5 Things to Consider Before Sailing the Ionian

With its protected islands, crystal clear water with steady winds, and the sort of scenery that was featured in scenes from the Mamma Mia films, the Ionian is a breathtaking region of the Mediterranean and definitely one of the top sailing destinations in the world. It’s not surprising that this area is so popular with regular visitors year after year. With seemingly than a few unspoiled bays and beautiful harbours to explore on each visit and the Ionian is never a dull moment. Inspiring by Ancient Greek history and home to the classic delicious tzatziki with tang as well as refreshingly chilled Mythos beer, there’s nothing not to appreciate about this gem of a destination.

We think that, along with some fantastic sailing, it is impossible to get it wrong at this location. If you’re an entire family that wants to take your children for an action-packed but ultimately restful holiday, this is the place for you. To ensure that the planning of your holiday is easy We have provided you with some suggestions when planning to sail Ionian!

What time do I go to and for how long? take to sail?

It is the time to sail in Ionian generally runs from April through October, giving you seven months to pick from, and different things to anticipate every month. The season’s beginning is a unique period of time where the locals appear be welcoming after an absence of tourists and summer brings hot and long days and a warm sea temperature. Autumn also brings warm seas , with significantly smaller boats. In addition, the school holidays are the time when we provide our essential informal flotilla aid. The informal flotilla can accommodate couples, families and anyone looking for a relaxing vacation. Our help is provided by our crew leader in harbour every evening, finding the the perfect moorings, providing tips on weather conditions and all the rest… In the event that you’re a certified skipper but with your family members lack experience, then an informal flotilla might be the right option for you.

If you’re not bound by school holiday schedules, take a look at the mid-season months between June and September. Expect walls of sunshine, steady winds, and picturesque bays with secluded beaches along with famous Greek hospitality.

In terms of the length of a sailing vacation If you can afford the money and the time to extend your vacation beyond seven days, you will not regret taking the boat to enjoy the benefits of a 10- or 14-day sailing vacation. Our 10-day charters let you discover your groove for the first few days, and then you can enjoy the remainder of your time relaxing. Insider tip: If you opt for a 10-day vacation or sail for seven days starting Wednesday through Wednesday, both options will allow you sailing during the weekend which is a great option to visit some of the more popular harbours during the most peaceful time during the week when many companies are having their shift-over days!

Which company should I select?

With thousands, if not hundreds of charter companies operating in the Mediterranean What do you choose which one to pick? Do you select the big-scale business with hundreds of vessels on a variety of bases? Do you prefer the smaller personalized company that knows their boats in a unique way? When searching online to get a quote for your sailing trip it is important to determine EXACTLY what’s included and not included. There’s nothing worse than being charged towards the end of the vacation that they didn’t expect and so be sure to know the specifics of the price you are offered. You might find a boat with a surprisingly cheap price, but you need to know the reasons. What additional costs are you required to payfor? What is included in this price?

What yacht should I go for?

It varies greatly based on prior experience, number of passengers and, of course, budget. Selecting the right yacht for It could be the difference between a successful or unsuccessful your sailing vacation – too large and you could be unable to maneuver close-quarters in smaller Greek harbors, and possibly not be able to access moorings that smaller boats could easily glide into, however too small and the entire experience will be hot, uncomfortable and far from the peaceful holiday you’d planned. It is recommended to consider adding an additional cabin to ward off your husband’s snoring , or simply to store things! Don’t compromise on heads. One head per couple gives you an extra layer of privacy.

Insider tip: Choose the simplest choice! Mast furling, it is essential for those who are first-timers as well as families looking for ample space on a smaller vessel, twin helms with a large , drop-down bathing platform – which is often found on modern cruising yachts can really make the cockpit an inviting living space.

Do I need a qualification?

It is the Greek Law is that the absolute minimum requirements to charter any yacht, whether it be bareboat or on flotilla the requirement is RYA Day Skipper certification or ICC to sail. If you have one or the other or an equivalent certification recognized by the government and are the perfect candidate for a yacht with a barge charter in Greece or joining the flotilla in informal form.

What can I do to determine my itinerary?

The most exciting aspect of planning your holiday: finding the hidden treasures in the Ionian! It’s not a secret that over the last few years this seemingly incomparable holiday spot has grown increasingly popular and it’s easy to discern the reason the reason. Certain parts of the Ionian are yet quite far from the tourist route to offer beautiful island life, and some regions have become more luxurious hideaways.

The majority of sailing in Southern Ionian is line of sight. This means that you’ll be in a position to see all the islands you’re thinking of visiting quickly. There are less that 10 miles to the islands with numerous bays and harbours within a few miles of one another. The predominant air will be North Westerly which tends to be mild early in the mornings at around force 2 and increase in the afternoons, reaching around force 5-6.

For the experienced Ionian sailors, you’ll realize that the weather here is extremely localized and while the process of planning a route is well and good, the majority of decisions about which sailing route to take each day are best taken after you’ve examined the direction of wind outside of the harbour. There is almost no water in Greece and there are very few dangers to be aware of – aside from The Herimiti Shoal between Scorpios and Meganisi!