts Ithaca and Fiskardo within a morning's sail. Zakynthos is closer to the turtle park and Navagio but needs the long crossing to reach Ithaca. Both work for the loop above.
More sailing in the Ionian
For the northern part of the Ionian, read our guides to sailing the Ionian from Lefkada and sailing Corfu and Paxos. Before you go, check our list of what to bring on a yacht charter.
