The Ionian Islands are known for their lush, mountainous landscapes, Venetian-influenced towns, and beaches that consistently rank among the best in Europe. Unlike the Cyclades, the Ionian is protected from the meltemi, offering more stable weather and calmer seas, ideal for relaxed and reliable cruising, and a good pick for families or first-time charterers.
This is a round trip from Corfu down to Zakynthos and back, about 230 nautical miles, best suited to a motor yacht given the pace, though a one-way version works well for catamarans or guests who prefer shorter cruising days. Along the way: the sea caves of Antipaxos, the dramatic coastline of Kefalonia, and Zakynthos’ iconic Shipwreck Beach.
The week runs Saturday to Saturday: board Saturday afternoon in Corfu, hand back the following Saturday morning, seven nights on board. Your captain adjusts the order to conditions; the shape below assumes normal summer weather.
The route at a glance
- Day 1: Board in Corfu, sail to Paxos (about 35nm)
- Day 2: Paxos to Lefkada, via Antipaxos (about 33nm)
- Day 3: Lefkada to Meganisi, via Skorpios (about 12nm)
- Day 4: Meganisi to Kefalonia, Fiskardo (about 15nm)
- Day 5: Kefalonia, Fiskardo to Argostoli (about 25nm)
- Day 6: Kefalonia to Zakynthos (about 30nm)
- Day 7: Zakynthos to Kefalonia to Ithaka (about 35nm)
- Day 8: Ithaka to Parga, return to Corfu (about 45nm)
Day 1 – Board in Corfu, Sail to Paxos (about 35nm)
Midday: boarding in Corfu
Meet the crew and go through the preference sheet, then spend an hour ashore in Corfu Town before you sail: paved streets lined with Venetian-style mansions, the Esplanade, one of the largest squares in Europe, and the Old Fortress overshadowing the skyline.
Broker insight
The Ionian is the calmest cruising ground in Greece, so this Corfu loop suits families and nervous sailors. Green islands, short hops, and rarely any real wind.
John Boullin
Charter Broker
Afternoon: down Corfu’s west coast
Heading south along Corfu’s rugged west coast, first stop is the Canal d’Amour near Sidari, narrow sea passages carved by time and tide, wrapped in local legend. Just beyond, round Cape Drastis, where white cliffs rise from emerald water, then drop anchor at Paleokastritsa, a dramatic double bay backed by mountains, for a swim.
Evening: crossing to Paxos
Continue south to Agios Gordios for one last swim off Corfu, then cross to Paxos, where the coastline shifts, steeper, wilder, full of hidden sea caves. Cruise past Ortholithos, a lone sea stack guarding one of the island’s most photogenic caves, then wrap the day in Gaios, a charming harbour town with chilled tavernas.
Overnight: Gaios, Paxos.
Don’t Miss
- The Canal d’Amour’s narrow, legend-wrapped passages
- Swimming at Paleokastritsa’s double bay
- Ortholithos sea stack and Gaios’ waterfront tavernas
Day 2 – Paxos to Lefkada, via Antipaxos (about 33nm)
Morning: Voutoumi beach
Depart early and cruise to Voutoumi Beach on Antipaxos. Clear, shallow water and fine white pebbles make this one of the Ionian’s top swimming spots, especially peaceful in the morning before tour boats arrive.
Afternoon: Lefkada’s west coast
On to Lefkada, an island technically connected to the mainland by a causeway. Start with a swim stop at Agios Nikitas, a quaint village backed by green hills, then Kathisma Beach, wide and breezy, ideal for windsurfing.
Evening: Egremni and Porto Katsiki
Egremni Beach, a long stretch of fine white pebbles under towering white cliffs, and Porto Katsiki further south, postcard-perfect with a dramatic cliffside backdrop, are the two headline stops of the day. Round Cape Lefkadas and continue to Vassiliki, the island’s southern port and a popular windsurfing hub.
Overnight: Vassiliki, Lefkada.
Don’t Miss
- Voutoumi Beach on Antipaxos before the tour boats arrive
- Egremni Beach under its towering white cliffs
- Porto Katsiki’s dramatic cliffside backdrop
Day 3 – Lefkada to Meganisi, via Skorpios (about 12nm)
Morning: Agiofili beach
Start the day cruising south from Vassiliki. Agiofili Beach, accessible by tender, has clear, shallow water ideal for snorkelling, and early mornings offer a quiet, serene atmosphere.
Afternoon: past Skorpios
From the marina at Nidri you get views of Skorpios, the private island once owned by Aristotle Onassis. Landing is restricted, but a slow cruise along the coast is perfect for photos.
Evening: Meganisi
On to Meganisi, just south of Skorpios. Agios Ioannis Beach and Barbarezou Beach on the west coast offer peaceful anchorages with scenic views and excellent swimming for the night.
Overnight: Meganisi.
Don’t Miss
- A slow photo-pass along Skorpios’ restricted coastline
- Swimming at Agiofili Beach before the crowds
- A quiet anchorage night at Barbarezou Beach
Day 4 – Meganisi to Kefalonia, Fiskardo (about 15nm)
Morning: Papanikolis Cave
Before reaching Kefalonia, stop by Papanikolis Cave, a dramatic sea cave once used by a Greek submarine during the Second World War.
Afternoon: arriving at Fiskardo
End the crossing in Fiskardo, Kefalonia’s northernmost harbour, a refined village with Venetian architecture, excellent restaurants, and boutique shopping.
