Joining Instructions

• Passport (s)
• Flight Tickets (Check names shown on the flight ticket match those shown on the individual passports)
• Travel insurance documents (make sure you have coverage for sailing)
• The skipper must bring original copies of sailing certificates/licences
• Credit Cards/Debit Cards and local currency (euros). You must bring a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card with you for the yacht security deposit
• Mobile phone set up for roaming in Greece and charger – it is very important that you can keep in contact in case of emergency as VHF signal is only line of sight
• Beach towel (yacht towels are provided for use on the yacht). If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing another towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day
• Snorkels, mask and flippers if you have them, or you can buy them when you arrive in Greece. 
• Soft soled shoes &/or deck shoes
• Swimwear
• Light jumper or light fleece
• Waterproof jacket (especially in early and late summer in case of a shower)
• Hat & sunglasses (with cord)
• T-shirt/tops and long sleeve casual shirts/tops
• Shorts and casual long trousers
• Toilet bag with toiletries
• Suntan cream (protection)
• Sea sickness pills if required
• Insect Repellent 
• Anti-histamine ointment and tablets (for insect bites/stings) & any essential medication
• Camera, batteries & spare memory cards
• Your choice of device for playing music on board + lead with a 3.5mm jack plug at each end and a USB connection lead
• Books/magazines/Kindle
• Two-pin European travel adapter for charging phones etc. (at marinas or even in restaurants)
• 12 volt adapter / car charger for charging phones, etc. on-board (onboard with a car type cigarette lighter socket)

Before your charter begins a security pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit is taken from the Party Leader which will be processed by the owner/operator at base (please see amounts below) by VISA or Mastercard credit card (Debit cards and American Express are NOT accepted). Make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked. If you do not possess a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card you must inform us BEFORE you travel to Greece as your charter can't commence without the completed credit card security deposit. On successful completion of post charter inspection the pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit charge will not be completed and the 'hold' will elapse. The time it takes for the ‘hold’ to elapse depends on your card provider.

You will more than likely already have travel insurance set up but if not you can get specialist yacht travel insurance which includes some coverage for yacht security deposits from a number of companies including Topsail.  As a customer of Island Sailing if you use discount code ISLAND you will receive a 10% discount. For more details visit http://www.topsailinsurance.com/island-sailing

Security Deposit

Yes, you will need to complete your flight information on the Crew List/Transfer form at least 14 days prior to your arrival that we will have emailed to you. When you depart the airport terminal there will be a driver waiting holding a card bearing your name who will drive you directly to the marina close to our meeting point at Zorbas Cafe.

Please pay the driver directly in euros (€35 per car or €60 for 2 cars). We will advise of price for larger families and groups requiring a mini coach.

If you have booked transfers through us we will let you know the time of your transfer back to the airport when you arrive back at Lefkas marina at the end of your charter by SMS and we will also send the the base support team this information.

Travel & transfer options between Corfu and Lefkas

 

Ferry & Road

From Corfu airport take a taxi to the ferry port which takes 10 minutes and costs around €10. Take the ferry to the mainland port of Igoumenitsa.

Don’t book with the large ferry companies that run international lines over to Italy, such as ANEK, Minoan and Superfast. Smaller ferries run all day, every day throughout the season from very early in the morning until late at night apart from sometimes a one hour or so break around 2.30-4pm ish.

The telephone number for the ferry port at Corfu is 0030 26613 65200, press 9 for English and for Igoumenitsa its 0030 26650 99400, either office can help. If you call the ferry port closer to the time you are travelling they will give you the daily times. You don’t have to book your ferry ticket in advance, tickets can be bought on the day of departure at the ticket office at the ferry port and cost around €11 per person. If you have a hire car most of the ferries also carry cars for around €50.

Once at Igoumenitsa you can travel directly to Lefkas by road (Lefkas is the only island in Greece permanently connected to the mainland via a floating bridge). You can either take the bus (all are modern air conditioned coaches) or a taxi. The bus is a lot cheaper but generally only runs a maximum of once per day so you may prefer to take the taxi.

