Hiring a sailboat is a fantastic way to explore the hidden beauty of Ithaca. Wandering about the Ionian Sea, you will come across this low-key and peaceful island, also known to be the homeland of Odysseus. Ithaca has several picturesque marinas where you can find the ideal sailboat of your choice. You can directly contact the owners for the ideal vessel, or simply allow a BednBlue travel expert to guide you with some suggestions.
You have plenty of options:
You can book and hire a sailboat with a skipper, or without one if you have a license, and enjoy a one-day cruise around the unique coastline. You can also rent a sailboat and visit further destinations such as Kefalonia or Lefkada on a two-day cruise. Finally, you can hire a luxury sailboat, making sure to include Ithaca in your week-long itinerary around the Ionian Islands.
Ithaca is the second-smallest island in the Ionian complex, right after Paxi, with a population of about 3,500 people. Vathy is the capital of Ithaca, considered to be one of the safest natural harbors in Greece. Here you will be fascinated by colored traditional houses, a Maritime and Folklore Museum, and many café-bars and tavernas where you can relax before you head back to your yacht. In the northern part of Ithaca, you will come across beautiful seaside villages including Lefki known for its churches, Kioni with its romantic ambiance and top fish taverns, and Frikes offering day trips to Kefalonia. Some other top sights you can visit before you rent a sailboat in Ithaca, include the Cave of the Nymphs and the Monastery of Panagia Kathariotiss, serving as the most important pilgrimage center of the island.
In Greek Mythology, the king of Ithaca, Odysseus had a long journey ahead of him after the Trojan War, and his struggle to make it back to his homeland was considered a brilliant feat. Being the only survivor following the intervention of Zeus, who destroyed his ship, nothing stopped Odysseus to craft a replacement and return home. The decade-long adventure has made Ithaca the eternal symbol of adventure and travel. As the poem of Cavafy highlights, Ithaca awaits you on a long path where you will not be deceived, and you will be tied forever with an atmosphere of peace and serenity. With your sailboat rental, you can follow the routes of legendary myths in the Ionian islands or simply craft your own itinerary and create your own worth-telling story.
A sailboat charter in Ithaca will allow you to explore breathtaking beaches and visit traditional fishing villages by the seaside. Vathy offers a multitude of amenities to holidaymakers who may want to spend an entire day of fun. Departing from Vathy you can find the beautiful Loutsa beach, organized with shallow waters where you can anchor your sailboat. The touristic resorts of Frikes and Kioni have several yachts departing from picturesque harbors. For the perfect island tour in Ithaca, you can visit all three villages, making several stops for lunch or swims as you please. Several charterers offer trips to Afales bay, great for swimming and snorkeling in a secluded environment with multiple coves. Filiatro, Gidaki, and Sarakiniko are some other popular beaches that are close to Vathy, also popular to swimmers looking for moments of relaxation. You can also pass by Marmakas Bay and Cape Agios Ioannis at the northernmost tip of Ithaca. By anchoring your yacht as you sail, you can enjoy sea kayaking and diving in brilliant natural settings.
You can also rent a sailboat from Lefkada or Kefalonia and visit Ithaca. From Ithaca, you can spend an overnight in Zakynthos. You may want to also visit hidden gems in the Ionian Sea, some of which include Atokos, known for its virgin nature and cedar trees. Your yacht rental trip in the Ionian islands can be crafted to your liking. Finally, a sailboat charter is the best choice, allowing guests to book a vessel with 50 euros per person, including the cost of a captain per day. Besides being budget-friendly, sailboats are steady, safe, and offer complete privacy.
Below we have some useful information for your sailboat rentals in Ithaca.
Avra Marina, Kioni: A small marina that can anchor vessels all the way up to 20 m. Near this marina, you can find Rachi which is a tucked-away beach where you can also anchor your vessel if there is no space.
Marina Vathy: Occupies about 100 berths for all types of vessels with great facilities and amenities. Vathy is the capital of the island and generally provides excellent shelter from all wind conditions except the northwest.
Frikes Bay: on the north-eastern coast of the island, with deep waters great for motor yachts to anchor.
Pisaetos Port: Mainly a ferry port, but one of the world's largest natural harbors on the western side of Ithaca.
Ferry rides from Sami in Kefalonia to Ithaca take 2 hours and reach this port.
There is no airport in Ithaca, but you can book a direct flight from Athens to Kefalonia which is about 30 minutes from Argostoli.
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