Sailing - Corfu-island.gr

Corfu and the Ionian Islands offer an ideal location for a sailing holiday. The Ionians are unspoilt with safe, clear warm waters and gentle winds. The distances between the picturesque ports and anchorages are seldom more than a few miles so that you can sail as little or as far as you wish whilst enjoying the ever-changing scenery.

The waters are almost tide less and without currents and the area is never affected by the strong Meltemi winds that sweep the Aegean Sea during the summer. The Ionian winds barely exceed Beaufort Scale 6, and provide excellent sailing conditions.The lush greenery of the islands that lasts all summer is due to the high rainfall that occurs in the winter months. Between April and October there is little rainfall and almost constant sunshine.

There are many mythological and historical sites to explore relating to Ulysses, the Normans and the Venetians. Wherever your choice of overnight stop, you can eat at one of the local tavernas offering excellent local dishes in a delightful waterfront setting.

For a family holiday the area is ideal. Children can swim and snorkel in safe warm waters, play on unpolluted beaches and watch for sightings of dolphins and giant turtles.
For holidays of one week or for those who want to enjoy a relaxed cruising pace in the sun, the islands of Corfu, Paxos and Anti- Paxos and the mainland coast from Sayiadha to Parga offer everything for a most enjoyable sailing holiday.

You can visit the boyhood haunts of Gerald Durrell – Agni, Kouloura and St. Stephanos. Going south, the Sivota Islands close to the Greek mainland offer a choice of beautiful bays for swimming. Dine out at Perri’s taverna on the hill above the nearby village of Mourtos and experience one of the most breath-taking views in the whole Ionian.

At the enchanting islands of Paxos and Anti-Paxos, just seven miles further south, you can spend several days exploring caves, turquoise blue waters and fishing villages. Swim in the secluded bays and coves which are mostly only accessible by boat.

Visit Gaios, the principal village of Paxos with its quaint narrow streets, local craft shops and marbled paved square where you can dineout in a delightful waterfront setting.

For holidays of two weeks or more you cansail on to the wonderful cruising area of the Southern Ionians one of the best in Greece. Entering the southern region you pass down
the Levkas canal which is guarded by Venetian forts, and sail into the “Inland Sea”. This is an area of water almost enclosed on three sides by the larger islands of Levkas, Cephalonia and Zakinthos and the Greek mainland, and is totally protected from the open sea.

There are many smaller islands dotted around the “Inland Sea” offering a wealth of safe and secluded anchorages for bathing, barbecueing and relaxing.

Alternatively, we can moor in one of the small ports such as Nidri or Levkas, Fiscardo on Cephalonia or Vathi on Meganisi – dine out at a quayside taverna and let the world pass by.

Whatever your choice, the Ionians offer the perfect sailing holiday.