Yacht charter in Ionian Islands

01 · Overview

Yacht charter in Ionian Islands

The Ionian is where many people sail their first bareboat week. The islands are close together, the anchorages are sheltered, and the wind usually builds gently in the afternoon. It also has the largest fleet on our desk of any single area, and a strong flotilla scene for crews who want company and a lead boat.

02 · The sailing grounds

The sailing grounds

Lefkada is the centre: boats leave from the D-Marin marina in Lefkas town, from Nikiana on the east coast, and from Preveza and Paleros on the mainland nearby. Meganisi, Kalamos and Kastos are an easy first day, and Ithaca and Kefalonia lie to the south. In the north, Corfu's Gouvia marina gives access to Paxos and Antipaxos and to the mainland coast around Parga.

03 · Season and weather

Season and weather

May to October. In summer the north-westerly sea breeze usually fills in from early afternoon at force 3 to 5, then dies at sunset. July and August are warm and busy; May, June and September are quieter.

04 · The fleet on our desk

The fleet on our desk

We list about 1,200 boats in Ionian Islands from about 170 charter companies. The fleet is sailing yachts (63%) and catamarans (35%). Half the boats were built in 2020 or later, and the typical boat is about 43 ft long with 4 cabins. The largest sleep guests in up to 11 cabins. The most common models here are the Lagoon 42, Lagoon 46 and Sun Odyssey 410.

05 · Ways to charter

Ways to charter

Boats in Ionian Islands offer these kinds of charter (a boat can offer more than one):

Bareboat (1129 boats): you skipper the boat yourself. The skipper needs a licence the operator accepts, and usually a VHF radio certificate.

Crewed (119 boats): a skipper and crew come with the boat, often with a cook or host.

Flotilla (104 boats): you sail your own boat in a group, with a lead boat and crew on hand to help.

Skippered (41 boats): a professional skipper sails the boat with you, and you crew as much or as little as you like.

Day charter (32 boats): a single day on the water, usually with crew.

Cabin charter (20 boats): you book one cabin on a shared, crewed boat rather than the whole yacht.

Regatta (13 boats): boats prepared and entered for racing events.

All-inclusive (6 boats): crew, meals and drinks are in one price.

06 · What a week costs

What a week costs

These prices are for the boat for seven nights, taken from the 2027 offers we hold in November 2026.

In February, the cheapest month for most boats here, a well-priced boat costs about €1,300 a week and the middle of the fleet about €1,850.

In August, the dearest month, the middle of the fleet costs about €4,700 a week.

The cheapest tenth of boats here start from about €1,350 a week, and the top tenth from about €4,600.

Fuel, marina fees, the final clean and any skipper are usually extra on bareboat yachts; crewed boats include their crew. Each boat page shows what its operator includes and the live price for your dates.

07 · Bases and start days

Bases and start days

Boats start from D-Marin Marina Lefkas (393 boats), Port of Lefkas (205 boats), D-Marin Marina Gouvia (204 boats), Preveza Main Port (86 boats) and Nikiana Marina (72 boats). Almost every charter here starts on a Saturday.

08 · Getting there

Getting there

Preveza (Aktion) airport serves Lefkada, about 20 to 30 minutes from the marinas. Corfu airport is a few minutes from Gouvia. Kefalonia also has an airport.