Greece · Ionian Islands
Yacht Charter Lefkada
An island joined to the mainland by a bridge, with the whitest cliffs and the best sailing in the Ionian.
Lefkada is connected to the Greek mainland by a floating bridge over a canal the Corinthians cut in the seventh century BC, which makes it the only Ionian island you can drive onto. Its west coast is a wall of white cliff — the name means white — with beaches of pale pebble at the foot of it that turn the water an improbable blue, and the sheltered water on the east side is where most of the Ionian's sailing actually happens.
The west coast
Porto Katsiki and Egremni are the two beaches under the cliffs, both reached by long staircases from above or, far more sensibly, from the water. The cliff is limestone and the pebble beneath it is the reason the sea reads the colour it does.
Cape Lefkatas at the southern tip is where Sappho is said to have thrown herself, and where the Romans kept a temple to Apollo. It is a headland to round rather than a place to stop, and the wind funnels past it.
The east side, and the small islands
The channel between Lefkada and the mainland is sheltered, shallow and full of anchorages — Nydri, Vlycho, Sivota — which is why the flotillas and the charter fleets all work this side.
Off it lie Meganisi, Skorpios and Madouri, small islands a few minutes apart with bays that stay calm when the outside does not. Meganisi's Spartochori and Vathy are among the best small harbours in Greece.
Practical notes
- Joined to the mainland by a floating bridge over a canal cut in the seventh century BC
- The west-coast beaches are far easier from the water than by the staircases from above
- The eastern channel is sheltered and shallow, with anchorages a few minutes apart
- Kefalonia is two hours south; Preveza airport is thirty minutes from the northern end
Reached from: Corfu and Athens
Where to dine
A table by the water
Rachi
ExanthiaOn the ridge above the west coast, with the sunset over the cliffs and the whole channel below.
Sapfo
Agios NikitasOn the beach in the one west-coast village, with the fish landed a few metres from the tables.
Spartochori
MeganisiOn the small island across the channel, where the harbour is the village and the village is the harbour.
What to do
Anchorages & excursions
Porto Katsiki
A pale pebble beach under a wall of white limestone, far easier reached from the water than by the staircase.
Cape Lefkatas
The southern tip, where Sappho is said to have thrown herself and where the Romans kept a temple to Apollo.
Meganisi
A small island off the east coast with Spartochori and Vathy, among the best small harbours in Greece.
The eastern channel
Sheltered, shallow water between the island and the mainland, with anchorages a few minutes apart.
The fleet
Yachts available for Lefkada
Vessels that operate here, from flagship motor yachts to smaller crewed boats. Every rate is quoted on enquiry.
Good to know
Questions we are asked about Lefkada
- Why is the sailing good here?
- The channel between the island and the mainland is sheltered and shallow with anchorages a few minutes apart, so a week can be short hops in flat water. It is the easiest sailing in Greece.
- How do you reach Porto Katsiki?
- From the water. There is a staircase down the cliff from above, but the beach sits under a wall of white limestone and arriving by sea is both easier and the better view.
- What does a yacht charter to Lefkada cost?
- It depends on the yacht, the season and the crew, so we quote on enquiry rather than publish a figure that would be wrong for most weeks.
Destinations
Nearby destinations
Charter here
Enquire about a charter on Lefkada
Tell us your dates and how many of you there are, and we will come back with the right yacht and a full quotation.