Evening: an early stroll
An early evening stroll through Fiskardo before dinner on board or at a local taverna, this is one of our clients’ favourite low-key evenings of the week.
Overnight: Fiskardo, Kefalonia.
Don’t Miss
- Papanikolis Cave, the wartime submarine hideout
- An evening stroll through Fiskardo’s Venetian lanes
- Dinner at a local taverna in one of Kefalonia’s prettiest harbours
Day 5 – Kefalonia, Fiskardo to Argostoli (about 25nm)
Morning: Assos
Cruise along the west coast of Kefalonia toward Assos, a small village with colourful houses, traditional tavernas, and the ruins of a Venetian fortress.
Lunch: Myrtos Beach
On to Myrtos Beach, one of the most iconic beaches in Greece, known for its dramatic white cliffs and electric-blue water.
Afternoon: Fteri or Xi Beach
Further south, a swim stop at Fteri Beach, a wild, undeveloped stretch framed by towering cliffs, or Xi Beach on the Paliki peninsula, organised and shallow, better for families.
Evening: Argostoli
End the day in Argostoli, Kefalonia’s capital. Visit the Archaeological Museum or walk Lithostroto Street for shops and cafes.
Overnight: Argostoli, Kefalonia.
Don’t Miss
- Myrtos Beach’s white cliffs and electric-blue water
- Fteri Beach, wild and undeveloped
- An evening on Argostoli’s Lithostroto Street
Day 6 – Kefalonia to Zakynthos (about 30nm)
Morning: the Blue Caves
Leave Argostoli early and head south to Cape Skinari, the northern tip of Zakynthos. This is where you find the Blue Caves, famous for their vibrant water and photogenic arches, often at their best for a swim in the morning.
Afternoon: Navagio
Cruise south along the rugged west coast to Navagio, Shipwreck Beach, one of the most photographed beaches in the world. It gets busy by midday, so arriving early or admiring it from the cliffs above is the move.
Evening: Keri Caves
Continue south to the Keri Caves, near the southern tip of the island. Swim in the caves or relax nearby. For the night, options include Zante Town, Agios Sostis, or Laganas Bay, with views of Marathonisi, Turtle Island.
Overnight: Zante Town, or Agios Sostis, Zakynthos.
Don’t Miss
- The Blue Caves at Cape Skinari, best early morning
- Navagio, Shipwreck Beach, from the cliffs above
- Swimming in the Keri Caves near the southern tip
Day 7 – Zakynthos to Kefalonia to Ithaka (about 35nm)
Morning: the Vasilikos Peninsula
Spend the morning exploring the Vasilikos Peninsula, known for its beautiful beaches. Gerakas and Dafni Beach are peaceful and scenic, with shallow water ideal for families.
Afternoon: Bochali and Skala
In Zante Town, climb to Bochali Viewpoint for a panoramic look over the town and the bay, then cruise north along Zakynthos’ east coast and back toward Kefalonia, stopping at Skala Beach, long, sandy and well-equipped.
Evening: Ithaka
On to Ithaka, the island of Odysseus. The main port, Vathy, is a relaxed and picturesque town, ideal for an overnight, or anchor nearby in Kioni, a peaceful alternative lined with waterfront cafes.
Overnight: Vathy, or Kioni, Ithaka.
Don’t Miss
- Bochali Viewpoint’s panorama over Zante Town
- Vathy, the relaxed main port of Odysseus’ island
- Kioni’s waterfront cafes, a quieter overnight option
Day 8 – Ithaka to Parga, Return to Corfu (about 45nm)
Morning: past Cape Lefkadas
A slower cruising day. Sail north past Cape Lefkadas, where myth meets scenery, the nearby sea cave is said in Greek mythology to be the gateway to Hades.
Afternoon: Parga
Your stop today is Parga, on the Epirus mainland, colourful, lively, and full of charm. Explore the Venetian Castle for panoramic views, swim at Valtos Beach, or stroll the cobbled lanes packed with shops, cafes and tavernas.
Evening: back to Corfu
Return to Corfu Town for the final night. Before disembarking, a last visit to the Old Fortress and a walk through the historic centre; if time allows, Achilleion Palace or Kaiser’s Throne, a viewpoint on the island’s west coast, has some of the best panoramic views in the Ionian.
Departure: Disembarkation is Saturday morning after breakfast.
Don’t Miss
- Parga’s Venetian Castle and cobbled lanes
- The mythical sea cave off Cape Lefkadas
- One last panorama from Kaiser’s Throne
Making This Week Work
The yacht you need
The distance and pace make this best suited for motor yachts, though a one-way version can be arranged for catamarans or guests who prefer shorter cruising days. No single leg is punishing, the longest is the final run from Ithaka to Parga and back to Corfu.
How weather can change the week
The Ionian is protected from the meltemi that shapes a Cyclades charter, so this is a low-to-average weather-dependency route. Conditions can still shift the order, especially around Cape Lefkadas, your captain will call it on the day.
Best Months to Book
- Best: June and September, warm water with fewer crowds at Navagio and Porto Katsiki
- Toughest: nothing in the Ionian is truly difficult in summer, July and August are simply the busiest at the headline beaches
Prefer to finish in Zakynthos instead of sailing back north? See our Ionian one-way itinerary from Corfu to Zakynthos, same islands, no doubling back, one-way logistics handled by us. Picking the boat next? These are the catamarans based in the Ionian Islands, with their home ports listed.
