Lefkada

Today kicks off with an initial open water acclimatisation swim and optional swim analysis 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 on technique.

We then board the boat and journey East to the island of Meganisi, with its impressive lacework 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 practice your Greek with the locals.

The afternoon involves a short boat ride to Abelakia Bay where we start our 1.6k swim following a North East direction along the scenic winding coastline, finally crossing to the uninhabited islet of Megalo Nisopoulo with its clear blue water.

Daily swim total: 2k approximately (swim route and acclimatisation swim).

Type of swim: Technique & coastal with small crossing.

Location: Desimi Bay and Meganisi.

Today we will experience four very different islands. We board the boat and take a 30 minute ride to the island of Meganisi and its stunning rocky coastline.

We first visit the ‘famous’ cave of Papanikolis for a unique snorkelling experience and an initial ‘warming up’ dip. For more information on the cave visit: Papanikolis Sea Cave: The Papanikolis Sea Cave in Meganisi Lefkada Greece, Ionian.

We then continue the journey south and start the swim from one of the small bays on the west side of the island, following a southerly direction. Here we swim along the ‘lower leg’ of this scenic sculptural coastline exploring the caves and small bays only accessible by sea. We then make the crossing to the small, pretty island of Kithros where the 3k swim ends at one of its caves on the north side.

Whilst swimmers rest and replenish energy with various snacks on the boat we travel east to the island of Kalamos, famous for its unusual mix of maritime pine and olive trees, Monachus seals and sea caves. We dock on the east side of the island at the crescent shaped harbour and have lunch in one of the traditional tavernas. After lunch a chance to explore, relax and sample the local freshly squeezed lemonade.

The afternoon 2.2k swim starts from the old windmill, just south of the Kalamos harbour and follows a south easterly direction. We swim across the short channel to the island of Kastos passing the small island of Provati as we go and end our swim on a secluded crystal clear deserted bay on north east of Kastos island. We then return back to base via Asproyiali (north Kalamos) with its beautiful small and intimate beaches, the favourite swimming place of Aristotle and Jackie Onassis (opportunity for a photograph with large sunglasses!)

Daily swim total: 5.2K.

Type of swim: Coastal & Island crossing.

Location: Kithros, Meganisi, Kalamos and Kastos islands.

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 2.9k swim from the south tip of Arkoudi next to a cave; we will follow the coastline round anti-clockwise and finish on the first sandy beach we encounter in a bay, where Mowgli will moor.

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 on personal supplies.

The afternoon 2K swim starts in the turquoise waters of Mikros Gialos bay just next to Sivota harbour. We hug the coast, stop and explore a cave half way into the swim and finish on a small beach where we moor for a short while.

Daily swim total: 4.9k

Type of swim: Coastal.

Location: Arkoudi & Mikros Gialos, South Lefkada.

Today we start with a short boat trip to the north side of the small rocky island of Thilia, situated between the islands of Lefkada and Meganisi.

In this 2.9k swim, we circumnavigate this island in a clockwise direction, whilst spotting the tiny isolated sandy beaches, the birds’ nests on the small cliffs and the very agile mountain goats! When we find ourselves back at the starting point we then swim eastward and cross to the island of Meganisi, then swim along its coastline and end the swim at the tip of a bay on the northwest side of the island.

We take a well deserved lunch at Spilia situated at a bay only ‘round the corner’ from the end of the swim.

The shorter 2k afternoon swim starts at Perigiali, in the familiar bay of Nidri and takes us past the tiny green island of Heloni. From here we swim onwards toward our finishing point, the island of Sparti. Sparti is an excellent spot for snorkelling and exploring the rocky coast, so swimmers can warm down with some watery sight seeing!

Daily swim total: 4.9K.

Type of swim: Circumnavigation & island crossing.

Location: Thilia, Heloni and Sparti islands.

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 heading east and bypassing the tiny island of Daskalio in the distance. 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 snack refuel. 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 a long lunch break and a chance for sightseeing, shopping and coffee.

For the more ‘restless’ amongst you, we strongly recommend that you take a walk around the harbour and after a short walk through the woods opposite, visit the beautiful old Venetian stone lighthouse. From here there are amazing panoramic views of the morning’s swim from Kefallonia to Ithaka and a good spot for photographs.

We then depart Kefallonia, heading north east towards Lefkada and back to the hotel at the bay of Yeni.

Daily swim total: 5K

Type of swim: Island crossing.

Location: Islands of Kefallonia and Ithaka.

Today’s last swim is a special one, starting from the island of Skorpios.

This 2.3k swim sees us heading along the green coastline of this famous island and finishing 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 who has sold the lease of the island to a Russian tycoon. 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, lunch and more activities! 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: 2.3K.

Type of swim: Coastal.

Location: Skorpios island.

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.