Lefkas

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==Lefkas (Port of Entry)==
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{{IsPartOf|Mediterranean|Ionian Sea|Greece}}
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An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Lefkas.
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{| class="infobox bordered" style="width: 28em; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"
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| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size: smaller;" | {{Small info}} ''(Click links for more information)''
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! <center>[[image:World_icon.png]]</center>
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| {{Coord|38|50|N|20|42.8|E|}}
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! <center>[[image:Photo_icon.png]]</center>
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| [http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=38.738017&ln=20.709229&z=7&k=0&a=1&tab=2 Photo gallery]
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! <center>[[image:Chart_icon.png]]</center>
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| [http://mapserver.mytopo.com/homepage/index.cfm?lat=38.713123239989095&lon=20.65253918871353&scale=750000&zoom=100&type=0&icon=0&width=498&height=498&searchscope=dom&CFID=17583484&CFTOKEN=79232580&scriptfile=http://mapserver.mytopo.com/homepage/index.cfm&latlontype=DMS Local chartlet]
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| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size: smaller;" | [[Image:Greece_Lefkas_S.jpg|350px|Lefkas from Space<br />''Click for larger view'']]
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|}{{TOCleft}}[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefkas Lefkas] (Λευκάς) or Leukas or Lefkada (Λευκάδα) or Leukada is not really an island. It was connected to the mainland but the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinth Corinthians] around 600 BC made a canal that since then separates Lefkas from the mainland. It is now separated by shallow lagoon varying in width between 600 m and 5 km (2.6 nM). It is a hilly island with white cliffs which give it its name: white one. The tallest point of the island is Mount Stavrotas at 1158 m its area is 355.936 km<sup>2</sup>.
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The earliest evidence of human settlement on the island dates from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic_Age Neolithic] period. In the 7th c. BCE the town of Lefkas was founded by settlers from Corinth, who closed off the south end of the lagoon, opposite the St. George Fort, by a 600 m long mole, remains of which are still visible under water (the sunken breakwater). They also cut a channel through the spit of shingle at the north end of the lagoon, opposite the Fort of Santa Maura.
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{{Infobox | lat=38.70021 | lon=20.6422
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| chartlet = y
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| zoom= 10
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| containsportofentry= y
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| image= Greece_Lefkas_S.jpg
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| imagetext= Lefkas from Space
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}}
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An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to the island of Lefkas.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefkas Lefkas] (Λευκάς) or Leukas or Lefkada (Λευκάδα) or Leukada lies off the mainland coast of [[Greece]] seven miles SW of the harbour of [[Preveza]] at the entrance to the [[Ambrakikos Gulf]]. The second largest of the Greek Ionian islands after [[Kefalonia]], Lefkas is, however, not really an island. It was originally connected to the mainland via a shallow isthmus, but the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinth Corinthians] around 600 BC constructed a canal which has ever since divided Lefkas from the Greek mainland. It is now separated by a shallow lagoon and salt marshes varying in width between 600 m and 5 km (2.6 nM).
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Very little is known about the early [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire Byzantine] period of Lefkas, save that a bishop from the island took part in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea Convention of Nicaea] (AD 325) and that the island was devastated by a huge earthquake fifty years after that. During the fifth century, the island came under attack from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandals Vandals] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huns Huns]. What they did not destroy of the island was brought down by two further severe earthquakes in the middle of the sixth century. The island was incorporated into the Byzantine Theme of Cephalonia in the seventh century. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades Crusades] of the 11th and 12th centuries brought a period of instability to the Ionian and the island came under the control of many foreign princes. Lefkas, during this period was part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Despotate_of_Epirus Despotate of Epirus]. Although the Crusades were supposedly an attempt to 'liberate' the Holy land and Christian lands subject to Muslim leaders, the reality of the situation was that Crusaders often fought to liberate any country so that they could keep it for themselves! In 1204, the Jewel in the Byzantine Crown, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Crusade#Final_capture_of_Constantinople Constantinople], fell to the Crusaders and for a while, the Empire was broken. It fell as the 'duty' of Crusaders to divide up Greece amongst themselves. The Ionian islands, and nearly half of the whole Empire, went to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice_Republic Venice]. Since Venice had to rule so many areas, it did not have a tight grip on any and it took nearly fifty years to loosen the hand of Epirus and to bring Lefkas under real Venetian control. In 1293 Nicephorus Angelus, Despot of Epirus, married his daughter to Roberto Orsini, and with her went Lefkas as a dowry. Orsini was the son of the Count of Kefalonia, subject to the Venetians. The fortress of Santa Maura was built by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orsini Orsini family] to protect the island from the increasing pirate raids. The fourteenth Century saw the government of the island in almost constant flux. Lefkas was passed, or taken, from leader to leader, leaving the islanders poverty-stricken from the constant high taxes of each leader, eager to make a quick fortune before the island be taken from him. Stability came with the rule of the Counts de Tocci and lasted for the best part of a century.
