Greece — Ionian Islands

Best Anchorages in the Ionian Islands

The Ionian is Greece's most beginner-friendly cruising ground — no meltemi, calm mornings, and predictable afternoon breezes. Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Ithaka, and Kefalonia offer anchorages that rank among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. These 10 anchorages have been verified for depth, holding, wind protection, and anchor alarm radius.

About Ionian Sailing

The Maistro — Not the Meltemi

The Ionian is completely outside the Aegean meltemi zone. Instead, a NW thermal sea breeze — the Maistro — builds from around 12:00 to 16:00 each afternoon, typically reaching F3–4 (10–16 kn), then easing at sunset. Mornings are usually flat calm — the ideal time for longer passages. This gentle pattern makes the Ionian perfect for first-time sailors and families.

Beginner-Friendly

Short passages (most island-hops are 10–25 nm), calm mornings, light afternoon winds, and an abundance of sheltered anchorages make the Ionian the natural starting point for new cruisers. Lefkada and Nydri is the largest charter base in Greece for this reason. That said, frontal systems in September–October bring NE or SW gales that require the same preparation as any open sea.

Zakynthos — Anchoring Restriction

Laganas Bay on the S coast of Zakynthos is completely closed to anchoring from May to October for loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting protection. Violations carry substantial fines. None of the anchorages in this guide are in the restricted zone. Zakynthos port and N coast bays are unrestricted.

September Thunderstorms

The Ionian — particularly the mainland Epirus coast — sees more thunderstorms in September and October than the Aegean. Electrical storms can develop quickly from the NE. Monitor VHF weather forecasts (Ch 16/24/25), watch for anvil clouds building inland, and always run a GPS anchor alarm through the night when thunderstorms are in the forecast.

No Meltemi — Ionian Wind Pattern

Unlike the Aegean, the Ionian has no meltemi. The prevailing summer wind is the Maistro — a gentle NW thermal sea breeze that builds in the afternoon and eases at sunset. Sail in the morning calm (06:00–11:00) for the most comfortable passages. Anchor alarm radii in this guide are generally lower than Aegean equivalents — but still essential, especially during September and October when frontal systems can arrive quickly.

10 Verified Anchorages

Lakka

(Port Lakka)Good holdingIonian Islands — Paxos

Lakka is the prettiest and most sheltered anchorage on Paxos, tucked into a long NW-facing inlet fringed by olive groves and a small whitewashed village.

Depth

3–5m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

70m

Crowds

Very Busy

Protected: S SE E SW WExposed: N NERestaurantFree anchoring

Full anchoring guide →

Gaios

(Port Gaios)Good holdingIonian Islands — Paxos

Gaios is one of the finest natural harbours in the Ionian — a long, narrow channel between the main island and St Nicholas island, with artificial breakwaters sealing both N and S entrances.

Depth

5–8m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Busy

Protected: N NE E SE S SW W NWRestaurantFuel

Full anchoring guide →

Vathi

(Vathy Ithaca)Fair holdingIonian Islands — Ithaka

Vathi is the main harbour of Ithaka, set at the head of a magnificent 3-mile deep fjord-like inlet on the island's E coast.

Depth

3–8m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

60m

Crowds

Moderate

Protected: N NE E SE S SW NWExposed: WRestaurantFree anchoring

Full anchoring guide →

Fiskardo

(Fiscardo)Fair holdingIonian Islands — Kefalonia

Fiskardo is the most visually stunning village in the Ionian, sitting at the NE tip of Kefalonia beside a narrow harbour of extraordinary beauty.

Depth

10–12m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

50m

Crowds

Very Busy

Protected: N NW WExposed: E SE SRestaurantFree anchoring

Full anchoring guide →

Sami

(Σάμη)Good holdingIonian Islands — Kefalonia

Sami is Kefalonia's main ferry port on the E coast, sitting in a wide bay opposite the island of Ithaka.

