Lefkas Town

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WorldMediterraneanIonian SeaGreeceLefkasLefkas Town
Lefkas Town
Port of Entry
38°49.87′N, 20°42.82′E Chart icon.png
Greece Lefkas h.jpg
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Chart of Lefkas Harbor

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.

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

Weather

Passages

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

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.

Entrance

Lefkas Town is a port of entry.

For entrance details see Greece.

Berthing

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

Lefkas Town quay is very busy during the season

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 if you are lucky
Electricity
Not on the town quay. Only in the marina

Things to do Ashore

Lefkas town has some unusual church towers and buildings

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

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

References & Publications

See Ionian Sea.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Lefkas Town and this page's details validated:



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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Istioploos, Athene of Lymington


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