Zakynthos 2023 : Impressions.

Our first sailing trip around the Ionian Islands is done!

Here is small report, how it went and what did we do during the trip :-)

First of all, this is report about[Fun with friends] Sailing in Greece II: Zakinthos, so you can read and have picture for yourself, how it looks like on breathtaking Ionian Sea. And of course JOIN!

It was a great time, especially in late October when there weren't many tourists, but the weather was still warm, and we had enough wind for a relaxing sail. We couldn't go to Zakynthos as planned because of the wind forecast, so we stayed close to Levkada.

I want to share some of our experiences with you, hoping it will inspire you to go on a similar trip with your friends and family. The Ionian Islands are amazing, with beautiful beaches, clear water, and charming villages. Picture sailing between small islands, finding hidden spots, and enjoying delicious local food at cozy restaurants by the sea.

Since there weren't many people around, we got to enjoy the natural beauty and peace of the area. It's a perfect place for a quiet vacation, whether you're going with friends or your family. So, if you're thinking about your next vacation, consider the Ionian Islands. The memories we made on this sailing trip are priceless, and I hope you'll be inspired to have a similar adventure soon. It's a fantastic experience that's both relaxing and exciting.

Our floating home for the next couple of days

Our first task was to locate our yacht, and we were delighted to discover that it would be a Bavaria 46 Cruiser named "Athina," perfectly suited for our adventure in Greece. This elegant and well-appointed vessel promised not only comfort but also the ideal platform for our sailing experience over the upcoming week of sailing. Its spacious interior, state-of-the-art navigation equipment, and excellent sailing capabilities ensured that our novices' journey would be both enjoyable and educational. We couldn't wait to step aboard and begin our unforgettable voyage.
Important task - crew instructions, training and food!

As always, we've packed all our supplies, the crew is ready, and we've gone through safety instructions. It's time to go sailing! Our first task is to teach the crew the basics of how to operate the yacht. Some of our crew members are holding the steering wheel for the first time, so it takes them a bit longer to understand the compass and the directions we need to go. Others, who have some experience, just need a quick reminder. Once everyone gets the hang of steering the 7-ton vessel, we raise the sails and begin our initial training in the basics of sailing. We learn about tacking, jibing, and steering the boat using the wind. After a while, we set our course towards a beautiful bay where we can enjoy the evening by snorkeling and swimming. The water is still warm, making it the perfect way to end our day on the water.
First bay - first swim!

After spending a few hours sailing and practicing our maneuvers, we thought it was a good idea to find a nice bay where we could take a refreshing swim. Eventually, we discovered a stunning bay on the eastern side of Ithaca. We dropped our anchor, secured the boat to the shore with ropes, and without wasting any time, we excitedly jumped into the water! The rest of the day was just as wonderful. We wrapped it up with a fun game of UNO and a friendly competition involving wine. It was the perfect way to kick off our journey, and we couldn't have asked for a better start to our adventure.
Smooth ride to Meganisi

Our choice of bay wasn't perfect, to be honest. During the night, the wind came from the side where we were anchored. Thankfully, we were safely anchored, so the only thing bothering us was the sound of the waves splashing against the side of the yacht. The next few days were much better. After having our breakfast, we raised the sails and set our course for the next exciting destination, Meganosisi. This island has a fascinating coastline, and we heard there were many beautiful bays to explore. The good news was that we had enough wind to sail, but because Itaca was protecting us, there were no big waves, making our journey really smooth and enjoyable!
Sunset with bottle of wine and CAH - the best sunset

The sailing was really smooth, and the wind wasn't too strong. This meant that even the beginners in our crew could try their hand at steering the yacht after we explained how to handle it with the wind. It turns out our crew members are quite talented, and they picked up the skills quickly. We didn't even need to use autopilot or anything like that. Our course was straight, our speed was high, and everyone's mood was at its peak!
Papanikolos Cave

Before we headed to the bay, we spotted a small cave on the southern side of Meganisi called Papanikolis Cave on our chart. It's a tiny cave where the only Greek submarine during World War II used to hide. Even though this cave was quite popular among visitors, we were fortunate enough to find a spot to drop our anchor. The sea was a bit wavy, so our skipper stayed onboard to make sure the anchor was secure. However, we were eager to explore the cave. So, we lowered our dinghy into the water, and some of our adventurous crew members grabbed paddles and headed towards the cave. Since it was the first time our landing crew had used the dinghy, they had to learn quickly. You could say, "Three guys entered the cave, and a team has returned!" After this exciting cave exploration, we continued on our journey, ready for more adventures ahead.
Hanging around

Sailing isn't just about moving from one island to another. It's also a chance to let your spirit soar, to savor the soothing sounds of the water, or simply relax in a hammock. And you can bet we didn't miss out on that wonderful opportunity!
Another day - another bay

In the evening, we searched for a bay to anchor in. Our first choice was Abelaki Bay, but it was already full of other boats. We dropped our anchor and even took a quick dip in the water. However, while we were adjusting our position with the anchor, we ended up getting a bit too close to some other yachts, which wasn't ideal. After a few attempts to improve our anchoring, we decided it would be best to move to another bay just around the corner, Xera Beach. And let me tell you, that turned out to be a much better choice. We dropped our anchor, secured the boat with landlines on the shore, and had some cold beers waiting for us on the table! To top it off, we had a fantastic time playing Cards Against Humanity, making this day absolutely perfect.
Walk around the bay before the storm

The next day had a storm in the forecast, with thunderstorms and lightning expected, but not until the afternoon. So, we decided to take advantage of the morning and go ashore for a leisurely walk along the coast. Along the way, we found a cozy restaurant where we stopped for coffee and a friendly chat. As we sat there, we noticed several dark clouds passing by, and it was clear that the calmness before the impending storm was upon us.
Greece can be rainy.