Depth

2–4m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

50m

Crowds

Moderate

Protected: N NE E NWExposed: S SW WRestaurantFuelFree anchoring

Full anchoring guide →

Sivota

(Syvota Lefkada)Good holdingIonian Islands — Lefkada

Sivota on Lefkada's SE coast is a spectacular natural lagoon-style harbour, set among wooded hills with a picturesque village and outstanding facilities.

Depth

5–12m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

65m

Crowds

Very Busy

Protected: N NE E SE S SW WExposed: NWRestaurant

Full anchoring guide →

Nydri

(Nidri)Excellent holdingIonian Islands — Lefkada

Nydri is the heart of Ionian charter sailing — the biggest charter base in Greece, with six or more charter company pontoons, constant boat traffic, and a busy working waterfront.

Depth

4–10m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

60m

Crowds

Very Busy

Protected: N NE E SE S SW NWRestaurantFuel

Full anchoring guide →

Vasiliki

(Vassiliki)Good holdingIonian Islands — Lefkada

Vasiliki is famous worldwide among windsurfers for the afternoon thermal wind locally known as 'Eric' — a reliable katabatic NW wind that funnels down the valley and across the bay every afternoon from approximately midday, reaching F4–5 (15–25 kn) and providing perfect windsurfing conditions.

Depth

5–8m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Busy

Protected: N NE NW W SWExposed: SE S ERestaurantFree anchoring

Full anchoring guide →

Ormos Agni

(Agni Bay)Good holdingIonian Islands — Corfu

Agni is a small, charming cove on the NE coast of Corfu with three outstanding waterfront tavernas that are among the most celebrated in the Ionian.

Depth

5–12m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

55m

Crowds

Busy

Protected: N NE NW WExposed: E SE SRestaurant

Full anchoring guide →

Mourtos (Sivota Epirus)

(Syvota Epirus)Good holdingIonian Islands — Epirus Mainland

Mourtos (also called Sivota Epirus, or just Syvota) is one of the most scenically spectacular anchorages in the Ionian — a mainland lagoon of wooded islets and turquoise channels that draws day-trip boats from Corfu by the dozen.

Depth

5–6m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

65m

Crowds

Busy

Protected: N NE E SE S NWExposed: SW WRestaurant

Full anchoring guide →

Zakynthos — Laganas Bay Anchoring Prohibition

Laganas Bay on the southern coast of Zakynthos is completely closed to anchoring from 1 May to 31 October under the Zakynthos National Marine Park regulations, protecting loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting beaches. Violations carry substantial fines. Zakynthos port (N coast) and other northern bays are unrestricted. None of the anchorages in this guide fall within the protected zone.

Greek Anchoring Rules — Ionian

Anchoring in the Ionian Islands is generally free in most bays. Key requirements for visiting yachts:

  • !DEKPA (Transit Log): Required for all foreign yachts over 7m. ~€30. Main Ionian entry ports: Corfu Town (Kerkyra), Lefkada, Argostoli (Kefalonia), Zakynthos, Igoumenitsa.
  • !TEPAI Cruising Tax: ~€8/m per month for yachts 7–12m. Pay online at e-tepai.gr before arrival. Keep the receipt on board.
  • !Zakynthos National Park: No anchoring in Laganas Bay, May–October (Caretta caretta nesting). Zakynthos port and N coast are unrestricted.
  • !Lefkada Canal: Swing bridge at the N end operates on a schedule — check locally. Do not attempt to pass a closed bridge.
  • !Corfu Channel: Busy commercial shipping and ferry route (Igoumenitsa–Corfu–Brindisi). Maintain watch and cross quickly when transiting.

For full details, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Monitor Your Anchor Overnight

Safety Anchor Alarm watches your GPS position continuously and sounds an instant alert if your boat drifts — so you can sleep through the Ionian night, even when September thunderstorms roll in from the Epirus coast.

Download Free for iOS
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