If you plan to spend your next holiday in Greece and want to rent a boat, Lefkas region is the destination you can’t miss. With its beautiful white cliffs and sandy beaches, Lefkas (meaning ”white”) is the fourteen largest Greek island (actually, a group of 24 islands) connected to the Greek mainland by a floating drawbridge at the north end of the Lefkas Canal.
Where to sail?
Lefkas is famous as one of the major sailing destination. First, there is Vassiliki Bay, on the south-west coast, renowned for its windsurfing events and catamaran competitions.
Meganisi, on the east coast, is a popular honeymoon destination. With its picturesque villages of Spartakhori, Vathi, and Katomeri, it is famous for its tavernas that serve excellent seafood, beautiful scenery and amazing beaches, as well as the sea caves, the Papanikolis Cave being the most popular.
Drogarati Cave, 196 feet below ground, is a natural wonder that should not be missed. At the same time, Laganas Beach is a popular tourist destination stretching 5 miles and home to the ponderous loggerhead turtle.
The Island of Lefkas
Lefkas (Lefkada) is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, characterized by beautiful sandy beaches and rocky terrain. The island occupies 336 square kilometres, and its highest point is the mountain Stavrota, 1,158 meters high.
Lefkas is an island that has preserved the tradition of the old Mediterranean because its laws do not allow the building of tall buildings. This can be seen in the picturesque town of Lefkada, the capital of the island. It is located in the northeastern part of the island and is connected to mainland Greece by a bridge. The town has around 14,000 inhabitants and is, despite its size, a lively place, especially during summers. It numbers several churches that witness the richness of its history and culture, as well as the traditional importance of the religion in everyday life.
Lefkada is an excellent starting point for sailing trips around the Ionian islands and its surrounding area. With its dark sea and white sand, the beaches are the main attraction of the island. The most famous of those is Porto Katsiki beach, a small bay laid below a high cliff. It is located 45 km south-west of Lefkada and is a frequent stop for cruisers, whose travellers love to enjoy the beautiful sea and wild waves.
Another famous beach is the long and sandy Egremi beach, with a lot of sunbeds and umbrellas. There are also several beach bars. All this indicates that the beach receives a lot of tourists, but more private spots can be found as well. Around 325 steps are leading down to the beach, providing a breathtaking view of the island.
If you are looking for a lively beach with various facilities, then Nidri beach is the one for you. There are cafes, restaurants, beach bars, and other forms of entertainment. The beach is perfect for families with children.
Boat charter in Lefkas includes a collection of motor yachts, crewed, skippered or bareboat sailing yachts, catamarans, and other boats during the whole cruising season, from April through November, with NW winds blowing from 10 to 15 knots and average temperatures ranging between 24-28°C. Yacht charter in Lefkas is ideal for couples with younger children or less experienced sailors.
If you decide to sail on a chartered boat in Lefkada, keep in mind that the water temperature in summer is around 26 degrees, so you definitely can take a pleasant dip. The tides are not very strong, and the prevailing winds are the Meltemi, strong winds that come from the north. The currents in this area are somewhat intense, so we advise you to choose a day of sailing in which the conditions are favorable.
Now you know why boat charter is one of the best options for exploring this island. We invite you to visit this beautiful island and tell us your impressions!
