Ionian Islands
West Coast Flotilla
Our West Coast Flotilla in Kefalonia is a one-way trip, run twice a year, sailing from Lixouri to Sami (June) or Sami to Lixouri (September). If you’ve previously been on one of our other flotillas, this holiday is not to be missed, with the opportunity to see a different area of Kefalonia.
Like our other flotilla weeks, it’s a small and friendly affair with only a few boats on the holiday, all of which are part of our well-maintained flotilla fleet! You’re also joined by our brilliant flotilla skipper and first mate who provide lead boat support.
As we sail along the coast, there will be nights spent at anchor in some beautiful and secluded locations. The other evenings you’ll be accommodated in a harbour with tavernas and cafes aplenty.
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What’s included?
- 7 nights on board, 6 days sailing
- An itinerary that includes the west coast and Ionian
- Private fully equipped yacht, bed linen and starter pack
- Support of lead yacht and crew
- Comprehensive yacht briefing on arrival
- Up to date charts, pilot books, guides
- Yacht cleaning at end
- Complimentary yacht phone
- Daily weather updates & advice
- Tender
Our Yachts on Flotilla
Great yachts, immaculately presented with a handy starter pack an a free SUP.
The Highlights
- Our own flotilla (we’re not agents)
- Stunning Ionian islands
- Small flotilla fleet 7 yachts
- Friendly lead crew
- One-way route
- Off the beaten track route
- Beautiful harbours
- Easy short hops
- No tides and light/moderate breezes
- Just enough freedom
What our guests say…
KEFALONIA FLOTILLA DETAILS
Dates, Prices & Yachts
2027 Dates – June 3rd & Sept 16th
2026 Now Fully Booked
What’s included
- Fully equipped yacht, bed linen and comprehensive starter pack
- 7 nights onboard
- Comprehensive arrival yacht briefing/practice sessions
- Daily weather updates and advice
- Support of a lead crew
- Tender with oars
- Yacht cleaning at end
What’s not included
- Flights & Transfers – We can book these for you as part of an ATOL protected package
- Towels
- Extra fuel used, mooring fees, gas & water refills
- Personal expenditure
- Yacht security deposit
- Day refresher (£225 PER DAY)
- Skipper onboard if required (£195 PER DAY)
- Port fees at Sami (€20 per night)
- SUP -£85 per week
Itinerary
Our West Coast Flotilla Route
June: Lixouri to Sami (one way)
Lixouri is a classic Greek town and home to our Introduction to Sailing base. Come the evening, the town square and waterfront are bustling with tourists and locals dining al fresco at the restaurants and cafes. Close by our yacht marina are plenty of supermarkets, so there are plenty of places where you can stock up.
If all goes to plan, you’ll arrive to our Flotilla yacht base in Sami on day 5 leaving plenty of options for free sailing on Day 6. Sami is a short trip down the coast, or you could opt to drop anchor at one of the quiet beaches dotted coast in between.
Approx 50 – 60 min transfer from the airport to Lixouri either by direct taxi OR a taxi and a ferry
September: Sami to Lixouri (one way)
Sami is a lovely little harbour town with excellent facilities, a perfect place to prepare for a weeks flotilla sailing holiday. Our Flotilla yacht base is located right on the quayside where you’ll also find lots of restaurants and tavernas, plus a supermarket and a fab little bakery!
If all goes to plan, you’ll arrive at our Introduction to Sailing base in Lixouri on day 5 leaving plenty of options for free sailing on Day 6. There are plenty of pristine beaches within a short sailing distance of Lixouri, where you can enjoy a swim and some lunch before heading back to harbour.
Approx. 50 – 60 min direct taxi transfer from the airport to Sami
Qualifications required
What qualifications do I need?
To join our West Coast Flotilla you will need a qualified skipper on board and a competent crew member. The ICC ( International Certificate of Competence) is probably the best ticket to have as it is widely recognised by the authorities here on the islands. This or the Day Skipper practical certificates are the minimum required.
