Sailing is a holiday a family does together, and the Ionian, off western Greece, is about the gentlest place to do it: short hops between islands, sheltered bays and a calm-to-moderate breeze. There are two ways in, depending on whether you already sail.
Can you sail as a family in Greece?
Absolutely. If you already sail, a family flotilla lets you skipper your own yacht in a supported group, with a lead crew on hand and a free paddleboard aboard for the children. If you are starting out, a learn-to-sail week puts a friendly skipper on your own yacht to teach the whole family in the easy Ionian conditions.
Which is right for your family?
Choose a flotilla if at least one adult is a qualified or experienced sailor and you want independence with support. Choose learn-to-sail if you want to learn together from scratch, with no experience needed and an optional ICC qualification at the end. Both run as 7-night weeks from Kefalonia, May to October.
Is it safe and fun for children?
The Ionian's short, sheltered passages mean you are rarely under way for long, with plenty of stops for swimming and lunch. Evenings are usually spent moored on a quay with a taverna a few steps away, which children love.
Plan a family sailing week
See the holidays below, or read more in our flotilla and sailing guide.
