Sailing Itineraries in Greece - Sporades Islands

The prevailing wind in the summer is the "Meltemi", blowing from the Northeast, Force 3-4, although occasionally in July and August wind blows stronger from a North-West direction with a force 4-6 and dies at the end of September.

The Sporades Islands hug the east coast of central Greece. Beautiful white sandy beaches, unspoiled anchorages, ancient ruins and abundant sea life, will offer you a sense of exploration and independence.

So, let the beauty of the islands, forests, beaches, villages, churches and castles take you on a journey back in time. Our base, which is about 15 minutes from Skiathos airport, is an ideal starting point, for a journey to explore the Sporades and the coast of northern Greece.

EVIA
Evia is the second largest island in Greece. The narrow channel that separates it from the mainland is only 40 meters wide. The waters here travel at speeds of up to 8 miles per hour, changing direction every 6 hours. The landscape in Evia is rich and varied with pristine inland villages and scenic mountain roads, gorgeous sandy beaches and steeping cliffs. The picturesque town of Kymi is built on a cliff 250m above the sea. The port of Kymi (Paralia Kymis), 4km downhill is the only natural harbor on the precipitous east coast. Set on the wide Karystian Bay below Mt Ohi (1398m) is Karystos, the most attractive of the southern Evia resorts.

North of Evia is the Sporades, a group of islands of dense vegetation and mountainous terrain. Its waters are teeming with fish, the seafood is remarkable: lobster, octopus, and huge prawns often baked with cheese and fresh tomatoes. They are situated across the port town of Volos on the eastern coast of mainland Greece. Positioned at the foot of Mt Pelion on the Pagasitic Gulf, Volos is a good base for enjoying the sea, the wooded slopes and green valleys that surround it.

SKIATHOS
Much of pine covered Skiathos is blessed with exquisite beaches of golden sand. Not surprisingly it is one of Greece's premier resorts. The island has only one settlement, the port and capital, Skiathos Town, on the southeast coast. The north coast is precipitous and less accessible. Most people come to the island for the beaches and nightlife, but the truly curious will discover some picturesque walks, hidden valleys and quiet beaches. Skiathos town has twin harbors divided by Bourtzi islet, which is reached, by a narrow causeway. Beaches

With some 65 beaches to choose from, many of which are only accessible by boat, beach hopping on Skiathos can be a fulltime occupation. On the south coast the pine fringed, long and sandy Vromolimnos Beach, has been awarded an EU blue flag for cleanliness, while Koukounaries Beach, which is backed by pine trees and a lagoon and is touted as the best beach in Greece. Koukounaries is a horseshoe shaped beach lined with pine trees with golden sand. In back of the pines is a gorgeous lake Other beaches with thick pine forests and sand dunes are, Krassa (Banana Beach), Ag Elenis and Mandraki.

Lalaria, on the north coast, is a striking beach of pale gray pebbles, much featured in tourist brochures Sailing around the island you will find on the northport Galazia Spilia (blue cave) and nearby Skotoni Spilia (dark cave). When you become accustomed to the dark your eyes will behold a breathtaking spectacle. Opposite is Tsougria a very pretty little green island with pure white sand.

SKOPELOS
This lush green paradise is heavily pine forested, the sheltered southeast coast harbors many beaches, most of which are pebbled, while the northwest is exposed with high cliffs. It lies between Skiathos and Alonissos. The tourist development has not affected its intensely traditional character. Skopelos Town is most captivating. It skirts a semi circular bay with dazzling white houses that and clambers in tiers up a hillside, culminating in a ruined fortress. Beaches

Skopelos' beaches are almost all on the sheltered southwest and west coasts. Limonari and Millia are considered the islands best. Agnontas is a leeward bay 8km out of Hora. Panoramos is the most beautiful bay on the island with a wonderful sandy beach and opposite a little green island. Milia is the largest and most beautiful sand beach on Skopelos opposite of which is the lush islet of Dasia. With your boat you can get to know the entire coastline, including deserted shores to the northeast and visiting Trypti cave will prove rewarding. Other beaches include, Chysi Mila, Kokkinocastro, and Tzorti Gialos, Leptos Gialos, which have pure white sand. Kokkinonsi a small island where finds from the Paleolithic period were discovered.

ALONNISOS
The water around this serene, green island has been declared a marine park, and is the cleanest in the Aegean. Every house has a cesspit, so no sewage enters the sea. Old Alonnisos is a tranquil picturesque place with lovely views. Most of the beaches are on the east coast, which means they avoid the strong summer meltemi winds. Kokkinokastro Beach was once the site of the ancient city Ikos; there are remains of the city walls and a necropolis under the sea.

ISLETS AROUND ALONISSOS
Alonissos is surrounded be eight uninhabited islets. Piperi, to the northeast of Alonissos is a refuge for the Mediterranean Monk seal (monachus monachus) and it is forbidden to set foot there. Kyra Panagia has good beaches and two abandoned monasteries. It is the largest of the islets, with three bays, Agios Petros (sandy beaches), one to the north, with a marvelous enclosed harbor and a smaller one to the east where a 16th century monastery is. Psathoura has the submerged remains of an ancient city and the brightest lighthouse in the Aegean Peristera has several sandy beaches and the remains of a castle. Other islets include: Pappous, Skantzoura, Psathouropoud, Gioura, Adephi.

SKYROS
Skyros is some distance from the rest of the group; it also has a different atmosphere, reminding you more of the Cyclades than the Sporades. Skyros Town is a striking, dazzling white town of flat-roofed Cycladic style houses draped over a high rocky bluff. The resort of Magazia is at the southern end of a splendid, long sandy beach; Molos is at the northern end of the beach. Beaches At Atsitsa, on the west coast, there is a tranquil pebble beach shaded by pines. To the north is the even less crowded beach of Kyra Panagia. At Pefkos there is another good but small beach and taverna. Farther east is the pebble and sand beach at Kalamitsa. Opposite, are the small, uninhabited islets of Valaxa and Skyropoulo.

7 Day Sporades Yacht Charter DAY FROM TO MILES 1 Skiathos Marina Check-in at 17:00 2 Skiathos Skopelos 20 3 Skopelos Skiros 42 4 Skiros Kira Panagia 42 5 Kira Panagia Alonissos 40 6 Alonissos Skiathos 25 7 Skiathos Island Skiathos Marina 7 14 Day Sporades Yacht Charter DAY FROM TO MILES 1 Skiathos Marina Check-in at 17:00 2 Skiathos Skopelos 20 3 Skopelos Alonnissos 7 4 Alonnissos Skyros 37 5 Skyros Kira Panagia 40 6 Kira Panagia Porto Koufo 40 7 Porto Koufo Kalithea (Halkidiki) 23 8 Kalithea (Halkidiki) Porto Karras (Halkidiki) 22 9 Porto Karras (Halkidiki) Zagora (Volos) 48 10 Zagora (Volos) Trikeri (Volos) 48 11 Trikeri (Volos) Orei (Evia) 43 12 Orei (Evia) Glifa (Volos) 18 13 Glifa (Volos) Koukounaries (Skiathos) 6 14 Koukounaries (Skiathos) Skiathos Marina 09:00 check out

Sporades Islands Sailing Distances Calculator Instructions: Focus the map on your desired sailing area by clicking (holding) and dragging once you are seeing your desired islands, start clicking them in the order you plan to sail the map will automatically update to show the estimated nautical miles of the whole trip to remove the last point, simply click the button below the map 'Clear last' to clear the whole map and start again, click 'Clear map' if needed, click 'Zoom to fit' to show the entire sailing route Total Nautical Miles: 0.000

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