Sailing the Ionian Sea

Bless my sea legs and lack of sea sickness, or I would have missed out on the sail of a lifetime. If you have two, three weeks to spare, definitely charter a boat for five to seven days and explore the islands offshore Greece. Diverse coastal landscape and villages with personality keep you excited for the next destination; Corfu’s proximity to other islands makes for a great sailing itinerary.

Day 1
We actually kicked off our first day with morning hours spent at the Old Fortress east of Corfu town. It wasn’t until we were on the boat that we could see it in its entirety; up close its bastions and massive walls speak of its Byzantine and Venetian construction. It’s an archive of Corfu history, housing ancient barracks, the small church of St. George, a 1700s prison, military hospital turned music school and paper trail of over 6 centuries.
Embarking at Gouvia Marina Corfu in the afternoon, we set the course for Kalami Bay and anchored there for the night, taking our meals on board.

Day 2
The day was dedicated to exploring Kalami Bay alone. Its horse-shoe shaped bay makes it a safe anchorage spot and cozy swimming nook, but I spent most of it wandering up scenic hills. Wander through the olive groves to get a taste of a much older Greece; I can imagine how serene it would be off-season.
Make sure to hit up the restaurants for traditional Corfu dishes! Fuel up for the next day of water fun.

Day 3
Waking up bright and early, we set course for Petriti. You won’t get bored of the sea just yet, so it is the perfect time to go snorkeling, paddle boarding or kayaking. I alternated between snorkeling and rolling around the beach, and when my stomach demanded food, I gobbled up on fresh seafood at one of the beachside taverns.

Day 4
Sivota Mourtos takes us away from Corfu Island. Depending on what you’d like to do, you can start the day earlier or later. We decided to spend some time at Sivota’s offshore islets before lunch, and dedicated the afternoon to exploring the town quay Mourtos. It’s not a big village, but its traditionally Grecian set is exactly what you need after being out at sea.

Day 5
The sail to Paxos and Anti Paxos is further, so ready your stomach. The islands exude a more isolated ambiance but beautiful with lush greenery and vineyards. We spent the day dipping around the perimeter and stopping by cozy beaches and coves. It was ultimately a lazy cruise day.
We sailed back to Corfu Island the day after, but those who have more time should take a trip to Parga along the mainland. It is the modern, commercial center where you can enjoy shops and lavish dining.

Sounds like a dream right? The mingling blue and green tones of the Ionian Sea are mesmerizing. The waters were relatively smooth but do take along some stomach meds if you’re sensitive when rocked about.