SeaTV · Ionian Islands · Ithaca
Kioni, Ithaca — Visual Sailing Guide
One of the most picturesque harbours in Ithaca — a deep natural bay framed by ruined windmills and amphitheatrically-tiered colourful houses, lively without losing its village feel.
Kioni sits on the north-east coast of Ithaca, about 4 NM south of Frikes. The bay opens gently between wooded slopes and reveals a compact waterfront village that has the visual charm sailors come for and the practical shelter overnight crews need. It’s one of the best-known village stops in the Ionian — and earns the reputation honestly.
For sailors, Kioni is a popular harbour with finite space. Town quay slots are limited, anchoring room exists for around 6–8 boats, and the bay is exposed enough that a poor forecast turns an idyllic stop into a wet night. Get the wind right and arrive early — and Kioni is one of the loveliest evenings on the Ithaca route.
⚠ Reality check: Kioni is exposed in strong NE, E, and SE winds and gets strong gusts when the prevailing NW funnels into the bay. Watch for rocks on the SE side of the concrete pier. Night ferry wash outside the bay can disturb sleep — face your beam to the stern, not the entrance.
⚓ Quick Facts for Sailors
Position
NE coast Ithaca · 4 NM S of Frikes
Anchor Depth
6–8 m off the SSW quay
Bottom & Holding
Sand & weed · fair to good
Anchoring Capacity
~6–8 boats free-anchor
Avoid In
Strong NE · E · SE winds
Visual Marker
Ruined windmills on south side
Approach & Wind Notes
Visual landmarks
Kioni is easy to identify from seaward — on the south side of the bay, three ruined stone windmills stand on the headland with houses scattered up the hillside above. Useful visual references on arrival.
What to watch on arrival
→ Rocks on the SE side of the concrete pier — keep clear when berthing or manoeuvring
→ Strong gusts in the bay with NW winds — bay funnels the prevailing wind down
→ Exposure in strong NE, E, SE — uncomfortable to dangerous
→ Night ferry wash outside the bay, especially if your beam faces the opening
Bottom drops fast
As you move south from the port, the bottom drops away quickly. Depth awareness is important when choosing your position — the chart can read 5 m where the boat-length away reads 25 m.
⚓ Mooring, Anchoring & Parking
Arrive early in season. Kioni is popular and available space is limited later in the day. Aim for arrival before 14:00 for choice of position.
Town Quay · Direct Village Access
Stern-to the Town Quay
Services: Water yes · Electricity no · Showers no · Port fee yes
Best for: Direct access to the village restaurants and shops.
⚠ Watch: Mind the rocks on the SE side of the concrete pier when manoeuvring.
Long Line Ashore · West Side
Anchor + Long Lines Ashore
A practical option — anchor and run a long line to the rocks on the west side of the bay. Plenty of room. Closer to the town there are even rings available for tying off.
⚠ Don’t tie to: Trees, lanterns, or stairs.
Free Anchor · 6–8 Boats
Anchor Freely in the Bay
Room for around 6–8 boats to free-anchor, depending on season and spacing. Bottom drops away quickly as you move south from the port — depth awareness needed.
Holding: Sand and weed — fair to good. Set carefully.
SSW Side · Bow/Stern + Long Line
Bow or Stern to Quay (SSW)
On the south-southwest side, you can anchor bow or stern to the quay, or face the port with a long line ashore in about 6–8 m. In calm weather, anchoring on the SE is also possible.
Facilities & Shore
Provisioning: Small village supermarkets — fine for basics. For full provisioning, head to Vathy or Sami.
Bakery, café, ATM: All present in the small village.
Tavernas: Several waterfront restaurants — driven by yacht visitors, prices are tourist-influenced but standards good.
No fuel: Top up before arrival. Closest fuel at Fiskardo or Sami.
Where to Eat — Sailors’ Picks
Calypso
A long-running Kioni waterfront classic — fresh fish, generous mezze platters, the kind of evening you remember. [link]
Mythos
A few steps back from the waterfront — slightly more refined Greek cuisine, sea view from the terrace. [link]
Pro Tips for Kioni
Arrive by 14:00. Kioni fills early. Late arrivals find themselves anchored further out with a longer dinghy ride.
Long line ashore beats free-swing. The west-side rocks have rings near the town. Stable position, no anchor-cross drama.
Skip if E or SE forecast. The bay opens east. A SE blow makes overnight uncomfortable to dangerous. Vathy is 8 NM south and protected.
Walk to the windmills. A 20-minute walk up to the ruined windmills on the south side — sweeping views over the bay and the Ithaca channel toward Kefalonia.
Suggested Routes
South to Vathy (8 NM): Down the east coast to Vathy — Ithaca capital, full services, reliable shelter.
North to Frikes (4 NM): The smaller working village just north — useful for a different evening.
West to Fiskardo, Kefalonia (5 NM): Across to Fiskardo on Kefalonia.
North to Lefkada (15 NM): Up to Meganisi or Nidri.
✅ Sailor’s Safety Checklist
▢ Forecast confirmed — no E or SE expected overnight
▢ Arrival timed before 14:00
▢ Rocks on SE side of concrete pier identified
▢ Long line ashore prepared if anchoring
▢ Beam not facing bay entrance (ferry wash)
▢ Plan B identified (Vathy)
Emergency Numbers — Ithaca
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Ithaca (VHF Ch. 12): +30 26740 32909
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
Argostoli Hospital: +30 26713 60100
Related SeaTV Pages
Inner Ionian (Adjacent)
Continue your Ithaca charter
→ Vathy · Pera Pigadhi · Fiskardo · Ithaca overview
“Kioni makes its name in three windmills and one good sunset. Earn a slot.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Ithaca Edition
