Good morning Neil

Taking in mind that you will be alone and without a car I propose Skiathos which is half the size of Kefalonia.
I send some links for both places to you and when you are settled down let know which one and I will send you more infos
Skiathos:
http://www.skiathos.gr/index-en.html
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/9256/

Kefalonia:
http://www.kefalonia.net.gr/en/default.asp
http://www.argostoli.gr/en/

Spyros

Hi Neil,
I haven't been to Skiathos but this summer I visited Kefalonia on my own.
I stayed in the harbour village of Agia Efimia at the Makis Studios. The owners were really friendly and the village itself is lovely - there's a dive school with daily trips (they cater for all abilities and are very patient), the usual boat, bike and car hire plus ferries from the harbour for getting out and about around the island (I didn't bother this time as I'd done the trips the last time I was there so I'm not sure which days they run on now). Taxis are reasonable if you want to visit nearby Sami and Mellassani Lake both of which are around 10 mins away. Can't comment on the buses as I never used them. The locals were great and I never felt like a numpty sitting on my own in one of the tavernas! The only downside for you would be the beaches - they are great for snorkelling but are pebbly so don't meet your sandy requirement but the pool where I stayed was fine for lazing about by.

we like pebble beaches but our travelling companions prefer beaches (sand or pebble) where there are sunbeds. Any tips on suc beaches near agia efimia? also what did you think of the Makis, we are staying there neaxt year.

Not all beaches in Kefalonia are pebbles, Lassi Lixouri, and many others are beatiful sandy beaches, I am not a beach person but love Kefalonia as an Island ford it's people and scenery, but if it's a beach you really want Skiathos wins,

Neil

I have been to Kefalonia and Skiathos and I would say Skiathos by a mile!
Kefalonia is a beautiful island but when I went with a partner we found it too quiet and we are not party animals. It is definitely for couples with young families and we found that we were going out at 9pm and everywhere was shutting and this was in Lassi which was supposed to be one of the livelier resorts. We used to walk into Argostoli most evenings for a bit of night life.

Skiathos is smaller and more compact and easier to get around. The bus service is excellent so will run you into Skiathos Town for the eve where there are nightclubs and music bars so you can choose what type of evening you prefer. Beaches are amazing and plenty of islands to visit, Skopelos, Alonissos, Tsougria and Athens if you fancy a bit of culture. I think the weather would be better this time of year as the Ionian Islands can be quite temperamental. Stay as near to the town as possible if you want to be able to wander into town at night as getting to the 60 some beaches by day is easy by bus or moped.

I have been to Skiathos 4 times, once as a couple and 3 times as a single person and loved every minute.
Let me know if you need any more info.

Leah

Greekofile - my review of the Makis is here - http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/greece/kefalonia/agia-efimia/makis-apartments/ - The owners and staff are lovely and the view from up by the pool is great.

Re: beaches, I'm not one for lazing on the beach so we never really went looking. When I was there 3 years go we hired a car and went to Myrtos beach one day. It's wide, with lovely sand but you have to be careful of the current. We also called in at Antisamos for an afternoon but couldn't see what the fuss what about (famous because of Captain Corelli's mandolin) and didn't think this one was anything speical. There's also a sandy, private cove around the bay to the left of Agia Efimia harbour - we found it the day we hired a boat and were the only ones there.

Has to be Skiathos as it is a small island and you will feel part of it and make friends and be remembered. Kefalonia is a wonderful island but much bigger and as a single person I would definitely recommend Skiathos Town.