One week. Seven islands and anchorages. Zero stress. This is what a sailing holiday in the Ionian Sea looks like. It’s the route we sail often on our Lagoon 450F catamaran. The trip starts and ends at Lefkas Marina on Lefkada. This island is the gateway to one of the most sheltered cruising grounds in the Mediterranean. It’s beginner friendly and genuinely beautiful.
Below is a day by day breakdown. You’ll see where you sail, what you’ll see, and furthermore, why this loop works so well. Whether you charter with CAYAsail or just research your options, this gives you a real feel for a week in the South Ionian.
Day 1 (Saturday): Embarkation at Lefkas Marina and Sail to Meganisi
The week begins at Lefkas Marina. You’ll board, settle in, and meet your skipper and chef. After a relaxed first afternoon, you’ll sail to Meganisi. Many sailors consider it one of the prettiest islands in the group.
Meganisi’s east coast has deep, narrow, pine fringed coves. Ormos Kapali, Ormos Abelike, and Port Atheni are among them. Each offers shelter and crystal clear water for an evening swim. Cruising guides note that the seabed here is mostly mud and weed. This gives good holding once the anchor digs in. In addition, many boats also take a line ashore for extra security overnight.
In particular, this first night sets the tone for the week. Expect quiet water, a swim before dinner, and your chef’s first meal aboard.
Day 2 (Sunday): Meganisi to Ithaka
Sunday’s sail takes you to Ithaka. This is the legendary home of Homer’s Odysseus. Ithaka feels different to Meganisi. It’s steeper, quieter, and dotted with small harbour villages.
Depending on conditions, you might anchor in a sheltered bay or tie up in a harbour village for the evening. You can wander narrow lanes and sit at a quayside taverna. Ithaka has stayed wonderfully under the radar compared to its larger neighbours.
Day 3 (Monday): Ithaka to Kefalonia
From Ithaka, you’ll sail to Kefalonia. It’s the largest of the Ionian islands and it has real presence. Tall, pine covered mountains rise straight from the sea. The sailing along this coastline is some of the most dramatic in the group.
Kefalonia is also known for its wine. Robola is the local favourite, grown on the slopes below Mount Ainos. An evening ashore here is a great chance to pair dinner with a local glass.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Kefalonia to Fiskardo
Tuesday brings you to Fiskardo, at Kefalonia’s northern tip. If you only visit one harbour village all week, this is the one people remember. Fiskardo survived the 1953 earthquake largely intact. Its Venetian era waterfront still stands today, with pastel facades and shuttered windows.
Fiskardo’s harbour is popular with flotillas and private charters alike. Evenings here are lively and sociable. Expect good restaurants, a buzzing quayside, and plenty of people watching from the cockpit.
Day 5 (Wednesday): Fiskardo to Syvota
From Fiskardo, the route heads back towards Lefkada via Syvota. Some spell it Sivota. It’s a long, narrow, fjord like bay on Lefkada’s southeast coast. Syvota is one of the most sheltered anchorages in the Ionian. The water often turns glassy even when it’s blowing outside.
Tavernas line the water’s edge here. Many will send a small boat out to take your dinner order directly from the boat. It’s a small touch, but it sums up the relaxed pace of the week.
Day 6 (Thursday): Syvota to a Secret Anchorage
Thursday is the day your skipper earns their keep. After six days, they’ll often have a favourite spot saved for this point in the week. For instance, you head to a quieter, less charted anchorage. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t appear on standard tourist maps.
For instance, it might be a hidden cove on Meganisi’s southern tip, or a quiet inlet along Lefkada’s coast. The exact spot depends on the day’s wind and your skipper’s read of conditions. Guests consistently name this as one of their favourite days. Ultimately, it feels like a discovery rather than a checklist stop.
Day 7 (Friday): Secret Anchorage to Lefkas
The final sailing day brings you back towards Lefkas. There’s time for one last swim stop along the way. Many guests spend this last evening in Lefkas Town. It’s a proper working Greek town with a long pedestrianised waterfront and plenty of restaurants.
It’s also a good moment to look back over the week. You’ll have visited six islands and anchorages. The route combines famous highlights like Fiskardo and Kefalonia with hidden corners like Syvota and your secret anchorage. That mix is what makes a sailing holiday feel personal.
Day 8 (Saturday): Disembarkation
The final morning is unhurried. Enjoy breakfast aboard, pack up, and disembark from Lefkas Marina. Most guests fly out via Preveza Airport (PVK), a short transfer away.
Why This Route Works So Well
In summary, this itinerary is popular for good reason. The distances between stops are short. Most days involve just a few hours of sailing. That leaves plenty of time for swimming, lunch on anchor, and simply enjoying the water.
The South Ionian is one of the most sheltered cruising grounds in the Mediterranean. Summer winds are predictable and there’s a huge choice of protected anchorages. That’s why it suits first time sailors and experienced sailors alike.
Furthermore, every itinerary we run is shaped around the weather, the guests aboard, and what feels right on the day. This route is a representative example of how a week often unfolds. It’s not a fixed script.
Sail This Route With CAYAsail
If this sounds like your kind of week, we’d love to host you aboard. CAYAsail offers all inclusive, crewed catamaran charters on a Lagoon 450F. A skipper and chef are included, so your week looks just like the one above, minus the logistics.
Find more details, availability, and pricing on our sailing holidays in the Ionian page. Or get in touch directly if you have questions about dates, group size, or customising the route.