Things to do in Lefkada

Lefkada is an island in the Ionian Sea, 35 km long, joined to the mainland by a causeway and a floating bridge. Lefkada Town sits at the north end. Nydri, on the east coast, is where the boat trips start.

Things to do in Lefkada are boat days and beaches. The west coast has long sand below cliffs. The east is more sheltered and calm.

The coasts

• Porto Katsiki and Egremni. The two big west-coast beaches. Boats from Nydri reach them by sailing round the south of the island.
• Agiofili. The third stop on a 7.5-hour beach cruise with Egremni and Porto Katsiki.
• Vasiliki. The windsurfing centre in the south. The Kefalonia cruise rounds the southern tip, known as Sappho's Leap.

Boat days from Nydri

• Meganisi and Scorpios. The boat enters the Papanikolis cave, where a submarine is said to have hidden in the Second World War. Then come a swim in Giovanni's cave, Spartochori village, Lakka beach with lunch on board and Scorpios, the Onassis family's island.
• Kalamos and Kastos. The quiet islands to the east, with a village on each and long swim stops.
• Kefalonia and Ithaca. A nine-hour day with Porto Katsiki and Egremni, then Fiskardo, Afales beach on Ithaca and the cave on the way back.

Some island-hopping boats carry 100 passengers, others 50. The operator tells you the day before.

Practical

• Weather. July reaches 30C and August 31C, with nights near 21C and almost no rain. January days run 13C and nights 6C. Rain totals about 1,050 mm a year, heaviest from October to April. December is the wettest month, at around 185 mm.
• From the airport. Preveza airport is on the mainland. The drive to Lefkada Town takes about 30 minutes and to Nydri about 50.
• Boat tickets. Island trips need passenger details for the port authority: names, gender, nationality and birth date. Arrive 30 minutes before sailing.
• What to bring. Swimwear, a hat, sunscreen and a towel.