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Southern Ionian Explorer Flotilla

Enjoy the Ionian islands at a great time of the year

The Ionian explorer flotilla is ideal for those looking to enjoy the Ionian islands at a great time of the year – sailing can be more challenging, with more varied conditions than are generally found during the high season. The harbours and anchorages are a little quieter, giving you the chance to sail late into the afternoon.

We try to design our route to give some longer passages, heading further south than our regular flotilla routes, which gives the opportunity to visit harbours and ports that are not generally accessible on regular flotillas.

Each island offers something different, and we also try to visit a variety of overnight stops – larger towns like Vathi on Ithaca and Zakynthos town, as well as the smaller islands of Kastos and Kalamos.

As the weather is changeable, this particular route may be subject to some changes, so a sense of adventure and a flexible approach is definitely part of the essential packing list!

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Area & Routes

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Yachts

Coin Icon for dates and prices

Prices & Special Offers

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Flights etc

Yacht and Hotel icon for combining a hotel stay with a flotilla holiday

Sail & Stay

Southern Ionian Explorer Ithaka Anchorage

Area Information

Greece’s southern Ionian Islands weave a tapestry of history, beaches, and natural beauty. Lefkada, accessible by bridge, boasts stunning beaches like Porto Katsiki and charming villages. Tiny Kalamos offers a tranquil escape with crystal-clear waters ideal for snorkeling. Ithaka, Odysseus’ mythical homeland, entices with hidden coves and a laid-back atmosphere. Neighboring Kefalonia, the largest, features dramatic landscapes, Venetian castles, and Myrtos Beach, a crescent of white sand and turquoise water. Further south, Zakynthos, known as Zante, beckons with its famous Shipwreck Beach, accessible by boat, and loggerhead sea turtle nesting grounds.

Across the Ionian Sea lies the Peloponnese, a peninsula steeped in myth and history. The coast offers a diverse playground, from secluded coves and sandy beaches to dramatic cliffs. Venture inland to discover Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Explore the ancient stadium, temples, and sanctuaries where athletes competed centuries ago.

Southern Ionian Explorer Map

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Weather & Sailing Conditions

The summer sailing season in Greece enjoys fantastic weather, with clear skies and warm temperatures from April through to October. You can expect daytime temperatures of between 20 to 25 degrees in early October, with slightly lower temperatures in the evening. Sailing conditions are generally moderate with wind strengths between force 2-5. The water temperature is around 20 degrees in early October, still great for swimming.

Ionian flotilla holiday routes may vary during the season according to weather and operating conditions. Our flotilla crew will keep you fully briefed each day.

The Explorer Route

Southern Ionian Explorer Sailing Kalamos

Yachts

Our fleet in Nikiana ranges from 33 to 50ft with yachts by Jeanneau, Beneteau and Bavaria. You can find the full details of each yacht on the slider below including mainsail type, cabin layout, and interior photos. All yachts are equipped as standard with the following:

  • Dinghy with outboard
  • Full electronic instrumentation
  • Autopilot
  • Shore power
  • Cabin Fans
  • Solar Panels
Cabin Configuration
Cabins
2
3
4
5

Dates, Prices & Special Offers

YachtDeparture DateRoutePrice
Bavaria 33 - 2007TBAExplorer Route£1,695
Sun Odyssey 36i - 2008/12TBAExplorer Route£1,795
Bavaria 37 - 2007
TBAExplorer Route£1,795
Bavaria 37 - 2015
TBAExplorer Route£2,295
Bavaria 40 - 2011/13
TBAExplorer Route£2,395
Oceanis 41.1 - 2017TBAExplorer Route£2,795
Sun Odyssey 42i - 2012
TBAExplorer Route£2,395
Bavaria 42 - 2024TBAExplorer Route£2,995
Bavaria 46 - 2016TBAExplorer Route£3,295
Bavaria 46 - 2023TBAExplorer Route£3,595
Bavaria 50 - 2008TBAExplorer Route£3,295

Yacht Security Deposit

Yacht Security Deposits & Yacht Damage Waiver (YDW)
Choose Yacht Damage Waiver for peace of mind
Yacht SizeDepositYDW (1 week)YDW (2 weeks)
Up to 35ft£1,000£120£180
36ft to 39ft£1,500£180£270
40ft to 45ft£2,000£250£375
46ft and over£2,500£300£450

Seafarer Price Guarentee Icon

The Seafarer Price Guarantee – We will not be beaten on price!

