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Kefalonia at 40 to 50m is the southern Ionian's base and the bracket's natural pivot between Lefkada to the north and Zakynthos to the south. A 40 to 50m motor yacht running a Kefalonia-anchored week in 2026 peak August costs $185,000 to $270,000 per week plus 30 percent APA, takes 10 to 12 guests, and embarks at Argostoli on the west or Sami on the east depending on which side of the island the routing favours. The active 40 to 50m fleet calling Kefalonia through July and August is roughly 13 yachts, smaller than Corfu's pattern because the island works as a midweek anchor in a longer Ionian itinerary rather than as a single-island base.
Why Kefalonia works for the bracket
Argostoli on the west coast handles cruise tonnage and has a single deep-water alongside for 40m+ stern-to positions, dredged to 6m, with full provisioning and shore power. Sami on the east coast is the bracket's preferred base when the routing crosses to Ithaca or runs north to Lefkada. The Sami pier handles up to 50m at the outer alongside and the bay tenders well. Fiskardo at the island's northern tip is the bracket's evening shore-run anchorage: classic Venetian-style harbour, no berth at 40m+, day-anchor outside and tender in.
The southern Ionian's anchorages tied to Kefalonia run Myrtos Bay on the west (day-anchor only, swimming), Assos with its Venetian fortress (day-anchor and evening tender), Antisamos near Sami (the Captain Corelli beach), Foki Bay near Fiskardo, and the Ithaca channel at Frikes and Kioni. The Ionian summer wind pattern carries the maistros from the northwest at 8 to 16 knots at midday, lighter than Corfu and considerably lighter than the Cyclades meltemi.
Weekly rate map for 2026 season
Rates below are for peak weeks (mid-July through end of August) for the 2026 Greek season, before APA at 30 percent and gratuity at 10 to 15 percent. The Greek cruising tax (TEPAI), Argostoli or Sami berth fees, and the Ithaca and Fiskardo anchorage and town fees run through the APA.
| LOA bracket | Motor yacht (low to high) | Sailing yacht and large catamaran (low to high) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 to 43m | $185K to $220K per week | $160K to $195K per week |
| 43 to 47m | $210K to $245K per week | $185K to $220K per week |
| 47 to 50m | $235K to $270K per week | $205K to $240K per week |
Kefalonia prices 2 to 4 percent above Corfu at the same LOA because the southern Ionian routing demands more reposition between Ithaca, Lefkada, and Zakynthos and the anchorages are more dispersed. For corridor context see the Ionian Greece bracket page, the Corfu bracket page, and the 30 to 40m Kefalonia bracket.
What you actually get in this bracket
Cabins. 5 cabin layouts dominate, with the pattern running multi-couple seven-night southern Ionian weeks that base at Sami and rotate Ithaca, Fiskardo, and Zakynthos.
Crew. 9 to 11 on motor yachts. The southern Ionian workload runs steady because the passages run shorter than the Cyclades and the dinner shore-runs are contained at Fiskardo, Sami, Argostoli, and Ithaca's Vathi and Kioni. The crew rotation runs less aggressive than a Cyclades week.
Tenders. A primary 9m fast tender plus a 6 to 7m beach-landing secondary. Myrtos and Antisamos run the secondary off the back deck and Fiskardo's evening shore-run runs the primary.
At-anchor stabilizers. Mandatory but the running cost runs 50 to 55 percent of the equivalent Cyclades week because the Ionian profile is calmer. Myrtos in the midday wind window takes a residual 0.5m chop and the at-anchor system manages it.
Helipad. Useful at the upper end for the Athens transfer. Kefalonia Airport handles full fixed-wing arrivals at Argostoli and the helipad converts the Athens reposition into a 90-minute transfer. Touch-and-go capable yachts price 3 to 5 percent above non-helipad equivalent at peak.
Trip shapes that fit the bracket
The Kefalonia and Ithaca seven-night. Embark Sami, Antisamos day-anchor, Frikes and Kioni on Ithaca for two nights, Fiskardo for one night with the evening shore-run, Assos for one night, Myrtos day-anchor, Argostoli for the final overnight, disembark. Seven nights. The bracket fits this routing and Ithaca anchors the midweek.
The southern Ionian seven-night with Zakynthos. Embark Argostoli, Myrtos day-anchor, Fiskardo for one night, Ithaca for two nights, south to Zakynthos with the Keri caves and the Navagio day-anchor for two nights, return Kefalonia. Seven nights. A week that runs the bracket through the southern Ionian's two destinations.
The full Ionian ten-night with Lefkada and Corfu. Embark Argostoli, Ithaca and Fiskardo for two nights, Lefkada and Meganisi for two nights, Paxos and Antipaxos for two nights, Corfu for one night, return Kefalonia via Lefkada inland passage. Ten nights. A week that runs the bracket through the full Ionian chain.
For destination context see Charter Kefalonia, Charter Ionian Greece, and Best charter yachts Greece.
What the bracket does not do well in Kefalonia
Stationary Argostoli-marina weeks. The alongside is a base operation and the destination's value runs at anchor across Ithaca, Fiskardo, and Myrtos. We would pass on any plan that books Argostoli as a marina hold without the rotation.
Single-island Kefalonia-only weeks. The destination's natural routing opens into Ithaca and the Lefkada chain to the north or Zakynthos to the south and a Kefalonia-only week loses the bracket's footprint.
Late August Navagio plans without an anchorage backup. The Shipwreck Beach anchorage at Zakynthos runs tight at peak with cruise and day-boat traffic and the bracket needs a midweek alternative at Keri or Limnionas. We would pass on any plan that lists Navagio as the sole Zakynthos anchorage.
What we would book
For two couples, seven days in early August, Kefalonia and Ithaca with three nights at Frikes and Kioni: a 43m motor yacht with 5 cabins and at-anchor stabilizers, embarkation Sami, round trip. Budget $225K plus APA, all-in roughly $300K. Booking lead time: 8 to 11 months.
For a family of 10, ten days in late July, full Ionian with Lefkada, Paxos, and Corfu: a 47m motor yacht with 6 cabins, twin tenders, embarkation Argostoli, disembark Corfu one-way. Budget $255K plus APA, all-in roughly $345K. Booking lead time: 9 to 12 months.
For a friend group of 8, seven days in mid-September, Kefalonia and Zakynthos shoulder routing: a 42m motor yacht with 5 cabins, embarkation Sami, southbound to Zakynthos for the midweek. Budget $185K plus APA, all-in roughly $245K. Booking lead time: 7 to 10 months.
Build year and refit
The Kefalonia 40 to 50m fleet runs Ionian tonnage that positions for the Mediterranean summer with the Italian-coast reposition. Benetti, Sanlorenzo, Heesen, Codecasa, Feadship, and a smaller Turkish-yard share dominate the calling pattern. A 2017 to 2024 build with at-anchor stabilizers, twin tenders, and a refit within 24 months of the booked week is the zone. We would pass on any unit booked for Kefalonia without confirmed Sami or Argostoli slot in writing for the requested nights at peak, on any unit whose tender complement is single-tender at this LOA, and on any peak-week booking that does not have the Ithaca and Fiskardo anchorage plan in writing.