Lefkas Town
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The harbour of Lefkas Town lies at the NE corner of the island of [[Lefkas]] in the Ionian Sea of [[Greece]], towards the N end of the 3.5 mile long canal which separates the island from the mainland. The town’s strategic position at the head of the canal (there has been one here since the 7th century BC) has long established it as the principal town of the island. Following a devastating earthquake in 1948 the town was substantially rebuilt to be as earthquake-proof as possible, and many of the upper stories of the buildings in its old town are clad with corrugated iron. The current population of just under 7,000 subsists mostly on tourism, both land and yacht-borne, and Lefkas Town caters for practically every conceivable need of the cruising yachtsman. Visiting cruisers have the option of mooring on the rather crowded and busy town quay facing the canal or berthing in the 620-berth [[Lefkas Marina]] at the S end of the town. Shelter in Lefkas is good in the prevailing NW winds (although it gusts onto the town quay), but less so in strong E or S winds, when even in the marina some berths can become uncomfortable. | The harbour of Lefkas Town lies at the NE corner of the island of [[Lefkas]] in the Ionian Sea of [[Greece]], towards the N end of the 3.5 mile long canal which separates the island from the mainland. The town’s strategic position at the head of the canal (there has been one here since the 7th century BC) has long established it as the principal town of the island. Following a devastating earthquake in 1948 the town was substantially rebuilt to be as earthquake-proof as possible, and many of the upper stories of the buildings in its old town are clad with corrugated iron. The current population of just under 7,000 subsists mostly on tourism, both land and yacht-borne, and Lefkas Town caters for practically every conceivable need of the cruising yachtsman. Visiting cruisers have the option of mooring on the rather crowded and busy town quay facing the canal or berthing in the 620-berth [[Lefkas Marina]] at the S end of the town. Shelter in Lefkas is good in the prevailing NW winds (although it gusts onto the town quay), but less so in strong E or S winds, when even in the marina some berths can become uncomfortable. | ||
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==Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)== | ==Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)== | ||
Lefkas is a port of entry. | Lefkas is a port of entry. | ||
| + | {{hold vertical}} | ||
==Berthing Options== | ==Berthing Options== | ||
| - | There are three principal mooring options in Lefkas Town. The choice will depend on a yacht’s draft, the forecast wind direction and, in summer at any rate, also the time of arrival | + | There are three principal mooring options in Lefkas Town. The choice will depend on a yacht’s draft, the forecast wind direction and, in summer at any rate, also the time of arrival. |
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| - | + | ====Town Quay==== | |
| + | {{Image right|LefkasQuay.jpg |Lefkas Town quay is very busy during the season <br />''Click for larger view'' }} | ||
The town quay extends for some 500 metres from the root of the training wall that protects the N side of the canal. Curving S then SW right round to the top of the basin opposite the marina, only the first 200 metres or so is effectively available to visiting yachts. Once ‘round the corner’ into the basin most of the berths are jealously guarded by charter companies, some of whom have installed a few laid moorings for their clients’ use, and by local boats moored stern to the quay and the short jetty that extends out from it near the SW end. Some 40-50 yachts can, however, moor stern or bows-to on the first 200 metres using their anchors. Depths at the quay here are 2.5 – 4.0 metres and anchoring depths around 8.0 metres. Holding is moderate to good in mud, although it can require some effort to dig in your anchor – it is worth persisting if fresh winds are forecast. Shelter here is acceptable in the prevailing NW winds, although gusts on the beam will be experienced. In strong easterlies it can become very uncomfortable here. You are very close here to the tavernas and chandleries but it is a noisy spot with the main road close behind. | The town quay extends for some 500 metres from the root of the training wall that protects the N side of the canal. Curving S then SW right round to the top of the basin opposite the marina, only the first 200 metres or so is effectively available to visiting yachts. Once ‘round the corner’ into the basin most of the berths are jealously guarded by charter companies, some of whom have installed a few laid moorings for their clients’ use, and by local boats moored stern to the quay and the short jetty that extends out from it near the SW end. Some 40-50 yachts can, however, moor stern or bows-to on the first 200 metres using their anchors. Depths at the quay here are 2.5 – 4.0 metres and anchoring depths around 8.0 metres. Holding is moderate to good in mud, although it can require some effort to dig in your anchor – it is worth persisting if fresh winds are forecast. Shelter here is acceptable in the prevailing NW winds, although gusts on the beam will be experienced. In strong easterlies it can become very uncomfortable here. You are very close here to the tavernas and chandleries but it is a noisy spot with the main road close behind. | ||
| - | + | ====Lefkas Marina==== | |
| - | + | [[Lefkas Marina]] offers 620 berths for yachts of up to 45 metres and in depths of 4.0 metres. ''Click on the link for the separate Wiki page''. | |
| - | Lefkas | + | |
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| + | ====Causeway==== | ||
Yachts can and do moor alongside the causeway that carries the road from the N end of the town quay along to the floating bridge, and this is often a good option if waiting for the bridge over the canal to open or if your anchor is dragging on the town quay. Depths along the causeway wall are mostly 3.0 – 4.0 metres and shelter is good in the prevailing NW winds since you are blown off. | Yachts can and do moor alongside the causeway that carries the road from the N end of the town quay along to the floating bridge, and this is often a good option if waiting for the bridge over the canal to open or if your anchor is dragging on the town quay. Depths along the causeway wall are mostly 3.0 – 4.0 metres and shelter is good in the prevailing NW winds since you are blown off. | ||