As an independent company, we are able to keep our prices highly competitive – if you see a like for like product featured elsewhere cheaper, let us know and we will beat it! This guarantee applies to yacht and accommodation rates on our Beach Club, Flotilla, Learn to Sail and & Cabin Charter programmes operated by Seafarer and is subject to availability at the time of booking.

Whats Included

Small Yacht IconFully Equipped Charter Yacht

Lead crew in pirate costume iconAssistance of the lead crew

Diesel Fuel IconOne full tank of fuel

Dinghy with Outboard IconDinghy & Outboard

Linen and Towels IconBed Linen & Towels

Spray Cleaning Bottle IconEnd Cleaning

Notebook Icon for cruising notesArea Cruising Notes

Coffee and Water cups iconWelcome Pack

Bowl of Punch IconPunch Party (weekly)

Salad and Kebabs icon for beach partyBeach Party (for two-week guests)

Optional Extras

Stand Up Paddleboard IconStand Up Paddleboard – £200 for two weeks

Child Safety Netting- £100 per charter

Skipper/Captain holding yacht wheel iconSkipper – £2,590 for two weeks

Yacht Host IconHost – £1,890 for two weeks

Note: Mooring charges (except at flotilla base), extra fuel or water; food, drink’s and items of a personal nature such as laundry are not included. For sail & stay, transfer costs from yacht base to your accommodation are usually excluded and payable locally unless you are booking a flight-inclusive package.

Skippered Flotilla Sailing

While these yachts are generally skippered by guests themselves who hold the correct qualifications we can also provide a skipper for those with no prior sailing experience. This will still have all the benefits of sailing as part of a flotilla, meeting others in the evenings or during the day, organised activities for the kids as well as all the usual benefits of yachting, like exploring, swimming in secluded bays during the day, and the simple joy of travelling under sail. Click here for more details.

Booking a Flotilla Holiday

To book or check availability get in touch with our experienced team on one of the links below.

0208 324 3118
[email protected]
Get A Quote

Getting there and away

There are a multitude of ways to travel to our base in Nikiana, whether you are joining us for the week or combining it with a larger trip. We are located in Nikiana Harbour, right in the heart of the village, which is easily reachable by both public and private transport. Seafarer flotillas in the Ionian run from Sunday to Sunday with yachts being available to embark from around 14.00 onwards on the first day and disembarking around 9.00 at the end of the flotilla.

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ATOL protection

Your flight inclusive holiday with us (should you choose this option) is financially secure as we are ATOL licensed, making the entire package ATOL protected. We have been trading since 1995 so you can book with total confidence.

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Flights

Sunday charter flights available from Gatwick alongside scheduled flights from Heathrow, Stanstead, Luton, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. Flights to other European centres available both on Sundays and other days during the week.

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Bus & Taxi

Direct Seafarer transfers from Preveza airport that takes roughly 30 minutes. Regular buses from Nikiana harbour to Nydri, Vassiliki and Lefkas town, from Lefkas town there are regular buses to Athens and Corinth plus less frequent services to Thessaloniki and Igoumenitsa.

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Ferry

Regular ferries from Kefalonia to Vassiliki (40 minutes from base) and from Meganisi to Nydri (10 minutes from base). Less frequent ferries from Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zante to Lefkas town (15 minutes from base).

Lefkas Flotilla Nikiana Beach Club Stay and Sail

Sail & Stay Holidays

Introducing Nikiana Beach Club

Enjoy dinghy sailing, windsurfing and other watersports right in Nikiana. Our beach club offers a small and friendly setting which is perfect for a week before or after a week on the Lefkas flotilla. Prices start at £495pp for a week including flights from London meaning sail and stay holidays can offer great value for an amazing two week trip to the Ionian. More details in the link below.

Nikiana Beach Club
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Seafarer