The South Ionian

The South Ionian covers the islands of Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos, along with the smaller islands of Meganisi, Kastos, Kalamos. Together they form one of the most widely sailed cruising areas in Greece, with short inter-island passages, clear water and a consistent summer wind pattern.

Kefalonia is the largest island in the Ionian and carries the most complete range of services. Zakynthos, the southernmost island of the group, receives the heaviest tourist traffic in summer.

The attractions follow a course from Ithaca in the north, south through Kefalonia, and on to Zakynthos.

On Ithaca, Homers School at Agios Athanasios is an active archaeological site where excavations have uncovered Mycenaean remains and a Hellenistic complex, with inscriptions interpreted as evidence of a cult centre dedicated to Odysseus.

On Kefalonia, boat tours of the Melissani caves near Sami feature an underground lake exposed to daylight through a collapsed roof. Nearby, Nautical Museum of Sami houses a collection of hand-built ship models ranging from ancient triremes to the Titanic. Drogarati Cave is a large dry cave noted for its acoustics, which has on occasion been used for concert performances.

On Zakynthos, the Blue Caves at Cape Skinari make a good day stop in settled weather; accessible by dinghy, they take their name from the refraction of sunlight through the cave entrances. Shipwreck Beach on the northwest coast holds the rusting hull of the MV Panagiotis, a coaster that ran aground in 1980, set against vertical limestone cliffs of around 200 metres.

The dominant summer wind is the Maistro, a northwesterly afternoon breeze typically at Force 2 to 5, dying down toward evening with calm mornings.

The South Ionian is one of the busiest charter areas in Greece and popular anchorages fill quickly in July and August. At Shipwreck Beach, landing and approaching within 40 metres of the beach are prohibited due to ongoing rockfall risk.

The National Marine Park of Zakynthos in the Bay of Laganas is a protected loggerhead turtle sanctuary with strict zoning. Zone A is closed to all entry, Zone B permits passage but not anchoring, and Zone C permits anchoring in designated areas only. Nesting beaches carry additional restrictions from May to August.

Anchoring is now prohibited in One House Bay, Atokos (for environmental reasons), and around Formikoula island (to protect the Monk seals).

Places to stay

Below are the most popular and highly rated places to stay, based on reviews from the noforeignland community:

Anchorages

	Episkopi ★ 5.0 Kalamnos A mooring rope allows anchoring without swinging into others. Visitors appreciate the taverna offering fresh fish and cold beers, contributing to a charming experience. Limited space accommodates only a couple of boats.
	Spartia ★ 5.0 Kefalonia Anchoring in sand is favorable, with good holding reported. Turquoise waters invite snorkeling around seaweed areas. Caution is advised due to potential underwater rocks near the shore.
	Kapsolimionas, Kefalonia ★ 5.0 Kefalonia This anchorage provides good holding in sand with depths of 5-11 meters. Visitors appreciate the clear water and natural surroundings. It accommodates several monohulls, often feeling secluded at night with minimal boat traffic.
	Kioni bay ★ 5.0 Ithaca Anchoring in Kioni Bay provides good holding in mud. Multiple Reviews indicate peaceful conditions and proximity to town with shore tie opportunities. The quay can fill quickly, making early arrival advisable to secure a spot.
	Asprogiali Beach ★ 5.0 Kalamnos Anchoring conditions are favorable with secure shore lines. The water is clear, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Visitors enjoy the tranquil atmosphere despite occasional small fishing boats passing by.
	Port Vathi ★ 4.8 Ithaca A spacious anchorage provides good holding in mud at depths of 3-6 meters. Facilities include a nearby supermarket and restaurants. Strong NW winds may cause discomfort, and it's advisable to anchor away from the town quay to avoid congestion.
	Ambelaki Bay(East) ★ 4.8 Meganisi The bay features clear water and offers good holding spots for anchoring. Visitors mention it can get crowded, particularly with yachts anchored closely together. A short walk leads to the nearby town of Vathy, which has amenities such as supermarkets.
	Antisamos ★ 4.7 Kefalonia Anchoring in the south side offers good holding despite exposure to N and NE winds. Clear waters and stunning surroundings create a peaceful atmosphere, with multiple sandy spots available. Amenities nearby include a taverna and cafe, though some aspects can detract from the overall experience.
	Ormos Oxias ★ 4.6 The anchorage features a sandy bottom and good holding conditions. Several visitors mentioned the availability of mooring buoys and a nearby taverna, providing food and services. Occasional mosquito swarms were noted during sunset.
	Limin Petalas ★ 4.6 The anchorage provides excellent shelter with good holding. Visitors appreciate the peaceful environment, but the lack of facilities requires consideration. Access to shore can be challenging due to terrain and wildlife, which may limit outings.

