Lefkada

Are you looking for a dreamy destination to enjoy sailing in Lefkada and explore its stunning coastline and nearby islands? Then you’ve come to the right place! Lefkada is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea that offers everything you need for an unforgettable boating holiday: crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, picturesque villages, cultural attractions, and a variety of activities on land and sea. Whether you want to rent a sailboat in Lefkada for a week, a luxury yacht charter in Lefkada for a day, or a private boat rental in Lefkada with captain for a special occasion, you’ll find plenty of options to suit your budget and preferences. In this article, we’ll give you a comprehensive guide to Lefkada and its sailboat rentals in Lefkada opportunities, including the best itineraries, experiences, activities, and safety tips. Let’s get started!

Welcome to Lefkada

Lefkada an ideal destination for boating enthusiasts who want to discover its hidden gems and nearby islets in private boat rentals in Lefkada. The island has several marinas and ports where you can find boat rentals in Lefkada for all kinds of vessels: sailboats, motorboats, catamarans, or luxury yacht charters in Lefkada. You can also choose between bareboat yacht charter in Lefkada if you have a sailing license and experience or boat rentals in Lefkada with captain or even a birthday party boat in Lefkada if you prefer to relax and enjoy the ride. Whatever you choose, you’ll be amazed by the scenery and the freedom that sailing in Lefkada offers. If you want to go all in, we suggest you rent a boat in Lefkada for a week!

Top Itineraries for Sailing in Lefkada

One of the best things about sailing in Lefkada is that you can create your own itinerary with  daily boat rentals in Lefkada, according to your interests and preferences. You can sail around the island with yacht rentals in Lefkada and visit its stunning beaches and coves or venture further away with motor boat rentals in Lefkada or sailboat rentals in Lefkada and explore other islands in the Ionian Sea. Here are some of the most popular itineraries for sailing in Lefkada that you can follow or customize:

Lefkada - Meganisi - Skorpios - Nydri: This is a classic itinerary that takes you to some of the most beautiful spots around Lefkada. If you’re feeling up for it, you can rent catamaran in Greece and sail here. You can start from Lefkada town or Vasiliki port and head to Meganisi island, a tranquil place with three picturesque villages (Vathy, Spartochori, Katomeri) and several lovely bays (Agios Ioannis, Fanari, Limonari). You can anchor at one of them and enjoy swimming or snorkeling in the clear water. You’ll see plenty of beautiful Greece yacht charters here, sailboat charters in Greece as well. Then you can sail to Skorpios island, the famous private island that belonged to Aristotle Onassis and hosted celebrities like Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, etc. You can admire it from afar, Athens motor boat rentals and party boat rentals in Athens included, or take a guided tour if available. Finally, you can sail back to Nydri port on Lefkada’s east coast, a popular resort town with many facilities, restaurants, and bars.

Lefkada - Ithaca - Kefalonia: This is an itinerary that takes you to two of the most famous Ionian islands, Ithaca and Kefalonia, both rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. You can start from Nydri port or Vasiliki port on Lefkada’s south coast and sail to Ithaca island, the mythical home of Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s epic poem. You can visit its main town, Vathy, a charming port with neoclassical buildings, a museum, and a castle. You can also explore its other villages, such as Stavros, Kioni, and Frikes, and its scenic bays, such as Gidaki, Sarakiniko, and Dexa. Then you can sail to Kefalonia island in party boat charters in Greece or motor yacht charters in Greece, the largest of the Ionian islands and famous for its stunning beaches, such as Myrtos, Antisamos, and Petani. You can also visit its capital, Argostoli, a lively town with a waterfront promenade, a lighthouse, and a bridge. You can also explore its other attractions, such as Melissani Cave, Drogarati Cave, Assos Castle, and Fiskardo village.

Lefkada - Kalamos - Kastos - Atokos - Ithaca: This is an itinerary that takes you to some of the lesser-known but equally beautiful islands around Lefkada, that are best explored in yacht charters in Athens or Athens catamaran charters if your party is big enough. You can start from Nydri port or Vasiliki port on Lefkada’s south coast and sail to Kalamos island, a green oasis with pine forests and traditional villages. You can anchor at its main port or at one of its secluded bays and enjoy swimming or hiking. Then you can sail to Kastos island a small and quiet island with only one village and several coves where you can relax or fish. Then you can sail to Atokos island an uninhabited island with rocky shores and turquoise waters. You can anchor your Athens sailboat charters at One House Bay one of the most beautiful bays in Greece and admire the sunset. Finally, you can sail to Ithaca island and visit its attractions as mentioned above.

Lefkada - Paxi - Antipaxi: This is an itinerary that takes you to two of the smallest but most charming Ionian islands Paxi and Antipaxi. You can start with yacht charters in Heraklion or sailboat rentals in Heraklion from Nydri port or Vasiliki port on Lefkada’s south coast and sail to Paxi island a verdant island with olive groves and picturesque villages. You can visit its main town Gaios, a quaint port with colorful houses a Venetian castle and a museum. You can also explore its other villages such as Lakka Loggos and Magazia and its scenic bays such as Mongonisi Erimitis and Harami. Then you can sail to Antipaxi island in yacht rentals in Alimos, Greece, a tiny island with only two settlements and some of the most amazing beaches in Greece such as Voutoumi Vrika and Rodovani. You can anchor at one of them and enjoy swimming or snorkeling in the crystal water.

Lefkada - Corfu: This is an itinerary that takes you to one of the most popular and cosmopolitan Ionian islands Corfu, that are best seen in catamaran charters in Alimos, Greece or sailboat rentals in Alimos, Greece. You can start from Nydri port or Vasiliki port on Lefkada’s south coast and sail north along the west coast of Greece until you reach Corfu island a cultural melting pot with Venetian French British and Greek influences. You can visit its capital Corfu town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with elegant architecture, fortresses, museums, and churches, that displays also some of the best motor boat charters in Alimos, Greece. You can also explore its other attractions such as Achilleion Palace Paleokastritsa Monastery Canal d’Amour Sidari Kassiopi Acharavi etc.