Never sailed before?
We offer a pre-flotilla training week for beginners where you can gain an ICC as part of the holiday, have a look at our Introduction to Sailing holidays.
Need to Renew your Certificates?
Renewing your certificates is a relatively simple process, however, it can take up to 6 weeks, so please allow plenty of time before your holiday in order to do this, bearing in mind that our staff will need to see copies of your certificates at least two weeks before you travel.
1. Email support@iytworld.com with the following:
- State that you wish to revalidate your certificate (so they know how to proceed once they receive your email)
- Provide your IYT ID number (provided to you after creating a profile when you originally completed your certificate)
- Scan and attach a copy of the existing certificate you wish to revalidate
2. An order and invoice will be created in their system and emailed to you for payment. A payment link will be included which will allow you to make payment securely online via credit card or PayPal.
3. Once you have completed your payment, the order will be reviewed, processed, and shipped.
Note: The current fee for a renewal is $125.00 plus shipping (airmail is free but not traceable, courier fee varies by location). It can take up to six weeks for them to complete the processing/shipment.
Food
Experience the Sailing… and the food!
You’ll experience some amazing Greek food whilst on a flotilla, from classic Greek kitchen dishes cooked by local chefs, seasonal salads, mind-blowing tomatoes and freshly grilled sardines, pork chops and club sandwiches – the food in Kefalonia and the other Ionian Islands on a flotilla holiday is delicious and very reasonably priced.
When it comes to wine, there are 48 varieties of grape grown locally and some very fine internationally recognised wines to try, along with some fantastic Hellenic beers, there’s plenty to enjoy.
Wander along from your mooring and you’ll be sure to find coffee and fresh pastries for breakfast, plus pop into one of the great little mini-markets to stock up your yacht fridge for some lunchtime treats on anchor somewhere.
Both our yacht bases in Sami and in Lixouri have an excellent selection of mini-markets, bakeries and other shops available for buying provisions at the start of your flotilla week. If you happen to be in Lixouri, be sure to pay a visit to I-Scream Ice cream parlour on the left-hand side of the town square – you won’t be disappointed!
In the local area
Here are some options to check out in the local area:
- A sunset meal at one of the best beaches in the Greek islands is also a must. Petani beach and taverna “Erasmia“. Only a 15 – 20 minute taxi ride from the club this place is incredible – get there early for a swim and settle down for a wonderful eating experience.
- Head into town and Lixouri square, 5 – 10 minutes in a taxi from the club (1 taxi for 4 people is ~€10 one way). A wonderful place to watch the world go by with countless cafes, tavernas and bars. Whatever you do, don’t miss the best ice cream in the world at “I-Scream” – it’s divine and we love it!
Flights & Transfers
Our yacht bases in Lixouri and Sami on Kefalonia are quick and easy to get to, with a reasonable flight time of 3hrs from the UK and many regional departure airport options direct to Kefalonia Airport. The transfer is approximately 60 minutes.
We do not include flights & transfers in our list prices as we offer a bespoke holiday experience and some guests prefer to organise their own travel itinerary.
Our Expert Travel Planners
Many guests do however choose to take advantage of our travel planner to book their flights & transfers with us for the peace of mind of an ATOL protected holiday and of course for the added convenience.
You can choose to :
- Book your ATOL protected flights with us
- Pre-book your arrival transfer with us for an airport meet & greet and onward travel
- Pre-book your departure transfer with us for a hassle free end to your holiday
Our ATOL license 12803 ensures that with a flight-inclusive package you will be looked after in case we have to cancel your holiday or leave you stranded overseas due to any company financial difficulties. It ensures you will receive a full refund for all aspects of your holiday and/or be repatriated.
Booking flights through us incurs a £25 ATOL fee.
Destination – Kefalonia Airport Greece (EFL).
