For many of Sail Ionian’s guests who have come up through our RYA Sea School, and then chartered bareboat or on flotilla with us, the Lefkas canal and the passage to Corfu will be the first longer passage they will make alone. Distances between harbours are short in the Southern Ionian, and the waters well protected by the outlying islands. The passage north to Corfu, with the navigation of the canal, the bridge, and then the open water of the Ionian, can be a little daunting, especially as part of a family holiday. While it is certainly not the English Channel, there are many ideas that will help to make a passage much smoother.
The Passage
From the north of Lefkada to Corfu Town is just under 60nm in a straight line. We normally suggest that shortening the trip, and making a first stop on Paxos or, alternatively, in Parga, is a good idea. There are few good harbours or anchorages on the way, so this shortened passage of around 30nm is, to all intents and purposes, unavoidable. The route is almost exactly northwest which puts you taxingly head on into the prevailing summer
