Ionian Islands Cruises: Top Sailing Tours Reviewed

Thinking about hopping around the Ionian Islands? A cruise or a sailing tour is probably one of the easiest and coolest ways to see several of these stunners without the constant hassle of ferries and finding new hotels. It’s almost like a floating home base that takes you to the most incredible spots. So, then, let’s check out what you might consider some awesome Ionian Islands cruises and sailing tours, giving you, like, the lowdown to assist you to decide what floats your boat… literally.

1. Ionian Dream: 7-Day All-Inclusive Cruise from Corfu

Okay, so imagine this: Corfu as your starting point. This cruise is a full week of bliss, often hitting the top spots, that could include Paxos, Antipaxos, Lefkada and maybe even Kefalonia. Is that something you’d be into? It’s generally an all-inclusive deal, making things super simple. Meals, drinks, and some water activities are basically figured out from the get-go. You may be keen to know, that the ships often have, say, cozy cabins, sundecks for tanning, and common areas to meet other travelers.

Why might you enjoy this tour, then? Well, it takes the stress out of planning. No trying to figure out ferry schedules or restaurants every day. Plus, you get, in a way, a taste of a whole bunch of islands in a relatively short amount of time. If you’re someone who likes a bit of structure with flexibility to go do your thing when the boat stops, it possibly is a very good fit. Is it right for you? Well, if large crowds make you run for the hills, a smaller sailing tour could actually be better. But, as a matter of fact, for convenience and seeing lots fast, it’s worth considering.

Read our full review: Corfu Sailing Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Corfu Cruise)

2. Lefkada to Ithaca: A Sailing Adventure

Very, very cool if you’re keen on a bit more of, like, a hands-on experience. So, instead of a big cruise ship, it’s more of a smaller sailboat vibe, so, typically catering to a smaller bunch. You might start in Lefkada, that tends to be known for its great sailing conditions, and then, well, head to Ithaca, the mythical home of Odysseus. Pretty epic, huh? These tours could get you involved in sailing a bit, is that right? Like, learning to read the wind or helping to raise a sail.

What makes this appealing? Okay, it’s more intimate. You probably bond a bit more with your fellow sailors. Plus, you might get to dock in quieter bays and explore places the bigger boats can’t reach. Is it something you’d love? If you easily get seasick or the idea of limited space makes you anxious, it could be trickier, you know? But arguably, for those who love sailing and, actually, want a deeper connection with the sea and the islands, it is amazing.

Read our full review: Lefkada to Ithaca Sailing Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Lefkada to Ithaca Sailing)

3. Zakynthos West Coast Cruise: Shipwreck Beach and More

Okay, this one often centers around Zakynthos, highlighting the showstopper, Shipwreck Beach (Navagio Beach). Seriously, it’s almost like a postcard come to life, that beach. These cruises could just circle the island, very often stopping at spots along the west coast. Think of caves, turquoise waters, and hidden coves. Basically, photo heaven.

So, the upside? It’s usually a shorter trip, great if you are short on time, perhaps? Plus, you are basically seeing some seriously stunning scenery. What’s the catch, though? It’s often super popular, especially in the high season. Shipwreck Beach tends to get extremely crowded, you know? So, is this something you would like? If you are okay with sharing these attractive spots with lots of other people and value convenience and seeing a really amazing beach, absolutely. Anyway, for a calmer, more exclusive experience, maybe consider going in the off-season or maybe a private boat.

Read our full review: Zakynthos Shipwreck Cruise Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Zakynthos Cruise)

4. Private Yacht Charter: Create Your Own Ionian Adventure

If you want total control and, you know, the sky’s the limit with your budget, a private yacht charter is really worth looking at. You typically get to pick your itinerary, how cool? So, what exactly do you want to see? The duration is generally entirely up to you. Do you feel like island-hopping for three days or ten? So, with a private charter, you get a captain and maybe a crew who generally takes care of, just like, everything. It is also completely customisable, which you might appreciate.

Now, the pros. It’s basically the most luxurious and flexible option. Stop whenever you want, stay as long as you like, and truly tailor the adventure to what makes you happy. The possible downsides? Well, it will set you back quite a bit more than joining a regular cruise. This could very well be, easily, the most bank you have spent on leisure activities. If budget isn’t an issue, and you love having things done your way, so it could definitely be something special.

Read our full review: Private Yacht Ionian Islands Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Rent Your Private Yacht)

5. Day Trip to Paxos and Antipaxos from Corfu

In fact, another popular option starting from Corfu. These islands are generally smaller, more peaceful, and boast, apparently, some super gorgeous blue waters. A day trip might involve swimming in the Blue Caves, hanging out at Voutoumi Beach, and maybe wandering around the little town of Gaios on Paxos.

Why do people sign up? It is easy to squeeze into a shorter itinerary and you could see some top-notch beauty in basically just a day. But bear in mind that day trips might feel rushed, especially with travel time factored in. It is, of course, good for a taster, especially. If you want to explore these islands more deeply, a longer stay could be needed, or not. But honestly, for convenience and seeing the highlights, a day trip is well worth doing, I would say.

Read our full review: Paxos Antipaxos Day Trip Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Paxos & Antipaxos Trip)