Flight Requirements – changeover day usually Thursday
Transfer Details – a private taxi or minibus takes 60 minutes for the scenic drive from the airport to the Lixouri or Sami Harbour and vice-versa
4-8 people in a mini-bus one-way £95 total including meet & greet
1-4 people in a private taxi one-way £70 total including meet & greet
What we say…
It’s a good idea to pre-book an arrival transfer and be met at the airport for a stress-free arrival, as the airport is often quite hectic.
FAQs
Drop us a line if you can’t find your answer…
What qualifications do we need to be able to go on Flotilla?
We require a minimum IYT Flotilla Skipper, RYA Day Skipper Practical, or an (ICC) or equivalent experience as skipper of a similar size boat in tidal or non-tidal waters. If you have never sailed in the Med before we strongly recommend our refresher course (staff availability dependent) to go over specific harbour and mooring techniques used here or take our ICC test out here in Greece.
Where does the flotilla depart from and return to?
This depends on which route you are sailing. If you are sailing in June, you will sail from Lixouri, Kefalonia to Sami Kefalonia.
If you are sailing in September, you will sail from Sami, Kefalonia to Lixouri, Kefalonia
Both harbours have easy access to a local beach plus within walking distance there are plenty of tavernas and restaurants as well as supermarkets for getting provisions.
What time do we need to be at the port?
Your boat will be ready for you from 15:00 onwards. Please note that it will not be possible for you to board before this time. However, if you are in Sami/Lixouri early it’s always nice to relax in a taverna and pop to the supermarket for holiday supplies. Do not worry if your flight is late on the Thursday, you will not be departing until Friday morning after the morning briefing.
What extra costs are there when we are out in Greece?
Flights to and from the UK, transfers and personal expenditure.
BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS AND TRANSFERS WITH US! We take all the hassle out of finding and booking suitable flights and transfers for our holidays, giving you an ATOL protected package.
DEPOSIT / DAMAGE WAIVER The following must be paid in Greece:
- (For yachts 38 foot or under) Non-refundable damage waiver of £150 per yacht per week paid as part of you final balance
- (For yachts over 38 foot) a £2,000 / 2,330€ Yacht Security Deposit per yacht, this will be held on your credit card, taken on arrival to your yacht
- For all yachts, fuel used (approx 70€ euros per week) depending on your actual fuel use that week. This is payable in cash at the end of your trip. We charge fuel at the pump rate when re-filling at the end of the charter
- Mooring fees (approx 40€)
There is also the option of booking a skipper on board (If available) for £195 per day.
What is the deposit/damage waiver for?
For yachts 38 foot or under on flotilla:
There is a non-refundable damage waiver of £150 per yacht per week. This means that you are not liable for any big bill at the end of the week. The waiver is payable as part of your final balance.
For yachts over 38 foot on Flotilla:
There is a refundable security deposit of £2,000 which is to cover any loss or damage to the yacht whilst under charter. This held on your credit card on your arrival to the yacht.
How much does it cost to moor each night?
Not a lot. Only Sami (on Kefalonia) uses a tariff system that can cost approx 20 euros a night. Other places are normally only a few euros if anything.
How much is yacht fuel each week?
We charge fuel at the pump rate when re filling at the end of the charter. This has varied dramatically over the last few years and is approximately €1.5 per litre.
Do you supply charts and pilot books etc?
Yes, we supply the relevant charts and local pilot books for you. However, many guests bring their own as a keep sake. (Ours tend to get dropped in the water 100s of times!)
What about yacht cleaning at the end of the week, bed linen and towels?
Yacht cleaning is included in the holiday price, along with yacht linen. We do not provide towels, so please bring bathroom and swimming towels with you.
Is there a hairdryer on board?
No. If you choose to bring a hairdryer, you will only able to use your hairdryer when it is plugged into a mains socket in a building. The shore power connection for our yachts is low voltage, so a high power item like a hairdryer can blow the fuses for the entire pontoon!
What our guests say…
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