Lefkada

Our day begins with a short scenic ride on our beautiful boat ‘Mowgli’ to Desimi Bay; where the mesmerising blues of the Ionian Sea await. We will start with a gentle open-water acclimatisation session, during which our qualified coaches and guides will group swimmers into three speed categories for the week. There’s also an optional swim analysis available; for those interested, we will film each swimmer underwater and provide personalised feedback on technique later in the week.

After completing this we will head east to the island of Meganisi. Known for its intricate, lace-like coastline with inviting coves, Meganisi is steeped in mythology it is said to have belonged to King Tafios, son of Poseidon, where Odysseus is believed to have left his ships before journeying to Ithaca. We will dock at Vathi, a charming harbour village, for a leisurely lunch at a traditional taverna overlooking the picturesque harbour. Time to relax, enjoy some delicious Greek food, perhaps a little shopping and maybe even practice a few phrases with the locals.

After our lunch break we have a short boat ride to Abelakia Bay where we start our first swim of the week; a 1.6 km swim that follows the beautiful northeastern coastline of Meganisi. We’ll wind our way along the coast, eventually crossing over to the serene, uninhabited islet of Megalo Nisopoulo, where the water is famously clear and inviting. It’s a day of stunning sights, mythic history, and beautiful open water swims—an unforgettable start to our Ionian adventure!

Daily swim total: 2k approximately (swim route and acclimatisation swim). Type of swim: Technique and coastal with small crossing. Location: Desimi Bay and Meganisi.

Today, we will journey across four unique islands, each offering its own distinctive beauty and character. Our day begins with a 30-minute boat ride to the island of Meganisi, where we will be greeted by dramatic rocky coastlines. Our first stop is the famous Papanikolis Sea Cave, a fascinating site steeped in history a great experience exploring the cave.

From the mouth of the cave we will turn left and swim in a south easterly direction along Meganisi’s sculpted coastline. It is a beautiful swim alongside high cliffs with many secluded caves and coves, which are only accessible by sea, to explore. We finish in crystal clear Zagana Cove and have time to explore the cove itself and the beach. Following the swim we head east by boat to the lush island of Kalamos,during our boat ride swimmers will be able to rest, replenish their energy with various snacks and enjoy the Greek sunshine. Kalamos is known for its unique blend of maritime pines, olive trees, sea caves and resident Monachus seals. We dock at the small crescent-shaped harbour on the island’s eastern side and enjoy lunch at a fantastic traditional taverna. A lovely couple of hours eating, unwinding, exploring the area, and perhaps trying the freshly squeezed local lemonade or a Greek coffee.

Our afternoon swim is a 2.2km route starting near the harbour and heading north along the east coast of Kalamos - another beautiful swim offering plenty of interesting caves to explore along the way. The swim concludes at Asproyiali at the northern tip of Kalamos where there are a collection of intimate, beautiful beaches once favored by Aristotle and Jackie Onassis. Don’t miss the chance for a photo—complete with oversized sunglasses!

Daily swim total: 5.2K. Type of swim: Coastal & Island crossing. Location: Kithros, Meganisi, Kalamos and Kastos islands.

This morning we venture south; an hour’s journey on Mowgli brings us to secluded, uninhabited Arkoudi (Bear Island), situated between Lefkada and Ithaca. This area is a known playground for dolphins, and if we’re lucky, we may spot them along the way.

Our day’s first swim begins at the southern tip of Arkoudi, where we’ll set off near a stunning cave - the colours looking out from inside the cave are quite incredible. This 2.9-kilometer swim follows the island’s rugged coastline, winding clockwise around its perimeter. Keep an eye out for the island’s resident goats (though no actual bears!) as we make our way to a secluded bay with a soft sandy beach where our boat, Mowgli, will be waiting.

As you rest and reenergise, Mowgli will head to the beautiful port of Sivota; a charming harbour with colourful tavernas, boutiques and souvenir shops. We’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch, giving you time to explore, shop for souvenirs, or simply soak in the ambiance of this picturesque spot.

After lunch we have a short boat journey to to the tip of the Koutoupa peninsula and start our swim following Mikros Gialos Bay. This 2-kilometer coastal swim takes us along the turquoise coastline, we stop midway to explore a hidden cave and finish by a secluded beach. Here we can swim alongside shoals of fish, and, for the adventurous, enjoy jumping from Mowgli’s roof!

Daily Swim Total: 4.9 km Type of Swim: Coastal Location: Arkoudi & Mikros Gialos, South Lefkada

Our day begins with a short boat ride to the northern side of the rocky island of Thilia, nestled between Lefkada and Meganisi. Our first swim of the day is a 2.9-kilometer circumnavigation of Thilia, following the island’s perimeter in a clockwise direction. Along the way, you’ll spot tiny, secluded sandy beaches and observe birds nesting along the small cliff faces—a peaceful immersion in nature. After completing the loop, we regroup and swim across to Meganisi, following its scenic coastline until we reach a picturesque bay on the island’s northwest side.

A well-deserved lunch awaits us in the one taverna on Desimi Bay. For those liking ‘a little James Bond style’ swim to the beach…alternatively, a RIB ride will be available for those who prefer a quick lift to shore.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a relaxed 2-kilometer swim in a southerly direction along the peaceful east coast of Sparti, a beautifully unspoiled island. This coastal route winds along the shore, ending just around a seemingly endless corner—a tranquil and scenic way to end the day.

Daily Swim Total: 4.9 km Type of Swim: Circumnavigation & Island Crossing Location: Thilia, Desimi Bay, and Sparti Island

An early start for our Heroic Big 5km Swim of the week. We have various route options up our Greek sleeves, the one we do depends very much on the day’s weather and wind conditions - safety first. Potential routes are:-

• Agios Nikoloas to Palairos: We set out northeast from the small island of Agia Nikolias, crossing the bay eastward toward mainland Greece, finishing near the coastal town of Palairos.

Start at The Lighthouse near Gerakas Beach on the mainland and follow the coast either swimming north or east.

A 5km coastal swim in a southerly direction along the east coast of Kastos - Michael’s favourite swim in the area - it is special!

Zeus will decide which one we do! We will swim 5k; where will depend on his temper, and that adds to the intrigue of the day, but, you will be heroes at the end of this day.

Lunch will either be in Palairos - a small town on the mainland, where the streets are lined with basil plants - it’s a fun place to explore or in the quiet harbour of Kastos.

Daily Swim Total: 5 km

This 2.3-kilometer swim takes us along the lush, green coastline of this famous island, crossing two buoyed bays before we reach “Jackie’s beach’. Here, you can relax, swim amongst shoals of fish, and imagine the golden days of Skorpios—once a playground for Jackie Kennedy Onassis and the jet-set world. Skorpios was famously owned by Aristotelis Onassis, and later by his granddaughter Athina, the last remaining Onassis. She recently, sold the island’s lease and it will become a luxury hotel. The island holds the resting places of Aristotelis and his beloved children, Alexandros and Christina. After the swim, the afternoon is yours to enjoy - we can transport you to the busy town of Nidri for shopping, lunch, and some leisurely exploration or you may prefer to stay on board Mowgli and return back to the Ilios Club for a peaceful afternoon. In the evening, we will meet for a final meal at a traditional taverna

Daily Swim Total: 2.3 km 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 your 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 you are staying longer in Lefkada we can suggest accommodation options and places to visit in and around the area.