Ithaka Island, Ionian Sea, Greece

 

(Kayaking trip Guide) 

Ithaca is one of the smaller Ionian islands, very close to East Kefalonia, with a great coastline and impressive to see from a kayak.  

There is a strait situated to the west of the island called the Strait of Ithaca. The capes in the island include Exogi, the westernmost but not in land, Melissa to the north, Mavronos and Agios Ilias to the east, Schinous, Sarakiniko and Agios Ioannis, the easternmost to the east and Agiou Andreou, the southernmost in the south. Bays include Afales Bay to the northwest, Frikes and Kioni Bays to the northeast and Ormos Gulf and Sarakiniko Bay to the southeast. The tallest mountain is Nirito (806 m), the second tallest is Merovigli (669 m).

Lazaretto Islet (or Island of The Saviour) guards the harbor. The church of The Saviour and the remains of an old gaol sit on the island

Coastline:  Length of Coast strip - 90 км.

• North Coastline:
• Mostly remote;
• White limestone Clifs;
• White-sand and pebble Beaches;
• Dense vegetation.

• East Coastline: 
• Many sandy and pebble Beaches;
• Noumerous secluded Coves;
• Nice limestone layers stratification;
• Best Secuided Beaches to Camp (Free Camping):
• Complex of isolated Beaches in Afales Bay;
• Beaches to Agios Skinos Cape;
• Gidaki  Beach;
• Beach next to Pera Pigadi islet (SE Ithaka). 

Map of Ithaka Beaches    and   Discription

Kayaking  Itinerary 1:  Fiskardo(North East Kefalonia) - Aphales ;

Paddling Distance:13 км.

Duration: 4-5 hours 

Difficulty Level: Moderate  (in the usual weather conditions)

Coastline description: White limestone Clifs,  White-sand and pebble Beaches

Overnight  camp: Secuided Beaches in Afales Bay;

Kayaking  Itinerary 2:  Aphales - Kioni;

Paddling Distance:13 км.

Duration: 4-5 hours 

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate  (in the usual weather conditions)

Coastline description: White limestone Clifs,  Nice limestone layers stratification.

Overnight   camp: No suitable sites for free Camping.

Kayaking  Itinerary 3:  Kioni - Vathi;

Paddling Distance:15 км.

Duration: 4-5 hours 

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate  (in the usual weather conditions)

Coastline description: White limestone Clifs,  Nice limestone layers stratification.

Overnight   camp: Beaches to Agios Skinos Cape; Gidaki  Beach;

Kayaking  Itinerary 4:  Vathi - Beaches south from Kaminia Beach;

Paddling Distance: 13 км.

Duration: 4-5 hours 

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate  (in the usual weather conditions)

Coastline description: Noumerous secluded Coves and Beaches;

Overnight   camp: Beaches south from Kaminia Beach;


Wave forecast.

Ithaki -Nautical Map.

Getting there & away

Ferry

Four Islands Ferries runs a daily ferry service that sails to an ever-changing schedule (and with ever-changing prices) between Nydri (Lefkada), Frikes (Ithaki), Fiskardo (Kefallonia) and Vasiliki (Lefkada). Trips include Nydri to/from Frikes (per person/car €5.30/26.50, 1½ hours), Nydri to/from Fiskardo (via Frikes; €6.40/27.50, 2½ hours) and Vasiliki to/from Fiskardo (per person/car €6.40/27.50, one hour).

Holiday beaches on Ithaca

Pictures from Best Ithaka  Coastline:

Around Cape Exogi, North-West Ithaka

Cave in the northwest tip of Ithaca

Rock gardens in Afales bay

Free Camping in one of the beaches in Afales bay.



Sea cave in the northeast tip of Ithaca.

Rocks in the northeast tip of Ithaca



Frikes village.

Kioni village.

Vathi bay and Town.

Schinos Bay.

Impressive limestone layers stratification- Agios Skinos Cape.

Free Camping in Gidaki Beach.

Filiatro beach

Little beach next to Pera Pigadi islet

Kaminia Beach, South East Ithaka

Secluded Beach, South Ithaka

Secluded Beach, South Ithaka

View of northern Ithaca

The kayaking routes and pictures are taken from:

 http://www.seakayakingkefalonia-greece.com/