Tips for Ionian

[foucault76]

Hi everybody, I'm planning to charter a yacht (37-40') from 10 to 24 August in the Ionian Islands.

I wonder how's the conditions for mooring.
Are there good marinas on the islands?
Are there mooring buoys available in harbours or bays?

I have sailed there in 2000 and I don't remember any of those, only single leg mooring or side berthing or anchor+stern mooring.

Thanks for your suggestions!

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by foucault76

Hi everybody, I'm planning to charter a yacht (37-40') from 10 to 24 August in the Ionian Islands.

I wonder how's the conditions for mooring.
Are there good marinas on the islands?
Are there mooring buoys available in harbours or bays?

I have sailed there in 2000 and I don't remember any of those, only single leg mooring or side berthing or anchor+stern mooring.

Thanks for your suggestions!

There is only one marina - Gouvia on Corfu.
There are few mooring buoys.
At jetties it is frequently deep enough to tie up. The general procedure is to med moor rather than side berth.
The anchorages are WONDERFUL and plentiful.

It will be very crowded in August, but have a wonderful holiday .

Med mooring in Paxos in August:

[Seaworthy Lass]

Anchoring in Antipaxos in August:

[foucault76]

Thank you!

[NornaBiron]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

There is only one marina - Gouvia on Corfu.
There are few mooring buoys.
At jetties it is frequently deep enough to tie up. The general procedure is to med moor rather than side berth.
The anchorages are WONDERFUL and plentiful.

It will be very crowded in August, but have a wonderful holiday .

Med mooring in Paxos in August:

Agree with all of that except that there are other marinas in the Ionian - Lefkas town on Lefkada and Vathi on Meganisi. There are also plenty of town quays to tie to if you like that sort of thing, but you'll have to get there early to get a space in August.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by NornaBiron

Agree with all of that except that there are other marinas in the Ionian - Lefkas town on Lefkada and Vathi on Meganisi. There are also plenty of town quays to tie to if you like that sort of thing, but you'll have to get there early to get a space in August.

I forgot all about Lefkas - must have buried that deep in the recesses of my brain preferring to forget the memory of being hit by lighning and having to haul out there and spend two months on their hardstand! Some things are best forgotten .

[jckb]

Originally Posted by NornaBiron

Agree with all of that except that there are other marinas in the Ionian - Lefkas town on Lefkada and Vathi on Meganisi. There are also plenty of town quays to tie to if you like that sort of thing, but you'll have to get there early to get a space in August.

And Preveza town too . . .

[Bellamica]

Don't go in August if you can help it, the Ionian is full of Italians in motor boats, when they spot a yacht they seem to alter course and zoom across your track. You will spill your drink, normally a passive chap, well good job I don't own a gun, but seriously they are a menace.
If you don't need a 40'er why charter one, most of the anchorages are small and in peak season crowded. You will find life much easier in 32-34', you also get less draught in a smaller boat so increase your options, sailing performance won't be affected that much, after all your on holiday, give your ego a holiday too. Most destinations are shortish day sails less than 30 miles, by eyeball navigation so you don't need that much boat speed, you usually can find a lunch stop along the way. You do get highish winds up to force 7 on my visit but in the relatively small area and the shortish duration you don't get large seas. I remember beating to windward, the breeze was off the mainland and very hot and dry, force 7, each wave that soaked me was almost instantly dried, this left salt crystals on my sunglasses which I constantly had to scrape off and left my shorts rigid with salt, exhilarating good fun, we don't get that in the North Sea.
Beautiful sailing area and you will love it I'm sure, you will do more motoring than you expect, winds don't get up until late morning so if your planning a long sail starting early you'll be on the iron mains'l, a lot, once up the wind blows, usually building steadily until they turn off like clockwork in the late afternoon, meaning you always have a lovely tranquil evening and secure night.
Hope this encourages you to go.

ATBellamica

[Jad]

Hello,
You will find description of marinas, public ports and Anchorage in our blog
Www.ovnijad.com
Have a good time
Jad