Catamaran hire in Ionian Islands

Catamaran hire Ionian Islands

The Ionian Islands are a collection of twelve magnificent islands with glistening azure waters, where you can bathe to cool off from the hot mediterranean climate and soak up the fresh sea salt and minerals of the Ionian Sea, as well as some vitamin D from the sizzling sunshine.  The main islands in this group are Corfu, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Kythira, Lefkas, Paxos, and Zakynthos.  A catamaran rental in the Ionian Islands is the perfect way to spend your next break from metropolitan life. Lie on the net of your catamaran and observe the tropical fish passing by underneath you, as you sip a cocktail and listen to the sound of serenity.

Flexible cancellation or date changes up to 15 days before check in is allowed on selected boats, so be sure to check which ones this applies to if you’re worried about covid ruining your vacation plans.

How much does it cost to rent a catamaran in the Ionian Islands?

There are many different factors that can affect the price of catamaran charter in the Ionian Islands, including the season, the size and make of the catamaran, the duration of your rental, and whereabouts you want to rent your catamaran.  Below is a list of prices depending on location.

To charter a catamaran in Lefkas, you can expect to pay around £3791 per week in high season but only £1678 per week in low season.

For catamaran rental in Corfu, you can expect prices to start at around £2858 in low season, but they will usually rise to around £7159 per week in the high season.

Catamaran hire in Kefalonia meanwhile, usually costs from around £7719 in high season and about £3064 in low season.

To rent a catamaran in Zakynthos, you should expect to pay at least £9382 per week.

Is an Ionian catamaran charter possible with or without a skipper?

Yes, it is possible to hire a catamaran in the Ionian Islands either with or without a skipper and the good news is that you won’t need a boat licence unless you catamaran rental has an engine power of 30 horsepower or more.

If you are a confident sailor with knowledge and experience of sailing a catamaran, it is absolutely a fantastic idea to be the captain of your own boat.  If you aren’t a confident sailor though, or if you want to rent a boat for which you don’t have the appropriate licence, an Ionian catamaran charter with a skipper is also a fantastic idea, full of amazing possibilities.  If you rent with a skipper, you can relax on deck perfecting you tan and taking pictures without worrying about the technicalities of sailing.

What weather and sailing conditions can you expect during a catamaran charter in the Ionian Islands?

The weather and sailing conditions when you rent a catamaran in the Ionian Islands is subject to great seasonal variation.  In general, the summer months can be unbearably hot without the Meltemi wind to cool them down.  The temperatures during the summer usually average around 35-36°C (95-96.8°F), but can even occasionally rise above 40°C (104°F).  During the winter, however, the drop in temperature is very noticeable with frequent snow in the mountains.

January is the Ionian Islands’ coldest month, with temperatures of around 5°C (41°F) and July and August share the title of the hottest months, with temperatures that are often around 31°C (87°F).  Sea temperatures are relatively pleasant for most of the year, peaking at around 26°C (78.8°F) in August, but dipping to around 15°C (59°F) in February and March.

December is the Ionian Islands’ wettest month, with 110 mm (4.3 inches) of rainfall, which contrasts greatly with July, the driest month, which usually sees just 5 mm (0.2 inches).  July also sees around 13 hours of sunlight each day, in great contrast with December which often has an average of just 4 hours a day.  Although there is a fair amount of wind all year round, the slightly stronger maestro wind usually picks up in July and August, prevailing from a north to north-westerly direction.

When is the best time for a catamaran charter in the Ionian Islands?

The best time to charter a catamaran in the Ionian Islands depends on your proposed itinerary of activities.  If you want to frequent the beaches while there, you should go during the summer months, when the sea and air temperatures are perfect for such activities.  While it is true that there will be more people, especially on the more accessible beaches, there are many beaches and coves that are only accessible by boat.  This means that if you are planning a catamaran charter, you are perfectly placed to access some of these beaches to escape the crowds, not least because catamarans can enter much shallower water than most boats, meaning you can get closer to the beaches.  The only negative point of going during this time is that you will probably have to pay more to rent a catamaran.

If the aim of your trip is to explore the islands, you would probably be better off going from March to May or October and November, when temperatures will be slightly more bearable for traveling.  There will also be fewer people in these months and better deals on boats.

What are the best ports and sailing areas to visit during a catamaran charter in the Ionian Islands?

The three main islands where you can rent a catamaran in the Ionian Islands  are Lefkas, Corfu and Kefalonia. We also have catamaran rental bases on the west coast of mainland Greece.  If you choose to rent from the west coast of mainland Greece, you can easily sail out to explore the Ionian Islands during your charter, meaning this would still be a good place to start your catamaran rental, despite not being in the islands themselves.  Here are some of the best places to rent your boat based on location:

• West coast of Greece - Preveza Marina, Palairos Marina
• Lefkas - Port of Lefkas (also known as Port of Lefkada)
• Corfu - Gouvia Marina
• Kefalonia - Sami Port

What to do during your Ionian sailing vacation?

If you are renting a catamaran in the summertime and are in search of the Ionian Island party beaches, look no further than Corfu and Zakynthos. Multiple towns in Corfu are renowned for their laid back yet vibrant nightlife, which brings the island to life in the summer. Kavos, Dasia, Acharavi, Sidari, and Corfu Town are key nightlife hubs on Corfu island. In Zakynthos, Alykes, Alykanas, Tsilivi and Laganas are all famed for their bars and nightclubs and are 100% up your street if you are looking for a catamaran beach party.

In Kefalonia and Lefkas, you are more likely to experience a serene and chic bar life in conjunction with some superb restaurants serving delectable delicacies. 

Encountering blissful beaches in the Ionian Islands is not arduous work, especially if you have your own catamaran rental handy for exploring. Some fine examples of dreamy island beaches are Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia or Arillas Beach in Corfu. Porto Katsiki Beach in Lefkas is also a site to watch spectacular sunsets in beach bliss.

How to reach your Ionian catamaran charter?

Out of the three islands where we rent boats, Corfu and Kefalonia both have airports located on the island. Lefkas island has a bridge connecting the island to mainland, which means that you can reach Aktion Airport (PVK) within half an hour at just 28 km (17.4 miles) distance. For the mainland catamaran rental locations such as Preveza and Palairos, Aktion Airport is even closer.

You can get direct flights to Kefalonia from the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, and also many cities across the UK, including London.  Of course, it’s also possible to get direct flights from other Greek locations, like Athens and Zakynthos.  Corfu’s airport receives flights from most of the same places as Kefalonia airport, but also France, Belgium, the city of Barcelona in Spain, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Switzerland, Finland, and other Greek cities like Thessaloniki.

If you fancy extending your trip a little, you could also take a catamaran rental from a nearby country or island, like Italy or Albania.