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The island is hilly with numerous white cliffs which give it its name: white one. The tallest point of the island is Mount Stavrotas at 1158 m and its total land area is 355.936 km<sup>2</sup>. Of the population of some 22,000, most live in the island capital of [[Lefkas Town]], which has just under 7,000 inhabitants, or the towns of [[Nidri]] and [[Vlikho]] in [[Vlikho Bay]], [[Sivotas]] on the SE coast and [[Vasiliki]] near the promontory of Ak Dhoukato at the island’s SW tip.   For cruising yachtsmen, the harbours and anchorages at or near these towns – all of them on the E or S coast - represent the island’s chief interest. While the west coast has some very attractive beaches and fishing settlements, there are no sheltered harbours or anchorages suitable for yachts. During the summer, Lefkas and especially its capital, [[Lefkas Town]], are thronged with tourists, both land and yacht-borne, arriving from the nearby airport at [[Preveza]] or the numerous boatyards and charter bases around Preveza and the Inland Sea.
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During this period, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire Ottomans] had slowly been advancing across Greece. The only power that did anything to halt their attacks was Venice. Battles over Greek territory between the Ottomans and the Venetians continued for nearly two centuries. Surprisingly, when the Ottoman fleet of the bloodthirsty [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Pasha Ahmed Pasha] (who was actually French) landed at Lefkas, Venice did not respond. In 1479 the Pasha sacked the island, burning much of it to the ground and slaughtering many of the island's inhabitants. Those who were not killed, and who did not kill themselves (there are many accounts of men, women and children throwing themselves from cliff tops to escape the tyranny of the Ottomans) were sold into slavery at the bazaars of Smyrna and Constantinople. Although there were many battles for supremacy in the Ionian sea, Lefkas was the only Ionian island to come under the control of the Ottoman Empire for more than a few years. They ruled Lefkas for over 180 years, co-operating with the many pirate ships that lurked in the sheltered waters, preying on the Venetians ships that used this important shipping route. These pirates also made frequent attacks on the Lefkadians, taking goods from the towns as well as new slaves from the local population. The period of Ottoman rule went on as it had started; with great suffering to the local population. Most of the fertile land was taken by the Ottomans and the land that was not taken was subject to excessive taxes. It was only due to the industriousness of the Greeks that they survived at all. The only positive thing that was to come of the Ottoman occupation was the building of the Aghia Marina aqueduct.
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The island was recovered for Venice by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Morosini Morosini] in 1684.With the Venetians came peace, a basic constitution and some limited self-rule. However, the prosperity that the Lefkadians expected, did not find its way into their hands. Trade was controlled by the Venetians so that the islanders were not really lifted from their poverty. By the mid-eighteenth century, the power of the Venetian Republic was wavering. Her possessions were being slowly lost, including some of the Greek ones. None of the big European powers, however, wanted to see any of the Ionian islands coming under the rule of the Ottomans; this was an important trade route, which lead on to the east. 1797 saw the start of an intense thirteen year war for the control of Lefkas. During that period, Lefkas changed hands several times.
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The French took control of Lefkas in 1797 and for two years democracy reigned supreme. The island then, came into the hands of the Russians, intent of ridding the world of the Turkish threat. After that the island came under the Protectorate of Britain in military operations that were to incorporate all of the Ionian islands. New freedoms came with the British Protectorate, including the right to vote; new roads and bridges; new aqueducts; new schools and new anti-seismic building regulations to protect the islanders from a series of serious earthquakes that hit Lefkas during that period.
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The smouldering of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_War_of_Independence Greek War of Independence], however, had long since started on the mainland and many Lefkadians were beginning to side with the Freedom fighters. The War of Independence officially begun in 1821 and hundreds of Lefkadian men joined the fight against the Ottomans. The Greek mainland finally won that fight in 1830 and this further induced the islanders to rise up against their own foreign rulers. Lefkas and the Ionian islands were finally incorporated into Greece with a wave of angry fighting after the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_of_Greece Otto] king of Greece was deposed and the whole country came under British rule; but that was not until 1864! Still parts of Northern Greece were occupied by the Ottomans and some border disputes still rumble on today. Lefkas remained for the early part of the twentieth century, an important organizational center for the Independence fight.
