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Ionian Sea Yacht Charters | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We specialize in yacht charters in the Ionian Sea area and Greece. We have a great range of sailing yachts and motor boats available for bareboat charter and can also offer skippered and crewed charters. Many of our boats can be hired by the day rather than for a full weeks charter. Please contact us directly for our great value late booking deals in Ionian Sea. We have boats in the following locations; Corfu, Lefkas, Preveza and Vounaki General Info - The Ionian Sea combines both good sailing weather, sunny and warm with predictable winds with a fascinating group of islands. Navigation is generally by line of sight and a passage between islands is generally only a few hours in duration The islands are attractive and steeped in Greek mythology. The Ionian Sea is a great place for people learning to sail or building experience and so it is no surprise that it is home to several companies running flotilla sailing holidays. The Sailing Area from the north; Corfu - . The island receives three times the average amount of rain for the area and as a consequence is a mass of green woodlands, wild pine-covered mountains, lakes and cultivated fields. It also has miles of sandy beaches. The island's capital, Corfu Town is attractively situated on a promontory on the east coast, dominated by the New Fortress. Visit Sidari to the north to swim in the Canal d'Amour, the legend has it that lovers will stay together for life. 16 km to the south of Corfu Town is the Villa of Achillion, built in Italian Renaissance style and situated at an altitude of 145 m. It has magnificent gardens and attractive panoramic views. Today it is a museum. 3 km further south is the charming fishing village of Benitses and the remains of a Roman villa. Climb to the summit of Mount Pantokrator where you will find an abandoned monastery dating from 1347. The hilltop also provides beautiful views The main harbour is in Corfu town. Enter the Old Harbour from the eastern end of the breakwater. The entrance into the interior of the harbour is very narrow and a strong northwesterly makes entry difficult. Once inside there is excellent shelter in all weathers. Visitor's berths are behind the windward mole, alongside, two and three deep. Anchoring is not advised, you will almost certainly get gear tangled. Having berthed you are within walking distance of the town's centre. Adjacent to the harbour you will find chandlers, machine shops, boat engine repair services and others for electrical and electronic gear. Corfu town unquestionably offers the best all-round facilities in the northern Ionian. 3 miles to the NW is Linin Gouvia, a large land locked bay. At it's southern end is Gouvia marina which has become Corfu's centre of yachting. It is home to a Venetian arsenal. The surrounding area has been given over to the package holiday and there are more pleasant places to spend time on a yachting holiday. The north Corfu channel is the stretch of water between Corfu and Albania. Beware the reef just to the north of Agios Stefanos. Agios Stefanos is a small inlet in the North Corfu Channel. No objection is normally made to anchoring here despite the presence of a nearby military post. Anchor in the middle of the bay in depths of 3 - 6m. The bottom is thick weed and mud which can be difficult to get through. Good shelter from the prevailing NW wind. There is a rough stone mole on the south side of the bay but this is usually taken by local boats. There are numerous tavernas around the shore. Some holiday villas have been built here but the bay retains a calm and a beauty well worth the stop for the night. Limited provisions can be obtained Agni Bay is immediately south of Kalami in the north east of the island. It is open to the south and east but offers good shelter from the prevailing NW wind. There are three taverns, each with it's own private jetty, where you may anchor preferably bow to. If you overnight here it is better to anchor at the northern or southern end of the bay to avoid the large waves created by the ferries that enter and leave during the night. |
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Suggested Itineraries & Routes - Click the following link for a selection of suggested yacht charter itineraries in the Ionian Sea Marinas - Detailed reports and information on Marinas, Harbours and Anchorages in Ionian Sea can be found in our Cruising Guide Experience & Qualifications - Normally the proposed skipper of a bareboat charter is required to hold a sailing license. ICC or equivalent. In certain circumstances we may be able to consider experience rather than formal qualifications. In addition, usually, one member of the crew will need a VHF license. If you have any doubts as to whether you have the necessary qualifications please do not hesitate to contact us Visa Requirements -Greece is a member of the European Union. See the following link for EU Visa Regulations Charter Season - Many of our yachts can be hired year round. While November to February see many sunny days with pleasant temperatures they also see a number of stormy days accompanied by heavy rain. July and August are the most popular months, they also tend to be the most expensive and many marinas and resorts will be very crowded. The months either side of the peak summer period offer good value for money, temperatures are that little bit more comfortable and the area is will have less of a "busy" feel. Climate -See the following link for detailed information on the weather of the Ionian Sea complete with monthly averages for air and sea temperatures, sunshine hours and UV Index. The wind is consistent with conditions found throughout the E Mediterranean. Little wind in the morning but from noon the wind freshens throughout the afternoon reaching perhaps 20 knots. The evening and night sees a return to calm conditions. During the summer months it blows from the NW and from the SW for the remaining months. How to Get There - The Ionian Sea charter area is served by several international airports. Click on the following link for airlines and carriers operating out of airports in the Ionian Sea area Time Difference - GMT+2 Currency - Euro. Major credit cards are widely accepted and there is an extensive network of ATMs throughout the area Language - Greek. English is widely spoken Get a quote for your Ionian Sea yacht charter here. Or contact us by email |
