SeaTV · Ionian Islands · Inner Ionian
Meganisi Island — Sailing Guide
Green, sheltered, relaxed — three different stops in a compact cruising area: a lively harbour, a peaceful natural bay, and a hilltop village above a working ferry quay. The Ionian’s most rewarding short-stop island.
Meganisi sits just east of Nidri, Lefkada — close enough to be a 30-minute hop, separate enough to feel like a different island. Three stops cover most needs: Vathy (lively harbour town), Abelaki Bay (peaceful anchorage), and Spartochori / Porto Spilia (hilltop village above a ferry quay). All are within a short sail of each other.
For sailors, Meganisi is the kind of island where you can spend a calm night at anchor, step ashore for a real meal, and still feel away from the busier Lefkada-Ionian charter circuit. Good shelter on the south side, attractive scenery, easy shore access.
⚠ Reality check: Vathy is best avoided in strong N or NW winds. The marina at Vathy uses VHF Ch. 72; berths can be booked online but premium fees apply. The town quay has rocks and shallow patches in places — keep your distance from shore.
⚓ Quick Facts for Sailors
Position
East of Lefkada · Inner Ionian
Three Main Stops
Vathy · Abelaki · Spartochori
Vathy Marina VHF
Ch. 72 · book online
Vathy Avoid In
Strong N · NW winds
Coastguard
Lefkas Ch. 12 · +30 26450 22322
Best Season
May–October
⚓ Why Stop at Meganisi?
Meganisi works very well as part of an Ionian itinerary because it combines good shelter, attractive scenery, and easy shore access. For many crews it’s an ideal first or last stop on a Lefkada charter; equally worth visiting as a destination in its own right.
→ Several protected mooring and anchoring options
→ Calm Ionian charm, beautiful natural surroundings
→ Traditional tavernas, small shops, useful facilities
→ Short distances between harbour, bay, and village stops
→ Practical mix of comfort, authenticity, and scenery
⚓ Vathy, Meganisi — Lively Harbour Town
Vathy is one of the island’s most popular sailing stops. The harbour is attractive, walkable, lined with tavernas, shops, and essential services. A mix of municipal berthing, quay space, and marina facilities — one of the most convenient places to stay on Meganisi. Map: Vathy Meganisi.
Protection: Best avoided in strong N and NW winds. Comfortable and popular in settled conditions.
Municipality Port
Vathy Municipality Port
Fees: Apply
Electricity: Available
Water: Available
Showers: No
Town Quay · Mind the Rocks
The Quay
Fees: Apply
Electricity / Water / Showers: No
⚠ Watch: Keep your distance from shore — rocks and shallow patches in places.
Vathy Marina · VHF Ch. 72
Vathy Marina (Meganisi)
Call VHF Ch. 72 when entering. Berths can be booked online.
Water · Electricity · Showers · Toilets: All available
Mooring lines: In use
Premium marina fees apply.
Marina ownership and operational details may change — confirm latest berthing information before arrival.
Vathy facilities
→ Pharmacy
→ Supermarket — Supermarket Vathy near the main square, broad range of products
→ ATM, tourist shops, bakery
→ Several good restaurants
Where to eat in Vathy
Stavros Family Taverna — One of the older tavernas in town, reliable for fresh local seafood and classic Greek home-style dishes. Warm, traditional feel, harbour setting. €€
Fisherman’s — A short walk from the marina; contemporary take on Greek flavours, sea views, well-presented dishes. Works from breakfast through cocktails. €€–€€€
Boom Boom Bar — Waterfront bar for evening drinks. Broad drinks selection, laid-back setting by the water.
⚓ Abelaki Bay — Peaceful Anchorage
Abelaki is a spacious, well-protected anchorage that feels calmer and more natural than Vathy. A very good choice for sailors looking for reliable holding and easy access to shore. Plenty of room — works as either an arrival stop or a final quiet night before moving on. Map: Abelaki Bay.
Atmosphere: Attractive, green, easy on the eye, with several coves and enough space to avoid feeling crowded. Even in summer, more relaxed than the busier harbour locations on the island.
Abelaki · Free Anchor + Lines Ashore
Anchoring at Abelaki
Method: Free anchor in the bay or take long lines ashore for added stability.
Bottom: Sand with patches of weed — good holding when set on sand.
Best for: Quiet overnight, swimming, lunch stop on a long day.
⚓ Spartochori / Porto Spilia — Hilltop Village & Ferry Quay
Spartochori is a traditional hilltop village above the small harbour of Porto Spilia. The village itself is a 10-minute walk uphill from the bay — narrow lanes, whitewashed houses, view back over the water. The bay below has a small ferry quay and a few restaurants directly on the waterfront.
Porto Spilia · Quay + Anchor
Mooring at Porto Spilia
Method: Stern-to a small quay (limited slots), or anchor in the bay.
Ferry traffic: Stay clear of the ferry track and quay during arrivals/departures.
Best for: Walk up to Spartochori for sunset, dinner with view back over the bay.
⚠ Watch: Bay opens W — exposed in westerly conditions.
Pro Tips for Meganisi
Marina or municipality port — choose deliberately. Vathy Marina has full services and premium fees; municipality port is cheaper but no showers; town quay is cheapest with no services. Decide based on what the crew wants.
Book the marina online if you want certainty. Berths can be booked online — useful in peak season if you want to know there’s a slot waiting.
N or NW forecast — anchor at Abelaki. Don’t push into Vathy on a building NW. Abelaki shelters better for those wind directions and holding is reliable on sand.
Walk up to Spartochori at sunset. The 10-minute uphill walk from Porto Spilia rewards with a panoramic view over the inner Ionian — dinner in the village, dinghy back at dusk.
Suggested Routes
West to Nidri (3 NM): Short hop to Nidri on Lefkada — provisions, fuel, full marina if needed.
East to Kastos (8 NM): Across to the smallest inhabited Ionian island — Kastos.
South to Ithaca (15 NM): South to Kioni or Vathy, Ithaca.
North to Lefkas Town (8 NM): Up to Lefkas Marina via the inner Ionian.
✅ Sailor’s Safety Checklist
▢ Vathy Marina booking confirmed (if planning marina) — VHF Ch. 72
▢ N or NW forecast → plan Abelaki, not Vathy
▢ Town quay rocks/shallow patches noted (keep distance from shore)
▢ Ferry track plotted at Porto Spilia
▢ Sand patches identified at Abelaki for drop
▢ VHF on Ch. 16
Emergency Numbers — Inner Ionian / Lefkada
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Lefkas (VHF Ch. 12): +30 26450 22322
Vathy Marina Meganisi (VHF Ch. 72): Confirm channel before arrival
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
Lefkada Hospital: +30 26453 60200
Related SeaTV Pages
Continue your inner Ionian charter
→ Nidri · Kastos · Kioni · Best Lefkada
“Three stops, one short island — Meganisi gives the crew real choice without long sailing days between.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Inner Ionian Edition
