The Ionian Islands are a set of 7 pristine islands with steep cliffs, stunning beaches and waters excellent for diving and snorkeling.

Send us your images for this dive region[Add Image][Add Movie]

The Ionian Islands, named after the Ionian Sea, are made up of the seven beautiful islands Corfu (Kerkyra), Paxos (Paxi), Lefkas (Lefkada), Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos (Zante) and Kythira (Cerigo). They are all mountainous offering beautiful coves, pretty bays, white golden beaches and crystal clear blue waters. Its rich history provides this region with ancient Roman, Venetian and Byzantine ruins, at least for what remains after the strong 1953 earthquake. Whether you like bustling nightlife, friendly locals or a remote and romantic holiday, it can all be found on the Ionian Islands. There are touristic hubs with all that tourists find interesting but also traditional quiet fishermen villages where life has kept its slow pace.

Corfu is one of the most popular islands with pretty locations such as Mouse Island and with one cypress tree decorated Vlacherna Beach. It has a magnificent harbor and is known for its green vegetation, ruins and castles (the one of Sissy). Ithaca and neighboring Kefalonia, which is the largest island of the Ionians, offers nice cliffs and caves. The Dragorati Cave is one of Greeks finest examples of stalactites and stalagmites while the Mellisani Underground Lake and cave offer a pretty blue open spot bordered by huge rocky walls. Zakynthos is home to Shipwreck Bay or Smugglers Cove, only reached by boat with a shipwreck on its beach. It is also the place to dive with the endangered Caretta Caretta or loggerhead sea turtles. Kythira is the only island which is not located on the west coast of Greece but at the south side of the Peloponnese.

The Ionian Islands offer cheap beach holidays, perfect for snorkeling, swimming and diving. There are several shipwrecks, caves and soft coral dives, but the many pretty beaches and cliffs are the main reason to visit this astonishing place. The marine life is excellent and among many of the common coral reef fish you can also find loggerhead sea turtles and seals.

Take a look at all the pictures!