Big Swim

Today kicks off with an initial open water acclimatisation swim and optional swim video session and your chance to meet the azure hues of the Ionian. Our qualified coaches and guides will split the week’s swimmers into 3 speed groups, will then film each swimmer and later provide feedback and analysis on technique.

We then board the boat and journey east to the island of Meganisi, with its impressive lace-work of coastline that forms deep enticing coves. According to myth in ancient times the island belonged to King Tafios, the son of Poseidon God of the sea and it was here that Odysseus left his boats before he travelled to Ithaca.

On Meganisi we will moor at Vathi, a picturesque village harbour, where we will have a leisurely light lunch at a traditional taverna overlooking the harbour and a chance to relax and practise your Greek with the locals.

The afternoon involves a short boat ride to Port Atheni where we start our 2.2k swim following a north easterly direction along the scenic winding coastline, finally crossing to the uninhabited islet of Megalo Nisopoulo with its clear blue water.

Daily swim total: 2.7k approximately (swim route and acclimatisation swim).

Type of swim: Technique & coastal with small crossing.

Location: Desimi Bay and Meganisi.

Today we will experience three very different islands. We first take a 45 min ride to visit the famous cave of Papanikolis on Meganisi for a unique snorkelling experience. We then board the boat and go down the coast to the start of this morning’s swim. We follow a route down this scenic sculptural coastline exploring the numerous caves and small bays only accessible by sea and we then make the crossing to the small island of Kithros; we then swim along its stunning rocky coastline where the 4k swim ends.

For more information on the cave visit: www.greeka.com/ionian/lefkada/lefkada-excursions/papanikolis-sea-cave-lefkada.htm

Next we board Mowgli and travel east to Kalamos island famous for its unusual mix of maritime pine trees, olive trees, arbutus, Monachus seals and derelict wind mills. We dock on the east side of the island at the crescent shaped harbour and have lunch in a traditional taverna. After lunch a chance to explore, relax and have a coffee. The afternoon 3k swim starts from the north tip of Kalamos where we swim across the channel to land on a small beach on the Greek mainland. You can now tell people you have officially swum from Lefkada to Greece!

Daily swim total: 7K.

Type of swim: Coastal & Island crossing.

Location: Kithros, Meganisi, Kalamos and mainland Greece.

Today we take a 60 min ride due south to the uninhabited island of Arkoudi (Bear Island). This small island is in between Lefkada and Ithaka and we have often encountered dolphins on the way, as this area is their rearing place and playground.

We will start this 4k swim from the south tip of Arkoudi; we will follow the coastline round anti-clockwise and finish on the north point, which is half way across circumnavigating the island.

Then onto the beautiful bay of Sivota where we rest and lunch in one of the many tavernas in this colourful harbour; a chance to buy souvenirs and replenish personal supplies. The afternoon 3K swim starts at the next bay, in the turquoise waters of Mikros Gialos beach. We hug the coast, swim around the peninsula and finish on a secluded beach where we moor for a short while for snacks.

Daily swim total: 7k

Type of swim: Coastal.

Location: Arkoudi & Mikros Gialos, South Lefkada.

Today starts with a short boat ride to Nikiana on the east coast of Lefkada, further north from Nidri.

From the small traditional fishing harbour of Nikiana it is clear to see the Greek mainland opposite, separated by a channel. Today’s swim involves swimming from this fishing harbour to the mainland and landing at the southerly point of the coast, 3.6K away.

After this big swim it is all aboard the boat and back to Nikiana fishing port to taste the local food.

This afternoon’s swim is the Spartan Swim!! We the take a short boat trip to the small local lush green island (Part of Lefkada’s Princes Islands) called Sparti, situated off the coast of Lefkada, after Heloni Island (Turtle Island).

It is a 3.4K swim starting at the north east mooring bay on the island and swimmers complete almost a whole circumnavigation of the island ending up back in the mooring bay. The rocky coastline of Sparti offers interesting underwater seascapes and snorkelling possibilities.

Daily swim total: 7K.

Type of swim: Coastal and mainland to Lefkada crossing.

Location: Nikiana Harbour on Lefkada, Island of Sparti.

An early start for our heroic Big Swim of the week.

After an hour and 50 min boat trip south west we find ourselves in the channel between the islands of Ithaka and Kefallonia.

The swim starts off the east coast of Kefallonia, following a northerly direction and hugging the coast. We then commence the crossing to Ithaka passing alongside the tiny island of Daskalio, mid swim. This channel of water is breathtaking and also is home to the ‘Delphinus Delphis’ Dolphins who are unique to the area between Lefkada and Kefallonia. We aim for the quiet confines of Polis Bay on Ithaka where we land after this ‘heroic’ crossing for a well deserved rest and refuel. The coastal and crossing combined are 7K long.

We then go back to the boat and cruise north west to the fishing harbour of Fiskardo on Kefallonia. This is a cosmopolitan harbour and we stop here for lunch, a long break and a chance for sightseeing and coffee.

For those of you with a lot of energy left, we recommend a walk around the harbour and through a secluded wooded area to visit the old Venetian stone lighthouse. From here there are amazing panoramic views of the morning’s swim from Kefallonia to Ithaka.

We then depart Kefallonia, heading North East back to Lefkada.

Daily swim total: 7K

Type of swim: Island crossing.

Location: Islands of Kefallonia and Ithaka.

Today’s last swim is a special one and we start the journey from the north tip of Skorpidi (small Skorpios) island. This 3K swim sees us head south east to the island of Skorpios owned by the Onassis family, starting with a small crossing first. The swim will end on a ‘permitted’ beach on this privately owned island for relaxing and photographs. The island was, until very recently, owned by Aristotelis’s granddaughter Athina Onassis. She is the only remaining ‘Onassis’ from the era of the Greek shipping tycoon Aristotelis Onassis. Nowadays the self-made millionaire as well as his beloved son Alexandros and daughter Christina are at rest on the island. Although privately owned we can spend a short while on this very small beach for drinks, snacks and a rest, admiring the lush greenery and calm of this beautiful island.

The guided swims end this lunchtime and there is the option to visit the busy town of Nidri for shopping, strolling and lunch! Alternatively you may wish to relax and soak up the sun in the tranquil setting of Ilios Hotel.

Swimmers have this afternoon ‘free’ and we all meet up later that evening for an organised evening (and last) meal at a taverna by the surrounding hills.

Daily swim total: 3K.

Type of swim: Coastal and island crossing.

Location: Skorpidi and Skorpios.

The week has gone too fast and it is our final goodbye, “sto epanithin” (until we meet again). This is the last morning in the accommodation and swimmers are asked to vacate rooms at Ilios Club Hotel by 11am. If you need to stay for a little longer please ask Georgia the owner or let Michael, Lisa or any of the guides know.

If guests are staying longer in Lefkada we can suggest accommodation options and places to visit in and around the area.