Sailing Greece – yacht charters Sporades

Before the pandemic we spend a lovely – but calamitous – fortnight in Northern Greece on yacht charters in the Greek waters, below our sailing adventures.

Sporades • Northern Greece

This is the first part of the logbook that shows our sailing vacations and yacht charters in the Northern Sporades, and since we tried a yacht charter company that proved highly unreliable we got burned, and the yacht nearly sank.

Loutraki port on Skopelos island
Up the hill and out of frame is the lively village of Glossa. Shown is the cape just south of Loutraki port, which is the sea port of the nearby Glossa village on the west coast of Skopelos island.
Panormos anchorage on Skopelos
One of the best anchorages in the Northern Sporades: the southern arm of Panormos bay on Skopelos looking south.
Panormos anchorage on Skopelos looking towards the entrance
We are anchored in the southern arm of the Panormos anchorage on Skopelos looking north, the entrance is the left just out of sight.
Skiathos to Skopelos and Alonissos islands: route of our sailing holidays.
Skiathos port • Loutraki on Skopelos • Patitiri, Tzortzi bay, Steni Vala port on Alonissos • Monastery cove on Kyra Panagia.
Sea urchin sailing holidays
Stunning specimen of a sea urchin, which we "caught" in Panormos bay on Skopelos, Northern Sporades, Greece. All its tentacles were frantically moving about, and no! we didn't had it for supper. You might also have a look at its mouth.
Aristotle's lantern Skopelos sea urchin
The bottom part of the sea urchin, its mouth with the five hollow teeth, which is known as “Aristotle's lantern”.
This sobriquet comes from Aristotle's precise description in his “History of Animals”.
One of the wrecks in Panormos bay, Skopelos, Northern Sporades
The rather impressive wreck that is indicated on several detailed maps of Skopelos and that is mentioned in most sailing pilots, though not by the Greek waters pilot by Rod Heikell. It lies 1.5 metres deep in the middle and to the west of the southern arm of Panormos bay and could very well foul your anchor. Use Eagleray's Greece, Sea Guide instead.
Northern Sporades to Chalkidiki: route of our sailing holidays.
Monastery cove on Kyra Panagia • Porto Koufo, Sykia bay on Chalkidiki (Sithonia).
The open stretch of water northwest of Skopelos and Skiathos islands.
The open stretch of water north-west of Skopelos and Skiathos islands.
Indeed the beautiful Northern Sporades are somewhat remote, making them unique and separate much like the culture of the Ionian islands differs from the Cycladic culture and architecture.
Sailing from Skopelos to Alonissos, Patitiri.
While sailing from Panormos bay in Skopelos to Patitiri port on Alonissos. On the foreground the western tip of Alonissos. Directly behind is Camel island (Nisos Agios Giorgio) and the darker mass on the left and the faded area in the background is Skopelos. Right around the darker cape is the entrance to Skopelos bay and the port.
The south coast of Skopelos on port Alonissos straight ahead.
The south coast of Skopelos on port.
Alonissos straight ahead.
Very light winds for now so all charter yachts have to motor…
Chalkidiki: route of our sailing holidays in Northern Greece.
Porto Koufo, Sykia bay, Diaporos bays, Panagia on Chalkidiki (Sithonia).
Chora Alonissos
Chora village of Alonissos on the hilltop, overlooking the rest of Alonissos island with in the background the island of Skopelos, hiking from Patitiri port to the Chora. The port of Patitiri is a treat as well, it is partly surrounded with impressive cliffs. To the southieast of Alonissos there is the interesting island of Skantzoura, with good anchorages. An ideal stopover if you want to include Skyros island.
RORC
Our yacht flying the Royal Ocean Racing Club burgee and national flags under the starboard spreader. Yet, Greece is so beautiful that I rather cruise than race in these waters.
The south coast of Skopelos on port Alonissos straight ahead.
Alonissos island: the red-cliffed Kokkinokastro bay, just north of Patitiri port, with the islet of Micro Kokkinokastro to the left.
Kokkino means red.
Disaster strikes on our way to Limnos from Athos
Diaporos • Lemnos (nearly sinking) • Sykia (repairs), Porto Koufo (further repairs) on Chalkidiki (Sithonia) • Planitis on Kyra Panagia • Skopelos • Skiathos.
Tzortzi bay anchorage Alonissos, yacht charters
We dropped anchor in Tzortzi bay, just north of Kokkinokastro.
In between these bays are interesting ruins, probably the site of ancient Ikos (5th century BCE): the quintessence of yacht charters in Greece!
Steni Vala Northern Sporades: sailing holidays on our charter yacht
Sunset at Steni Vala port on Alonissos – looking towards Peristera island which lies roughly parallel to Alonissos. Steni Vala is also handy for provisioning since it is the most northern opportunity to supply your charter yacht for sailing holidays into the marine park (NMPANS).
The south coast of Skopelos on port Alonissos straight ahead.
Leaving the charming port of Steni Vala on our way to Kyra Panagia island (Pelagos) and entering Zone A of the NMPANS.