SeaTV · Ionian Islands · Ithaca Overview
Ithaca — Best Anchorages & Hidden Bays
Odysseus’s island has a deeply indented coastline — a chain of natural bays, each behaving differently with wind direction. Here’s the full sailor’s catalogue, from the dignified harbour at Vathy to the small unknown coves on the east coast.
Ithaca is the smaller, quieter neighbour of Kefalonia — long and narrow, with a coastline carved into a chain of natural bays. Most of the anchorages lie along the eastern side, sheltered from the prevailing summer NW winds; each one behaves differently in different forecasts. This page maps them all, with brief notes for each.
For sailors, the Ithaca circuit is one of the rewarding multi-day routes in the southern Ionian. The major harbours (Vathy, Kioni, Frikes) have their own pages with full pilot detail; this hub adds the smaller bays and lesser-known stops that fill out an itinerary.
⚠ Reality check: Each Ithaca bay has different wind exposures. Read the per-bay notes carefully — a “well sheltered” bay in NW can become uncomfortable in S or E. Posidonia seagrass is widespread on the bottom; identify sand patches before dropping the anchor.
⚓ Quick Facts for Ithaca Sailing
Position
Between Kefalonia & mainland
Length N–S
~16 NM along east coast
Main Harbours
Vathy · Kioni · Frikes
Best Shelter
Vathy fjord — all directions
Coastguard
Ch. 12 · +30 26740 32909
Bottom Type
Sand & weed (Posidonia common)
⚓ The Anchorages — Around the Island
Capital · 38°21.9’N · 20°43.7’E
Vathy — Ithaca Capital
The deep fjord-like bay at the head of Kolpos Aetou. Excellent shelter, full facilities, real Greek island town within walking distance of the quay. Sand and mud bottom — good to very good holding. The most reliable overnight on Ithaca.
Full guide: Vathy dedicated SeaTV page.
NE Coast · 4 NM S of Frikes
Kioni — Picturesque Village
One of the most photographed Ionian harbours — three ruined windmills on the south headland, amphitheatrical houses on the hillside, lively waterfront. Anchor + long line ashore on the west side. Town quay has water but no electricity.
Full guide: Kioni dedicated SeaTV page.
⚠ Watch: Avoid in NE, E, SE winds. Rocks SE side of pier.
SE Coast · 38°19.754’N · 20°44.654’E
Pera Pigadhi — Natural Anchorage
Quiet anchorage centred around a small islet. Anchor S of the islet 10–20 m, or with long line ashore. Good shelter W and NW, exposed S and E. Afternoon katabatic gusts 20–30 kn.
Full guide: Pera Pigadhi dedicated SeaTV page.
Just S of Vathy · 38°21.53’N · 20°44.14’E
Sarakiniko Bay
A wide, calm bay just south of Vathy. Reliable stop in settled weather — lush, quiet, with very limited development. Ideal for crews looking for a natural anchorage rather than a village stop.
Anchoring: 5–10 m on sand — good holding
Protection: Well protected NW–W; open to S
Best for: Swimming, lunch stop, quiet overnight
North Coast · 38°28.51’N · 20°40.23’E
Agios Nikolaos Bay (Marmakas)
Visually striking bay with turquoise water and a small chapel on the rocks. Entry requires attention — submerged rocks sit near both sides of the entrance. Once inside, a calm and protected anchorage opens up.
Anchoring: Sand with patches of weed — moderate holding
Options: Free anchor or long lines to shore (NW side preferred)
⚠ Watch: Avoid in strong NE–SE winds. Rocks especially SW side.
East of Vathy · 38°22.26’N · 20°44.40’E
Filiatro Bay
One of the most popular bays near Vathy — a rare mix of protected anchorage with proper beach atmosphere. Lively during the day, settled in the evening. Beach bar accessible directly from the dinghy.
Anchoring: Sand with weed — fair to good holding
Depth: Drops quickly — monitor chain length
⚠ Watch: Avoid in NE–SE winds.
North Coast · 38°27.33’N · 20°39.52’E
Frikes Bay
Small green inlet with a working village feel. Port itself is limited — surrounding coves provide better anchoring options, especially in stronger conditions.
Mooring: Alongside or med-moor (limited space)
Anchoring: In nearby coves with lines ashore
⚠ Watch: Exposed to NE–E. Ferry wash and tight manoeuvring in port.
NW Coast · 38°26.22’N · 20°38.24’E
Polis Bay (Stavros)
Large, open bay on the north-west side of Ithaca — combines safe anchorage with cultural interest. Stavros village and sites connected to Odysseus accessible from here.
Anchoring: 10–15 m on sand with some rocks — good holding
Mooring: Long lines to rocks (E or W sides)
Highlight: Access to Stavros village & archaeological sites
⚠ Watch: Swim buoys near shore — keep distance.
Suggested 3–4 Day Ithaca Circuit
Day 1 — Vathy: Arrive at Vathy from Sami or Fiskardo. Provision, walk the town, dinner waterfront.
Day 2 — Filiatro / Sarakiniko lunch + Pera Pigadhi night: Day-anchor at one of the Vathy-area beaches, push down to Pera Pigadhi for a quiet night.
Day 3 — North coast circuit: Round the south, up the west coast to Polis Bay (Stavros) for cultural visit, on to Kioni via Frikes for the night.
Day 4 — West to Kefalonia: Across the channel to Fiskardo or back to Sami.
Pro Tips for Ithaca Sailing
Vathy is your reset. Whenever the forecast turns or you need full services, run back to Vathy. Reliable in any wind, walking distance to everything.
Watch the seagrass. Posidonia is widespread on the Ithaca bottoms. Visually identify a sand patch before dropping. Patience saves resets.
East-coast bays = NW shelter. All the major Ithaca anchorages on the east coast (Vathy, Kioni, Frikes, Filiatro) are sheltered from the prevailing NW. Don’t try to cruise the west coast in a building thermal.
Visit Stavros for the history. Polis Bay gives access to Stavros village, archaeological sites linked to Odysseus, and a different feel from the east-coast charter rhythm.
✅ Sailor’s Safety Checklist for Ithaca
▢ Per-bay wind exposure noted on chartplotter
▢ Sand patches identified visually before drop
▢ Vathy identified as fall-back if forecast turns
▢ Kioni rocks (SE side of pier) plotted
▢ Marmakas entrance rocks plotted
▢ VHF on Ch. 16 / Ch. 12
Emergency Numbers — Ithaca
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Ithaca (VHF Ch. 12): +30 26740 32909
Coastguard Sami (Kefalonia): +30 26740 22031
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
Argostoli Hospital: +30 26713 60100
Related SeaTV Pages
Ithaca · Detailed Pages
→ Vathy — Ithaca capital, fjord harbour
→ Kioni — picturesque village stop
→ Pera Pigadhi — natural islet anchorage
Inner Ionian (Adjacent)
Pick an Ithaca anchorage
→ Vathy · Kioni · Pera Pigadhi · Ionian hub
“Ithaca rewards a slow charter. The bays are different, the wind reads each one differently — pay attention.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Ithaca Edition
