Bareboat Charters – Ionian Sea Bases (Preveza & Lefkada)

Delays at the base can quietly ruin a bareboat week for your clients. One missing document, a late check-in, or a wind system that wasn’t explained clearly and suddenly the first night’s plan collapses. Travel agents feel it immediately because the questions and complaints land on you, not on the marina desk. This is why operational clarity matters more than pretty photos for Ionian charters.

Bareboat operations from Preveza & Lefkada in 2026: what agencies need to know

Overview

Preveza and Lefkada are the two most practical starting points for Ionian bareboat itineraries, especially for week-based charters aimed at easy island-hopping. The sailing area is popular because distances are manageable, anchorages are numerous, and clients can mix marinas with quiet bays without feeling rushed. Your job is to match the base to the client’s flight plan and comfort level, then set expectations early about check-in routines and local weather patterns.

We support agencies as an incoming operator that’s used to handling real-life problems: last-minute crew changes, late arrivals, provisioning gaps, and weather-driven itinerary shifts. The service is structured so you can sell confidently, knowing there’s someone to pick up the phone before, during, and after the charter. For trade context and the wider portfolio, start from our Travel Trade home: /en/partners/incoming-activity-supplier-for-halkidiki-travel-trade/.

Who it’s for

This product fits clients who want independence, predictable logistics, and a sailing area that doesn’t punish beginners, while still rewarding experienced skippers with variety. It also works well for mixed groups where not everyone is a sailor, because shore options are frequent and the pace can be relaxed. If your clients expect a crewed experience or daily restaurant mooring without planning, they may be happier with a skippered or fully crewed format.

Typical best-fit profiles include:

• Licensed skippers with recent experience who want a one-week Ionian loop.
• Families and friend groups looking for short hops, frequent swim stops, and easy evenings ashore.
• Repeat Greece visitors who want a new region beyond Cyclades, with calmer passages.
• Clients arriving via Preveza Aktion (PVK) who prefer minimal transfers.

Duration & schedule

Most charters are 7 nights, Saturday to Saturday, aligned with standard fleet rotations. Shorter durations may be possible in shoulder periods, but they depend on availability and repositioning requirements. Check-in time windows matter because technical checks, inventory, and briefing take time, and bases get busy on turnover days. If your clients push late arrivals without telling anyone, the first evening turns into paperwork, not sailing.

A typical flow is afternoon check-in, a full handover, and overnight at the base marina. Departures are commonly next morning after final checks, though experienced crews sometimes leave the same day if time and daylight allow. Check-out usually includes returning to base the afternoon before disembarkation, then sleeping onboard and leaving early next day. That last-night return is where many itineraries get tight, so please build it into the sales story from the start.

Pickup and meeting point(s)

Meeting points depend on the charter base and the specific marina assigned with the yacht. In Preveza, clients usually meet at the charter office within the marina area near the old town side. In Lefkada, handovers often take place at Lefkas Marina, which is straightforward by taxi and has good provisioning options nearby.

Transfers can be arranged on request, and we’ll advise what’s realistic for flight arrival times. Preveza Aktion (PVK) is the key airport for the region, and it’s worth reminding clients that summer traffic can add time even for short distances. For general destination orientation, you can reference Preveza and Lefkada as neutral background sources. If your itinerary includes the classic island cluster, Ionian Islands is a useful explainer for clients who like to read ahead.

Inclusions

Bareboat inclusions vary by yacht type and operator, but the core deliverable is consistent: a seaworthy yacht handed over with documented inventory and safety equipment. We keep inclusions clear so agencies can avoid overpromising. If something is optional, we label it optional early, not at the dock.

Standard inclusions typically cover:

• Yacht rental for the agreed dates, with base check-in and check-out procedures.
• Safety equipment as required by local regulations, plus standard onboard inventory.
• Technical support line during charter hours and emergency escalation procedures.
• Handover briefing and chart or pilot information depending on the yacht package.

Optional extras, when requested, can include outboard engines, Wi-Fi, SUP, early check-in, and end cleaning packages. Local marina fees, fuel, and any on-route berthing charges are generally paid by the client, unless otherwise agreed. We’ll confirm the exact list per booking so your voucher text stays accurate.

What clients should bring

Most avoidable problems come from missing paperwork or the wrong luggage. Clients often arrive with hard suitcases that don’t stow, or they forget that a bareboat week still needs basic seamanship items. A short pre-departure checklist reduces calls, stress, and wasted time at the base.

Recommended items:

• Original skipper qualification and any required supporting documents, plus passports for all crew.
• Soft bags, deck shoes with light soles, sun protection, and a light jacket for evenings.
• Refillable water bottles and any personal medication, including seasickness remedies.
• Power bank and charging cables, plus a waterproof pouch for phones and documents.

Provisioning can be done near both bases, and many crews like to pre-plan a simple first-night meal. That helps when check-in runs late and everyone’s tired. If your clients want pre-provisioning, tell us early, because last-minute lists are where mistakes happen.