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Twenty years into the twentieth century [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Turkish_War_%281919-1922%29 Greece marched on to Asia Minor] in an attempt to "free" Smyrna ([[Izmir]]), but the effort was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Turkish_War_%281919-1922%29#Re-Capture_of_Smyrna.2C_September_1922 disastrous] and more than five thousand Greeks fled to the Fort of Santa Maura which had been set up as a temporary refugee camp.
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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_2 World War II] saw the occupation by both Italian and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-http:/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism Nazis] soldiers across most of Greece. The troubles of the island were further compounded by the huge earthquake that shook Lefkas into ruins in 1948 and again in 1953. Walking around Lefkas Town today, you will see that many of the upper storeys of the buildings are constructed from corrugated iron in order to limit the damage from any further shakes. Many Lefkadians left the island around this time, forced to search for work abroad.
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At the beginning of the 1980's the tourist industry begun to make an impact on the island. There has been some movement of the population, during the summer months at least, down from the villages of Lefkas to the coastal resorts. The impact of tourism, however, was minimal and the island remained unspoilt by it; a rich treat for its more peaceful visitor. But recently with the opening of the airport in Preveza direct charter flights are coming in daily and the island is being flooded by tourists.
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==Charts==
==Charts==
Line 47: Line 25:
: 21 Ionio Sea - Northern Part Othonoi I. to Zakynthos I.
: 21 Ionio Sea - Northern Part Othonoi I. to Zakynthos I.
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==Radio Nets==
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==Weather==
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* ''See  [[Ionian Sea#Weather_and_Winds|Ionian Sea Weather]]''
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* ''Also see  [[Ionian Sea#Currents_&_Tides|Ionian Sea Currents & Tides]]''
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==Passages==
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* [[Cruising the Greek Ionian Sea]]
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==Islands==
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* Modra
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* {{dest| Meganisi |h|a}}
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* Skorpios (a private island)
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==Communication==
* Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
* Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
* Olympia Radio - VHF channel 03
* Olympia Radio - VHF channel 03
Line 53: Line 43:
''Also see [[World MM Nets|World Cruiser's Nets]]''
''Also see [[World MM Nets|World Cruiser's Nets]]''
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==Weather==
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==Navigation==
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* ''See  [[Ionian Sea#Weather_and_Winds|Ionian Sea Weather]]''
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{{Image right|LefkasSMaura.jpg |Fort of Santa Maura at Lefkas Canal entrance }}
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* ''Also see [[Ionian Sea#Currents_&_Tides|Ionian Sea Currents & Tides]]''
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==Approach and Navigation==
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Most yachts approaching the island, unless doing the long sail down the W coast, will be arriving or departing via a canal.  
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[[Image:Greece Lefkas Channel m.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Greece Lefkas Channel m.jpg]] Approaching Lefkas from the N is tricky. First you have negotiate the bridge and chain ferries into the the canal.  
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In spring 2011 boats drawing 2.5 metres were regularly running aground in the silted up entrance. Dredging was carried out and a string of orange buoys was laid marking the south side of the channel.  Care still had to be taken as shallow spots remained, particularly near the most easterly buoys. Dredging was carried out again in spring 2012. Dredging is from a crane working on the sand spit on the north side of the channel - thus it is deepest near the shore. A yacht passing through in May 2012 and keeping only five metres off the north bank recorded a minimum depth of 3.8 metres.
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For details of approaching the canal and navigation there ''see the [[Lefkas Canal]] page''.
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The bridge opens once an hour on the hour. First the N going traffic crosses and then the S going traffic. The indication is (when they work): two triangles over a ball plus the sounding of a siren. In May 2012, the bridge had been replaced by a ferry boat acting as a temporary bridge. Check with Lefkas Marina for the schedule. Anchoring to the north while waiting for an opening is difficult as holding is poor. It is preferable to approach the canal from the north before the afternoon seabreeze fills in.
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==Entrance==
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[[Lefkas Town]] is a port of entry and you can clear there in/out of [[Greece]].
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There is often a current in the canal reaching 1.5 knots.
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==Berthing==
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<div style="clear: right;"></div>
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===Ports===
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The main harbours on Lefkas are listed clockwise round the island from [[Lefkas Town]].
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==Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)==
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{{dest legend|e|h|m|a}}
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Lefkas is a port of entry and you can clear here in/out of Greece.
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==Berthing Options==
 