Bus between Igoumenitsa & Lefkas (also known as Lefkada)

On Sundays there is usually only one bus from Igoumenitsa to Lefkas. The timetable won’t be ready until closer to the time of travel but currently the bus leaves Igoumenitsa at 16.15 pm. It’s a good idea to call the bus company (called KTEL) a couple of days before you are travelling just to double check. The telephone numbers for the bus stations are: Lefkas Bus station: 0030 26450 22364 & Igoumenitsa Bus station: 0030 26650 22309. see the KTEL website for more details www.ktel-lefkadas.gr

The bus station at Igoumenitsa is a short walk from the ferry port exit, Leof. 49 Martiron 49, if you ask someone for KTEL they will direct you. The bus to Lefkas costs about €14 per person and takes about 1 hour 15. The bus terminal in Lefkas is 5 minutes’ walk to Lefkas marina.

Currently on Sundays the bus leaves Lefkas at 13.45 back to Igoumenitsa but always check in advance to be sure.

Taxi between Igoumenitsa & Lefkas

If you decide to take a taxi we would recommend Vasilis and Kostas who are based at Igoumenitsa, their number is 0030 6932 567722, website www.taxiigoumenitsa.com. Please let them know that we have recommended them and call them in advance to arrange and check the fare. The taxi journey takes about 1 hour 10 minutes and costs €140 and they will drop you at our office in the marina where we will be waiting to meet you.

Fly direct between Corfu & Preveza/Lefkas

Sky Express fly between Corfu and Preveza/Lefkas airport (Preveza) on certain days in the week including Sundays. It’s a great flight and takes just 20 minutes. The transfer by taxi from Preveza airport to Lefkas marina is just 20 minutes which we can arrange for you.  Here is the link to the airlines website www.skyexpress.gr

Flight prices are around €60 - €80 per person each way and a taxi from Preveza airport to Lefkas marina costs €35 per car or €60 for 2 cars (maximum of 4 people per car). If you choose to take the Sky Express shuttle plane we recommend you book in advance in case they get fully booked as it’s a very small plane.

Travel options between Paxos & Lefkas or Corfu

Ferries and flying dolphins run all day every day during the summer months between Paxos and Corfu and Paxos and Igoumenitsa (for onward trip to Lefkas). The trip takes between 1 hour and 75 minutes’ and costs between €10 - €15 per person. See information above for travel options between Igoumenitsa ferry port and Lefkas marina. Ferry timetables are not usually released until closer to the time of travel but you can call the port on the numbers above much closer to time to double check. 

There are numerous timetables for the different operators online including www.ionionlines.eu, https://paxos-thalassatravel.com, www.paxos-greece.com or www.corfuferries.gr

Don’t be confused by the myriad of websites for ferries in Greece! Also, may websites are only in Greek! If you need help please ask us.

Travel options between Kefalonia & Lefkas

Fly direct between Kefalonia and Preveza/Lefkas airport with Sky Express www.skyexpress.gr The flight takes 30 minutes and costs around €75 per person. Alternatively, take the ferry between Fiskardo on Kefalonia and Nidri on Lefkas. Ferries run every day, usually 2-3 times. Fiskardo is around 45 minutes in a taxi and Nidri is just 20 minutes taxi ride to Lefkas marina. As with most ferries the timetable isn’t published until closer to the time https://westferry.gr/

Travel between Zakynthos (Zante) & Lefkas (via Kefalonia)

If you are staying on Zakynthos before or after you yacht charter from Lefkas you need to travel between the ferry port on Zakynthos at Aghia Nikolaos and take the 1 hour ferry hop over to the port of Pessada on Kefalonia. See ferry details here Ionion Pelagos

From Pessada take a taxi to the port of Fiskardo on Kefalonia then the 1 hour ferry from Fiskardo to Lefkas (also known as Lefkada) to the port of Nidri . Ferry details here Westferry We can have a taxi waiting dock side to drive you to the yacht base at Lefkas just a 15-20 minute drive away.  

