SeaTV · Ionian Islands · Lefkada
Lefkas Marina, Lefkada — Sailing & Mooring Guide
The largest charter base in the Ionian — a full-service marina at the gateway to the southern islands, with a town that walks straight off the gangway.
Lefkas Marina sits at the northern end of Lefkada, just south of the swing-bridge that connects the island to the Greek mainland. It’s the largest marina in the Ionian, the busiest charter base in the region, and the natural starting (or finishing) point for the southern Ionian — Meganisi, Kalamos, Ithaca, Kefalonia.
For sailors, Lefkas combines two things that rarely come together: full marina services (water, electricity, fuel, chandlery, repairs, restaurants) and a working Greek town with proper supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, and hardware stores within a five-minute walk of the boat. After a week of small village quays, Lefkas feels like a city.
⚠ Reality check: The approach to Lefkas runs through a buoyed canal. The bridge opens on the hour during daylight hours — be at the bridge ready to go, not still 1 NM out. If you miss an opening, the next one is 60 minutes later.
⚓ Quick Facts for Sailors
N Entrance (Canal)
38°50.79’N · 20°43.42’E
S End (Marina)
38°47.54’N · 20°43.85’E
Berths
~620 in-water + dry stack · max LOA 45 m
Bridge Schedule
Hourly during daylight (typically on the hour)
Marina Depth
3–4 m typical, max draught approx. 4 m
VHF
Ch. 16 (distress) · Ch. 69 (marina)
Wind, Weather & Approach Notes
The canal approach
From the north (coming down from Preveza or Paxos), you enter a buoyed canal that runs about 3 NM south through the lagoon to the marina. The canal is well-marked but narrow in places — keep to the centre, watch the depth sounder, and respect the buoyage. From the south (Meganisi, Kalamos), the marina is reached directly without bridge traffic.
The bridge
The Lefkas swing-bridge opens hourly during daylight (typically on the hour, but check the current schedule before departure — it varies seasonally). Be lined up and ready 5 minutes before the opening. If you arrive late, you wait an hour. The opening lasts about 5 minutes; commercial traffic and fishing boats have priority.
Wind protection
Inside the marina, shelter is excellent in all directions. The lagoon and the breakwaters break any meaningful sea. Sustained strong NW can build chop in the canal itself, making the approach less comfortable but never dangerous.
⚓ Berthing & Marina Sections
Visitor Berths · Stern-to with Lazy Line
Modern Marina Layout
Allocated by the marina office on arrival — call ahead on VHF Ch. 69 or by phone before you reach the canal. The dockmaster will give you a slip number and direct you to the dock.
Mooring style: Stern-to using lazy lines. Pick up the lazy line off the bow, run it forward to a cleat, secure two stern lines to the quay. No need to drop your own anchor.
Services at every berth: Water, electricity, Wi-Fi, 24-hour security.
⚠ Watch: The marina layout has narrow alleys between docks. Take the manoeuvre slowly, especially in cross-wind. The dockmaster will walk along the dock to help with lines if you radio ahead.
Town Quay · Free Alternative
Lefkas Town Quay (East Side of Canal)
If the marina is full or you prefer to be in the heart of town rather than at the marina, the town quay along the eastern side of the canal offers stern-to mooring with your own anchor. Free or minimal fee.
Berthing: Stern-to or bow-to with anchor. Some sections have lazy lines, others don’t — check on arrival.
Services: Water and electricity at some sections; not all. Walking distance to everything.
⚠ Watch: See the dedicated Lefkas Town Quay page for details on the quay sections and current setup.
Fuel Dock · At Marina Entrance
Diesel & Petrol Station
The fuel dock sits just inside the marina entrance. Convenient for refuelling on the way in or out. Open extended hours in season.
Approach: Stern-to or alongside, depending on traffic. Call on Ch. 69 before approaching to confirm availability.
⚠ Watch: Plan refuelling for arrival, not departure — the queue at the fuel dock between 09:00 and 11:00 on charter changeover days is long.
Marina Facilities & Services
On the dock: Water, electricity (Schuko + 16A + 32A), pump-out, Wi-Fi, 24-hour security, daily refuse collection.
Showers & toilets: Modern facility blocks distributed around the marina. Card-access, kept clean.
Boatyard & lift: Travel lift, full hardstanding for winter storage and major repairs. Booking required in season.
Chandlery: Several chandlers on-site and within walking distance. Standard parts in stock; specialty items can be ordered with 24–48 h delivery from Athens.
