Dive the hidden underwater world of the Ionian Sea from your private sailing catamaran
26 September – 3 October 2026
Join Sailfin Escapes and Blue Manta Diving for a unique liveaboard-style diving week in Greece.
Limited to 6 guests • Skippered catamaran • Experienced dive guides • Lefkada, Greece
Beyond the usual dive trip
Most diving holidays start and end at the same harbour every day. We do things differently.
For one unforgettable week, Katja becomes your floating home as we sail between the beautiful Ionian Islands. Instead of returning to shore after every dive, you’ll wake up in secluded bays, discover hidden anchorages and explore dive sites that are difficult to reach on day trips.
Together with our friends from Blue Manta Diving, we’ve created an experience that combines relaxed sailing, memorable dives and life on board a comfortable catamaran — all in a small group of no more than six guests.
It’s not just a diving holiday.
It’s a sailing adventure with a world waiting beneath the surface.
⚓ Live aboard Katja
Your accommodation travels with you from island to island.
🤿 Dive directly from the boat
No daily transfers or crowded dive boats.
🏝️ Discover hidden places
Visit secluded bays and beautiful islands above and below the surface.
👥 Only six guests
A relaxed atmosphere with plenty of space and personal attention.
At a glance
DATES
26 Sept – 3 Oct 2026
PRICE
1.680 EUR / person
GUESTS
Maximum 6
DIVES
5 dives
STAY
7 nights aboard Katja
SAILING
Between the Ionian Islands, no sailing experience required
MEALS
Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own expense
EQUIPMENT
10/12 L steel tanks and weights provided
CABINS
Shared double cabins
SKILL LEVEL
Certified divers (minimum OWD and equivalent)
LANGUAGE
English / German
ROUTE
Weather dependent
WATER TEMPERATURE
Around 24–27 °C
Meet the team
Sailfin Escapes
At Sailfin Escapes, we believe the best way to discover Greece is by sea. Our small-group sailing holidays aboard Katja combine beautiful anchorages, authentic island experiences and the freedom to explore the Ionian at a relaxed pace.
We are Claudi and James, the founders of Sailfin Escapes, and we’ll be your hosts throughout the week aboard Katja. We love introducing our guests to hidden anchorages, charming harbours and the unique character of the Ionian Islands, creating a relaxed atmosphere where sailing, good company and memorable experiences come together.
Blue Manta Diving & Aquanautic Club
Based on Kefalonia, Blue Manta Diving has spent years introducing divers to the underwater world of the Ionian Sea. Their experienced instructors and guides combine local knowledge with a friendly, professional approach that makes every dive both safe and enjoyable.
All diving activities are organised in cooperation with Blue Manta Diving, ensuring professional guidance, local expertise and diving operations carried out in accordance with Greek regulations.
What our guests say
“Together, we’ve dropped anchor in stunning bays, discovered fascinating underwater worlds whilst diving, and experienced countless special moments. Claudi and James are not only extremely experienced and professional, but also wonderful hosts who put their heart and soul into making sure you feel completely at home.”
Jan via Google Maps
“Claudi and James took great care of us, starting with a thorough safety instruction and an intro to the boat. Every day was a nice mix of sailing, swimming and relaxing. In the evening they turned into great gastro guides, showing us around the nicest restaurants and bars in the harbor.”
Sascha via Tripadvisor
“On board, you can unwind, forget all about everyday life and discover something new every day. James and Claudia know all the most beautiful bays, hidden corners and peaceful spots. When diving, they make you feel incredibly calm and safe, so you can explore new underwater worlds in complete relaxation. It’s fascinating just how much they show you, explain and make possible.”
Julia via Google Maps
Dive Week 2026 – Pricing
26 September – 3 October 2026
€1,680 per person
A week of sailing, diving and island exploration aboard Katja, including:
- 7 nights accommodation in a double cabin
- Sailing through the Ionian Islands
- Breakfast onboard
- Guided diving with Blue Manta Diving
- Snorkelling equipment and SUP
- Scuba tanks and weights
- Skipper and local knowledge
Please plan separately for:
- Travel to Lefkada, flights and transit to Vliho
- Lunch and dinner ashore
- Personal expenses
- Personal dive equipment
- Travel insurance
Ready to join us?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a certified diver?
Open Water Diver (OWD) certification or an equivalent qualification is the minimum requirement.
Newly certified divers are welcome, provided they are comfortable with their equipment and diving independently with a buddy.
How many dives will we do during the week?
We plan up to five dives at different locations around the southern Ionian Islands during the week. Weather conditions and group preferences may influence the schedule, but our aim is to dive in the morning and sail in the afternoon.