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===Ports===
 
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====Lefkas Harbor====
 
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See separate Wiki page for [[Lefkas Town]]
 
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====Sivota====
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* {{dest| Lefkas Town|e|h|m}}
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See separate Wiki page for [[Sivota]]
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*: Lefkas Town offers moorings bows or stern-to using the anchor on a rather busy and crowded town quay or in the 620-berth [[Lefkas Marina]].  Shelter is good except in strong E or S winds. Few boats anchor in the area north of the marina/south of the town quay. Additional mooring possible alongside the west part of the road leading to Lefkas bridge.
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===Marinas & Yacht Clubs===
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* {{dest| Ligia |h|a}}
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* [[Lefkas Marina]]
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*: The small harbour of Ligia has little space for yachts, who usually have to anchor off to visit the numerous tavernas.  Shelter is excellent in the prevailing NW winds but less so in strong winds from other directions.
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===Anchorages===
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* {{dest| Nikiana |h|a}}
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====Vlikho Bay & Nidri====
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*: Nikiana’s small harbour has space for around 10-15 yachts bows or stern-to using the anchor.  Shelter in the harbour is good in the prevailing winds but less so if there is anything E in the wind.
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See separate Wiki page for [[Vlikho Bay]]
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==== Vassiliko Bay  ====
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* {{dest| Nidri |h}}
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[[Image:Greece VasilikoS.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Satellite view of Vassiliko Bay<br />''Click for larger view'']]
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*: Nidri lies at the entrance to the gulf of [[Vlikho Bay]] and has berths bows or stern-to using the anchor on its busy town quay or on one of a series of six private pontoons.  Shelter on the quay is adequate in the prevailing N/NW winds but it becomes uncomfortable if they are very strong.
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[[Image:World icon.png]] {{Coord|38|37.49|N|20|35.89|E|}}<br />
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Vasiliko Bay or Vassiliki is a pleasant anchorage and near the white cliff from where [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-http:/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sappho#Phaon_legend Sappho] is supposed to have jumped.  
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Vassiliko provides a nice little harbor with a lot of restaurants around it. It's not over crowded by tourist either and some bars have open until early morning. It's supposed to be a good spot for wind surfing. Moor stern-to along the quay. Holding is good.&nbsp; June 2009 -- [[User:Rodger|Rodger]]
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* {{dest| Vlikho |h}}
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*: Vlikho lies at the SW corner of [[Vlikho Bay]] and has berths bows or stern-to using the anchor on the town quay or on one of a field of mooring buoys. All berths are administered by the Vliho Yacht Club.  Shelter on the quay and jetty is adequate in the prevailing N/NW winds but can become uncomfortable if they are very strong.  
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Warning: Water is very shallow towards the beach and on the north side within the harbor. (&lt;1m). Be well prepared when entering the harbor as you don't have much space for maneuvering! For a sailing boat you might only use half of the harbor to park your boat. Once you're in it is beautiful.  
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* {{dest| Sivotas |h|a}}
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*: Sivotas harbour offers a number of berthing options on its quays, bows or stern-to using the anchor, or on two private taverna pontoons with laid moorings (you need to buy a meal in exchange for the mooring). Shelter is good in the prevailing N/NW winds, although there are gusts down into the bay, but Sivota is uncomfortable and possibly dangerous in strong S/SE winds.
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<center style="clear: both;"><gallery widths="250px" heights="140px" perrow="2">
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* {{dest| Vasiliki |h|a}}
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Image:Vassiliki_bay.JPG|Vasiliki Bay<br />''Click for larger view''
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*: The shallow harbour of Vasiliki has berths bows or stern-to using the anchor on its town quay, but has depths in the entrance of only 2.5 - 3.0 metres.  Shelter in the harbour is acceptable in the prevailing NW seabreezes (although a chop is experienced), but it could possibly become untenable in very strong NW winds.
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Image:Vassiliki_hbr.JPG|Vasiliki Harbour<br/>''Click for larger view''
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</gallery></center>
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==Offshore Islands==
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===Marinas & Yacht Clubs===
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* Modra
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* [[Lefkas Marina]]
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* [[Meganisi]]
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* Vlikho Yacht Club [http://www.vlihoyc.com  Website]
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* Skorpios (a private island)
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==Yacht Services and Repairs==
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==Anchorages==
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====Marine Stores ====
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====Vlikho Bay====
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*At the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]&nbsp;''Paleros'' Tel 2645 029117 is one of the best chandleries in the Ionian
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''See separate Wiki page for [[Vlikho Bay]]''.
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====Repairs/Yards====
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====Tranquil Bay====
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* At the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]
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''See [[Vlikho Bay]]''.
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{{Poi |38|40.32|N|20|42.78|E| | type= anchorage| name= Ormos Dessimou
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| text= The bay of Ormos Dessimou is on the E coast of the island, at the root of the long peninsula that encloses the eastern side of [[Vlikho Bay]].  It offers good shelter in the prevailing NW winds, but is open S.  Anchor close inshore at the NE end of the bay in 5.0 – 8.0 metres.  Holding is good in sand and weed.  There is a long sandy beach here but also a camper van site at the SW end of the bay, so the anchorage is not a very quiet one.  Beach café and small shop ashore. }}
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====Fuel, Water, & Electricity====
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{{Poi |38|38.16|N|20|41.82|E| | type= anchorage| name= Ormos Rouda
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; Fuel
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| text= Ormos Rouda is a wide bay on the SE coast of the island, a mile or so N of the harbour of [[Sivota]].  It offers good shelter in the prevailing NW winds but, like Ormos Dessimou, is open S.  The head of the bay is usually buoyed off for swimming in the season and it will be necessary anchor off in depths of 10.0 metres or more.  Holding is good in sand and weed.  There are tavernas ashore and the village of Poros is up the hill on the E side of the bay. }}
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: At the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]
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; Water
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: At the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]
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; Electricity
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: At the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]
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==Things to do Ashore==
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==Amenities==
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====Tourism====
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{{tlist
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{| class="wikitable" align=right
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|[[Image:Greece_Lefkas_StMaura.jpg|300px]]<br /><small>Santa Maura<br />''Click for larger view''</small>
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|[[Image:Lefkas town.jpeg|300px]]<br /><small>Lefkas Town<br />''Click for larger view''</small>
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|}
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From the town, it worth visiting the Fort of Santa Maura.
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|header|Facilities
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====Grocery & Supply Stores====
