Lefkas temperatures range from:
You’ll enjoy warm water temperatures of 26ºC/78ºF in the summer.
The winds in the Ionian Islands are calmer than some of the other Greek island chains. Relax in the morning and then use the winds as they increase after lunchtime to head to you next destination before they dip in early evening. The meltemi wind doesn’t feature in this part of Greece.
To rent a yacht in Greece, there must be at least one certified skipper and one experienced crew member, both over 18 years old. Skipper is REQUIRED to have one (1) of the following:
Fly easyJet from Gatwick to Aktion National Airport (PVK), near to Lefkas. Transfer time from Aktion Airport to Lefkas Marina is a 25-minute taxi ride and costs around €30-40, or there is a bus from the airport to the town and walk three minutes to the marina.
Day 1: Embark at Lefkas Town, Lefkas, a traditional Greek fishing village. If you’re going in August, you can enjoy the local arts festival. Sail 38 miles to Gaios, a port town and capital of Paxos. You visit two small islands nearby, Panayia is north of Gaios harbour and St Nicholas Island, with its two churches, is at the harbour mouth. Ashore you can explore the streets and tavernas and bars which have a lively atmosphere or visit the Venetian fortress. Look for the quay in the north channel, which has more room.
Day 2: Sail 6 miles to nearby Lakka, Paxos, with its wonderful sandy beaches. Anchor in the bay or take a long line ashore in the north west of the bay. If you love watersports, you can windsurf and jet-ski in the bay.
Day 3: Make for Mandraki, Corfu, and moor using the lazy lines, or head to the old harbour for shelter from north-westerly winds. Head ashore to walk around the old town with its ancient fortresses or walk to the small beach of Faliraki, the oldest public sunbathing spot.
Day 4: Set sail for Mourtos, a charming fishing village and port with traditional tavernas where you can sample the local food and drink while enjoying the sunset. It can get busy, so make sure you find a berth early in the day. Or berth in Monastery Bay near Sivota and visit the water park at Torre a Mare.
Day 5: Head for Parga, which is a 13-mile sail, known for its colourful houses, fantastic beaches (try Valtos), warm waters, ancient ruins and a Venetian hilltop castle.
Day 6: Make for Paxos, a 13 mile leg, the smallest island in the Ionian chain where there are free berths if you are early enough. Enjoy the rock formation called Tripitos Arch or swim at Erimitis beach. Nearby is Antipaxos with its Voutoumi beach and pretty fishing villages.
Day 7: Sail 36nm to Lefkas and enjoy the open water sailing.
Day 8: Disembark.
Lefkas is just about classed as an island even though it’s connected to the mainland by a floating bridge. Named after its famous white rocks that line the coastline, Lefkas is a fantastic gateway for a yacht charter in the Ionian Islands.
The islands’ capital, Lefkas Town features vibrant, painted houses, Venetian architecture and a main square lined with cafes and tavernas. The harbour is also a lively place to chat to the locals and enjoy a beer or cocktail. The best beaches on Lefkas are on the east coast with calm, sheltered waters and large bays, although Porto Katsiki in the south-west is worth a visit.
Lefkas HighlightsWe’ve put together a one-week itinerary suggestion for Lefkas in our itinerary section. Mooring costs are low in Greece and many berths are free.