Arkoudi
Arkoudi is a small, uninhabited private island in the Ionian Sea, right in the channel between Lefkada and Ithaca, about 5 kilometres south of Lefkada. Its name means Bear in Greek.
Administratively it belongs to the municipality of Ithaca, but nobody lives there permanently. It’s completely green, no roads, no village, just pine and olive and coves with blue-green water that you reach only by boat. That’s why in summer it gets a lot of yacht and day-boat visits from Lefkada, Meganisi, and Ithaca — people anchor off and swim in water that feels untouched.
For years it was known because it was on the market as a private island, one of the last in the Ionian. It’s part of the Taphos or Teleboides island complex that Homer mentions, so it has that Ithacan, Odyssean feel — wild, quiet, and only accessible if you know someone with a boat.
A bear-shaped dot for boat-day purists
You’ll love it here if you like your swim stops wild and totally unbuilt. Meaning bear in Greek, small uninhabited private island of the Teleboides complex, administered by the municipality of Ithaca, no resident population as of 2011. It sits 5km south of Lefkada, 6km northeast of Ithaca, 7km southwest of Meganisi, right between them. Green island with blue-green waters of rare beauty, receives many boat visits in summer. Best for people happy to stay put on a deck and hop in, snorkellers, picnickers, and sailors who want stillness over choice. Thought by some to be Homer’s Asteris islet, rocky, small, with shelter on both east and west coasts where small boats and yachts can harbour. Ideal for snorkeling and picnics. No beaches with sunbeds, just rocky coves and clear Ionian water, no shops, no tavernas, no accommodation, you bring everything. That’s the point. Less ideal if you want to stay overnight, organised anything, or sandy stretches. It’s a pause between Lefkada, Meganisi and Ithaca, not a base.
How you actually get on it
You don’t catch a ferry to Arkoudi, you boat it. Most visitors fly UK to Preveza or Lefkada area, or to Kefalonia, then drive to Lefkada, Nidri or Vasiliki, or to Ithaca Frikes or Vathy. From there rent a boat, self-drive or with skipper, or join day trips that cruise Lefkada, Meganisi, Ithaca and Arkoudi. Day boats from Nidri and Vasiliki run daily in summer, many include Arkoudi as a swim stop. Best time is late May to early October, sea calmest June to September, average air 24 to 29C water 22 to 26C, late May and early October quieter for anchoring alone. August has more yachts, so go early morning. No facilities at all, so pack water, food, reef shoes, snorkel, sun shade, and take rubbish back, it’s uninhabited and part of the Ionian’s fragile islet network. No overnight stays, private island, so day visit only. Check wind, sheltered bays on both sides help, but meltemi can make landing tricky. If you’re based in Ithaca, Frikes is closest launch, if in Lefkada, Nidri is quickest hop, about 30 to 45 minutes by motorboat.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org – Arkoudi | Small island Ionian Sea 5km south Lefkada 6km northeast Ithaca 7km southwest Meganisi administered Ithaca no resident population 2011
- shinygreece.com – Arkoudi Ithaca Refuge of Telemachus | Uninhabited private island Teleboides complex south Lefkada north Ithaca between Ithaca Meganisi green island blue-green waters rare beauty boat visits summer
- travel-greece.org – Frikes Ithaca Guide Arkoudi Islet | Small uninhabited island ideal for snorkeling and picnics
- encycloreader.org – Asteris Arkoudi Homer | Today Arkoudi remains uninhabited rocky islet as Asteris described small boats yachts harbour east and west coast
- mapcarta.com – Arkudi Island Map Ithaca | Type island islet between Lefkada and Ithaca also known Arkoudi Nisida Arkoudi
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Last Updated on August 26, 2026 by admin