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.
	One tree bay ★ 4.8 Anchoring is available with good protection from N and NW winds. Visitors have noted clean water for swimming, although the beach bar has received criticism for noise and quality. Expect increased activity from day trip boats, particularly in summer.
	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 The anchorage offers clear water and ample space. The south side provides excellent shelter from predominant winds, but it's open to N and NE winds. Visitors have noted that nearby establishments can be overpriced but the location remains generally quiet.
	Ormos Oxias ★ 4.6 Anchoring conditions are favorable with sufficient depth and good holding reported. The beach features a restaurant offering mooring options, though mosquito swarms have been noted during sunset. Visitors appreciate the tranquil environment and friendly service.
	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.

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Marinas

	Iris Hotel ★ 4.8 Lefkada Mooring is available for boats with access to essential services such as water, electricity, and clean facilities. Visitors appreciate the friendly staff and the use of hotel amenities, including a pool. Rates are confirmed to increase in 2026.
	Argostoli (Ghost) marina. ★ 4.1 Kefalonia Conditions are calm enough for safe berthing, but it lacks facilities and management. Visitors appreciate the peaceful surroundings and easy access to town. Reports of abandoned boats suggest a need for maintenance.
	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 ★ 3.4 Kefalonia The location is central, with water included in docking fees. Visitors have noted the absence of electrical service and mixed interactions with the harbour master. Amenities include nearby cafes and shops, though some express dissatisfaction with staff behavior.

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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.
	Lixouri ★ 4.5 Kefalonia Mooring is now charged at 10 euros per night with free water available. The town features supermarkets, bars, and restaurants, making it convenient for visitors. However, the harbour lacks all-around shelter, and conditions can become rough in strong winds.

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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 The yard features reliable service. Aris and the team are fast, responsive, and helpful. Visitors have expressed satisfaction with the work completed.
	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.

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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: