Ionian Islands
Yacht Charter Kefalonia
A Yacht Charter in the Ionian islands of Greece from our base in Kefalonia is a fantastic sailing holiday in a stunning location. Perfect breezes, easy to reach islands with a fascinating history. Discover new islands at your own pace, on well maintained yachts and with our first class, friendly back up.
Sami on the Greek Ionian island of Kefalonia is a great departure point to explore the other islands of Ithaka, Meganissi, Lefkas and Kalamos to name but a few. This is for sailors who already have a practical yacht sailing qualification and previous experience, who are keen to set off independently.
If you prefer a few other yachts for company and the support of a lead boat then try our popular Flotilla Holidays in Greece.
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What’s included?
- Comprehensive yacht briefing on arrival
- Private fully equipped yacht, bed linen and starter pack
- 7 nights on board, 6 days sailing
- Daily weather updates & advice
- Tender & oars
- Free SUP
- Full support for our yacht base team throughout the charter
Our Charter Yachts in Kefalonia
Highlights
- Full equipped yacht ready for charter
- Comprehensive arrival briefing
- Full starter pack on arrival
- FREE SUP
- Great daily support
- Anchor for lunch
- Beautiful harbours
- Easy short hops
- No tides and light/moderate breezes
- Total freedom
What our guests say…
PRICES & DETAILS
Yachts & Prices
Choose your yacht for prices & details
Itinerary
An example itinerary
1 week long itineraries to explore the beautiful central and southern Ionian islands from our yacht base in Kefalonia.
Minimal mooring fees along the way (40 euros per week).
Sheltered line-of-sight sailing and an easy itinerary with short island-hopping distances make this cruising area perfect for those looking for a less demanding sailing holiday. An abundance of stunningly clear water inlets, protected bays to anchor in and quaint harbour towns to explore.
Kefalonia is one of a group of islands on the western side of Greece in the Ionian sea. It is the largest of the Ionian islands and boasts the third highest mountain range in Greece. Parts of the island are now national parks, home to wild horses, golden eagles and other protected flora and fauna.
Example route
Qualifications required
What qualifications do I need?
To charter a yacht in Greece as part of a flotilla or independently 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.
Feeling a bit rusty?
Many of our guests sometimes feel their skills aren’t quite ship-shape when they arrive for their yacht charter. There is the opportunity to practise your mooring skills under the guidance of our brilliant flotilla crew (subject to staff availability).
Skipper on Board
If you think you would like some further assistance for your first day of sailing, then an instructor can join you on board for the day and help you ease into the sailing.
Skipper on board is £195 per day (subject to staff availability).
Food
Experience the Sailing… and the food!
You’ll experience some amazing Greek food whilst on a yacht charter, 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!
Flights & Transfers
Our yacht base in Sami is 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 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 charter a yacht?
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 is the yacht moored?
For 2025, our yachts are operating from SAMI, Kefalonia which is on the eastern side of the island. Sami is a great little harbour with a beach just over the harbour wall from where your yacht will be moored. In town there are plenty of tavernas and restaurants aswell as supermarkets for obtaining provisions.
What time can we leave the harbour on the first day and when must the boat be back in Sami?
Your boat will be ready from 15:00 onwards on arrival day. We must complete a briefing with our Flotilla Skipper before you can sail. This is to familiarise yourselves with the yacht, with safety information and with the sailing area. After this, you are able to leave Sami. You can not sail after dark.
Please note that it will not be possible for you to board before this time. However, if you are in Sami early it’s always nice to relax in a taverna and pop to the supermarket for holiday supplies.
The yacht must be returned to Sami marina by 17:00 on the Wednesday evening, the day before your departure.
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.
The following must also be paid in Greece:
- For all yachts £2,500 / 2,900€ 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 All Charter Yachts:
There is a refundable security deposit of £2,500 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.
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!
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