Ionian Islands

Corfu, Anti-Paxos, Paxos, Lefkas, Meganissi, Ithaka and Zakynthos

General information

The Ionian Islands, also knows as the Eptánisos (Seven Islands), are strung out along the west coast of Greece from the Albanian frontier to the Peloponnese. What distinguishes the Ionian Islands from other Greek islands is their fertile land and clear blue waters. The islands have a mild climate and lush growth of vegetation. Ever-green cypress, pine, elm, green fields, flowers even in height of summer, and everywhere the dull dark sheen of the olive, characterize the lower land while higher up the slopes are covered in pine and the tenacious Mediterranean maquis. Due to less severe winds than in other regions these islands form the perfect ground for a yacht charter holiday with kids or less experienced crew. Charter bases can be found in Preveza, Corfu and Lefkas.

History of the Ionian Islands

The first settlements on these islands date back to Mycenaean times, while their first emergence into the light of history was in 743 BC, when Corinth founded the city of Korkyra, later Kerkira. In the 5th century BC the islands came under Athenian influence, and in the 2nd century BC the Roman Empire took over. Later they came under Byzantine rule, and in 1085 were conquered by the Normans. In 1203-04, after the Fourth Crusade, the islands fell into the hands of Italian rulers, and came under Venetian rule which lasted until the fall of the Republic of St Mark in 1797. During this period the islands provided a refuge for many Greeks fleeing from the Turks, including artists from Crete who founded a school of their own here, and throughout these centuries they enjoyed a richer cultural life than the rest of Greece. After an interlude of French rule the young Republic of the Seven Islands became a British Protectorate in 1815. In 1864 Britain returned the islands to Greece.

Wind and sailing conditions

Wind and sailing conditions in the Ionian Sea are ideal and predictable. From May to September the wind blows from the N-W direction at Force 2-5. In spring and autumn the wind is less strong and blows usually from the S-W direction. It arrives around noon, blows between force 3 to 6 (10 to 25 knots) and dies down at sunset. There may be strong gusts on the leeward side due to the high land (e.g Eastern side of Ithaka and Zakinthos.)

Travel tips & itineraries

An ideal starting point for your cruise is from Gouvia Marina, about 15 minutes from Corfu International Airport, or Paleros, in the mainland east of Lefkas Island.
Corfu is the most northern of the seven Ionian Islands. Proceeding south from Corfu you come to the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, Lefkas, Ithaka, Kefalonia and Zakynthos, and the island of Kythira. Here there is a barren backdrop to the islands that gives a taste of the topography to come. In between there are protected waters where the wind seldom blows too strongly and a multitude of little anchorages accessible only by yacht. From the inland sea bordered by Lefkas, Ithaka and Kefalonia you leave the rolling almost English landscape of Zakynthos to confront the rocky slopes of the Peloponnese.

 

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