Since there was no sign of the weather getting better, we made the call to head to Nydri and take shelter in the calm bay of Vlicho. During the 30-minute journey, we encountered a couple of intense squalls with heavy rain. To stay safe, we decided not to raise the sails and simply used the engine to steer straight towards Nydri. The wind was quite variable, ranging from a gentle breeze (1 Beaufort) to a strong wind (6 Beaufort), all while the rain poured down. Surprisingly, even in these challenging conditions, our crew found the dramatic weather display to be quite spectacular and a memorable part of our adventure.
Staying in Nydri

In Nydri, luck was on our side as we managed to secure a spot at the pontoon near Mama Mia's hotel. Our plan was to explore the town and visit one of Levkada's attractions, the Nydri Waterfall. Our friendly neighbors assured us that the hike to the waterfall would take just 40 minutes, but we decided to save that adventure for tomorrow. Instead, on that day, we had a mission: find a gap between the thunderstorms to venture into town for some coffee and dinner. Fortunately, luck favored us again. We dashed from one spot to another, dodging the squalls, until we finally found a cozy place to enjoy our evening meal. It was quite a different kind of sailing day than what we had expected in Greece, but nonetheless, it turned out to be a very enjoyable experience.
Muddy waterfall of Nydri

The Nydri Waterfall didn't quite live up to our expectations. There were so many people there, and the water, which was usually crystal clear, had turned a bit yellow from the recent storms. We even saw a guy daringly swimming in it. Despite the crowds, the walk (although it wasn't much of a hike) turned out to be quite pleasant. We took a break and had a sandwich at the cozy Platanos café, right next to the waterfall. Upon returning to our yacht, we received some surprising news – there was no water and no power available. It turned out that the storm during the night had damaged the pontoon. It was a valuable lesson for us: always refill our water tanks as soon as we can and not wait until it's time to set sail again. With no reason to stay any longer, we decided to move to a bay just around the corner. We still had plenty of time and daylight left for a delightful round of snorkeling, swimming, and sharing a bottle of wine.
Soaking in the pristine water

When we arrived at the bay next to Sivota town, we were lucky to find a nice spot for the night. We dropped anchor and let ourselves relax in the warm water. There were even some fish near the shore, so we put on our snorkeling gear and had a great time exploring underwater. We swam and let all our worries drift away. As evening approached, we prepared a delicious meal and savored it while watching the beautiful sunset. It was a perfect way to end another wonderful day of our sailing trip.
Short stop in Sivota to get some water and coffee

The next morning, we realized we were running low on water, so we decided to make a stop in the town of Sivota. We waited a bit until the fleet of charter boats and cruisers left the port, and then we entered. Fortunately, we found plenty of space to park our yacht. Once we were docked, we refilled our water tanks and took a stroll through the town. Just like everywhere else, there were numerous cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops to explore. I couldn't resist buying some soap and kitchen towels with the symbols of Lefkada as souvenirs. In the evening, we set sail for Ithaca, ready for the next leg of our adventure.
Sailing to Ithaca

We planned to spend the evening on the enchanting island of Ithaca, specifically at the Kingdom of Odyssey. Polis Bay appeared to be the ideal spot, considering the wind was blowing from the north. Upon arrival, we noticed a significant number of yachts, anchored quite closely to one another. Luckily, we managed to secure a spot on the eastern side of the bay. With our growing experience, we efficiently dropped our anchor and secured the yacht with landlines. As evening approached, we decided to take a walk up a hill and stumbled upon the wonderful Kanenas Taverna. The highlight of our dinner was the incredibly delicious slowly cooked octopus. Tourist signs in the area indicated that this was the realm of Odysseus from the ancient Greek tales, and we couldn't resist the temptation to explore it further the following morning.
School of Homer... apparentely

The next morning, we made a plan to take a stroll to the highest point of the island and explore the School of Homer and the palace of Odysseus. The ancient ruins were absolutely awe-inspiring, and we couldn't help but be amazed. As we made our way to these historic sites, we spotted some peculiar-looking pyramids in the distance, so we decided to investigate. But, surprise! They turned out to be made of concrete, not ancient artifacts. However, our disappointment was short-lived because right next to these pyramids, we discovered a restaurant that served an incredibly delicious meal and Greek coffee. So, in the end, our unexpected detour turned out to be quite delightful.
There are predators in every harbour

As we sailed back to the starting harbor, we safely anchored the yacht, completed the check-out process with the charter company, and welcomed the evening. We relaxed in the yacht's cockpit, enjoying some beer and wine, engaging in friendly conversation, and watching the persistent predators patiently waiting for the returning fishermen. The following morning, we boarded our flights back home. It had been a relaxing and laid-back holiday, perfect for those who wanted to experience a sailing vacation without any prior sailing experience.