Time to depart Lefkada through one of the two bridges that connect Greece’s Islands

Navigating the tight, historical waterways of the Mediterranean frequently presents mariners with intricate pilotage challenges. For Scott and the crew of Sailing Sea Moon, departing the island of Lefkada aboard their Seawind 1160 cruising catamaran Sea Moon requires precise helm coordination and timing. To exit the north entrance of the Lefkada Canal into the open Ionian Sea, mariners must pass through the Santa Maura floating swing bridge—one of only two bridges connecting Greek islands directly to the Peloponnese and mainland Greece.

Unlike standard open-water passages, transiting an artificially dredged canal with a multihull carrying a 21-foot beam demands strict spatial awareness. With shallow shoals bordering the marked navigation channel and a constant stream of local yachts and ferries vying for position, the crew must manage fenders, monitor cross-currents, and synchronize their throttle movements with the bridge operator’s hourly opening schedule.

Maneuvering Through the Lefkada Canal

Departing the Lefkada town town-quay, Scott carefully maneuvers the Seawind 1160 twin-diesel throttles to clear neighboring yachts anchored bows-to and stern-to in close quarters. On deck, the crew brings in large cylindrical fenders, secures mooring lines, and acts as forward spotters to call distances through congested traffic. The canal, initially dredged in ancient times by the Corinthians and significantly widened over subsequent centuries, maintains a narrow navigable channel flanked by shallow silt banks that penalize navigational inattention.

With an average depth hovering between 4.5 and 5.5 meters in the center, staying strictly between the port and starboard markers is essential. The Seawind 1160’s shallow draft and twin rudders provide nimble low-speed maneuverability, allowing the crew to maintain headway against the tidal sluicing currents that funnel between Lefkada Island and mainland Greece.

Timing the Santa Maura Floating Swing Bridge Opening

The northern gateway of the canal is governed by the iconic Santa Maura floating bridge (Agia Mavra), a motorized pontoon structure that links the Lefkada road network to the Greek mainland near the historic Venetian Fortress of Santa Maura. During the day, the bridge opens on a strict hourly timetable to allow queued marine traffic to pass before swinging shut to restore vehicular traffic.

As Sea Moon approaches the holding basin, Scott reduces speed to idle, maintaining boat position against the canal breeze. Sirens sound and warning barriers lower on the highway approaches as the floating pontoon swings aside. Transiting through the narrow bridge span requires smooth forward momentum, avoiding wake disturbance while maintaining steerage through turbulent localized water. Once clear of the bridge abutments, the catamaran passes the sandy spits of the northern entrance, emerging into the sapphire waters of the northern Ionian Sea.

Catamaran Pilotage: Seawind 1160 Systems in Confined Channels

The Australian-designed Seawind 1160 proves exceptionally well-suited for Mediterranean canal transits and island hopping. Its signature trifold door system opens the main salon directly into the cockpit, giving the helmsperson 360-degree visibility unobstructed by bulky flybridges. Dual helm stations positioned under the hardtop offer direct sightlines down both port and starboard hulls, which is vital when navigating tight bridge gaps and crowded town quays.

With the canal successfully cleared and sails hoisted, Sailing Sea Moon continues its Mediterranean voyaging, showcasing the disciplined teamwork, practical seamanship, and relaxed lifestyle that define modern multihull world cruising.

Lefkada Canal Pilotage & Vessel Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions