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Lighter winds and shorter passages make the Ionian ideal for a relaxed flotilla sailing holiday in Greece, popular with families and less experienced crews.

Explore these beautiful Greek islands and experience gentle afternoon breezes, warm seas and friendly harbour-front tavernas. This flotilla is ideal for couples and families with children seeking a relaxed sailing holiday.

The sheltered waters of the Ionian offer an unlimited number of tranquil bays and enchanting fishing harbours. Navigation is straightforward with no tides, currents or other hazards. There are good sailing breezes late morning through the afternoon, but winds rarely exceed Force 5. Anchor in picturesque bays or moor up in bustling fishing harbours.

We don't believe in 'regimented' flotilla sailing. You're free to plot your own course and schedule for arriving at each day's destination. We won't make you come into harbour just when the afternoon breeze is at its best. The flotilla skipper is on hand to give you advice and support - from sorting out a snarled anchor to reserving you a table for dinner on the quayside.

Less experienced skippers will appreciate his help with mooring "stern-to" or "bows-to" on the quayside at the end of an enjoyable afternoon's sail. And if you are an experienced sailor you can choose to leave the flotilla for a few days, joining up for the barbecue evening or other social event.

Those new to sailing or looking to brush up on their skills can take advantage of our learn to sail on flotilla option. Ask the sales team for more details.

Ionian Flotilla

  • Overview
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    Gaios Harbour

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    Vathi

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    Parga

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    Ionian flotilla sailing holidays

    • Two 1 week itineraries - Sivota route and Fiskardo route
    • Perfect for families
    • Line of sight sailing
    • Includes return airport transfers, end cleaning, bed linen & shower towels
    • Learn to sail option for novices
    • Minimal mooring fees (approx €10-€20/week)
    • Runs April to October. Operates Sunday-Sunday
    • Option to add flights
    • Supermarket within the marina
  • Sivota Route

    Sivota Route

    2020 dates: 26 Apr* | 10, 24 May | 7, 21 Jun | 5, 19 Jul | 2, 16, 30 Aug | 13, 27 Sep | 11 Oct

    Day 1 (Sunday) : Palairos

    You join your flotilla in our beautifully located Palairos base, just a short drive from Preveza airport. The superb setting, with views across to Meganisi and Scorpio, the island owned by the Onassis family, will soon put you in the holiday mood! After settling in on your yacht there’s time for a stroll around the shops and a relaxing dinner.

    Day 2 (Monday) : Sivota, Lefkas (14nm)

    Enjoy a sail across to Sivota on the East coast of Lefkas. This is an unspoiled fishing village which has managed to keep its Greek character through all the years despite the growth of tourism. Here you’re spoiled for choice as there is a variety of shops, cafes and tavernas.

    Day 3 (Tuesday) : Kioni, Ithaka (15nm)

    Kioni village is an exceptional beauty set amidst a setting of olive groves. The lovely houses form an amphitheatre around the steep slopes of the bay with its amazing deep blue waters. After an enjoyable sail, relax whilst moored to the jetty, only a few steps away from the tavern.

    Day 4 (Wednesday) : Agia Eufimia, Kefalonia (19nm)

    Prior to the 1953 earthquake, Eufimia was the main ferry port on Kefalonia. Now it remains one of the most picturesque seaside villages on the island with all the necessary facilities. Enjoy fantastic views from above the town, a good selection of tavernas and a trip to the nearby Melissani Lake Cave is definitely worthwhile.

    Day 5 (Thursday) : Polis, Ithaka (11nm)

    Across the channel to the picturesque fishing port Polis on Ithaca. The bay has a beautiful pebbly beach with clear, turquoise waters, and you can take a walk up to the archaeological site of Loizos Cave on the north side, which used to be a worship place during ancient times.

    Day 6 (Friday) : Spartochori/Little Vathi, Meganisi (22nm)

    Tonight we will be spent either in Spartochori or Little Vathi on Meganisi. Spartochori is a great setting for an evening watching the amazing sunset over the top of the village. Vathi is a tiny port on the northeast coast of Meganisi. In a sheltered position at the end of an inlet, it has a few waterfront tavernas. Settle down to a cold beer and plate of mezes by the quayside and watch the ferry and fishing boats come and go.

