Milebuilder Sailing: Corfu and Albania Explorer from Lefkas
This milebuilder sailing week starts in Lefkas at dusk, with a steady breeze and practical focus. Then, you route via Paxos and Corfu, then check out in Corfu, and clear into Sarandë on arrival.
By week’s end, you will log around two hundred miles and complete two passages after dark. It is straightforward, purposeful sailing, with six days of tuition across varied legs and conditions. So, here is why the week matters and what you will do, learn, and log.
Why this milebuilder sailing week matters
This milebuilder sailing week adds around 200 nautical miles between Lefkas, Paxos, Corfu, and Sarandë. You will complete two passages after dark, which means real night hours recorded in your logbook. Furthermore, you will cross an international border and handle immigration and customs on arrival in Albania.
These elements combine naturally to build experience beyond short coastal hops in familiar waters. The route and timings create longer legs, varied conditions, and purposeful arrivals at new ports. Additionally, the programme is suitable for Day Skipper level sailors and those progressing higher.
If conditions allow, you may also practise advanced sail trim and heavier weather techniques en route. Consequently, you finish the week with logged distance, night hours, and first-hand border formalities.
Route highlights
- Paxos
Paxos lies just south of Corfu, carpeted in ancient olive groves and famed for west-coast blue caves. Meanwhile, it makes a natural first hop on this milebuilder sailing week, settling routines before longer passages begin. - Corfu
Corfu’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, distinguished by Venetian fortifications and elegant neoclassical streets. Consequently, it serves as a practical staging point before the crossing to Albania later in the itinerary. - Sarandë, Albania
Sarandë is the Albanian Riviera’s main port, with UNESCO-listed Butrint around 18–20 kilometres to the south. Therefore, arrival here combines international clearance with an easy gateway to a remarkable archaeological landscape. - Himarë
Himarë fronts a string of renowned beaches, including Gjipe, Jale, Llamani, and Livadhi along the Ionian coast. As a result, this coastal leg adds variety and relaxed anchorages before you shape a course back towards Greece.
Skills you will log
- Around 200 nautical miles
You will cover close to 200 nautical miles during the week between Greece and Albania. - Two night passages
You will complete two passages after dark as part of the planned itinerary. - Immigration and customs formalities
You will check out of Greece and complete entry formalities on arrival in Sarandë, Albania. - Advanced sail trim practice
You will practise advanced sail trim as conditions allow during the itinerary. - Potential heavy-weather techniques
If conditions allow, you may also put heavier weather techniques into practice at sea. - Handling a larger training yacht
You will train on a Sun Odyssey 469, which is rewarding to manoeuvre under power. - Varied sail handling in real conditions
The yacht’s performance allows meaningful sail handling across a range of conditions.
Furthermore, this milebuilder sailing week naturally exposes you to longer legs and varied ports.
The yacht and the watch system
Sun Odyssey 469
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 469 is a well-suited training yacht with a spacious four-cabin layout. She offers good performance for her size, which supports varied sail handling during milebuilder sailing. Aft there are two ensuite doubles, while the two forward singles are ensuite for comfort, as well.
Firstly, the starboard forward cabin is reserved for the instructor during training weeks from Lefkas. The cockpit has twin wheels and a fold-down platform, which makes access and helming straightforward.
In addition, there is a large bimini for shade and a sprayhood for foul weather during autumn passages. Sail power comes from a fully battened mainsail with lazy bag plus a large roller genoa.
Inside, you will find a bright saloon, a navigation area, and a fully equipped galley. There is 12V charging in cabins and saloon, with 220V available when connected to shore power. Finally, soft-bag storage is available under saloon seating and under beds for efficient use of space.
On-water tuition
This milebuilder sailing week includes six days of tuition from an experienced skipper. Two night passages form part of the itinerary between the Ionian and Albanian coasts. Accordingly, coaching focuses on real conditions, varied legs, and purposeful arrivals at new ports.
Safety
Safety is a priority on this milebuilder sailing week, with the yacht compliant with Greek and UK coding. Equipment includes inflatable lifejackets for all crew and a serviced liferaft carried on board always.
Moreover, there are multiple radios, jackstays, and both gas and smoke detectors fitted for protection. Finally, additional specialist safety equipment is carried, supporting autumn operations in the Northern Ionian safely.
Who milebuilder sailing is for
- Suitable for sailors looking to build on existing experience during a focused training week.
- A good fit for Day Skipper level skippers seeking to skipper a larger yacht in future.
- Also suitable for those progressing beyond existing qualifications to Coastal Skipper or higher.
- Expect close to 200 nautical miles, two night passages, and Greece–Albania formalities during the week.
Dates, price, and what is included
This milebuilder sailing week runs for one week from Lefkas. Our first trip is fully booked and leaves on 19th October. But 2026 dates will be announced on 1st November. The itinerary includes two night passages and close to 200 nautical miles between Greece and Albania.
The price is £995 per person when sharing a twin cabin for the scheduled October departure. Single occupancy is £1,415 per cabin on the same itinerary from our Lefkas base.
Flights and transfers are available on request through our team if you prefer a packaged option. Your fare includes six days of tuition, mooring fees, and fuel and other yacht running costs.
Plus, it includes bed linen and towels, plus provisions for breakfast and a light lunch onboard. ATOL protection applies to flight-inclusive packages booked through Seafarer, as shown in our overview.
Milebuilder Sailing Frequently Asked Questions
What is milebuilder sailing and who is it for?
Milebuilder sailing here is a one week training itinerary from Lefkas to Albania that builds experience and miles. It suits Day Skipper level sailors and those progressing towards Coastal Skipper or higher qualifications.
How many miles and night hours will I log?
Expect close to 200 nautical miles during the week between Greece and Albania overall. What’s more, the itinerary includes two passages after dark as part of the planned training programme.
Can you sail from Greece to Albania on a week itinerary?
Yes, the route runs from Lefkas via Paxos and Corfu to Sarandë within one week. Besides, the plan includes two night passages and the international crossing as scheduled activities throughout.
Do I need to clear in when entering Albania by yacht?
Yes, you will complete immigration and customs formalities on arrival at Sarandë during this itinerary. You will also check out of Greece in Corfu before proceeding across to Albanian waters.
What standard of experience do I need?
This week suits sailors building on existing experience within a structured, instructor led training environment. It is ideal for Day Skipper level sailors progressing toward Coastal Skipper or higher qualifications.
Ready to add 200 quality miles
Book your place now and finish the season with confidence on open water.
This milebuilder sailing week turns tidy manoeuvres into real miles, night hours, and structured experience. Secure your berth today and start next season already a stronger, more capable skipper.