Yacht Charter Lefkada

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Yacht Charter Lefkada

Guide To Sailing In Lefkada (Lefkas)

On a Lefkada yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore much of the Ionian islands within an easy sail. Whatever you want from a Lefkas yacht charter, from its beautiful beaches and bays to relaxed atmosphere, a Lefkada sailing holiday is going to be an unforgettable experience.

Just a short drive across the bridge from mainland Greece, the Ionian island of Lefkada is one of the best sailing holiday destinations in Greek waters. Excellent holiday towns like Nidri, beautiful beaches like Agios Ioannis, and quaint fishing villages like Agios Nikitas make this an idyllic sailing destination.

High cliffs plunge into turquoise waters, and scenery that will stay in your memory for years to come blend with the friendly local culture to make for an island you'll want to visit time and again.

There is a wide choice of activities to do here too - and for those on a sailing holiday you'll be utterly spoiled for choice. Water sports ranging from scuba diving to sea kayaking and kite surfing can be done in different locations according to what you want to do for the day. Inland, you can simply go for a walk to a quiet taverna or nearby village to drink in the culture and enjoy the cuisine of this attractive island.

Whatever you want from an Ionian island sailing holiday, Lefkas should be close to the top of your list of charter bases. Book your boat rental with Borrow a Boat today!

Explore Lefkas Island By Renting A Yacht

So, on your bareboat charter or skippered yacht charter out of Lefkada, where would you like to go? On nearby mainland Greece, the historic town of Preveza has over 60km of beaches around the Ambracian Gulf, and ancient ruins dating back millennia too.

The other major Ionian islands of Kefalonia and Zakynthos are worthy of long pauses too. Cephalonia was the setting for the Hollywood movie *Captain Corelli's Mandolin* thanks to its stunning scenery and beautiful fishing villages. A famous sandy beach and a large cave system make this, the largest of the Ionian Islands, a destination you shouldn't miss on a Lefkada yacht charter.

The southernmost of the Ionian Islands Zakynthos is home to the rare turtle species Caretta-Caretta that lay their eggs on the beaches every year. The scenery is some of the best in Greece and the villages worthy of a few hours and a long lunch break in too.

As well as the larger islands, the smaller islands of the Ionian are always worth a pause too. Often away from the main tourist track, islands such as Kastos, Meganisi and Arkoudi aren't a long sail from the main island, but will give you an authentic taste of Greek island life.

A Lefkas yacht charter will give you the opportunity to explore these islands over a week or two at your own pace, enjoying the placid and great sailing conditions of the Ionian Sea as you do.

How To Get To Lefkas

Aktion Preveza Airport

Preveza Airport (also known as Aktion) is the gateway to the Ionian Islands and has several flights from European airports daily on many charter flights. It is a relatively short bus ride from Lefkada Town across the bridge.

Marinas In Lefkada

There are three main marinas on Lefkada island.

Lefkada Marina:

At the top of the Lefkas canal and in the centre of town, Lefkas Marina is the largest on the Ionian with space for up to 620 yachts. It is a yacht charter base with charter companies based here offering every type of bareboat and skippered and crewed yacht charter holiday. Take your pick of luxury yacht charter, catamaran charter, motor yacht and monohull sailing yacht for a day charter or longer.

Berth Characteristics:

620 berths

Max Length 40m (131 Feet)

Max Draught 4m (13.1 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, fuel, waste water collection, toilets, showers, bar, restaurant, ATM, rent-a-car, supermarket

Nidri Marina:

The holiday resort of Nydri's marina is mid-sized yacht charter base and has charter yacht companies offering bareboat and skippered yacht charter of luxury yacht, catamaran charter, motor yacht and monohull sailing yacht for a day charter or longer.

Berth Characteristics:

222 berths

Max Length 60m (199 Feet)

Max Draught 5m (16 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, fuel, waste water collection, toilets, showers, bar, restaurant, ATM, rent-a-car, supermarket

Sivota Marina:

Sivota marina is relatively small and has charter companies offering offering bareboat and skippered yacht charter of luxury yacht, catamaran, motor yacht and monohull sailing yacht for a day charter or longer.

Berth Characteristics:

90 berths

Max Length 40m (131 Feet)

Max Draught 5m (16 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, fuel, waste water collection, toilets, showers, bar, restaurant, ATM, rent-a-car, supermarket,

Suggested Sailing Itinerary From Lefkas

On your Lefkada yacht charter, whether bareboat or with an experienced skipper you can access hidden anchorages on smaller islands of the Ionian Sea, as well as larger ones like Kefalonia, one of the largest islands in the whole Mediterranean Sea.