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|Water| ''See individual [[#Ports|port]] and [[#Marinas & Yacht Clubs|marina]] pages''
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*There is a supermarket at the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]&nbsp;and a megastore a few blocks back&nbsp;
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|Electricity| ''See individual [[#Ports|port]] and [[#Marinas & Yacht Clubs|marina]] pages''
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*The local wine ''Santa Maura'' is very good
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|Toilets| ''See individual [[#Ports|port]] and [[#Marinas & Yacht Clubs|marina]] pages''
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*The salami from Lefkas is famous
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|Showers| ''See individual [[#Ports|port]] and [[#Marinas & Yacht Clubs|marina]] pages''
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|Laundry| In the  [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]
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|Garbage| ''See individual [[#Ports|port]] pages''
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====Eateries====
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|header|Supplies
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*Good food in the many restaurants in town
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|Fuel| ''See individual [[#Ports|port]] and [[#Marinas & Yacht Clubs|marina]] pages''
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**''LaVinira'' is an excellent small taverna
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|Bottled gas| In supermarkets
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**''Estatorio Frynh'' is particularly good but fully priced
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|Chandlers|
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*Restaurant at at the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]
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* Numerous chandleries and marine supplies stores in [[Lefkas Town]]
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* At the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]] and at ''Paleros'' Tel 2645 029117 is one of the best chandleries in the Ionian
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====Internet/WiFi====
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|header|Services
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|Repairs|
* At the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]
* At the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]
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* In Internet cafés
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* Christo’s Boatyard (on the E side of the canal opposite Lefkas Marina)
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* [http://www.c-y-s.com Contract Marine Services] (Lefkada) is a highly skilled and professional supplier of all kind of repairs and services. Even though they have their main base in Lefkada, they are doing services all over the area. They did a deep service and maintenance on my Perkins prior my circumnavigation (2011-2013). Nothing failed despite a distance of 22.000 nautical miles and a engine hours of 2.300! This is a Perkins from 1986, så the potential of failure could have been big without this services. Thanks to experienced staff at Contract, it went smooth all the way. --[[User:Camelot|Camelot]] 08:00, June 7, 2014 (GMT) [[image:Norway_Icon.png]]
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* If you are looking for a professional canvas supplier for repair or new build, I do have personal very good experience with using [http://waypointsails.com/ Waypoint]. --[[User:Camelot|Camelot]] 08:00, June 7, 2014 (GMT) [[image:Norway_Icon.png]]
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====Laundry====
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|Internet| ''See individual [[#Ports|port]] pages''
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* In the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]]
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|Mobile connectivity| Good 3G signal
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|Vehicle rentals| In [[Lefkas Town]]
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}}
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====Motorbike & Car Rentals====
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==Provisioning==
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* In town.
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* There is a supermarket at the [[Lefkas Marina|marina]] and a megastore a few blocks back. Also see port pages.
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* The local wine ''Santa Maura'' is very good
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* The salami from Lefkas is famous
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====Garbage Disposal====
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==Eating out==
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There are bins around the harbor and in several anchorages.
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''See individual [[#Ports|port]] pages''.
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====Transportation====
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==Transportation==
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* There are flights to Athens from Preveza
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* There are charter flights to several European destinations from [[Preveza]]
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* There is sea-plane service to [[Corfu]] and [[Patras]]
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* Long distance buses from [[Lefkas Town]] via [[Preveza]] to Athens
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* Local buses between [[Lefkas Town]] and [[Vasiliki]]
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==Routes/Passages To/From==
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==Tourism==
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* [[Cruising the Greek Ionian Sea]]
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====History====
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''For a history of Lefkas, see [[History of Lefkas]] page''.
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====Places to Visit====
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''See [[Lefkas Town#Tourism|Lefkas Town]]''.
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==Cruiser's Friends==
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==Friends==
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
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==Forum Discussions==
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==Forums==
List links to discussion threads on [[Cruising Forums|partnering forums]]. (''see link for requirements'')
List links to discussion threads on [[Cruising Forums|partnering forums]]. (''see link for requirements'')
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==External Links==
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==Links==
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefkas Lefkas] (Wikipedia)
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* {{Wikipedia|Lefkada}}
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* {{Wikivoyage|Lefkada}}
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* [http://www.videopilotbook.com/lefkada/ A yachtsman's video guide]
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==References & Publications==
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==References==
''See [[Ionian Sea#References_&_Publications|Ionian Sea]]''.
''See [[Ionian Sea#References_&_Publications|Ionian Sea]]''.
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==Personal Notes==
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{{Comments}}
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Personal experiences?
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* The North Entrance to the Canal has been significantly improved since 2012 with extensive dredging. Min depth we noted was 4.5 metres and the pool in the crutch of the North West elbow now has good depths. The spit has been shortened significantly but there is now a sandy shoal requiring 30 metres clearance off the end.  --[[User:Monterey|Monterey]]  June 2015
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====Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)====
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{{Verified by}}
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''Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated'':
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* July 1988 {{Istioploos2}}
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* July 1988 --[[User:Istioploos|Istioploos]] [[Image:Greece_Icon.png]]
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* August 2009 --[[User:Nereus|Nereus]]
* August 2009 --[[User:Nereus|Nereus]]
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* May 2012 -- [[User:Monterey|Monterey]] [[Image:Bermuda Icon.png]]
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* June 2013 --[[User:Atheneoflymington|Athene of Lymington]]
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* June 2015 -- [[User:Monterey|Monterey]] [[Image:Bermuda Icon.png]]
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* June 2019 -- [[User:Meir|Bat-Yam]]
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{{Guide2}}
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'''Names''': [[User:Istioploos|Istioploos]], [[User:Nereus|Nereus]], [[User:atheneoflymington|Athene of Lymington]], [[User:Rodger|Rodger]], [[User:Wayward|Wayward]], [[User:Monterey|Monterey]]
 