===Marinas & Yacht Clubs=== | ===Marinas & Yacht Clubs=== | ||
| - | + | ''Click on'' [[Lefkas Marina]] ''for details''. | |
===Anchorages=== | ===Anchorages=== | ||
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====Fuel, Water, & Electricity==== | ====Fuel, Water, & Electricity==== | ||
; Fuel | ; Fuel | ||
| - | : Fuel berth in the marina or by truck to the town quay | + | : Fuel berth in the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]] or by truck to the town quay |
; Water | ; Water | ||
| - | : Water in the marina and on the town quay | + | : Water in the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]] and on the town quay |
; Electricity | ; Electricity | ||
| - | : In the marina | + | : In the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]] |
==Things to do Ashore== | ==Things to do Ashore== | ||
| + | {{Image right|Lefkas town.jpeg |Lefkas town has some unusual church towers and buildings - ''Click for larger view'' }} | ||
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====Tourism==== | ====Tourism==== | ||
Lefkas is an attractive town, in spite of the large scale destruction caused by an earthquake in 1948. Several of the buildings, including a couple of churches, are constructed with corrugated iron-clad upper stories, which gives the main street of the old town an oddly Caribbean flavour. Apart from the pleasures of exploring the old town, other attractions include the imposing 14th century Venetian fort of Agia Mavra across the causeway;the monastery of Faneromenis three kilometers W of the town, which has superb views over the Lefkas lagoon and the beach of Agios Ioannis, and the small but interesting archaeological museum, which contains numerous finds from the archaeological digs on the island. | Lefkas is an attractive town, in spite of the large scale destruction caused by an earthquake in 1948. Several of the buildings, including a couple of churches, are constructed with corrugated iron-clad upper stories, which gives the main street of the old town an oddly Caribbean flavour. Apart from the pleasures of exploring the old town, other attractions include the imposing 14th century Venetian fort of Agia Mavra across the causeway;the monastery of Faneromenis three kilometers W of the town, which has superb views over the Lefkas lagoon and the beach of Agios Ioannis, and the small but interesting archaeological museum, which contains numerous finds from the archaeological digs on the island. | ||
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====Grocery & Supply Stores==== | ====Grocery & Supply Stores==== | ||
| - | + | Several good supermarkets in the town. | |
====Eateries==== | ====Eateries==== | ||
| - | + | Numerous tavernas and cafes along the main waterfront and in the town. | |
| - | + | ||
====Internet/WiFi==== | ====Internet/WiFi==== | ||
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====Laundry==== | ====Laundry==== | ||
| - | In the marina. | + | In the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]. |
====Motorbike & Car Rentals==== | ====Motorbike & Car Rentals==== | ||
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====Garbage Disposal==== | ====Garbage Disposal==== | ||
| - | Bins near the town quay and in the marina. | + | Bins near the town quay and in the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]. |
====Transportation==== | ====Transportation==== | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefkas Wikipedia entry] | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefkas Wikipedia entry] | ||
| - | * [http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/greek_islands/ionian_islands | + | * [http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/greek_islands/ionian_islands Visit Greece website] |
==References & Publications== | ==References & Publications== | ||
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====Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)==== | ====Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)==== | ||
''Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated'': | ''Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated'': | ||
| - | * July 1988 | + | * July 1988 {{Istioploos2}} |
* June 2013 --[[User:Atheneoflymington|Athene of Lymington]] | * June 2013 --[[User:Atheneoflymington|Athene of Lymington]] | ||
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| - | + | {{Contributors|[[User:Istioploos|Istioploos]], [[User:atheneoflymington|Athene of Lymington]]}} | |
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| - | + | {{Navbar| [[Mediterranean]] | [[Ionian Sea]] | [[Greece]] | [[Lefkas]] | [[Lefkas Town]]}} | |
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[[Category:Islands - Greece]] [[Category:Ports - Greece]] | [[Category:Islands - Greece]] [[Category:Ports - Greece]] | ||
Revision as of 12:38, 14 May 2015
| Lefkas Town
| |
 Chart of Lefkas Harbor - Click for larger view |
The harbour of Lefkas Town lies at the NE corner of the island of Lefkas in the Ionian Sea of Greece, towards the N end of the 3.5 mile long canal which separates the island from the mainland. The town’s strategic position at the head of the canal (there has been one here since the 7th century BC) has long established it as the principal town of the island. Following a devastating earthquake in 1948 the town was substantially rebuilt to be as earthquake-proof as possible, and many of the upper stories of the buildings in its old town are clad with corrugated iron. The current population of just under 7,000 subsists mostly on tourism, both land and yacht-borne, and Lefkas Town caters for practically every conceivable need of the cruising yachtsman. Visiting cruisers have the option of mooring on the rather crowded and busy town quay facing the canal or berthing in the 620-berth Lefkas Marina at the S end of the town. Shelter in Lefkas is good in the prevailing NW winds (although it gusts onto the town quay), but less so in strong E or S winds, when even in the marina some berths can become uncomfortable.