    Day 7 (Saturday) : Palairos (10nm)

    Rather than head straight back to base you can return to one of the many anchorages on Meganisi, perhaps Abelike Bay, for a last lunch stop and swim before returning to Palairos.

    Day 8 (Sunday) : Palairos

    Disembark at Palairos and take your included transfer back to the airport.

    Routes may vary due to weather conditions & other factors. *The flotilla will be doing an alternative route on 26 April depending on which tavernas and shops are open this early in the season.

    Ionian Kalamos Route 1 week flotilla sailing holiday itinerary


  • Fiskardo Route

    Fiskardo Route

    2020 dates: 3, 17, 31 May | 14, 28 Jun | 12, 26 Jul | 9, 23 Aug | 6, 20 Sep | 4 Oct

    Day 1 (Sunday) : Palairos

    You join your flotilla in our beautifully located Palairos base, just a short drive from Preveza airport. The superb setting, with views across to Meganisi and Scorpio, the island owned by the Onassis family, will soon put you in the holiday mood! After settling in on your yacht there’s time for a stroll around the shops and a relaxing dinner.

    Day 2 (Monday) : Little Vathi, Meganisi (10nm)

    Those who wish may stop over at one of the beautiful bays on Meganisi for a midday swim. Vathi is a tiny port on the northeast coast of Meganisi. In a sheltered position at the end of an inlet, it has a few waterfront tavernas. Settle down to a cold beer and plate of mezes by the quayside and watch the ferry and fishing boats come and go.

    Day 3 (Tuesday) : Fiskardo, Kefalonia (16nm)

    We cross the channel over to Fiskardo on Kefalonia. This beautiful old fishing harbour is considered the pearl of the Ionian Islands. You’ll find a wide choice of stylish and sophisticated shops, cafes and a variety of tavernas and restaurants.

    Day 4 (Wednesday) : Vasiliki, Lefkas (13nm)

    A beautiful fishing village with a long pebbled beach and an array of watersports to keep you busy. Tavernas line the waterfront and provide great views out towards Kefalonia.

    Day 5 (Thursday) : Frikes/Big Vathi, Ithaca (11/19nm)

    Frikes is a small village on the east coast of Ithaca with its distinctive traditional windmills standing over the village. The largest village on the island sitting in a deep bay, Big Vathi has been the main harbour of Ithaca since the 16th century. Vathi is steeped in history and wandering the small streets is a treat before you settle down for a leisurely meal and sundowner.

    Day 6 (Friday) : Kalamos (22nm)

    Enjoy a sail north to the island of Kalamos. Port Kalamos is a sleepy little harbour with a few restaurants and shops on the quayside for visiting yachts. Take a walk up to the old town for views and a visit to the bakery.

    Day 7 (Saturday) : Palairos (12nm)

    Rather than head straight back to base you can return to one of the many anchorages on Meganisi, perhaps Abelike Bay, for a last lunch stop and swim before returning to Palairos.

    Day 8 (Sunday) : Palairos

    Disembark at Palairos and take your included transfer back to the airport.

    Routes may vary due to weather conditions & other factors.

    Ionian Fiskardo Route 1 week flotilla sailing holiday itinerary

  • What's Included

    Included on the Ionian flotilla

    • One return airport transfer per yacht: Preveza airport - Palairos - Preveza airport
    • Assistance of the flotilla lead crew throughout your holiday
    • End cleaning
    • Bed linen
    • Shower towels
    • Complementary outboard engine for yachts 39'+

    Fuel and any mooring fees are not included.