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{{Contributors| [[User:Istioploos|Istioploos]], [[User:Nereus|Nereus]], [[User:atheneoflymington|Athene of Lymington]], [[User:Rodger|Rodger]], [[User:Wayward|Wayward]], [[User:Monterey|Monterey]]}}
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|style="color:#000;"| | [[World Cruising and Sailing Wiki|HOMEPAGE]] | [[World Cruising Guides|Wiki Contents]] | [[Mediterranean]] | [[Ionian Sea]] | [[Greece]] | [[Lefkas]] |
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[[Category:Islands - Greece]] [[Category:Ports - Greece]] [[Category:Anchorages - Greece]]
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[[Category:Islands - Greece]]

Latest revision as of 07:16, 21 July 2019

World ▶ Mediterranean ▶ Ionian Sea ▶ Greece ▶ Lefkas

Contents

Lefkas
There are Port(s) of Entry here
38°42.013'N, 020°38.532'E Chart icon.png
lat=38.70021 | lon=20.6422 | zoom=10 | y
Greece Lefkas S.jpg
Magnify-clip.png
Lefkas from Space

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to the island of Lefkas.Lefkas (Λευκάς) or Leukas or Lefkada (Λευκάδα) or Leukada lies off the mainland coast of Greece seven miles SW of the harbour of Preveza at the entrance to the Ambrakikos Gulf. The second largest of the Greek Ionian islands after Kefalonia, Lefkas is, however, not really an island. It was originally connected to the mainland via a shallow isthmus, but the Corinthians around 600 BC constructed a canal which has ever since divided Lefkas from the Greek mainland. It is now separated by a shallow lagoon and salt marshes varying in width between 600 m and 5 km (2.6 nM).