Charter bases: Most major charter operators have offices in or adjacent to the marina — Sunsail, Moorings, Dream Yacht, Kiriacoulis, Sailogy, and a long list of local Greek operators.
Provisioning: Two large supermarkets within 5–10 minutes’ walk (carrier-bag distance). For full provisioning before a one-week charter, plan a taxi.
Where to Eat — Sailors’ Picks
Lefkas town has more restaurants than any other Ionian island town. The waterfront places are easy targets after a long day; the better kitchens are a few streets back.
Ey Zhn (Eu Zin)
A modern Greek kitchen on the harbour-front. Refined plates, decent wine list, the kind of place to take guests after they’ve spent a week on the boat. €€–€€€
Sapfo
A long-standing waterfront classic. Fresh fish, charcoal grill, the spread of meze nobody finishes. €€
Ostria
A street back from the harbour, dependable Greek classics, family-run. The order is whatever’s on the daily blackboard plus a carafe of the local wine. €€
Frini Sto Molo
A 10-minute walk along the canal — the spot for a sunset dinner away from the marina crowd. Fresh fish, slow service, worth the walk. €€–€€€
Ashore — What to Do
Lefkas Old Town: The pedestrian streets behind the harbour are stone-paved and charming for an evening walk. The 17th-century Santa Maura fortress dominates the entry to the canal.
Day trip — Porto Katsiki: The famous beach at the southwest tip of Lefkada. By road it’s a 45-minute drive; rent a scooter or car from one of the agencies adjacent to the marina.
Day trip — Nidri waterfalls: A 20-minute drive south, then a short walk. Pleasant in summer when the boat starts to feel small.
Sunset on the canal: The west-facing canal turns gold an hour before sunset. The waterfront cafés on the marina side put their tables out — a good place for a cold drink and a long sit.
Pro Tips for Lefkas
Time the bridge. Be at the canal entrance 15 minutes before the opening — never less than 10. Late arrivals wait an hour.
Book the marina ahead. Especially in July, August and on charter changeover Saturdays. Walk-in slots exist but you may end up on the town quay.
Refuel on the way in, not the way out. Saturday morning charter handover queues are notorious. Refuel on Friday afternoon if you can.
Provisioning by taxi. Two big supermarkets are walking distance, but a one-week charter is several hundred euros of food and a taxi back saves carrying. Confirm a return slot when you book the cab.
Boat jobs day. Lefkas is the best place in the Ionian for repairs, parts, and rigging work. If you have anything that needs fixing, do it here — you may not see another full chandlery for a week.
Suggested Routes from Lefkas
Classic southern Ionian week
Lefkas → Nidri or Tranquil Bay (overnight) → Meganisi (Spilia or Vathy) → Kalamos → Kastos → Sivota Lefkada → return to Lefkas. About 60 NM total, mostly short hops, lots of swim stops.
Two-week Ionian loop
Lefkas → Meganisi → Ithaca (Vathy or Kioni) → Kefalonia (Fiskardo, Sami) → Atokos → Kalamos → Lefkas. Roughly 120 NM with rest days, suits a full two-week charter.
North to Paxos & Corfu
Lefkas → Preveza (overnight) → Paxos (Lakka or Gaios) → Corfu / Gouvia. About 50 NM north, broken across 3–4 days. The reverse of the standard “delivery” route from a Corfu charter.
More multi-day plans on the SeaTV 7-Day Ionian itinerary page.
✅ Sailor’s Safety Checklist
▢ Bridge schedule confirmed for the day
▢ Marina contacted on Ch. 69 — slip allocated
▢ Lazy-line approach briefed with crew
▢ Stern lines and 4 fenders ready before entering the marina
▢ Fuel level checked — refuel before departure if possible
▢ Charter check-in / check-out paperwork organised
Emergency Numbers — Lefkada
European Emergency: 112
Police Station Lefkas: +30 26450 29375
Coast Guard Lefkas: +30 26450 22322
General Hospital Lefkas: +30 26453 60200
Taxi: +30 6937 370860
Car Rental: +30 6973 591854
Watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot Video
Approach footage through the Lefkas canal, the bridge opening, and the manoeuvre into the marina — exactly what you’ll see from the cockpit on charter pickup day. Free for members.
Plan your Lefkada charter
Head south to Meganisi and Ithaca, north to Paxos, or out to Kefalonia.
→ Ionian Islands hub · Preveza · Meganisi · Kefalonia
“In Lefkas, the bridge is the first lesson — and the last.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Lefkada Edition
