280 nautical miles*
Ideal for Summer Season
Forming a vertical chain of islands on the west coast of Greece, near the Albanian border, the Ionian Islands are characterised by high limestone cliffs, lush mountainous interiors, and picturesque scalloped coves. With strong influences from nearby Italy and various conquests throughout the centuries, the islands have developed their own unique legacy, reflected in the incredible Byzantine architecture, enchanting towns and villages, and customary warm Greek hospitality. The Ionian islands are Greece's hidden gem, where you can immerse yourself in everything from their rich cultural heritage, unbelievable fresh food, fantastic scuba diving, extraordinary wildlife, adventurous activities, and boutique shopping; the perfect all-round yacht charter destination.
- Day 1
Embarkation in Corfu
The cultural gem of the Ionians
Renowned for its raw beauty and layered history, yacht charters in Corfu provide a destination that rewards both exploration and pure relaxation in equal measure. The island gained a new wave of admirers after the success of the Netflix series The Durrells, which captures its extraordinary wildlife, jaw-dropping scenery, and warm hospitality, qualities that have been inspiring writers and poets for well over a thousand years.
Begin in Corfu's UNESCO-listed Old Town, meandering labyrinthine streets and marvelling at the Venetian fortresses and Spianada Square, the grand esplanade connecting to the Liston, a long French-built arcade of boutiques, bars, and restaurants modelled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli.
A trip to Corfu wouldn't be complete without the Angelokastro, a Byzantine castle perched on a precipitous rocky outcrop in the northwest with panoramic views across the Ionian Sea. For the more adventurous, an expert-led quad safari through olive-covered hillsides and picture-postcard villages reveals another side of the island entirely.
Find out more:
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Paleokastritsa
Beach
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The Liston
Attraction
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Paleokastritsa
- Day 2
ZakynthosDistance: 120 nm*
Discover sun, sand and sea turtles
Whether you're seeking a buzzy, adventure-filled stop or a tranquil cruise around picturesque coves, few destinations deliver both as confidently as luxury yacht charters in Zakynthos. One of the largest and greenest islands in the southern Ionian Sea, it boasts some of the finest beaches in Greece, exceptional marine ecology, and an idyllic, mild climate that makes it one of the most well-rounded stops on any Ionian charter.
Anchor off Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) for lunch, a sickle-shaped cove of chalky white cliffs, pale sand, and electric blue water that ranks among the most photographed beaches in the Mediterranean. Alternatively, head to Lagunas to snorkel alongside the famous Caretta Caretta (loggerhead) sea turtles that have nested here for millions of years.
On the island's northern tip, the Blue Caves at Cape Skinari are worth seeking out, with bright turquoise water reflected off cave walls, creating an extraordinary sapphire light effect accessible by small boat. For those drawn to culture, the Byzantine Museum in Zakynthos town houses frescoes and sculptures from the island's churches and monasteries dating as far back as the 12th century.
Find out more:
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Porto Limnionas Beach
Attraction
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Shipwreck Beach (Navagio Beach)
Beach
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Porto Limnionas Beach
- Day 3
IthacaDistance: 45 nm*
Home of Odysseus, renowned for unspoilt beauty
Part of the appeal of this small island lies in its geographically diverse landscape, rugged cliffs give way to rolling hills and farmland, with an unspoilt quality that feels remarkable given its proximity to some of Greece's most visited destinations.
Located east of Kefalonia, Ithaca is a verdant island with beautiful beaches, translucent waters, and two very different main settlements. Kioni is a picture-postcard fishing village in the north, its pastel-coloured buildings reflected in calm green waters, easily one of the most photogenic harbors in the Ionian.
Vathy, in the south, is more bustling, with one of the most idyllic seafront settings in Greece. Some of the finest beaches are best reached by East Mediterranean yacht charter. Head to Sarakiniko Bay for translucent emerald waters in a beautifully sheltered setting. In the evening, the Calypso restaurant in Kioni serves local and international dishes with views over the harbour that are hard to match.
- Day 4
KefaloniaDistance: 10 nm*
A fantastic destination for nature lovers
Kefalonia is the largest island in the Ionian archipelago and one of its most spectacular. Celebrated for its breathtaking landscape, charming fishing villages, and extraordinary underground caves, as well as its role as the backdrop for Captain Corelli's Mandolin, a Kefalonia yacht charter day offers more variety than almost any other stop on the route.
Drop anchor at Myrtos Beach for a morning swim in its famous turquoise waters, framed by sheer white limestone cliffs. Head north to the exquisite village of Assos, a curved amphitheatre of coloured houses set against lush hillsides, best appreciated from the water on approach.
