SeaTV · Ionian Islands · Kefalonia
Fiskardo, Kefalonia — Sailing & Mooring Guide
The most-photographed harbour in the Ionian — and one of the safest. The 1953 earthquake spared its Venetian houses; the geography spares its anchorage from the prevailing wind.
Fiskardo (also Phiscardo) lies on the north-eastern tip of Kefalonia, in a deep natural bay protected on all sides except the south. It’s known for two things: a row of pastel Venetian-era houses that survived the 1953 earthquake intact (everything else on Kefalonia was rebuilt), and one of the most reliable overnight harbours in the Ionian. In the season it fills early; arrive late and you’ll be anchoring at the bay entrance.
For sailors, Fiskardo is a working town with a busy quay, a ferry to Vasiliki on Lefkada and Frikes on Ithaca, fuel and chandlery on call, and good restaurants — the kind of place where the boat parks itself at the centre of village life. The depth and holding are good, the shelter from NW is excellent, the southerly is the only thing that disturbs the night.
⚠ Reality check: The harbour is very crowded in season — arrive before 14:00 to secure a quay slot. Don’t release too much chain when stern-to: anchor crossings are common and untangling them in tight quarters is everyone’s least favourite morning. Strong S winds make the north-shore and W berths uncomfortable.
⚓ Quick Facts for Sailors
Coordinates
38°27.53’N · 20°34.94’E
Entrance Light (West)
Fl.R · 2 M
East Cliff Light
Fl.3s · 7 M
Bottom & Holding
Sand · rocks · weed · 2–4 m · reasonable
Shelter
Excellent from prevailing NW
Ferries
Vasiliki (Lefkada) · Frikes (Ithaca)
Approach & Wind Notes
Visual landmarks
Ruined stone lighthouses on the north side of the bay are visible from a long distance offshore — the older Venetian beacon and a more recent stone tower stand on the headland. They mark the north entrance.
North-east side: Some newer buildings come into view as you close the bay.
South and west: Hotels and tavernas line the shore — the village proper. The harbour quay is along the south side of the inner bay.
Entrance lights
Two lights mark the harbour entrance: Fl.R (red flashing, 2 nautical miles range) at the entrance, and Fl.3s (white flashing every 3 seconds, 7 nautical miles range) on the east cliff. Both are visible at distance — useful for night-time identification of the harbour mouth.
Shelter from NW — but watch the south
The bay offers excellent shelter from the prevailing NW winds — the dominant summer pattern. However, in summer, strong S winds make anchoring on the north shore and the west-facing berths uncomfortable. If a southerly is forecast, plan to take a south-quay berth or move to the bay entrance with a long line ashore.
Anchor scope discipline
The harbour generally has good depth and holding, but don’t release too much chain stern-to. The quay is tight, anchors cross frequently, and a 5:1 scope at full stretch will guarantee a tangled morning. 3–4:1 with reverse to test is the discipline here.
⚓ Mooring Options
South or West Quays · Standard
Stern or Bow-To the South or West Quay
The standard charter spot — stern or bow-to with own anchor along the south or west sides of the harbour. The village restaurants, shops, and ferry quay are immediately on shore.
Berthing: Stern-to or bow-to, 2–4 m depth at the quay. Anchor in the harbour basin — discipline on chain length.
Best for: Standard overnight, restaurants ashore, easy access to fuel and provisioning.
⚠ Watch: Strong S winds make the W-facing berths uncomfortable. Quay fills early — arrive by 14:00 in season.
South-West Corner · LOCAL BOATS ONLY
Do NOT Berth in the SW Corner
The south-west corner of the harbour is reserved for local boats — fishing fleet and resident yachts. Don’t take a slot here even if it looks available. The harbour master will move you, and at peak season you’ll have lost your better option elsewhere.
Bay Entrance · Long Line Ashore
Anchor at the Bay Entrance
When the harbour quay is full, anchor at the bay entrance with a long line ashore to the north shore. Keep some distance from the ferry dock — ferry wash is regular through the day.
Anchoring: Drop in 2–4 m on sand, rocks, and weed. Reasonable holding — set carefully, set the line ashore for security.
Best for: Late arrivals, peak-season overflow, quieter evening at the cost of a dinghy ride to dinner.
⚠ Watch: Stay clear of the ferry track — Vasiliki and Frikes ferries pass through regularly. Strong S makes the north-shore anchorage uncomfortable.
Facilities & Services
Water & electricity: Available at some quay berths — confirm at arrival, not all positions are connected.
Fuel (gasoline & diesel): Tel +30 694 481 1214. Tanker delivery to the quay — call ahead to arrange.
