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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 during the day. 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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    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
    • Supermarket within the marina
  • Sivota Route

    Sivota Route

    2023 dates: 7, 21 May | 4, 18 Jun | 2, 16, 30 Jul | 13, 27 Aug | 10, 24 Sep | 8, 22 Oct

    Day 1 (Sunday) : Palairos Harbour

    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.

    Day 4 (Wednesday) : Big Vathi, Ithaka

    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 5 (Thursday) : Kalamos

    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 6 (Friday) : Port Atheni, Meganisi

    Port Atheni is a small harbour on the island of Meganisi and is located in the bay with the same name used mainly for fishing boats. Several hiking tracks lead over the hills and down through the olive-tree plantations to the isolated bays on the other part of the island.

    Day 7 (Saturday) : Palairos Harbour

    Stop at Abelike Bay for a last lunch stop and swim before returning to Palairos.

    Two-Week bookings have “Free Sailing” or the option to return to the base at Palairos.

    Day 8 (Sunday)

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

    Please Note: All routes may vary due to weather conditions & other factors.

    Ionian Kalamos Route 1 week flotilla sailing holiday itinerary


  • Kefalonia Route

    Kefalonia Route

    2023 dates: 30 Apr | 14, 28 May | 11, 25 Jun | 09, 23 Jul | 06, 20 Aug | 03, 17 Sep | 1 Oct

    Day 1 (Sunday) : Palairos Harbour

    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) : Kastos

    Kastos is a little gem of a place, inhabited by around 50 permanent residents only. The ultimate Ionian Island hideaway, it is blessed with lovely beaches, peace and quiet, and a deliciously simple way of life.

    Day 3 (Tuesday) : Frikes, Ithaka

    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.

    Day 4 (Wednesday) : Fiskardo, 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 5 (Thursday) : Spartochori, Meganisi

    Spartochori is a great setting for watching an evening sunset over the top of the village. After an enjoyable sail, relax whilst moored to the jetty, only a few steps away from the tavern.

    Day 6 (Friday) : Little Vathi, Meganisi

    Little 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 Harbour

    Stop at Abelike Bay for a last lunch stop and swim before returning to Palairos.

    Two-Week bookings have “Free Sailing” or the option to return to the base at Palairos.

    Day 8 (Sunday)

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

    Two-Week bookings have “Free Sailing” or the option to return to the base at Palairos.

    Please Note: All 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

    Amy-Lynne & Jacques

    Amy-Lynne & Jacques

    This will be Amy’s second season as hostess. She is an outgoing and enthusiastic person looking to give you the best experience on your holiday. She is knowledgeable on the different marinas around the South Ionian and will always be able to point you in the direction of the best taverna, supermarket or which bar does the best cocktails.

    This will be Jacques’ second season this year. He started sailing dinghies at a young age, then after gaining experience in yachts he carried out his training in the straits of Gibraltar and qualified for his Yachtmaster.

    He has the calm demeanour that is perfect for those stressful moorings and tense manoeuvres and will help with all issues/queries that you may have in the week.

    Grace

    Grace Jessiman

    Grace grew up sailing dinghies and daysailing in Boston, USA. She has spent 4 years as a sailing instructor for children and adults, including teaching adaptive programs for sailors with disabilities.

    She has sailing expedition experience in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, as well as in Italy, Canada and the United States.

    Annabelle Gilborn

    Annabelle Gilborn

    I started sailing when I was 6 on Blokarts and have competitively raced since I was 7. Having had many flotilla holidays with my family, I decided that this was the career path for me! I qualified at UKSA in 2021 and have enjoyed various sailing roles since then.

    I have a helpful disposition, love making holidays special for my guests and I love to take on any challenge, especially under pressure.

  • Getting There

    Flights to Preveza

    The nearest airport to the base in Palairos is Preveza. Thomson have flights from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham. Easyjet fly from Gatwick to Preveza.

    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.

"Just to say that we had a really good holiday in the Ionian sailing with Odyseuss Sailing flotilla. They were up to the usual high standard of boat, customer service - our friends that we went with were very impressed for their first time sailing. Hope to go again next year."

Ionian Flotilla 2019 - J.D.
Trustpilot

Ionian Flotilla prices

2023 GB£ per yacht on flotillaBavaria 30 Cruiser(2006)Bavaria 33(2006)
Departure Dates2 cabins/1WC2 cabins/1WC
SUNDAY DEPARTURE - 1 WEEK
  
30 Apr, 07, 14 May21582339
21, 28 May, 04, 11, 18 Jun24532644
25 Jun, 02, 09, 16 Jul27582930
23, 30 Jul, 06, 13 Aug30913291
20, 27 Aug, 03, 10 Sep27582930
17, 24 Sep24532644
01, 08 Oct21582339
15, 22 Oct17011806
SUNDAY DEPARTURE - 2 WEEKS
30 Apr, 07 May37964158
14 May40914463
21, 28 May, 04, 11 Jun43864768
18 Jun46915054
25 Jun, 02, 09 Jul49965340
16 Jul53295701
23, 30 Jul, 06 Aug56626062
13 Aug53295701
20, 27 Aug, 03 Sep49965340
10 Sep46915054
17 Sep43864768
24 Sep40914463
01 Oct37964158
08 Oct33393625
15 Oct28823092
2023 GB£ per yacht on flotillaSun Odyssey 349(2017)Oceanis 37(2008)Bavaria 37 Cruiser(2007)
Departure Dates3 cabins/1WC3 cabins/1WC3 cabins/1WC
SUNDAY DEPARTURE - 1 WEEK
   
