Family Sailing in the Ionian Islands

Why the Ionian Is Perfect for Families

Sheltered waters — Protected by mainland Greece, the Ionian Sea stays calm even in summer. Force 2-4 winds are the norm, not the exception.

Short distances — Islands are 5-15nm apart. Sail for 1-3 hours, then stop for swimming and playing. No long passages = no bored children.

Warm, shallow bays — Crystal-clear water stays warm (24-26°C in summer). Many bays are shallow near shore, perfect for kids who are still learning to swim.

Safe anchorages — Hundreds of protected bays with good holding. You’ll rarely need to worry about swell or wind shifts at night.

Age Considerations

Under 5 years: Absolutely possible, but requires careful planning. Consider a skippered charter so you can focus on the children while the skipper handles sailing.

5-10 years: The sweet spot. Old enough to help with simple tasks, young enough to find everything exciting. They’ll love jumping off the boat, snorkeling, and exploring tavernas.

10+ years: Can actively help with sailing. Many teenagers find it’s one of the best family holidays they’ve had.

Yacht Selection for Families

Size: 40-44ft is ideal for families of 4-5. Three cabins give parents privacy and children their own space.

Safety features to request:

  • Netting along lifelines (prevents small children falling overboard)
  • Bimini (sun shade in cockpit)
  • Swimming ladder
  • Cockpit table (for meals and games)

Catamaran or monohull? Catamarans offer:

  • More space (kids can spread out)
  • Stability (less heeling = less seasickness)
  • Shallow draft (closer anchoring to beaches)
  • Trampolines (kids love lounging on the nets)

Downside: More expensive (typically +40-60% over equivalent monohull).

Safety Onboard

Life jackets: Bring properly-sized children’s life jackets from home. Greek charter companies often have limited sizes for young children.

Harness points: Most yachts have jacklines. Use safety harnesses for children during passages, especially if they want to move around the deck.

Rules to establish:

  1. Life jackets when moving around on deck
  2. Always hold onto something (teach “one hand for the boat”)
  3. No running on deck
  4. Tell an adult before going to the bow

First aid: Charter companies provide basic first-aid kits. Bring children’s paracetamol, seasickness medication (suitable for children), sun cream (factor 50+), and any regular medications.

Typical Family Day

Morning: Easy breakfast onboard (kids love cereal in the cockpit) Mid-morning: Sail to next bay (1-2 hours), kids can help with easy tasks Lunchtime: Anchor in beautiful bay, swim, play, lunch Afternoon: More swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling Evening: Dinghy to shore, explore small villages, taverna dinner

Tavernas are very child-friendly in Greece. Most have simple kids’ food (pasta, chips, grilled chicken) and are relaxed about children running around.

Best Anchorages for Families

Meganisi:

  • Abeliki Bay: Shallow, sheltered, taverna
  • Spilia Bay: Caves to explore by dinghy

Kastos:

  • Kastos village: Tiny harbor, safe, traditional village to explore

Kalamos:

  • Port Leone: Peaceful bay, good holding, beachside taverna

Ithaca:

  • Kioni: Pretty harbor village, shops, bakery, safe swimming

Skorpios:

  • Multiple bays: Crystal clear water, deserted beaches (Onassis private island, but anchorages around it are open)

See individual island guides for detailed anchorage information.

Activities Kids Love

Snorkeling: Bring masks from home (better fit). Clear Ionian waters have plenty of fish to see.

Paddleboarding: Many charter companies rent SUPs for €50-100/week. Kids love them.

Cave exploring: Use the dinghy to explore sea caves (Meganisi and Paxos have the best).

Beach combing: Quiet bays often have beautiful shells and smooth pebbles.

Night swimming: Many parents report this is a highlight — swimming in warm water under stars.

Provisioning with Kids

Stock up before boarding: Lidl near Lefkada Marina has all the usual snacks, cereals, treats.

Kid-friendly meals onboard:

  • Pasta (easy to cook even in rough conditions)
  • Sandwiches
  • Fresh bread and cheese from island bakeries
  • Fruit (watermelon, grapes)

Treats: Ice cream shops exist in most island harbors. Budget €3-4 per cone.

Skippered vs. Bareboat with Family

Skippered makes sense if:

  • Children are under 5 (you need hands free for supervision)
  • You want to relax and enjoy family time
  • You’re new to sailing

Bareboat works if:

  • Children are 7+ and more independent
  • You’re experienced sailors
  • You want to keep costs down

See our skippered charter guide for details on sailing with a professional captain.

Best Routes for Families

7-day northern route: Lefkada → Meganisi → Kalamos → Kastos → Skorpios → return. Short hops, safe anchorages, quiet.

7-day southern route: Lefkada → Ithaca → Kefalonia → return. More variety, still safe, good harbors.

Avoid: Long crossings, exposed anchorages, busy harbors with tight docking.

See our routes section for detailed family-friendly itineraries.

What to Pack

  • Sun cream (factor 50+)
  • Hats and sunglasses for everyone
  • Rash vests (sun protection while swimming)
  • Children’s life jackets (if you have them)
  • Snorkeling gear (better fit than rental)
  • Light rain jackets (occasional squalls even in summer)
  • Entertainment: books, cards, waterproof playing cards
  • Seasickness medication suitable for children