The island is hilly with numerous white cliffs which give it its name: white one. The tallest point of the island is Mount Stavrotas at 1158 m and its total land area is 355.936 km2. Of the population of some 22,000, most live in the island capital of Lefkas Town, which has just under 7,000 inhabitants, or the towns of Nidri and Vlikho in Vlikho Bay, Sivotas on the SE coast and Vasiliki near the promontory of Ak Dhoukato at the island’s SW tip. For cruising yachtsmen, the harbours and anchorages at or near these towns – all of them on the E or S coast - represent the island’s chief interest. While the west coast has some very attractive beaches and fishing settlements, there are no sheltered harbours or anchorages suitable for yachts. During the summer, Lefkas and especially its capital, Lefkas Town, are thronged with tourists, both land and yacht-borne, arriving from the nearby airport at Preveza or the numerous boatyards and charter bases around Preveza and the Inland Sea.

Charts

BA
189 Nisos Sapiénza to Nisos Paxoi
203 Zakinthos to Paxoi
Imray-Tetra
G11 Nísos Kérkira to Nísos Levkas
NIMA
54280 Corfu Channel to Nisis Proti
Greek
2 Ionio Pelagos
21 Ionio Sea - Northern Part Othonoi I. to Zakynthos I.

Weather

Passages

Islands

  • Modra
  • Meganisi Meganisi /wiki/Meganisi | Harbour icon – harbour || Anchorage icon – anchorage |
  • Skorpios (a private island)

Communication

  • Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
  • Olympia Radio - VHF channel 03

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

Fort of Santa Maura at Lefkas Canal entrance

Most yachts approaching the island, unless doing the long sail down the W coast, will be arriving or departing via a canal.

For details of approaching the canal and navigation there see the Lefkas Canal page.

Entrance

Lefkas Town is a port of entry and you can clear there in/out of Greece.

Berthing

Ports

The main harbours on Lefkas are listed clockwise round the island from Lefkas Town.

Key to symbols: || Port of entry icon – port of entry || Harbour icon – harbour || Marina icon – marina || Anchorage icon – anchorage ||


  • Lefkas Town Lefkas Town/wiki/Lefkas_Town | Port of entry icon – port of entry || Harbour icon – harbour || Marina icon – marina |
    Lefkas Town offers moorings bows or stern-to using the anchor on a rather busy and crowded town quay or in the 620-berth Lefkas Marina. Shelter is good except in strong E or S winds. Few boats anchor in the area north of the marina/south of the town quay. Additional mooring possible alongside the west part of the road leading to Lefkas bridge.
  • Ligia Ligia /wiki/Ligia | Harbour icon – harbour || Anchorage icon – anchorage |
    The small harbour of Ligia has little space for yachts, who usually have to anchor off to visit the numerous tavernas. Shelter is excellent in the prevailing NW winds but less so in strong winds from other directions.
  • Nikiana Nikiana /wiki/Nikiana | Harbour icon – harbour || Anchorage icon – anchorage |
    Nikiana’s small harbour has space for around 10-15 yachts bows or stern-to using the anchor. Shelter in the harbour is good in the prevailing winds but less so if there is anything E in the wind.
  • Nidri Nidri /wiki/Nidri | Harbour icon – harbour |
    Nidri lies at the entrance to the gulf of Vlikho Bay and has berths bows or stern-to using the anchor on its busy town quay or on one of a series of six private pontoons. Shelter on the quay is adequate in the prevailing N/NW winds but it becomes uncomfortable if they are very strong.
  • Vlikho Vlikho /wiki/Vlikho | Harbour icon – harbour |
    Vlikho lies at the SW corner of Vlikho Bay and has berths bows or stern-to using the anchor on the town quay or on one of a field of mooring buoys. All berths are administered by the Vliho Yacht Club. Shelter on the quay and jetty is adequate in the prevailing N/NW winds but can become uncomfortable if they are very strong.
  • Sivotas Sivotas /wiki/Sivotas | Harbour icon – harbour || Anchorage icon – anchorage |
    Sivotas harbour offers a number of berthing options on its quays, bows or stern-to using the anchor, or on two private taverna pontoons with laid moorings (you need to buy a meal in exchange for the mooring). Shelter is good in the prevailing N/NW winds, although there are gusts down into the bay, but Sivota is uncomfortable and possibly dangerous in strong S/SE winds.
  • Vasiliki Vasiliki /wiki/Vasiliki | Harbour icon – harbour || Anchorage icon – anchorage |
    The shallow harbour of Vasiliki has berths bows or stern-to using the anchor on its town quay, but has depths in the entrance of only 2.5 - 3.0 metres. Shelter in the harbour is acceptable in the prevailing NW seabreezes (although a chop is experienced), but it could possibly become untenable in very strong NW winds.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Anchorages