Chandlers — Fiscardo Chandlers: Tel +30 26740 41045. Web: fiscardochandlers.com. Useful for parts, replacements, technical issues — good range of stock for the size of the harbour.
Divers: Available for assistance with anchor recovery, hull inspection, and minor underwater work — ask at the harbour or chandler.
In town: Supermarkets, banks, ATMs, pharmacies. Car and motorbike hire available — useful for trips to Assos and Myrtos Beach by road.
Ferries: Seasonal services to Frikes on Ithaca and Vasiliki on Lefkada — useful for crew rotations and provisions runs.
Where to Eat — Sailors’ Picks
Fiskardo has the best concentration of restaurants on Kefalonia — driven by yacht visitors, the price level is higher than elsewhere on the island, but standards are correspondingly good.
Tassia
A long-established Fiskardo institution on the waterfront — classical Greek menu, fresh fish and seafood, family-run for decades. The kitchen many sailors return to year after year. [link]
Captain’s Cabin
A waterfront favourite — Greek classics, generous portions, lively atmosphere. Often busy at sunset. [link]
Vasso’s
A few streets back from the waterfront — seafood-focused, slightly higher prices, the kind of meal that takes three hours. [link]
Pro Tips for Fiskardo
Arrive by 14:00 in season. The harbour fills daily through July and August. Late arrivals end up at the bay entrance with a line ashore — workable, but the dinghy ride to dinner is not what you came here for.
Short scope, full reverse. Don’t release too much chain — the quay is tight and anchors cross. 3–4:1 with full reverse to confirm bite is the right discipline. If you have to re-set, do it now, not at 03:00 when someone’s anchor is pulling on yours.
Rent a car for a day. One-day rental gets you to Assos (38°22.74’N · 20°34.31’E by road), Myrtos Beach (map) — both inaccessible from Fiskardo by sea overnight. The west-coast viewpoints alone justify the rental.
Use the chandler. Fiscardo Chandlers is one of the better-stocked shops in the southern Ionian — if something on the boat needs a part, they probably have it or can get it within a day.
Avoid the SW corner. Local boats only — even if it looks empty when you arrive, it’ll be needed by someone returning. Take the SE or W quays instead.
Suggested Routes from Fiskardo
North to Vasiliki / Nidri (25 NM)
North across to Vasiliki on Lefkada (windsurfer bay) or further to Nidri in the inner Ionian. Good downwind run on the prevailing NW.
East to Ithaca (5 NM)
A short hop across to Kioni on Ithaca — one of the prettiest Ionian harbours and an easy day-pair with Fiskardo.
South to Sami (12 NM)
Down the east coast to Sami Marina — the main service hub of the island. Good for full provisioning, fuel, and a different evening atmosphere.
South to Agia Effimia (8 NM)
Quieter east-coast alternative to Sami at Agia Effimia Marina — small new marina, good for a calm overnight.
West coast detour (Assos + Myrtos)
Calm-day morning trip down the west coast to Assos and Myrtos Beach. Plan a sunset return to Fiskardo for the night — west coast has no overnight shelter.
For full overview: Kefalonia overview. For multi-day plans: 7-Day Ionian itinerary.
✅ Sailor’s Safety Checklist
▢ Arrival timed before 14:00 in season
▢ Anchor scope short (3–4:1) — full reverse to confirm bite
▢ SW corner avoided (local boats only)
▢ Forecast checked — strong S = west-quay berths uncomfortable
▢ Entrance lights identified (Fl.R · Fl.3s)
▢ Ferry track noted if anchoring at bay entrance
Emergency & Service Numbers — Kefalonia
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Sami (VHF Ch. 12): +30 26740 22031
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
Argostoli Hospital: +30 26713 60100
Fiskardo Fuel: +30 694 481 1214
Fiscardo Chandlers: +30 26740 41045 · fiscardochandlers.com
Watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot Video
Approach footage past the ruined lighthouses, drone passes over the Venetian harbour-front, the stern-to manoeuvre on the south quay, and walking footage of the village — Fiskardo as you’d see it from the cockpit. Free for members.
Related SeaTV Pages
If you’re sailing Kefalonia or planning a southern Ionian charter, here are the related SeaTV pages — organised by area.
Ithaca · Across the Channel
Continue your Kefalonia charter
East to Ithaca, north to Lefkada, or south down the Kefalonia east coast.
→ Kefalonia overview · Kioni · Sami · Vasiliki
“Fiskardo earns its photographs. Just don’t show up at sunset expecting a quay slot.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Kefalonia Edition
