Aegina sailing holidays

Aegina - Αίγινα, lying some 17 nm south-west of Athens, is a hilly and fertile island of Tertiary limestones and schists, with isolated rounded hills of volcanic origin. For the most part the coast falls steeply down to the sea, with few sheltered bays.

The main occupation of the inhabitants is farming, in particular the growing and export of the island's excellent pistachio nuts. Fishing, sponge-diving and pottery manufacture are also of some economic importance. Aegina is noted for the production of its water-coolers (kannatia) – two-handled wide-necked jars in a porous fabric which keep their contents cool by evaporation.

The Temple of Aphaia is one of the best preserved Doric specimens, dated end of Archaic period, circa 500 BCE, a must-see marvel .

With its mild climate and low rainfall, Aegina has long been favoured as a summer resort by the prosperous citizens of Athens. In recent years it has become increasingly popular with foreign visitors.

Ports & anchorages

Sailing holidays Aegina island and Saronic Gulf
Map of Aegina island; temple, ports and anchorages.
British Admiralty Chart 1657

History of Aegina

The legendary ancestor of the Aeginetans was Aiakos / Aeacus, son of Zeus and the nymph Aegina and father of Peleus and Telamon, who was celebrated for his wise and just rule and became judge in the Underworld together with Minos and Rhadamanthys.

The earliest traces of Pelasgian settlement on the island date from the 3rd millennium BCE, see section on the pelasgians.
In the 2nd millennium Aegina was already an important trading-station, dealing in pottery and ointments, as finds of Helladic, Cycladic and Minoan material have shown.

It is first recorded in history as a colony of the Dorian city of Epidavros / Epidauros, and together with Epidavros was ruled in the 7th c. BCE by Pheidon of Argos.

After shaking off the control of the its mother city in the 6th c BCE. Aegina enjoyed a period of some prosperity, which soon brought it into competition with Corinth. The Aeginetans had trading posts in Umbria, on the Black Sea and in Egypt, and their ship owners were the wealthiest in the Ancient World. Aeginetan coins bearing the effigy of a tortoise are the oldest known, and by 656 BCE already had a wide circulation, and Aeginetan weights and measures remained current into Roman times.

Potato in Greece

When Kapodistrias – first Governor of Greece – offered potatoes to Greek farmers to remedy post-war famine in 1829, the farmers were not ready for such novelty, so he had to resort to a trick… →

At the beginning of the Persian Wars this seafaring State was at the height of its power. After the Battle of Salamis, in which 30 vessels of Aegina took part, an Aeginetan ship was awarded the prize for the highest valour. But Aegina was also led by its commercial interests to offer Darius' envoys earth and water in token of submission, whereupon, on the motion of Athens, it was called to account by Sparta. This was the occasion of further conflicts with Athens, which saw the strong neighbouring island as an obstacle to the expansion of its sea-power. After naval victories at Angistri and off Aegina itself the Athenians – though simultaneously fighting with Megara and in Egypt – forced Aegina to submit after a nine-month-long siege, and in 456 BCE the city was compelled to pull down its walls, surrender its warships and pay tribute to Athens.

When the Peloponnesian War (431 BCE) started, the Aeginetans were expelled from their island and the land was distributed to citizens of Attica. After the final defeat of Athens in 404 BCE many of them returned, but the island's great days were over. Athens rapidly recovered and after a series of military campaigns regained control of Aegina, which thereafter shared the fortunes of the Athenian State.

From 12 January to 3 October 1828 Aegina was capital of Greece.

Near Aegina: the must-see islet of Dorousa, seen from the south-east, with island of Kyra in the distance and Korfos (Peloponnesos) on the horizon.

Aegina town and port

The chief place on the island, Aegina (pop. 9000), lies on gently rising ground on a wide bay at the north end of the west coast. It occupies the site of the ancient city, Egina, which was larger than the present town. From the harbour, sheltered by a breakwater, there are fine views of the smaller islands of Metopi and Angistri to the south-west and Moni to the south and of the hills round Epidavros.
The Archaeological Museum contains material from the temples of Aphaia and Aphrodite, together with pottery and other grave-goods ranging in date from the 3rd millennium BCE to Roman times.

Kolona

On the hill of Kolona, to the north of the town, is an 8 m high Doric column. According to Pausanias this belonged to the temple of Aphrodite by the harbour (460 BCE): in fact the temple was dedicated to Apollo. Under the temple were found remains of Mycenaean and pre-Mycenaean settlement (3rd millennium BCE). To the west were two smaller temples, probably dedicated to Artemis and Dionysos. A sphinx (circa 460 BCE) which was discovered here in 1904 is now in the Archaeological Museum.