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Mythology - No look at the Ionian would be complete without mention of Homer and the Odyssey. The Odyssey tells the storey of Odysseus and his travels and adventures throughout the Mediterranean in around 800BC. The Trojan War concluded when the Greeks succeeded into bringing a wooden horse into the city of Troy. Greek soldiers were hidden inside and opened the city gates to the Greek army who sacked the city. Odysseus and the other Greeks could know return to their kingdoms across the sea. To say Odysseus's journey was eventful is rather understating the matter. On departing Troy in what is now north west Turkey he sails south through the Aegean Sea. On reaching the southern tip of Greece he is blown off course to the lotus eaters in what is thought to be Libya. The it's on to Sicily where he runs into Cyclops. This one eyed giant eats two of the crew before they escape. More trouble in the Laestrygonians - Corsica or Sardinia. Here the fleet is attacked by giants hurling boulders and more of the crews are devoured. The survivors head east to Italy and the enchantress Circe. She entertains the sailors and then with a wave of her wand, turns them into swine. Odysseus is protected by the herb that the god Hermes has given him. At some point in the journey reference is made to the pillars of Hercules. And this is supposed to be the Rock of Gibraltar and Jebel Musa in Morocco. These two mountains sit either side of the straights that are the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Now he must pass the Sirens whose sweet singing lures sailors to their deaths. Odysseus plugs fills the ears of his crew with wax and then lashes himself to the mast so he cannot steer the ship onto the waiting rocks. Passing through the straits between Sicily and mainland Italy they run into Charybdis, who swallows the sea in a whirlpool, then spits it up again. And Scylla who uses each of her six hands to reach down from her cliff and pluck a sailor from the deck and then promptly, yes you guessed, eats them. More misfortune as they upset the god Zeus who sends a thunderbolt to destroy the ship. Only Odysseus survives, washed ashore on Malta, the home of the nymph Calypsos who detains him against his will. Zeus, the king of the gods, sends Hermes skimming over the waves on magic sandals with orders for Odysseus's release. But when nearly home again another god, Posiedon, sends a storm to wreck his vessel and he is washed ashore on Corfu several days later. He falls asleep in an olive thicket and is woken to the sound of female laughter. This is the Princess Nausicaa come down to the riverside to wash her wedding dress. Odysseus approaches her and she agrees to help him try and finish his journey home. She introduces him to her father and when he has heard Odysseus's story he orders him sped home to Ithaca. Once home he finds the island full of suitors for his wife's hand, after such a length of time Odysseus is believed dead. He and an ally fight and win a battle against overwhelming odds with a little help from the gods. And then Athena tells the contending parties to live together in peace down through the years to come Feedback - We would welcome any comments you may have about your charter in Ionian Sea. Contact us here Terms & Conditions -These vary depending on the individual boat. Normally a deposit is required at the time of booking with the balance due 6 weeks before the date of your charter. Please contact us if you require further information. Get a quote for your Ionian Sea yacht charter here. Or contact us by email |
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Boats Available for Daily Hire | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sports - Sea Ray Sundancer 335 Fishing - Sail Boats - |
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Bareboat Monohulls | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 Cabins Bavaria 30 Bavaria 31 Bavaria 31 Cruiser [YOB - 2008] [Corfu] Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i [YOB - 2009] [Corfu] Bavaria 34 Cruiser [YOB - 2008] [Corfu] Bavaria 34 Cruiser [YOB - 2008] [Lefkas] Hanse 342 Beneteau Oceanis 31 3 Cabins Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i Bavaria 38 NB - Year of Build [YOB] normally refers to the year the boat was launched but can also refer to the year of the last major overhaul/refit |
4 Cabins Sun Odyssey 40.3 Bavaria 44 Sun Odyssey 45DS Bavaria 46 Bavaria 47 Beneteau Oceanis 473 5+ Cabins Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49DS Bavaria 50 NB - The option of a Skipper is normally available with these boats. Please get in touch for more details and rates for Skippers |
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Bareboat Catamarans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Under 12 metres - Fountaine Pajot Mahe 36 | Lagoon 380 | Fountaine Pajot Athena 38 | Broadblue 385 12 - 15metres - Lagoon 400 | Privelige 395 | Dufour Nautitech 44 | Dufour Nautitech 47 | Privelige 495 NB - The option of a Skipper is normally available with these boats. Please get in touch for more details and rates for Skippers |
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Bareboat Motor Yachts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Under 12 metres - Sea Ray Sundancer 335 12 - 15 metres - NB - The option of a Skipper is normally available with these boats. Please get in touch for more details and rates for Skippers |
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Skippered & Crewed Boats | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||