Vlikho Bay

See separate Wiki page for Vlikho Bay.

Tranquil Bay

See Vlikho Bay.

Ormos Dessimou

Ormos Dessimou/wiki/Lefkas#Ormos_Dessimou
Anchorage icon Ormos Dessimou [[Lefkas#Ormos Dessimou|Ormos Dessimou]] 38°40.32′N, 20°42.78′E
The bay of Ormos Dessimou is on the E coast of the island, at the root of the long peninsula that encloses the eastern side of Vlikho Bay. It offers good shelter in the prevailing NW winds, but is open S. Anchor close inshore at the NE end of the bay in 5.0 – 8.0 metres. Holding is good in sand and weed. There is a long sandy beach here but also a camper van site at the SW end of the bay, so the anchorage is not a very quiet one. Beach café and small shop ashore.

Ormos Rouda

Ormos Rouda/wiki/Lefkas#Ormos_Rouda
Anchorage icon Ormos Rouda [[Lefkas#Ormos Rouda|Ormos Rouda]] 38°38.16′N, 20°41.82′E
Ormos Rouda is a wide bay on the SE coast of the island, a mile or so N of the harbour of Sivota. It offers good shelter in the prevailing NW winds but, like Ormos Dessimou, is open S. The head of the bay is usually buoyed off for swimming in the season and it will be necessary anchor off in depths of 10.0 metres or more. Holding is good in sand and weed. There are tavernas ashore and the village of Poros is up the hill on the E side of the bay.

Amenities

Facilities
Water See individual port and marina pages
Electricity See individual port and marina pages
Toilets See individual port and marina pages
Showers See individual port and marina pages
Laundry In the marina
Garbage See individual port pages
Supplies
Fuel See individual port and marina pages
Bottled gas In supermarkets
Chandlers
  • Numerous chandleries and marine supplies stores in Lefkas Town
  • At the marina and at Paleros Tel 2645 029117 is one of the best chandleries in the Ionian
Services
Repairs
  • At the marina
  • Christo’s Boatyard (on the E side of the canal opposite Lefkas Marina)
  • Contract Marine Services (Lefkada) is a highly skilled and professional supplier of all kind of repairs and services. Even though they have their main base in Lefkada, they are doing services all over the area. They did a deep service and maintenance on my Perkins prior my circumnavigation (2011-2013). Nothing failed despite a distance of 22.000 nautical miles and a engine hours of 2.300! This is a Perkins from 1986, så the potential of failure could have been big without this services. Thanks to experienced staff at Contract, it went smooth all the way. --Camelot 08:00, June 7, 2014 (GMT) Norway Icon.png
  • If you are looking for a professional canvas supplier for repair or new build, I do have personal very good experience with using Waypoint. --Camelot 08:00, June 7, 2014 (GMT) Norway Icon.png
Internet See individual port pages
Mobile connectivity Good 3G signal
Vehicle rentals In Lefkas Town

Provisioning

  • There is a supermarket at the marina and a megastore a few blocks back. Also see port pages.
  • The local wine Santa Maura is very good
  • The salami from Lefkas is famous

Eating out

See individual port pages.

Transportation

Tourism

History

For a history of Lefkas, see History of Lefkas page.

Places to Visit

See Lefkas Town.

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

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.

  • The North Entrance to the Canal has been significantly improved since 2012 with extensive dredging. Min depth we noted was 4.5 metres and the pool in the crutch of the North West elbow now has good depths. The spit has been shortened significantly but there is now a sandy shoal requiring 30 metres clearance off the end. --Monterey June 2015

Verified by

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


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.


SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Istioploos, Nereus, Athene of Lymington, Rodger, Wayward, Monterey


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