All diving activities are organised in cooperation with Blue Manta Diving. Their experienced dive team provides the professional expertise and local knowledge needed for a safe and enjoyable diving experience.
Do I need to bring my own equipment?
We provide scuba tanks (steel, 10 L and 12 L) and weights on board. Please bring all other personal equipment, including your BCD, regulator with an alternate second stage, wetsuit, mask, fins and any additional equipment you prefer to dive with. For our wreck, cavern and wall dives, a dive light is highly recommended. The water temperature in September typically ranges from 24–27 °C. The thermocline often lies below 15 m, meaning many dives remain comfortably warm throughout.
If you don’t own your own diving equipment, please arrange to rent it before travelling to Greece. We recommend contacting your local dive centre, as many shops rent equipment for holidays. Unfortunately, we cannot provide rental equipment on board, and local dive centres in the Ionian generally do not rent complete sets for an entire week.
To conserve fresh water during the week, we store non-sensitive equipment such as wetsuits, BCDs and boots in waterproof bags while still wet with seawater, rinsing them with fresh water only after the final dive. More sensitive equipment such as regulators, masks, dive computers, torches and cameras can be rinsed with fresh water after every dive.
What kind of dive sites can we expect?
The Ionian Sea is home to some of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating underwater habitats, including extensive seagrass meadows, dramatic walls and beautiful cavern systems. Its long maritime history has also left behind numerous wrecks and archaeological remains waiting to be explored.
During the week, we aim to visit a varied selection of dive sites, including colourful reefs, caverns sheltering Mediterranean marine life, and wrecks from both recent history and ancient seafaring.
Depending on the dive site, we may dive directly from Katja, either while holding position or from a nearby anchorage. Alternatively, we use our dinghy, Beagle, for a short transfer of up to ten minutes. Before every dive, Katja becomes our floating dive base, where equipment preparation, dive briefings and debriefings all take place in the cockpit.
What is it like living on a sailing catamaran for a week?
Life aboard Katja is often described as “caravanning on the water“: comfortable, social and surprisingly spacious. Shared spaces such as the cockpit and galley encourage a friendly atmosphere, while your cabin offers privacy when you want it. Have a look inside our beautiful catamaran.
Curious about life aboard a sailing catamaran? Read our guide here.
Where will I sleep?
Guests stay in one of three double cabins aboard Katja. Bedding, towels and toiletries are provided.
See the boat layout and cabin photos here.
What food is included?
Included in the price is a basic Greek breakfast with fresh bread and pastries, ham, cheese, cereals, milk, yoghurt, fruit, vegetables, marmalade and orange juice, as well as coffee, tea and drinking water throughout the day.
For lunch and dinner, you’re welcome to prepare your own meals in our fully equipped galley or enjoy one of the excellent tavernas ashore. We’re always happy to recommend our favourite places.
Can non-divers join?
This is our dive special, so our route is tailored to the best dive spots. However, if you want to join your partner, who is a diver, on this holiday, you are welcome. While the divers are underwater, you can swim, snorkel, do stand-up paddleboarding or just relax. For non-divers, the price per person is reduced by 380 EUR.
Where does the trip start?
We start and end our trip in Vliho, on the island of Lefkada in Greece. The nearest airport ist Aktio Airport in Preveza (PVK) and a taxi from the airport to Vliho will take 40 min and cost 60-80 EUR.
What happens if the weather is bad?
September is a wonderful month for sailing in Greece, although we occasionally experience stronger winds. Our priority is always the safety of both our guests and the boat. If necessary, we may stay in port for a day or adjust our itinerary at short notice. If severe weather requires us to seek shelter in a marina, the marina fees are shared equally between all guests.
We will always do our best to reschedule dives so that five dives remain possible. However, if conditions do not allow for a safe dive, we will cancel it. No refunds are available for dives cancelled due to weather or safety reasons.
What should I bring?
We have created a comprehensive packlist in our blog.
The essentials are:
- your passport
- your diving certification and equipment
- swimwear and beach towel
- sun protection (glasses, hat, sunscreen)
How do I reserve my place?
Simply use the contact form below to let us know how many divers are in your group and which diving certifications you hold. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible, answer any questions you may have, and send you a personalized quote for your escape on Katja. Your booking is confirmed once we have received a 50% deposit of the total price and sent you a written confirmation.
Can I book a cabin alone or do I need to come with someone?
As this is a special week, we will not offer our exclusive cabin option. Every spot on Katja will be a shared double cabin experience. If you would like to bring your non-diving partner, they will get a 380 EUR reduction on the price. Otherwise, we’ll pair you with another diver in a shared double cabin.
Didn’t find the answer you were looking for? Have a look in our general FAQs or ask your question directly in our contact form below.
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