  • Lead Crew

    Meet the Ionian flotilla lead crew

    Ionian flotilla lead crew

    Monica, Mihai, Joe, Pipp, Mihai, Jack & Georgi

    The full Ionian flotilla team! Mihai & Monica (far left) have been in charge of the Southern flotilla for several years now and for the 2019 season they are moving up to Corfu to be base managers for the new flotilla. Next in line is Joe who is on hand to help out wherever he is needed! Pipp and the second Mihai (just to confuse you!) are taking over the Southern flotilla whilst Jack is the engineer and Georgi the hostess for the Corfu flotilla. Davide (not pictured) is skipper for the Corfu flotilla.

    All of the flotilla team are friendly, fun and professional and are looking forward to welcoming you onboard during the 2019 season.

  • Getting There

    Flights to Preveza

    Bonded for your financial protection under ATOL 3016The nearest airport to the base in Palairos is Preveza. Thomson have flights from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham. Easyjet fly from Gatwick to Preveza. We can also offer seats on a chartered British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Preveza.

    Yacht charter rates are shown WITHOUT flights giving you the flexibility to book your own flights. If you would prefer a flight-inclusive holiday Nautilus Yachting is a fully bonded ATOL tour operator and can book flights from the UK to fit your sailing holiday. All flight-inclusive holidays are fully bonded for your financial protection under our ATOL 3016.

    Transfers

    One return transfer per yacht will be arranged for you once we have your flight details. This is included regardless of whether you book flights directly with the airline or through Nautilus Yachting. We will meet you at the airport and take you directly to the base. The transfer takes 30 minutes.

"I was planning my 60th birthday lunch for family and friends with my daughter, when she said "what do you REALLY want to do Mum?" The reply...."sail". The lunch booking was cancelled and I made contact with Nautilus. Friends told me that I would never manage a 36' Bavaria and certainly not stern to mooring. Wrong! I was introduced to sailing late, at 53, and certainly did not feel confident but the Ionian flotilla is easy. I spent hours watching stern to mooring videos on Youtube but you don't need the Sailing Virgins when you have flotilla crew to hand!! Live your dreams, book it, do it. It's been one of the best events of my life. Thanks Nautilus, you'll see us again."

Ionian Flotilla 2019 - R.F.
Trustpilot

Ionian Flotilla prices

Included:

Airport transfers to/from Preveza airport (one transfer per yacht), end cleaning, bedding & towels, services of flotilla staff.
FREE outboard on yachts 39'+. Autopilots on yachts 36'+

Extras payable with balance:

YACHT SECURITY:
Yachts up to 41': £1900 refundable deposit, Yachts 42' and over: £2800 refundable deposit
EXTRAS:
Fuel used (fill up on return)
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Outboard £120 for 1 week, £180 for 2 weeks; child rail net £130/ week; cruising chute £130 for 1 week, £200 for 2 weeks
INSTRUCTOR:
3-day course £590, 6 day course £1,100

Sailing Qualifications

To skipper a bareboat charter or flotilla yacht, you need to hold a practical sailing certificate equivalent to RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC). For charters in Greece, you must now have the ICC certificate. You must also be assisted by at least one competent crew member over the age of 18.

For charters in Croatia, Malta and the Canaries, at least one member of the crew or the skipper will also need a VHF licence.

RYA qualifications can be obtained by RYA sailing schools in the UK or alternatively choose from one of our overseas centres in Gibraltar, Greece or Turkey.

For Caribbean and Tropical charters, formal qualifications are not compulsory, however, you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew. A brief sailing resume should be provided to outline your experience.

If you don't hold the relevant qualifications then why not add a skipper?

Sailing Levels

Level 1

Winds force 2-3 (4-11 Knots)combined with generally shorter distances. Good for beginner or intermediate sailors. Line-of-sight navigation but basic knowledge of charts and ability to plot your position required.

Level 2

Winds force 3-5 (7-21 Knots) with approximately 15-20nm per day. Intermediate experience required. Predominately line of sight navigation but an understanding of how to sail in open water.

Level 3

Winds force 4-6 (11-27 Knots) with mileage of approximately 20nm+ per day. Ideal for experienced skippers looking to venture out to new destinations. Day skipper standard but with experienced crew would be recommended.