Lund Group · the Ionian Islands
Yacht Charter the Ionian Islands
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the Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands by Yacht
The Ionian Islands lie off the west coast of Greece, and they are greener and gentler than the Aegean. Distances between Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Meganisi, Ithaca and Kefalonia are short, and the prevailing summer breeze is lighter than the meltemi, which makes the area comfortable for families and first charters.
Guests charter here for short, sheltered passages, pine-backed bays for swimming, small harbour towns for dinner ashore and calmer summer winds than the Aegean. A yacht keeps all of it within reach without daily transfers, and the crew shapes each day around the weather, the sea state and how much time you want at anchor rather than under way.
Lund Group arranges private charters in the Ionian Islands on motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans and full superyachts. We present only what genuinely suits your dates, guest numbers and pace, confirm every detail with the central agent before it is proposed, and never describe a yacht, berth or shore arrangement as available until it is held in writing.
The Ionian season runs from roughly May to October, with July and August the busiest. The wind pattern is usually a moderate afternoon breeze, so conditions are more predictable than in the Cyclades throughout the summer.
The fleet
Yachts for Charter in the Ionian Islands
Explore yachts that may be suitable for a the Ionian Islands charter. Every specification and rate shown comes from our own listings — nothing is estimated. Exact availability, positioning and eligibility are confirmed privately for your dates.
Private options for the Ionian Islands
Our public charter listings are being updated. Share your dates and group size and we will present suitable yachts.
Request availabilityCruising
Cruising the Ionian Islands
Ionian weeks tend to be relaxed: a short morning passage, a long anchorage for swimming, and a village quay or sheltered bay for the night. The inland sea around Lefkada and Meganisi is particularly protected.
Charters often start at Corfu or Lefkada and work south towards Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Northward itineraries can continue towards Montenegro and Croatia with the right paperwork.
Two Ionian charter regions. One connected journey.
Northern Ionian and Central & Southern Ionian
The Ionian is not one identical cruising zone. We plan it as two practical regions. These are route-design groupings, not official subdivisions.
- Northern Ionian: Corfu, the Diapontia Islands, Paxos, Antipaxos and, where relevant, the mainland Epirus coast. Green coastline, sheltered water and short hops from Corfu.
- Central & Southern Ionian: Lefkada, Meganisi, Kalamos and Kastos where relevant, Ithaca and Kefalonia, with Zakynthos as the southern extension. Deeper bays, quieter islands and slightly longer passages.
Embarkation
Start in Corfu or in Lefkada?
Corfu, usually Gouvia Marina or a Corfu anchorage, is the natural start for the Northern Ionian and has the widest flight connections. Lefkada, usually Lefkas Marina, sits at the heart of the Central Ionian and is reached through Preveza/Aktion airport.
One-way charters between Corfu and Lefkada link both regions in a single week. Whether a one-way is possible, and any delivery fee, is confirmed per yacht before contract.
Published maximum-vessel figures for Ionian marinas differ between sources. Berth capability is not berth availability. We confirm a berth or anchorage for each yacht and date, and the largest superyachts may embark at anchor.
Seven nights — North
Corfu, Paxos and Antipaxos
A sample shape, not a timetable. Passage times depend on the yacht and the sea state, and the captain has the final say.
- Corfu's east coast and the old town from the water.
- Southward to Paxos: Gaios, Lakka and the sea caves of the west coast.
- Antipaxos for clear-water swimming bays, weather permitting.
- Optional mainland calls along the Epirus coast such as Sivota or Parga, or the Diapontia Islands to the north-west on calm days.
Seven nights — Central
Lefkada, Meganisi, Ithaca and Kefalonia
Sample shape only, adjusted day by day for the wind.
- Lefkada's sheltered east coast and the inland sea towards Meganisi.
- Meganisi's bays, and Kalamos or Kastos where the route allows.
- Ithaca: Vathy and quiet northern coves.
- Kefalonia: Fiskardo and the north, with longer days to the west coast only when conditions suit.
One-way, two weeks and cross-border
Seeing More of the Ionian
A one-way week from Corfu to Lefkada, or the reverse, links both regions. Two weeks allow the whole chain from Corfu to Zakynthos at a relaxed pace.
Routes from Corfu into Albanian waters are sometimes possible. They require border-crossing formalities and the yacht's eligibility for both countries, so we confirm them case by case before proposing them.
We do not publish fixed passage times. Every itinerary is weather-first and the captain decides each day.
Southern Ionian
Zakynthos and Protected Waters
Parts of southern Zakynthos are environmentally protected and have specific navigation, speed and mooring rules, notably to protect the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). The captain and local agent plan the route using current official regulations.
Zakynthos is usually reached as the southern extension of a Central Ionian charter or a longer one-way.
Ionian or Cyclades?
Two Different Kinds of Greek Charter
The Ionian is greener and generally more sheltered, with shorter hops between islands. The Cyclades are drier and more exposed, and the summer Meltemi wind shapes routes there more strongly.
The Ionian still has afternoon breezes and changeable days, so it is not a promise of calm seas. Many guests pick the Ionian for families and relaxed weeks, and the Cyclades for nightlife and iconic island names.
Costs and compliance
What an Ionian Charter Costs
The advertised rate covers the yacht and crew. It is not the total charter cost. Rates are shown in the yacht's original currency.
- Base rate for the agreed period, as quoted by the yacht.
- APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) for fuel, food and drink, port fees and extras. The captain accounts for it and returns any balance.
- Greek VAT and any applicable charter taxes, with the structure set out in the contract.
- Delivery or repositioning fees when the yacht starts or ends away from its base.
- Greek commercial charter documentation, including the electronic charter permission and charter party, which we verify for each yacht and date. Nothing on this page claims authorisation for any particular yacht.
Families, toys and tenders
Why the Ionian Suits Families
Short hops, sheltered swimming bays and green islands make the Ionian a strong family charter area. Stabilisers, water toys, tender size and child safety set-ups differ by yacht and are confirmed per yacht. Water-toy use near protected areas follows local rules.
Season and yachts
When to Go and Which Yacht
The season runs roughly May to October. June and September are often quieter, and July and August are busiest.
The Ionian is one of Greece's best sailing areas. Sailing yachts and catamarans suit its short passages and sheltered water, and motor yachts cover the whole chain most comfortably on one-way routes.
Arrivals
Airports and Private Aviation
Corfu, Preveza/Aktion (for Lefkada), Kefalonia and Zakynthos airports serve the region. Their capability and prior-permission requirements vary. We arrange jets, helicopters and cars through independent operators and plan transfers rather than promise times.
Questions
Yacht Charter in the Ionian Islands
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Charter a Yacht in the Ionian Islands
Tell us where you want to go, when you want to travel and how you want to experience it. Our yacht team will curate the right options for you, with a clear breakdown of costs and a draft itinerary.
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