Inland, the lake cave of Melissani is unmissable: a collapsed ceiling floods the cavern with light, and exploring it by kayak through the iridescent water is one of the most memorable experiences of an Ionian Islands yacht charter. Round off the day at Fiskardo on the island's northern tip, with beautifully preserved Venetian architecture, cobbled streets, and tavernas serving fresh produce with views across to Ithaca.
Find out more:
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Fiskardo
Attraction
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Myrtos Beach
Beach
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Fiskardo
- Day 5
Kastos/MeganisiDistance: 18 nm*
Tranquil, unspoiled and utterly enchanting
Kastos and Meganisi are two of the Ionian's best-kept secrets, small islands that have remained remarkably untouched by tourism despite their prime position in this popular archipelago. For anyone on a Greece yacht charter who needs a day of genuine stillness, this is it.
Both islands are characterized by lush mountains, tiny fishing ports, and soft-shingled beaches meeting crystal-clear water. At Kastos, anchor in one of the two small harbours for a swim or shore wander, or let the crew of your watersports yacht charter deploy kayaks and paddleboards for exploring hidden coves at your own pace.
From there, head northwest to Meganisi, the larger of the two, with secluded swimming bays and small waterfront tavernas where warm Greek hospitality is the main attraction. An unhurried sundowner here, watching the light change over the water, is one of those Ionian moments that stays with you.
Find out more:
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Papanikolis Sea Cave
Attraction
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Papanikolis Sea Cave
- Day 6
LefkadaDistance: 12 nm*
Fine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and the famous island of Skorpios
Known as the White Island, Lefkada's greatest draw lies in its sweeping platinum beaches, cascading waterfalls, and white limestone cliffs, all well-suited to a Lefkada yacht charter. On approach, the pine-forested mountains and wild coastline make an immediate impression, and the island's range, from surf beaches to cultural heritage to celebrity mythology, means a full day here never feels wasted.
Head ashore to explore the pastel-hued town of Lefkada on the northeast peninsula, connected to the mainland by causeway, with a small picturesque marina ideal for a coffee and a browse. On the island's southern tip, Porto Katsiki beach is a perennial superyacht favourite, sheer white cliffs plunging to electric-blue water below.
Inland, the Dimossari Gorge is worth the detour, with underground waterfalls cascading into a white-rocked swimming hole. History enthusiasts should seek out the Castle of Agia Mavra, originally built by a Sicilian count and bearing traces of every subsequent conquest from Venetian sieges to Allied use in World War One. And of course, no passage past Lefkada is complete without cruising by Skorpios, the private island transformed by Aristotle Onassis and now a byword for discreet Ionian glamour.
Find out more:
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Faneromeni Monastery
Attraction
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Porto Katsiki Beach
Beach
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Faneromeni Monastery
- Day 7
Paxos & AntipaxosDistance: 40 nm*
Where the pace of life is slower, and the water is impossibly blue
Located between Lefkada and Corfu, these islands embody the quieter, unhurried side of the Ionian, with endless olive groves, balmy temperatures, and waters that seem almost artificially turquoise. A day experiencing a Paxos and Antipaxos yacht charter is best spent moving slowly between the islands' distinct characters.
On Paxos, begin in Gaios, the island's capital, a bustling town of exquisite Venetian architecture, labyrinthine streets, boutique shops, and waterfront cafes. Work north to the village of Lakka, one of the most charming harbours in the Ionian, before heading to Loggos on the east coast.
Paxos also has a well-regarded dive scene with the Cave of Angelos, the Cathedral Cave, and the Reef of Agrila among the highlights. In the afternoon, cross to Antipaxos: almost entirely framed by vineyards and home to some of the most extraordinary beaches in Greece. Voutoumi Beach and Vrika Beach both offer pellucid turquoise water tracing white-sand coves, the kind that look edited even when you're standing in them.
Find out more:
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Tripitos Arch
Attraction
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Voutoumi Beach
Beach
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Tripitos Arch
- Day 8
Disembark in CorfuDistance: 35 nm*
A final morning in one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful island towns
The yacht makes its final passage back to Corfu, where this eight-day circuit of the Ionian comes to an end.
If time allows before disembarkation, take the tender ashore for a last wander through the UNESCO Old Town, the Venetian streets, the ochre-and-terracotta facades, and Spianada Square at its best in the morning light. Alternatively, settle on the deck of your chosen motor or sailing yacht charter with a coffee and let the island come to you one last time before the journey home.
Find out more:
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Old Town of Corfu
Attraction
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The Achilleion Palace
Attraction
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Old Town of Corfu
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*All distances are approximate
