Petalas

Petalas is an island, though that’s debated, in the Ionian — actually part of the Echinades group at the mouth of the Acheloos River, off the coast of Aetolia-Acarnania and north of the Astakos area.

It’s privately owned, the largest of the Echinades at about 5.5 square kilometres, low-lying, green and fertile with olives, pine and scrub, with some beaches and shallow lagoons. It came to international attention as one of the Greek islands reportedly listed for sale in the 2010s for around $400 million. No permanent village, just farm buildings and a few houses, and used mostly for grazing and as a nature haven for migratory birds.

The largest private island in Greece — heart of the Echinades

Petalas, Greek Πεταλάς, is the largest island of the Echinades among the Ionian Islands in Greece, located in the Ionian Sea at 38°24’50N 21°05’31E off Kefalonia. As of 2011 it had no resident population. The largest private island in Greece, it is located in the Ionian Sea. Covering an area of 5.5 square kilometres or 2.1 square miles, also listed as 5.38 km2 and approximately 5.4 million square metres 5400 hectares, with total Echinades area 18.24 km2 and coastline 87.84 km for the group.

The island is known for its natural beauty with around 4,000 olive trees and surrounded by clear blue waters, and advantage of two well-sheltered harbours. Privately owned, 85 percent belonging to the Tsaoussis family while remaining 15 percent under ownership of nearby island of Kefalonia. Some including William Martin Leake have suggested Petalas is site of ancient Dulichium from which 40 ships sailed to Troy in the Iliad, but Strabo and most modern authors identify Dulichium as Makri nearby. It stands out as unique island, part of protected Natura 2000 sites Ionian area.

This is for you if you want the ultimate private Ionian wilderness — untouched, forested, with olive groves and hidden harbours off the Acarnanian coast. It is not for public ferries, hotels or mass tourism — it is private and recently offered for sale as one of 60+ private Greek islands.

How to get there & around

There is no scheduled ferry to Petalas — it is private and uninhabited. You can only approach by private boat or sailing yacht from nearby ports like Astakos, Mytikas or Cephalonia, anchoring in one of its two well-sheltered natural harbours. It is located in the Ionian Sea in the Echinades group which includes Oxia, Drakonera, Provati, Vromonas, Makri, Pontikos, Karlonisi and others. You cannot stay on land without owner permission, but you can swim off the boat in clear blue waters around its 4,000 olive trees. Access to interior is restricted.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petalas | largest island Echinades among Ionian Islands Greece 2011 no resident population largest private island Greece located Ionian Sea Covering area 5.5 square kilometres 2.1 square miles known natural beauty around 4000 olive trees surrounded clear blue waters Privately owned 85% belonging Tsaoussis family remaining 15% under ownership nearby island Kefalonia
https://www.geodoi.ac.cn/WebEn/doi.aspx?Id=1270 | Petalas Island Oxia Island Drakonera Provati Vromonas Makri Pontikos Karlonisi Echinades Petalas Island largest area 5.38 km2 total area Echinades 18.24 km2 length coastline 87.84 km dataset Google Earth images around 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulichium | Leake Petalas being largest Echinades possessing advantage two well-sheltered harbours seems best claim considered ancient Dulichium
https://mapcarta.com/W1025205846 | Petalas largest island Echinades among Ionian Islands Greece 2011 no resident population largest private island Greece located Ionian Sea island off Kefalonia Greece

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Last Updated on August 31, 2026 by admin