30 Apr, 07, 14 May288230052881
21, 28 May, 04, 11, 18 Jun328233953290
25 Jun, 02, 09, 16 Jul373037103605
23, 30 Jul, 06, 13 Aug420641383995
20, 27 Aug, 03, 10 Sep373037103605
17, 24 Sep328233953290
01, 08 Oct288230052881
15, 22 Oct217723192233
SUNDAY DEPARTURE - 2 WEEKS
30 Apr, 07 May524453605112
14 May564457505521
21, 28 May, 04, 11 Jun604461405930
18 Jun649264556245
25 Jun, 02, 09 Jul694067706560
16 Jul741671986950
23, 30 Jul, 06 Aug789276267340
13 Aug741671986950
20, 27 Aug, 03 Sep694067706560
10 Sep649264556245
17 Sep604461405930
24 Sep564457505521
01 Oct524453605112
08 Oct453946744464
15 Oct383439883816
2023 GB£ per yacht on flotillaBavaria 39 Cruiser(2007)Sun Odyssey 419(2017)Oceanis 41.1(2020)Bavaria C42(2023)Oceanis 43 - 3 cab.(2011)
Departure Dates3 cabins/2WC3 cabins/2WC3 cabins/2WC3 cabins/2WC3 cabins/3WC
SUNDAY DEPARTURE - 1 WEEK
     
30 Apr, 07, 14 May30814067436245813668
21, 28 May, 04, 11, 18 Jun35384724503854674516
25 Jun, 02, 09, 16 Jul39485410573361815106
23, 30 Jul, 06, 13 Aug44245952623866195592
20, 27 Aug, 03, 10 Sep39485410573361815106
17, 24 Sep35384724503854674516
01, 08 Oct30814067436245813668
15, 22 Oct24243067323833812811
SUNDAY DEPARTURE - 2 WEEKS
30 Apr, 07 May55127434802484626606
14 May59698091870093487454
21, 28 May, 04, 11 Jun642687489376102348302
18 Jun6836943410071109488892
25 Jun, 02, 09 Jul72461012010766116629482
16 Jul77221066211271121009968
23, 30 Jul, 06 Aug819811204117761253810454
13 Aug77221066211271121009968
20, 27 Aug, 03 Sep72461012010766116629482
10 Sep6836943410071109488892
17 Sep642687489376102348302
24 Sep59698091870093487454
01 Oct55127434802484626606
08 Oct48556434690072625749
15 Oct41985434577660624892
2023 GB£ per yacht on flotillaSun Odyssey 449(2019)Oceanis 45 - 4 cab.(2012)Bavaria 46 Cruiser(2006)Sun Odyssey 479 - 4 cab.(2016)
Departure Dates4 cabins/2WC4 cabins/2WC4 cabins/2WC4 cabins/4WC
SUNDAY DEPARTURE - 1 WEEK
    
30 Apr, 07, 14 May4744445936875130
21, 28 May, 04, 11, 18 Jun5716524042496159
25 Jun, 02, 09, 16 Jul6440583048876835
23, 30 Jul, 06, 13 Aug6935642053167320
20, 27 Aug, 03, 10 Sep6440583048876835
17, 24 Sep5716524042496159
01, 08 Oct4744445936875130
15, 22 Oct3620330628593987
SUNDAY DEPARTURE - 2 WEEKS
30 Apr, 07 May8758818866449480
14 May97308969720610509
21, 28 May, 04, 11 Jun107029750776811538
18 Jun1142610340840612214
25 Jun, 02, 09 Jul1215010930904412890
16 Jul1264511520947313375
23, 30 Jul, 06 Aug1314012110990213860
13 Aug1264511520947313375
20, 27 Aug, 03 Sep1215010930904412890
10 Sep1142610340840612214
17 Sep107029750776811538
24 Sep97308969720610509
01 Oct8758818866449480
08 Oct7634703558168337
15 Oct6510588249887194

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 £640, 6 day course £1,100

Prices may be subject to change.

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.

The port authorities in Greece are now insisting on one of the following practical certificates: RYA ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster, ASA IPC (International Proficiency Certificate) or the IYT (International Yacht Training) Passport. If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or ASA104 it will no longer be accepted and you need to obtain either an ICC or IPC from the corresponding issuing body (RYA or ASA). If your RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster or ASA105/106 certificate is more than 12 years old and does not have a photo ID, then we would also strongly advise applying for an ICC or IPC. If you are a member of the RYA or ASA, you may qualify for a discount or free certificate, otherwise, you will have to pay. The approximate cost is £50. Please use this link - RYA application for the ICC or ASA application for the IPC.

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 Seychelles, the local authorities require an ICC for the skipper of a bareboat or flotilla yacht charter.

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.