Restrictions and safety

Bareboat is not a casual rental. The base will apply competency checks, and it’s normal for them to refuse handover if the skipper cannot demonstrate safe handling. Agencies protect themselves by setting expectations upfront and collecting documents early. We can help you pre-check requirements before the client flies.

Key restrictions and safety rules:

• Valid skipper certification and, where required, a second competent crew member.
• No sailing in prohibited conditions as instructed by the base or port authorities.
• Adherence to local navigation rules, night sailing policies, and check-in procedures.
• Security deposit and damage reporting rules apply per operator policy.

Families with children are welcome on most yachts, but suitability depends on boat layout and the adults’ experience. Pets depend on operator rules and must be confirmed in writing. If your clients ask about specific medical needs, tell us early so we can advise realistically, becuse some routes and anchorages have limited access to services.

Weather and cancellation summary

The Ionian is often described as forgiving, but it still has patterns that can surprise first-timers. Afternoon sea breezes can freshen, and local acceleration zones around headlands can feel sporty on a small crew. Thunderstorms do happen, especially in warmer months, and they can change a day’s plan quickly. That’s why we treat weather as an operational factor, not a footnote.

We monitor conditions and brief clients in plain language, including what it means for anchoring and return-to-base timing. If port authorities issue restrictions, those instructions override personal preference, and the yacht must comply. Cancellation and change policies depend on the charter operator and the booking window, and they’re confirmed at time of offer. For agencies, we’ll provide a clear cancellation summary per file so you can mirror it in your client terms without confusion.

How agencies sell it (package or optional)

Bareboat works best when you sell it as a defined travel component with clear boundaries: charter dates, base, yacht type, and what’s included. If you bundle flights and hotels, the charter should be positioned as the core week, with land nights on either side as buffers for travel. That buffer is what saves you when flights shift or clients want a slower start. It also reduces Saturday pressure, which is the most common pain point.

There are two clean ways to position it:

• As a standalone sailing week with optional transfers, provisioning support, and add-ons confirmed in advance.
• As part of an island-hopping package that includes pre and post nights on land, plus suggested routes and dining stops.

If you also sell Greece activity days in other regions, it helps to show continuity of support. Some agencies combine Ionian bareboat with a few days in Halkidiki for guests arriving via Thessaloniki, then add a short sailing experience for non-sailors. Our sailing trips hub for trade is here: /en/partners/sailing-trips-in-halkidiki-for-travel-agencies-3h-5h-shared/.

Related bases you can offer (when Preveza or Lefkada isn’t the best fit)

Some agency requests are really about flight networks, not sailing preference. If PVK isn’t practical, Athens can be the right operational choice for clients who want Argosaronikos access. If your clients are already in Northern Greece, a Halkidiki base can reduce transfers and keep the holiday cohesive.

Use these service pages when you need alternatives:

Preveza and Lefkada service page

/en/partners/bareboat-charters-ionian-sea-bases-preveza-lefkada/

Athens Alimos base

/en/partners/bareboat-charters-athens-alimos-base/

Halkidiki base

/en/partners/bareboat-charters-halkidiki-base-catamarans-monohulls/

FAQ

Do clients need an International Certificate of Competence (ICC)?

It depends on the skipper’s nationality, the issuing authority of their license, and the operator’s compliance checks. Many European clients use ICC or an equivalent national certificate, sometimes with an additional crew requirement. Send documents early and we’ll confirm acceptance before money is committed. This prevents the worst-case scenario of a refused handover at the dock.

Can clients start in Preveza and end in Lefkada (one-way)?

One-way charters are sometimes possible but not standard, and they depend on fleet logistics. They also add complexity to return flights and base inventory checks. If an agency wants one-way, we’ll quote it only after confirming feasibility for those dates. In peak season, availability can be tight.

What’s the realistic first-night plan after check-in?

For most crews, the best plan is sleeping at the base marina and departing next morning. It gives time for provisioning, a calm briefing, and a daylight departure. If clients insist on leaving same day, they should arrive early and keep the route short. This is where expectations save holidays.

Are there good client-facing resources we can share without sending them to random blogs?

Yes. Neutral sources like Lefkas Marina can help clients understand the base environment, and general destination pages give context without sales noise. For social proof about the wider area, many agencies reference Tripadvisor’s Lefkada tourism overview as a starting point. We’ll also provide a simple pre-departure brief you can brand into your own travel documents.

What happens if weather delays the return to base?

The skipper must follow safety guidance and port authority instructions. If a return is delayed, the base and support team coordinate the safest next step, including adjusted check-out procedures when possible. This is exactly why we recommend a conservative last two days, not a long-distance sprint. Clients accept changes better when you framed it as normal seamanship, not as “bad luck”.

How do we get trade terms and book efficiently?

We don’t publish rates or contract terms on public pages. After registration, agencies receive trade access, booking steps, and the operational voucher format we prefer for smooth handovers. Register here for agencies only: /en/partners/register-for-travel-trade-access-agencies-only/. If you want to discuss a specific series request or allotment, [cta_contact] [bottom_of_the_post]