Kefalonia anchorage guide · Ionian
Kefalonia Yacht Anchorages: The 2026 Guide
Where to anchor a yacht around Kefalonia: documented depth, holding and shelter for the island's main anchorages, drawn from published cruising sources.
Last updated May 2026
Kefalonia sits in the Ionian.
The Ionian is mild in summer, with a northwesterly afternoon sea breeze (the Maistro) that builds in the afternoon and eases overnight; katabatic gusts can fall into some bays at night.
It is the gentlest of the Greek cruising grounds.
This guide covers the island's main anchorages with the practical detail charterers and captains actually use: depth where a published cruising source documents it, holding, and shelter direction.
Where a figure was not documented we say so rather than guess.
Ashore: The Melissani underground lake and Drogarati cave (from Agia Efimia and Sami), Assos with its Venetian fortress, and Myrtos beach.
The anchorages
4 anchorages around Kefalonia
Use this guide to understand your captain's routing, request specific anchorages on your preference sheet, judge whether Kefalonia fits your charter style, and pair it sensibly with nearby islands.
Fiskardo (NE tip)
Depth
8-15m
Holding
Sand and weed, good but patchy in places
Shelter
All-round shelter (the old name Panormos reflects this).
Crowded in peak season; a second anchoring attempt often helps.
Best for: Picturesque overnight
Sami Bay
Depth
10-20m
Holding
Good
Shelter
Sheltered N to W, exposed S to E.
Gateway to the Melissani and Drogarati caves.
Argostoli outer bay
Depth
8-15m
Holding
Mud, very good
Shelter
Sheltered anchorage off the capital.
Town provisioning.
Agia Efimia (E coast)
Holding
Mud, weed and rock, not everywhere good, use plenty of scope
Shelter
Afternoon gusts.
Depth not documented; confirm on chart.
When to visit
The Ionian is mild in summer, with a northwesterly afternoon sea breeze (the Maistro) that builds in the afternoon and eases overnight; katabatic gusts can fall into some bays at night. It is the gentlest of the Greek cruising grounds.
Captain's note
The Ionian is mild in summer, with a northwesterly afternoon sea breeze (the Maistro) that builds in the afternoon and eases overnight; katabatic gusts can fall into some bays at night. It is the gentlest of the Greek cruising grounds. Pick the anchorage to the wind: in the prevailing summer airflow, favour the lee and sheltered bays listed above, and keep a documented all-weather shelter or a layover day in reserve when the forecast climbs. Depths and holding here follow published cruising sources; your captain will confirm the exact anchor drop against current charts on arrival.
Charter Kefalonia
Speak with George P. Biniaris directly. MYBA-standard contracts, full Greek charter fleet.