Route Detail

Like the more relaxed one week North Ionian cruises at beginning and end of summer, these flotillas are 'positioning runs' from and back to Gouvia marina. Because they cover a few more miles, they go more directly South, to Sivota on Lefkas Island, or Fiscardo on Kefalonia Island (and in October, from these bases back to Gouvia).

They really seem to appeal to sailing clubs who often use them as an early season 'rally the troops' exercise to get club members fired up for the coming summer (or alternatively wind down) at the end of October. We usually have good winds at this time of year and the key is to use the wind. If it isn't going our way, we go somewhere else or adjourn to an appropriate therapeutic centre!

Given a Northerly forecast, the first day out will usually be a twenty five mile run down to our Northern summer base of Plataria. (If we have a Southerly, we will spend the night in Sayiadha or Corfu town). The following day usually involves a shorter twelve mile run to one of the villages of Paxos where we have the chance to relax for an evening.

All being well, we will head South again to Ligia, on the mainland for a feed of fish. Ligia is a picturesque fishing village with a stunning beach right beside it for the swimming enthusiasts (and yes, it usually is warm enough in May). This stop perfectly breaks the run down to Lefkas into two pleasant days or 15 or 16 miles, and a decision on the overnight stop will be made by our crew at the time.

Because we still have a day 'up our sleeve' (The one reserved for if the wind doesn't follow orders) we will have a night somewhere in the Nidri or Northern Meganisi area, before sailing down the Meganisi channel to our destination of the picturesque village of Sivota for Saturday night.

There is something special about being the first flotilla to visit the towns and villages for the summer and the greetings from the locals are really heartfelt.

On the 14th and 27th of October, we essentially do the opposite of the aforementioned placement run. When starting on the 27th October, you will benefit from an 8 day holiday (for the price of 7!), and the extra 'day up your sleeve' is spent enjoying the end of season Corfu regatta, should participants wish to have a go. The October Southerlies have sometimes arrived, so this trip can be a quite fast run with most enjoyable stops in villages sheltered from the South.