During the summer months ferries run very regularly (usually twice daily, every day). Ferry schedules are not posted until much closer to the time but you can contact the ferry company in advance.

Hydrofoil between Zakynthos – Kefalonia – Ithaka – Lefkada – Paxos – Corfu

You can also travel every day of the week except Sundays during the summer months between the Ionian islands of Zakynthos (Zante) – Kefalonia – Ithaka – Lefkada – Paxos – Corfu – for more information see details here https://www.ithacagreece.com

Your yacht will be ready to board by 17:00 on the first day of your charter. If your flight gets you to Lefkas earlier than this you will be able to enjoy the cafe bars and restaurants in the marina. If the yacht is ready earlier the base team will get you on board sooner.

When you are on board you will be given a full safety brief and a chart brief if required by one of the knowledgeable base team.

Yes, you will receive a thorough handover of your yacht upon boarding as well as a chart/sailing area briefing if requested and you can familiarise yourself with the yacht and its equipment before setting sail. The base support staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have as well as offering any advice you may need about the sailing area.

For those on a Skippered yacht charter you will meet your skipper, they will show you around your yacht and chat about where you would like to sail.

If you have booked an Island Sailing Flotilla you will meet the lead crew and you will also see them again at the Monday morning briefing at Zorbas Cafe. 

For the flotilla morning briefing please come with your Ionian Charts, Pilot Book and a pen/pencil and paper to make some notes. During the briefing, the lead crew will chat about the plan for the day as well as explain more about how the flotilla works.

If you have a late flight home there are plenty of options to enjoy your final day. You can relax at the marina. The marina hotel welcomes customers who sail from the marina to use their lovely pool and sun terrace. Depending on the duty manager of the day, its either free if you buy a drink or just €5 per person. You can take a stroll around Lefkas town and explore the little cobbled streets, shops and cafes. Hire cars, bikes and mopeds are all available in Lefkas town if you wanted to explore. All the rental shops are just 5 minutes' walk along the quayside then across the road near a small green between the Ionian Star hotel and the Lefkas hotel. We recommend the amazing beaches on the west side of the island as well as the little town called Aghias Nikitas for lunch. A 5 minute taxi ride or good 30 minute walk gets you to Aghis Ioannis Beach famous for the kite surfing. You can hire kit or just enjoy watching! The little beach side cafe bar and restaurant at Milos Beach is nice. There is a nice watersports beach club near Nidri around 25 minutes' taxi ride (around €35) south of Lefkas marina called Horizon Watersports where you can hire a range of kayaks, SUP's dinghies, windsurfers etc. You are welcome to use all of the facilities at Lefkas marina before or at the end of your yacht charter which include showers, bathroom facilities, a laundry, supermarkets and cafes.

If you would like more information, contact details or advice on things to do in Lefkas before or after you disembark please don't hesitate to ask us. We have tonnes of local knoweldge and are always happy to help!

 

You will need to return to Lefkas marina by 19:00 on the penultimate day of your charter.

If you ever want a drink or a bite to eat when more of the cafes and restaurants are closed you can call the local delivery service for the cafe just outside the marina ‘Taste and coffee’ on 0030 26450 21532. They will deliver food right to your yacht 24/7, just let them know your berth (pontoon letter & number). The menu offers finger food, salads, pasta, pizza, burgers and sandwiches as well as a range of hot and cold drinks. 

There are so many great places to eat and drink in Lefkas town (also known as Lefkada), all a short stroll from the marina. Some of the places we and other customers like are:

Margarita’s

Ef Zin

Nissi (right in the central square)

Taverna Eutuxia

For something a little more special we also like Thymari  We recommend to call ahead especially at Thymari and Ef Zin.