7 days - Cephalonia and Lefkas Island: Your first day is just 11NM of sailing south to the island of Meganissi where you can relax for the evening before a 40NM sailing trip north to Paxos. An easy sail to the northern tip of Paxos next, mooring at the beautiful Lakka Cove. The next day is a biggie - 52NM back south to Kefalonia, mooring at Fiskada. Take time to enjoy this spot as the next sail is short, to Ithaca Town on Ithaca, just across the strait. Lefkada Town is the final port for handover.

14 days - Peloponnese and the Ionian Islands: Itself closer to the Saronic Islands, the island of Kithra is widely held as the most southerly Ionian Island. Island and coastal hopping down the northern Ionian archipelago, where the seven-day trippers will head home you continue south and get to explore mainland Greece as well as you enjoy your extended trip to all of the Ionian islands.

Best Times To Hire A Yacht In Lefkada

The sailing season runs from late April to October with July and August being the busiest months for yacht charter. Unlike the Aegean, the Ionian Sea is dominated by the Bora - the same wind that affects nearby Croatia. In summer this is far more benign and far more sailing friendly than the often beefy Meltemi. Building to a fun F5-6 in the afternoon from a zephyr in the morning, you can almost time your daily sailing by it.

The sea is cooler - often quite chilly - at the beginning of the sailing season but there is rainfall in Spring. As the days lengthen you will still see green fields and flowers in May and the winds can be quite benign too. Combined with the crowds being smaller, this suggests that May to early June are the sweet spot for an Ionian boat rental.

Come September and October the seas are still like a warm bath. With the wetter climate than the Aegean this is less of a problem so with the warm seas could be at least as good as the earlier months of the year.

Sailing Weather In Lefkada

April to mid-June: There is rainfall and the temperatures build steadily from the mid-teens to the mid 20 degree C range. There are sometimes cooler northerly winds, though the southerly Bora kicks in in around early May. There is more rainfall here than on Aegean Greece but you will soon find that a blessed relief from the heat!

Late June-August: You'll be unlucky if you see any rain, though it could be welcome in the summer heat. Temperatures are from 30s with recent hot days exceeding 40 - often hotter than the Aegean. The Bora often adds to the heat with its tropical origins.

September-October: The seas remain warm, as does the air. These months can be the best time of year for experienced sailors, as the temperatures are often in the comfortable low to mid 20s though can touch 30C from time to time.

FAQs:

What should I consider when hiring a Yacht or Boat?

The main points to consider are what is your budget, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.

What are the Marinas in Lefkada?

There are three main marinas on Lefkada - with the capacity for 620 yachts, Lefkada Marina is the largest on the Ionian. Nidri Marina is mid-sized with the capacity of 222 yachts, and Sivota Marina takes around 90 vessels.

When are the best times to hire a boat in Lefkada?

To avoid the summer heat and crowds, if you can get to Lefkas Island after autumn school term begins you will find the seas still warm, the air more comfortable and the marinas less crowded.

Do you have to pay a deposit when hiring a Yacht in Lefkas Island?

You will typically pay 50% up front on booking the yacht hire and the balance on arrival. You will either pay a security deposit with your credit card on departure or can get insurance covering damage in advance. In some cases (such as the recent Covid situation) charter companies may be more flexible but this depends on the individual charter companies themselves.

What happens if my Yacht breaks down?

If you are at sea and in danger, call MAYDAY on VHF Ch16 or ring the coast guard on your phone if you have reception. If you have a mechanical fault and can make it to or are on a mooring you will be able to phone a help line number given by the boat charter company.

What should I think of before I hire a Yacht or Boat in Lefkada?

You should consider do you have the experience to handle the yacht charter or boat hire before you book and where do you want to go along with what the weather will be like. Bring warm weather and cool weather clothing if it looks like the weather can be cool as well as warm and remember at sea it can be cool on most evenings.

What Qualifications Do I need to hire a boat or yacht?

If you want to sail without a skipper then you will need relevant qualifications like RYA Day Skipper/International Certificate of Competence (ICC)/ASA 104 Bareboat certificate or the US Sailing Certificate. For small 'day boats' or if you choose to have a skippered on board your yacht charter you typically don't require licences.

Frequently asked questions
What should I consider when hiring a Yacht or Boat?

The main points to consider are what is your budget, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.