Destinations
Some tips on deciding your destinations.
All the small harbours and anchorages are clearly explained in the ‘Greek Waters Pilot ‘, which is essential reading, and will be discussed at your ‘Navigation Briefing’ prior to departure. There are options from a quiet anchorage with no facilities, to quite busy harbours with a large selection of tavernas and shops to choose from.
The presence of Flotilla’s can have some bearing on how peaceful your night will be. Firstly the bigger flotilla’s can take up most of the best moorings and should you see a lead boat (Identified by it being covered in flags and usually under power) entering a port you will have some company. They may try to tell you what mooring you can have, but it is up to you to choose. You may be quite content with a lively night; we have had several excellent evenings with groups of Dutch and English sailors.
In the high season July and August I would recommend you plan to reach most of your destinations by 3 p.m. unless you are content to anchor and dinghy ashore, which is not difficult but the latter being a bit hazardous depending on how well the gin has been flowing, if that is your poison!
A suggested itinerary for a two-week charter.
1. Little Vathi Meganisi 7nm N38 30 8 E29 48 00
An attractive little harbour, with fishing boats and a good selection of Tavernas
2. Kioni Ithica 17nm N38 26 84 E20 42 17
Like most of Ithica the harbour is small and beautiful, a good selection of tavernas and some excellent walks, e.g. out to the windmills that identify the entrance to Kioni, or the longer walk to Frikes where you can buy local honey and Ithica’s Black Wine. Water is available at aprox. 4pm. Or when the man appears to turn on the hose.
3. Vathi Town Ithica 5nm N38 22 2 E20 42 8
The capital town of Ithica, and really quite Greek meaning it is not so touristy. A short sail there are some lovely beaches and places to anchor off and swim before you moor for the night. The oldest parts of Vathi are up in the hills, built there for safety due to pirate raids.
4. Poros Cephalonia 17nm N38 09 0 E20 46 9
Principally a small ferry port, with a nice beach and good selection of tavernas, just a five-minute walk from the quay. You may be surprised at the size of the Ferry when it arrives, like ‘How are they going to fit that in here’ There is water on the quay if required.
5. Zakinthos Town Zakinthos 21nm N37 46 86 E20 54 41
Well worth a visit, the island we usually call Zante is a bit more touristy than some but has some excellent wine and tavernas. Being a significant town this is a good place to top up your food , more selection than the smaller islands, and somewhat cheaper.
6. Ay Nikolaos Zakinthos 12nm N37 54 5 E20 42 8
A pleasant little harbour, and an ideal place to break the journey back to Cephalonia We have not been to the ‘Blue Grotto’ which is very near here, and said to be beautiful.
7. Sami Cephalonia 28nm N38 15 3 E20 38 8
Used in the filming of ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ a pleasant little port with Good shelter, and we have found it quieter here than some.
8. Friskardho Cephalonia 14nm N38 27 53 E20 34 94
This is a beautiful port and really a must to visit, with an excellent selection of tavernas and shops. Most of the town escaped the 1953 earthquake and makes it quite unique. You are now back into flotilla territory so it does get busy, and in July and August if you arrive after 3 p.m. you may have to anchor off. There is a very good pontoon with power and water, as well as the quay and immediate proximity of tavernas.
9. Frikes Ithica 8nm N36 27 60 E20 39 91
Back to beautiful Ithica, if you had not had time to walk to Frikes from Kioni this. lovely little harbour really should not be missed. Best to arrive as early as possible and go along side on the port hand side harbour wall. There is an inviting looking pontoon, but it is not recommended as you will roll around all night. Look for the shop with the local honey and black wine.
10. Sivota Lefkas 10nm N38 36 8 E20 41 52
The village is situated in a lovely natural sheltered harbour. There are a good selection of tavernas and shops, but over all has remained quite unspoiled. Should some people want a day off the boat! It is possible to arrange car or scooter hire from here if you wish to explore the island.
11. Kastos Port Kastos 13nm N38 37 40 E20 55 97
This is the smallest of the islands we visit and possibly the smallest inhabited Island in this area. The holding is not wonderful here and you may need some extra anchor chain out. There are some lovely walks, and we usually visit Chief Johns taverna, which is a five minute walk from the harbour. He is a real character and the view from the taverna is well worth the walk.
12. Port Leone Kalamos 5nm N38 35 96 E20 53 36
This is ideal for a lunch stop and short visit, anchor off and dinghy ashore to this totally deserted village, following the 1953 earthquake the water supply was cut off, all the wells went dry, and nobody could live there, but the islanders have continued maintained the church. You can do an overnight here but the shelter is limited.
13. Port Kalamos Kalamos 2nm N38 37 40 E20 55 97
Just up the coast from Port Leone this harbour has good shelter and tavernas, also an amazing shop that stocks everything imaginable in no particular order. Making the owner the only person who could know where everything is. The village is rather attractive built on the side of a steep hill, and well worth some exploration.
14. Spartakhori (Port Spiglia) Meganisi 14nm N38 40 10 E 20 45 82
Saving one of the best until last, Spartakhori is such a beautiful little village It is quite a climb to get there from Port Spiglia , but its little white houses and narrow street are Greece at its best. There are lazy lines here because it is quite deep and you will usually be helped to tie up. Babis and Panos run the main taverna and it is very good.
15. Home base 8nm for 9am please
Home base 8nm for 9am please
This information is based on our personal observations and it intended to be helpful and accurate, but should not be used for navigation.