Top Experiences in Lefkada

Visit the Castle of Agia Mavra: This is a medieval castle built by the Franks who occupied Lefkada in 1294 and it protected the whole region from enemies. It is located right before the bridge that connects the island to the mainland. You can admire its impressive architecture and learn about its history and legends. You can also visit the nearby church of Agia Mavra, which hosts a miraculous icon of the saint.

Explore the Lagoons: The lagoons that surround the historic town of Lefkada support a unique ecology consisting of various forms of life. You can observe many species of birds, fish, and plants that live in these wetlands. You can also enjoy a relaxing walk or bike ride along the paths that cross the lagoons and admire the views of the sea and the town.

Swim in the Waterfalls of Nydri: This is a gorgeous waterfall that has its source up in Lefkada mountains and ends into a gorge with white rocks. Many visitors swim in its crystal clear yet cold waters. You can reach the waterfall by following a short trail from Nydri village or by taking a boat tour in Kavala boat rentals from Nydri port.

Visit the Monastery of Faneromeni: This is the most important monastery and religious center of Lefkada. It is situated in a lush green area about 2 km from Frini village. The monastery dates back to the 17th century and has a beautiful church with an impressive iconostasis and frescoes. The monastery also hosts a small ecclesiastical museum with Byzantine icons, priest clothing, and other relics.

Discover the Lighthouse of Cape Ducato: The lighthouse of Lefkada is ideally located in Cape Ducato, which is down south of the island. This lighthouse was constructed in 1913 and offers panoramic views of the sea and the nearby islands. Cape Ducato is also known as Cape Lefkada, where the ancient poet Sappho allegedly leaped to her death from the cliffs out of love for Phaon.

Activities in Lefkada

Windsurfing and Kitesurfing: Lefkada is one of the best places in Greece for windsurfing and kitesurfing, thanks to its consistent winds and waves. The most popular spots for these sports are Vasiliki beach on the south coast and Agios Ioannis beach on the north coast. There are many schools and rental shops where you can find equipment and lessons for all levels.

Paragliding: If you want to experience an adrenaline rush and see Lefkada from above, you can try paragliding at Kathisma beach on the west coast. You can fly with an experienced instructor who will guide you through the air and show you the amazing views of the sea and the mountains. You can also take photos or videos of your flight to remember this unique adventure.

Scuba Diving: Lefkada has many diving sites that offer diverse underwater landscapes and marine life. You can explore caves, reefs, wrecks, walls, and more. You can also see colorful fish, octopuses, sea turtles, dolphins, and even seals. There are several diving centers on the island that offer courses and trips for beginners and advanced divers.

Best Beaches in Lefkada

Lefkada is famous for its stunning beaches that have been awarded with Blue Flags for their cleanliness and quality. The beaches of Lefkada have white sand or pebbles and turquoise waters that create a contrast with the green hills and cliffs that surround them. Here are some of the best beaches in Lefkada that you should visit:

Porto Katsiki: This is one of the most famous beaches in Greece and for a good reason. It is located on the southwest coast of Lefkada and it consists of a long stretch of white sand at the foot of a steep cliff. The water is crystal clear and deep blue and it reflects the sunlight in a magical way. You can take a boat from Nydri or Vasiliki ports or just anchor here in your Paros yacht charter and Zakynthos yacht rentals.

Egremni: This is another spectacular beach on the southwest coast of Lefkada that rivals Porto Katsiki in beauty. It is longer than Porto Katsiki and it has more pebbles than sand. The water is equally clear and turquoise and it contrasts with the white cliffs that rise above it. You can reach Egremni by Chania boat rentals from Nydri or Vasiliki ports.

Kathisma: This is one of the most popular beaches on Lefkada’s west coast because it combines natural beauty with facilities and entertainment. It is located near Agios Nikitas village and it has fine sand and clear water. It is also organized with sunbeds umbrellas bars restaurants and water sports. It is ideal for families couples and friends who want to have fun and relax. You can access Kathisma with yacht rentals in Rhodes or yacht charters in Ios, Greece.

Milos: This is one of the most secluded beaches on Lefkada’s west coast because it requires some effort to reach it but it rewards you with its unspoiled beauty and tranquility. It is located near Agios Nikitas village and it has coarse sand and emerald water. It is not organized so you need to bring your own supplies and shade. You can access Milos by boat from Agios Nikitas port or your can Rent a boat in Spetses and sail here. 

Pefkoulia: This is one of the most beautiful beaches on Lefkada’s north coast because it has a long sandy shore surrounded by pine trees that give it its name (pefko means pine in Greek). The water is shallow and clear and it changes color depending on the weather and time of day. The beach is partly organized with sunbeds umbrellas and a beach bar but it also has some free space for those who prefer more privacy. You can access Pefkoulia by car or bus along a paved road.

Safety and Emergency Information

Check the weather forecast before sailing and avoid sailing in strong winds or storms. Wear life jackets when on board especially if you are not an experienced swimmer. Respect local regulations such as speed limits no anchoring zones fishing licenses etc. Do not drink alcohol when sailing or swimming. Do not litter or pollute the sea or land. Do not disturb wildlife or damage natural habitats.

In case of emergency you should contact one of these numbers:

• Coast Guard: +30 26450 22322;
• Police: +30 26450 29379;
• Hospital: +30 26450 25371

We hope this guide has given you some useful information and tips for your boating holiday in Lefkada. We wish you a wonderful time sailing in Lefkada and discovering its amazing sights and attractions!