This week we asked Charlie, our UK Operations Manager, to share some of his favourite bays and stops in the South Ionian. If you find yourself in the area, make sure to check out some of his recommendations!
1. Port Atheni
It wasn't a hard decision to stop for a sundowner with that view! – Chilling at the Jamaican bar
When starting in Sivota my favourite place to venture to is the North of Meganissi round to Port Atheni, one of the quieter bays on the island. The food at the taverna is cooked on a charcoal bbq and is delicious.
Just around the corner there is a fantastic beach bar, recommend a walk and drink there before dinner.
2. Kastos
The girls enjoying an early morning paddle in the anchorage outside Kastos Harbour
Next on my list is Kastos, a small village set on the eastern side of Kastos Island. Now this is a spot for some sun rise paddle boarding! You can moor on the town quay, longline inside the harbour or free swing in the bay just outside.
It’s a beautiful place with a windmill converted into a cocktail bar, what more could you want?! You will find a stunning evening light here as the sun set lights up the mountains on the mainland, and the cocktails aren’t bad either!
3. Meganissi
Cruising through the glassy water, entrance to the small anchorage just up ahead!
My next bay recommendation is one I came across on the East side of Meganissi. This little anchorage is a tucked-away gem. Every time I have been there the water has been so still and glassy and on the last occasion, on approach, we were greeted by a huge school of tuna hunting small fish. The water is quite deep so make sure to get positioned close in with a line to shore, most likely you will be on your own! Fantastic snorkelling too.
To find the bay, sail up the eastern side of Meganissi and you won’t miss it. There are also a couple of other small anchorages on the South facing section of the bay slightly further up. A lovely stretch of coastline.
4. Polis Bay
Team sundowner, fantastic evening light beaming through the Kefalonia channel.
My final recommendation would have to be Polis Bay on the western side of Ithaka, facing Fiskardo. It’s a great location to longline, giving you the opportunity to snorkel and swim in through the interesting rock formations on the backdoor step of your yacht. Great place for a flotilla to build a raft.
You will also get the best view to watch the sunset through the Ithaka/Kefalonia Channel, lighting up the cliffs around you.
Take a dinghy to the beach, there’s a small hut selling cold beers!
Charlie joined the Sailing Holidays team as a flotilla skipper back in 2011, before moving to the London office in 2014. He always looks forward to returning in the Ionian!