Show more

Marinas

	Iris Hotel ★ 4.8 Lefkada The marina offers water and electricity for 20 euros per night. Facilities include a clean pool, modern toilets, and washing options. Staff are friendly, but reservations are advised due to limited berths and potential overbooking.
	Argostoli (Ghost) marina. ★ 4.0 Kefalonia Shallow waters provide modest protection from swell, though mariners report issues with rats. A free marina without facilities, it allows for easy access to town. Visitors experienced safety during their stays, despite the lack of management.
	Agia Pelagia Optimum Marina ★ 3.9 Kefalonia A small marina offers basic facilities and friendly staff. Berths are available, though some are allocated to larger boats, causing potential mooring complications. The harbour provides shelter from winds, and visitors can access nearby amenities, including tavernas and transport to Argostoli.
No image	IBA Pontoon ★ 3.7 Lefkada Docking assistance is highlighted positively by multiple visitors. However, service responsiveness has faced criticism, with one visitor experiencing delays and a lack of follow-up during maintenance service requests. This has affected overall satisfaction with the operational efficiency.
	Sami harbour east ★ 3.5 Kefalonia Most visitors appreciated the well-sheltered harbor, easy access to dining options, and the availability of water at a flat fee. Experiences varied due to staff interactions, with some mentioning unhelpful service. The pricing for berths typically ranged from €20 to €40 per night.

Show more

Moorings

	Costas Mooring buoys ★ 4.6 Zakynthos Mooring services are available with helpful assistance from Costas. Visitors reported easy mooring procedures and support, including anchoring services. Dining at the associated taverna is recommended, with positive feedback on food and atmosphere.
	Porto Skrofa Buoys ★ 4.0 Mooring buoy availability appears satisfactory with multiple options reported. Cost is generally set at Eur20, independent of dining choices. Visitors recommend early arrival as buoy occupancy increases during peak times.

Harbours

	Trocolo Pontoon ★ 5.0 Lefkada Service is friendly and helpful, with technical knowledge noted by multiple visitors. Facilities include water and power access. The nightly rate is approximately 30 to 55 EUR based on boat size.
	Stavros ★ 4.8 Lefkada Mooring is available, often free when dining at the restaurant. Guests report friendly staff and good food, but some document negative service interactions. Reservations are recommended due to high demand.
	Abelike Bay - Minas restaurant ★ 4.7 Meganisi Mooring is free, though limited due to flotilla reservations. The restaurant features a pleasant atmosphere, while the quality of main dishes lacks consistency. Visitors may consider the cleanliness of facilities and the breakfast experience positively.
	Karnagio Taverna Pontoon ★ 4.7 Meganisi Mooring is available with assistance at the pontoon. Visitors mention a pleasant dining experience with good food and cold beer. A shaded area for relaxing drinks was noted, especially appreciated during warm afternoons.
	Agia effimia / Ayia Eufimia ★ 4.3 Kefalonia Anchoring is possible in the harbor, with good holding reported. Visitors appreciated the helpfulness of port staff, although there were occasional issues with noise from local celebrations and other boats anchoring too close. Access to restaurants and grocery shops enhances the experience.

Show more

Boat services

Below are the most popular and highly rated boat services, based on reviews from the noforeignland community:

Boatyards

No image	Konidaris Boatyard 2 ★ 5.0 Lefkada Servicing includes effective hydraulic trailer lift-outs noted for smooth execution. The team is described as fast, responsive, and helpful. Visitors recommend this yard based on positive service experiences mentioned in multiple Reviews.
	Konidaris Boatyard ★ 4.8 Lefkada The boatyard offers competent service and reasonable pricing. Reviews mention efficient staff and a willingness to assist with various tasks. Some experiences regarding external service providers were mixed, particularly for specialized jobs.

Chandlers

No image	Agia Efimia Chandler ★ 5.0 Kefalonia A chandler available with a variety of fishing, clothing, and chandlery items operates briefly from a limited store area. Visitors have highlighted surprising availability and excellent customer service, including assistance with transportation of purchases. Staff engagement appears proactive and personable.
	Fiscardo Chandlers ★ 5.0 Kefalonia Excellent service is mentioned across multiple reviews. The shop offers a wide selection of supplies, including diving and fishing gear, with quick shipping available for items not in stock. Visitors appreciate the knowledgeable staff and efficient installation services.
No image	JFK MARINE SUPPLIES & SERVICES ★ 5.0 Lefkada Well-stocked with essential supplies, this chandler can quickly order items not in stock. Visitors reported prompt service when trying to source uncommon parts, with delivery arranged within a short time frame. Items typically arrive within days for ordered supplies.
	Argostoli Chandlers ★ 5.0 Kefalonia Service capabilities are strong, with deliveries completed in 2 to 3 days for ordered parts. Staff communication is efficient, as visitors received WhatsApp updates about their orders. A wide range of goods is available, including marine supplies and equipment.
	Nydri Marine Services ★ 5.0 Lefkada This chandler maintains a large selection of supplies, including a second-hand section. Excellent service is noted by visitors. Operations are available until 5 PM on weekdays and 3 PM on weekends.

Show more

Useful yacht clearance links:

Yacht clearance reviews

The following lists summarize noforeignland user reviews for clearing in at ports of entry and when using clearance agents in Greece: