Lefkada & Meganisi

The Inland Sea is the sheltered water enclosed by Lefkada's east coast, Meganisi and the mainland, and it is the heart of Ionian sailing. From Marina Perigiali, Meganisi is a short hop away, with the villages of Vathy and Spartochori and quiet bays such as Abelike and Porto Atheni. Further east, Kalamos has a small harbour below a green mountain, and tiny Kastos has a single village and clear water for swimming. On Lefkada itself, Nydri is a lively town just south of the marina, and the deep bay of Vliho offers good shelter. You can also sail past the private island of Skorpios. Distances are short, so there is time for long lunches at anchor, swimming stops and evening walks ashore, and a sheltered bay is always close by if the wind picks up.

Yes, the Inland Sea is one of the easiest places in Greece for a first catamaran charter. The islands are close together, you are rarely out of sight of land, and a sheltered bay or harbour is within a short sail in almost any wind. Mornings are usually calm, and the north-westerly maistro builds in the afternoon, typically to Force 3 to 5, which gives pleasant sailing without large waves in the sheltered water. A catamaran like Solanna sails flat and stays stable at anchor, which children and non-sailors appreciate. Bareboat crews still need a recognised sailing licence and a second experienced crew member, but the conditions are forgiving while you get used to the boat. If you prefer to relax, add a skipper who knows every anchorage and handles mooring in the busier harbours.

The sailing season around Lefkada runs from May to October. June and September offer the best balance: warm sea, steady afternoon breezes and fewer boats in the harbours of Meganisi and Kalamos. July and August are the busiest and hottest months, so plan to reach popular harbours by early afternoon or anchor in a quieter bay for the night. May and October are calm and green, with cooler evenings, some tavernas still closed and the occasional rainy day. The Ionian has no meltemi, so strong summer winds are rare, although short thunderstorms can occur in late summer. Because distances in the Inland Sea are short, you can adapt the plan to the forecast every day and still spend most of your time swimming and exploring rather than on long passages.