Gyros (pronounced yeeros) is the Greek staple ‘fast food’. A pitta with a choice of meats, fries and salad for around €3, it’s a must to try! There are a number of places on the town quayside just outside and opposite the marina that serve it but we like Meating Point just on the mini roundabout as you walk out of the marina towards the town but our number one choice is Daltons Grill House where you can have a choice of tasty gyros or a wide selection of other tasty meat or salad. You will also find a range of Greek tavernas long the quayside as well, Frini sto Molo have some interesting twists on traditional classics.

For pizza and pasta there’s a fair amount of choice but Festino is a convenient spot and the closest from the marina.

There are lots of lovely café bars in and around the central square but there’s also some great little ones dotted around the little side streets too.

The sunsets on the north ‘promenade’ of the town near the little wooden bridge are amazing and there’s a number of café bars with seating for the best view of the sunset. The place to be seen late is The Karma bar

There’s lots of lovely café bars for a great cocktail but for something a little special we like two authentic Cuban bars down the little side streets, Havana Bar and Cubana – they can be quiet as they are hidden gems although some weekends they also have some great live Latin music so can get more lively.

You are spoilt for choice for ice cream and Gelaterias in Lefkas but our ultimate favourite has to be Ciao Gelateria on a little side street just off the main street in town.

Yes, bed sheets, linen and pillows are provided on the boat. If you are chartering for two weeks a change of linen for the second week will be provided. Towels are provided for use on the yacht but we recommend bringing your own beach towel. If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing another towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day.

All the boats have car stereo style music systems with speakers below deck and in the cockpit. They will either have a 3.5mm jack or a USB connection. We advise you to bring a jack lead as sometimes there may be compatibility issues in connecting your device.

All plug sockets on the boats are the European 2 pin type however these are only usable when the yacht is plugged in to mains power (230V) which is mainly at Lefkas marina. If your devices or equipment do not have 2 pin European plugs you'll need to bring a travel adaptor with you. During the week there is a 12v socket, similar to a car cigarette lighter, which can be used to charge phones and other electronic devices if you bring a car charger with you.

We don’t provide masks, snorkels or flippers. You may wish to bring your own or they are readily available and reasonably priced in Lefkas marina and nearby shops in Lefkas town and at many places around the islands where you will visit.

Most of our customers spend between €50 - €70 per week on fuel for the yacht depending on the amount of motoring they do and to top up the fuel for the outboard engine if they have one.

There is a fuel station inside the marina. When returning to the base, please refuel your boat and fill the fuel can for the outboard engine before you go to your berth. Please pay the marina fuel station staff directly by cash or card.

Mooring fees at Lefkas marina for your first and last day are FREE. Most harbours are run by the local municipalities/Greek coastguard and are free to moor in. There are a small number of harbours and small marinas who will charge you a mooring fee of around 10-70 euros per night depending on yacht size. If there is bad weather forecast it may occasionally be necessary to use a protected harbour with laid moorings which will charge around 30-70 euros per night depending on the size of your boat and more for catamarans.

Some quays where there is water and power available a small fee will be charged if you wish to use it.

Almost all the harbours have shower and toilet facilities, usually attached to a taverna or convenience store. Even when there is a charge it is usually a few euros. Water for the yacht is usually available in most of the popular ports. We advise you to fill your boat with water towards, or at the end of your charter where it is available before arriving back at Lefkas marina as the cost outside of the marina will be cheaper for you.

An outboard engine for your dinghy/tender can be very useful, with no mooring fees in most harbours some of them can be busy so it is likely that, particularly in peak season, you will be occasionally anchored away from the quay. They are also great for exploring caves and some of the quieter snorkelling spots. However, some people prefer to row!

Every yacht has its own dinghy/tender and the optional outboard engine is £85 per week plus fuel and we will ask you before your arrival if you wish to have one or not.

There is a well-stocked supermarket on the marina who will deliver your provisions to your yacht free of charge, just let them know your berth (pontoon letter & number). The marina supermarket is open Monday-Saturday 09.00 - 21.00 & Sundays 09.00 - 17.00.

