Ithaca, a sailing home from Homer

Supported By: Ithaca

In one of the greatest stories ever told, Odysseus sails back through aquamarine waters to his cypress-covered home and haven: Ithaca.

Today, the fabled island and Homer’s home of heroes, continues to draw sailors and seafolk to its emerald coves and sparkling, sheltered bays. Set in the heart of the Ionian Sea, with mild winds and a spellbinding coastline, much of which can only be explored by boat, the island is a sailing paradise and mythical magnet drawing yachts and sailboats to its serene waters.

Seafaring is a huge part of Ithaca and the Ionian islands’ identity, but alas it is not all smooth sailing. With sailing comes a threat to marine biodiversity. To tackle this impact but keep boats on the ocean waves, a “Sustainable Sailing Alliance” is in the making, to support a shift towards nautical tourism sustainability and protect the marine environment for years to come.

The awesome alliance will bring together local experts, sailing companies, yacht owners, marinas and coastal authorities, united in a mega-mission to create a sustainable Greek sailing sector.

These modern-day Greek heroes will educate boat folk on the negative impacts of sailing and how these can be reduced, creating resources, posters, activity packs, manuals and wildlife awareness weeks. ‘Sustainable Sailing’ accreditation schemes and award programmes will be installed, and funds raised for local community projects. Collaboration is crucial to change, and this will be one epic collab to keep the sailing industry in sustainable ship shape.

Visit Website: https://www.ithaca.gr/en/