Yacht Charter Sami

Yacht Charter Sami Kefalonia

On a Sami yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore Kefalonia and much of the Ionian islands within an easy sail. Whatever you want from a Sami, Cephalonia yacht charter, from its sea caves to mountainous interior, a Sami sailing holiday has plenty of variety to suit everyone

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Yacht Charter Sami

Yacht Charter Sami Kefalonia

On a Sami yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore Kefalonia and much of the Ionian islands within an easy sail. Whatever you want from a Sami, Cephalonia yacht charter, from its sea caves to mountainous interior, a Sami sailing holiday has plenty of variety to suit everyone

The main ferryport on Kefalonia's east coast, the picturesque village of Sami is an authentic Greek harbour that isn't especially touristy. For those who want to discover a true bit of Greece, beginning your sailing holiday here is a good call. You won't find a big hotel with a swimming pool or any sandy beach for miles.

One of the big draws to Sami is the Melissani lake cave, a flooded underground cave system that is accessibly by rowing boat from the lake outside. Local boatmen row you into the cave system which in one section has no roof, and at midday the sun blazes directly to the bottom, giving you the impression you are floating on blue, thin air thanks to the clarity of the turquoise waters.

Sami Port, with its links to nearby Ithaki and mainland Greece is a major part of the economy too. Yachting types tend to gravitate toward Agia Efimia, further north up the bay, that until the 1953 earthquake used to be Cephalonia's main commercial port before Sami took over when the island recovered from the disaster.

Thanks to its great road links with the international airport, Sami makes for a great starting point for your Greek island sailing holiday. Whether Kefalonia itself or the wider Ionian Island archipelago, where else would you like to go with your Borrow a Boat motorboat charter or sailboat charter? Read on to find out more!

Explore Sami By Renting A Yacht

So, on your bareboat charter or crewed yacht charter out of Sami, Cephalonia, where else would you like to go?

North of Kefalonia is the Ionian island of Corfu and the sailing mecca of Gouvia. A sail around this island will soon bring you to Corfu Town with its heady mix of tourist economy and very old relics from empires that have passed through it over the centuries. To the south you have the nearby island of Paxos and its smaller neighbour Antipaxos - only accessible by sea, these are another way of escaping the tourist mob!

The other major Greek islands of Zakynthos, Ithaki and Lefkada are worthy of long pauses too. Zakynthos, one of the most beautiful islands on the Ionian Sea, is an important holiday island with towns like Agios Nikolaos and ZakynthosTown being fun holiday resorts.

Ithaki is one of the smaller big islands of the Ionian! Traditionally it was the home of Odysseus but in modern times has become noted for its ultra laid back, traditional Greek atmosphere with beautiful beaches and hideaway fishing ports.

Between Ithaca and mainland Greece lies Lefkada. Connected to the mainland by a causeway and bridge, this is a fun filled tourist island with excellent facilities, whether you moor at Nydri or the largest marina on the Ionian, LefkadaTown Marina.

The Ionian Sea's islands are great but nearby mainland Greece has its charms too - coast hop through cities and towns like Sivota, Preveza and Patras as you explore the region on your Kefalonia island boat rental and you will soon see what we mean. Book your sailing holiday with Borrow a Boat today!

How To Get To Sami

Kefalonia Airport

Sami is about 45 minutes east of Cephalonia airport by bus.

Marinas In Sami

Sami Port is a commercial port with a small marina.

Sami Port Marina:

Though very small, this is an important yacht charter base with charter companies and many boat owner based here offering bareboat yacht charter and crewed superyacht charter, catamaran charter, motor yacht and monohull sailing yacht for a day charter or longer.

Berth Characteristics:

35 berths

Max Length 60m (197 Feet)

Max Draught 8m (26 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, (free) water, WiFi, toilets, bar, restaurant, supermarket

Suggested Sailing Routes From Sami

On a longer Sami yacht charter you may wish to reach as far afield as Corfu. Let's look at a shorter, week long sailingholiday you might do on your bareboat or crewed yacht charter.

7 days - Cephalonia and Lefkada: For the first shakedown sail, head south to Poros on the east coast of Kefalonia. North and east to Vathy on Ithaca. Cross to Nydri on Lefkada next, taking in the smaller islands as you go. Fiskardo on Cephalona will be your next night ashore, before heading over the north coast and around to Lixouri, across the gulf from Argostoli. Spend your final night aboard at Agia Efimia to the north of Sami and then head back across the bay for handover.

Best Times To Hire A Yacht In Sami

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 Sami

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 to sailas 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 on Sami?

Sami Port Marina has just 35 moorings spread over three quays and can take vessels of up to 60 metres LOA.

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

To avoid the summer heat and crowds, if you can get to Kefalonia 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 Sami?

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 Sami?

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.