 

There are further mini markets offering a wide choice of provisions at slightly cheaper prices within 5 minutes’ walk from the marina that are usually open 7 days a week. The closest mini market just outside the marina looks more like a small newsagents from the front but is actually a good sized and well stocked. It has a red canopy and is called 'Marina Supermarket' and is just across the road form the mini roundabout as you walk out of the marina towards town. The 'CO-OP' supermarket is a few minutes further along the town quayside. You will see a floating pirates ship bar on the quay and the CO-OP is directly opposite in a big yellow building. The CO-OP is open 7 days a week in the main summer months but if you come early or later on on the season they don't open quite as much so you can call them to check on 0030 26450 22319. Both these shops will also deliver to your yacht free of charge, just let them know your berth (pontoon letter & number).  Opening hours may differ during public bank holidays.

 

There will be many opportunities to provision and shop at many of the ports and harbours you visit around the Ionian islands so you do not have to purchase too much when you arrive. 

Obviously it varies from restaurant to restaurant but in general a starter will be between 5€ and 9€, and a main course will be between 9€ and 18€ although weighed seafood can be a bit more expensive. A large beer will cost around 4€ and half a litre of local wine around 6€.

Most restaurants, café bars and shops around the islands only take cash (euros). Whilst some restaurants and cafes are starting to get card machines it's still a good idea to always have cash on hand in case the machine isn't working and there are no cash machines where you are! There is a cash machine at Lefkas marina close to the main entrance (bright yellow Piraeus Bank ATM). There are also a numberof ATM's in town. However, over the course of the week, you will probably only visit one or two towns with cash machines so it is advisable to have enough cash before you leave port.

The marina fuel station accepts major credit cards when you re-fuel at the end of the week and you will need to bring a VISA or MASTERCARD with you for your yacht security deposit. Please make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked.

There are a number of cash/ATM machines on the larger Ionian islands but not on the smaller ones. We would recommend bringing a reasonable amount of local currency (Euros) with you as quite a few traditional Greek tavernas, cafe and small shops on the islands usually only accept euros. There is a cash machine in Lefkas marina as well as a number in Lefkas town.

It would be advisable to bring a pair of lightweight shoes with non-marking soles for wearing on the boat. You can wear whatever clothes you feel comfortable in but it is a good idea to bring a lightweight waterproof jacket. We do get the odd day of rain, especially at the start and end of the season.

The yachts are generally not equipped with Wi-Fi as standard, however virtually every café, bar and restaurant in the marina, in Lefkas town and around the islands has free Wi-Fi for their customers.

Mobile phone reception is usually very good throughout the Ionian. You must bring a mobile phone and charger with you for use around the islands and keep your phone available and charged at all times. Whilst VHF is used, you will not always be in range. We also monitor an emergency phone 24 hours a day, should you need to contact us as VHF signal only works in line of sight.

The skippers are of mixed nationalities, either Greek, some are half Greek, half English, Italian and there are also skippers from across Europe but all of them speak excellent English.

That’s up to you. When you provision for food remember to get enough for your skipper. We can let you know if there is anything particular that they can or can’t eat, but, generally they are happy to have whatever you are having. In the evening you can choose to invite them out with you or cover their inexpensive meal if you prefer to dine alone. All the skippers are extremely professional and personable and provide discreet and unobtrusive assistance throughout your yacht charter.  Our customers find that their skipper makes their holiday something really extra special as they become welcome additions on the yachts they sail.

Again, that’s entirely up to you as every group is different and interacts with people in different ways. The skippers are extremely professional and personable and provide discreet and unobtrusive assistance throughout your yacht charter and always become welcome additions on the yachts they sail. If you invite your skipper to join you in the evening they may accept or choose to meet up with fellow skippers or stay on the yacht and wait for your return.

 

It is customary that you tip your skipper. A guideline amount would be around 5-7% of your yacht price, though as this could encompass quite a range we leave it at your discretion and ask that you offer gratuity you think your skipper deserves. We’re sure they’ll add immense value to your charter experience.