Local Weather
- See Ionian Sea Weather.
- Also see Ionian Sea Currents & Tides.
Charts
- BA
- 203 Nisos Zakinthos to Nisos Paxoi
- Imray-Tetra
- G12 Nísos Levkas to Nísos Zákinthos
- NIMA
- 54280 Corfu Channel to Nisis Proti
- Greek
- 2 Ionio Pelagos
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
See the main Lefkas island page for details of the approach to Lefkas via the canal. From both N and S there are potential dangers to be carefully navigated, especially when approaching from N in strong northerly winds.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Lefkas is a port of entry.
Berthing Options
There are three principal mooring options in Lefkas Town. The choice will depend on a yacht’s draft, the forecast wind direction and, in summer at any rate, also the time of arrival.
Town Quay
Click for larger view
The town quay extends for some 500 metres from the root of the training wall that protects the N side of the canal. Curving S then SW right round to the top of the basin opposite the marina, only the first 200 metres or so is effectively available to visiting yachts. Once ‘round the corner’ into the basin most of the berths are jealously guarded by charter companies, some of whom have installed a few laid moorings for their clients’ use, and by local boats moored stern to the quay and the short jetty that extends out from it near the SW end. Some 40-50 yachts can, however, moor stern or bows-to on the first 200 metres using their anchors. Depths at the quay here are 2.5 – 4.0 metres and anchoring depths around 8.0 metres. Holding is moderate to good in mud, although it can require some effort to dig in your anchor – it is worth persisting if fresh winds are forecast. Shelter here is acceptable in the prevailing NW winds, although gusts on the beam will be experienced. In strong easterlies it can become very uncomfortable here. You are very close here to the tavernas and chandleries but it is a noisy spot with the main road close behind.
Lefkas Marina
Lefkas Marina offers 620 berths for yachts of up to 45 metres and in depths of 4.0 metres. Click on the link for the separate Wiki page.
Causeway
Yachts can and do moor alongside the causeway that carries the road from the N end of the town quay along to the floating bridge, and this is often a good option if waiting for the bridge over the canal to open or if your anchor is dragging on the town quay. Depths along the causeway wall are mostly 3.0 – 4.0 metres and shelter is good in the prevailing NW winds since you are blown off.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Click on Lefkas Marina for details.
Anchorages
Although officially anchoring in the harbour is prohibited as there is very little space to swing and there is a real risk of snagging anchors of yachts moored on the quay, yachts can and do anchor occasionally for short periods between the town quay and the marina breakwater pontoon while waiting for the bridge at the N end of the canal to open. Depths here are 2.5 – 3.5 metres and the holding is moderate to good in mud. It is not possible to use much chain in view of the limited space.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Virtually all kinds of repairs and maintenance services available either in the town or in the marina.
Marine Stores
Excellent chandleries and hardware shops in the town and chandlery in the marina.
Repairs/Yards
See Lefkas Marina. There is also a small yard, Christo’s Boatyard, on the E bank of the canal opposite the town.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- Fuel berth in the marina or by truck to the town quay
- Water
- Water in the marina and on the town quay
- Electricity
- In the marina
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
Lefkas is an attractive town, in spite of the large scale destruction caused by an earthquake in 1948. Several of the buildings, including a couple of churches, are constructed with corrugated iron-clad upper stories, which gives the main street of the old town an oddly Caribbean flavour. Apart from the pleasures of exploring the old town, other attractions include the imposing 14th century Venetian fort of Agia Mavra across the causeway;the monastery of Faneromenis three kilometers W of the town, which has superb views over the Lefkas lagoon and the beach of Agios Ioannis, and the small but interesting archaeological museum, which contains numerous finds from the archaeological digs on the island.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Several good supermarkets in the town.
Eateries
Numerous tavernas and cafes along the main waterfront and in the town.
Internet/WiFi
From several tavernas and cafes on the waterfront.
Laundry
In the marina.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Several rental outlets in the town.
Garbage Disposal
Bins near the town quay and in the marina.
Transportation
- Local buses to most island destinations
- Long distance buses to Athens
Routes/Passages To/From
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
References & Publications
See Ionian Sea.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- July 1988 --Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
- June 2013 --Athene of Lymington
| This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
 Contributors to this page |
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Names: Istioploos, Athene of Lymington |
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