Bareboat Yacht Charter

You’ll love the freedom that bareboat sailing gives you. Cruise around the Ionian at your own pace, picking the spots to visit, deciding where to drop anchor or tie up for the night—or even for a few days. 

It's just you, your crew, and the open sea, calling the shots and steering the ship. 

Bareboat is perfect if you’re a seasoned sailor and are comfortable handling a yacht on your own. It’s all about freedom and adventure, exploring where you want and when you want within the sailing area.

Take a peek at the map of the Ionian sailing area—you'll see the sailing area clearly marked out. We'll also give you a chart detailing these boundaries. It's crucial to stick within these limits; no venturing beyond, please. The northernmost harbour you can hit is Parga on the mainland, while the southernmost is Poros on Kefalonia island.

Before you head out. We’ll check out the route you’ve planned, we’ll even recommend some spots to visit. Once you set off, you’re not completely alone. Every morning, you'll receive a text from us with the latest weather forecast for the area and some recommendations on which harbours to head to and which ones to steer clear of, based on the weather conditions.

Fiscardo

Fiscardo, nestled on the northern tip of Kefalonia in Greece, is a picturesque fishing village that's become a hotspot for visiting travellers. Soak up the laid-back Mediterranean vibes on the colourful waterfront, lined with charming cafés and tavernas.

Kalamos

Explore the small island of Kalamos in the southern Ionian. The port is a lovely place to moor, scattered with shops, traditional tavernas, and Greek bars dotted along the harbour and beachfront.

Preveza Town

With its strategic location, at the halfway point between the north and south Ionian, Preveza serves as a gateway to some of the Ionian's most enchanting destinations, from the idyllic islands of Paxos and Antipaxos to the rugged coastline of Lefkada. 

Parga

Make your way to Parga, famous for its commanding castle perched above the town. This fortress, of Venetian origin has roots dating back to as early as 1337. Situated strategically, the castle divides the town of Parga to the south from the picturesque bay of Valtou to the north, where boats find their moorings. 

Lakka

Tucked away on the northern tip of Paxos, Lakka welcomes sailors with its azure waters and lush green surroundings. The calm, crystal-clear waters of Lakka Bay offer the perfect sanctuary for yachts to drop anchor. Whether exploring hidden sea caves, enjoying fresh seafood, or simply soaking up the sun on deck, Lakka is an idyllic getaway amidst the beauty of the Ionian Islands.

Gaios (Paxos)

Gaios is the principal port town of Paxos, a picturesque Greek island in the northern Ionian Sea. Located on the eastern coast of Paxos, Gaios is renowned for its charming harbour, traditional Greek architecture, and tranquil atmosphere.

Got your eye on a specific harbour? Let us know, and we may be able to hook you up with a pontoon space. Keep in mind, though, that there are usually harbour fees to be paid locally. If you change your mind about the booking, just give us a heads-up. While we can't guarantee spaces in every harbour, we're happy to answer any questions when you arrive at Vounaki Beach Club.

Your yacht will be ready from 5pm on your arrival day. Once settled on board, the Neilson crew will give an individual boat briefing. If you arrive after 7.30pm the crew will provide a short briefing on essentials such as lights, loos and gas with a full boat briefing the following morning. 

Boats are free to leave on Monday morning after completing sailing briefings and paperwork. 

All boats must be back at the Neilson base before 6pm on the final sailing day and vacated by 9.30am on the day of departure.

Once you're away from the Neilson yacht marina at Vounaki Beach Club, before you set sail for the day, we need to touch base. Drop us a line at the marina office each morning, letting us know your planned route for the day. Your route needs the green light from us before you cast off from the harbour. 

We've got your back 24/7. Please feel free to reach out anytime, day or night, and one of our team members will be there to help you with any maintenance issues or mechanical glitches. We supply your first full tank of fuel but any additional fuel you need during your trip is your responsibility.

Before you head off on your bareboat charter, we need to know you can sail. You'll need at least 2 adults aged 18+ who have previously sailed. One will need documentation to prove they can sail and the other will need enough experience to be able to take charge of the boat and complete a man overboard procedure.

Accepted qualifications include RYA Yachtmaster, RYA Coastal Skipper or RYA Day Skipper and you must also apply for a UK ICC (International Certificate of Competence Sail) issued by the RYA, and take this with you in addition to your RYA certificate. All original certificates must be taken with you on the flotilla. All yacht skippers on flotilla are required to hold the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) certificate.

If you do not hold a valid certificate before departure, you may gain training – or indeed an assessment at a training centre in the UK – details of locations are available on the RYA website.

Our bareboat charter sailing holidays include pretty much everything you need to set sail. All you really need to worry about is your food and drink.

• Flights and transfers
• Yacht
• full tanks of diesel, water and gas
• marine insurance; damage waiver; security deposit
• emergency toolkit and spares
• additional charts & pilot book
• extra warps
• yacht welcome pack 
• dedicated bareboat co-ordinator
• skipper & engineer's briefing 
• details of all flotilla routes, our staff and contact numbers

There are a few items we don't include in your holiday, such as mooring fees. If you do need to pay it's usually just a few Euros per night.

• Departure airports: London Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol or Edinburgh
• Departure days: Sunday
• Arrival airport: Preveza (Aktio)
• Flight duration: approx. 3 hours 35 minutes
• Airlines: EnterAir (ENT) / Jet2 (LS)
• Transfer time: approx. 40 minutes