Ancient harbour

Below the temple, to the south, was the ancient commercial harbour, now silted up. When the sea is calm the old quays can still be seen under water. The modern harbour, on the site of the ancient naval harbour, is still protected by the ancient moles which have been maintained in good condition. On the north mole, the longer of the two, is and early 19th c. chapel dedicated to St Nicholas.

Tomb of Phokos

1,5 km north of the town is a mound (6th c. BCE) similar to the “Soros” at Marathon, traditionally identified as the Tomb of Phokos, who was killed by his half-brothers Peleus and Telamon.

Temple and Sanctuary of Aphaia

The road to the Temple of Aphaia , 13 km east of Aegina town, runs through rolling country, partly wooded and partly cultivated, passing the Church of Ayii Theodori (1289, frescoes), built of stones from ancient temples. In 8 km it reaches Palaiochora, the medieval capital of the island, which was abandoned about 1800. Above the village, which has some 20 chapels ranging in date between 13th and 18th c., is a ruined medieval castle.

Farther on, the road passes the scattered houses of the village of Mesargos, soon afterwards a steep footpath leads up to the temple.

The Temple of Aphaia (5th c. BCE), a goddess associated with Artemis as a protectress of women (foundation inscription; terracotta decoration), is built on the foundations of a 6th c. temple, which itself succeeded a pre-Greek cult site. It is peripteral in type, with 6 × 12 columns. The pronaos and opisthodomos were enclosed by antae, between which were two columns.

See my Greek architecture   page for more classical terminology.

The roof of the cella was borne on two rowns of columns. In the opisthodomos is a stone altar-table. The temple preserves 23 columns of yellowish limestone, with fragments of their stucco facing – particularly at the east and along the sides – some of the columns are monolithic.

The roof and the sculptural decoration were of Pentelic marble. Unusual features are irregularities in the floor of the cella and the subdivision of the opisthodomos. In the floor are holes for fixing a grille.

The sculpture in the pediments was looted by the Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria – much like Lord Elgin & the Parthenon – and is now in the Glyptothek in Munich. Other sculpture from the temple can be seen in Athens and Aigina museums.

The temple and Sanctuary of Aphaia on Aegina island: plan and map.

At the east end of the temple, extending across its whole width and connected with it by a ramp, was a sacrificial altar. To the south of the ramp was a small propylon with octagonal columns. The sacred precinct had been banked up to form a level surface and was supported partly on the natural rock and partly on retaining walls of dressed stone.

In the surrounding area the remains of Late Neolithic houses (4th – 3rd millennium BCE) were found by the excavators. From the temple there is a superb view, covering most of the Saronic Gulf and extending to the coast of the mainland, from Athens to Cape Sounion.

Aegina island

Souvala port

The mini harbour of Souvala - Σουβάλα on the north coast is often overlooked. The usable part (3 – 4 m deep) of the mole is just a few boat lengths long, go alongside or bows-to / stern-to near the red light. Good shelter except for strong northerlies; good holding, sandy bottom; a plentitude of pleasant tavernas line the beach Lat Long

Souvala provides the neareast access – a 1 hr hike through a semi-wooded landscape – to Paleochora, the now deserted “old town” where the islanders avoided pirates, slightly further is the Monastery of St Nektarios - Μονή Αγίου Νεκταρίου, the area remained deserted after the famous pirate and admiral Barbarossa killed all the men and sold 6 thousand females and children into slavery in 1537.

Aegina harbour and marina as seen from the west.

Aegina harbour & marina

Ask the harbour office for a berth inside the traditional harbour; VHF 12, 19. Certainly in the sailing season there is no room in the marina (filled with local yachts; permanent moorings) and charter yachts will be turned away. Make sure that your anchor holds well, poor holding, mud.

Aegina is overcrowded, even more so in and around the weekends when it can be an inimical place with shouting (local) boat owners and crossed anchors. Once safely docked it can be a very charming town.  

Sailing holidays Aegina island and town

The approach of Aegina is fringed with mostly artificial! reefs, a defence line purposely created by ancient Aiginites. Moreover, the natural reefs extending from Agistri and Metopi are also dangerous.

Visit the Archaeological site of Kolona site just north of the harbour.
There is a bus line from Aegina town to the Sanctuary of Aphaia and Palaiochora.

Marathona SE bay

In the south-east of Marathona bay there are two coves; primarily suitable in easterly winds, but a possible fallback if Perdika is full.
Profitis Ilias Lat Long and Kariotis Lat Long
Alternatively anchor off the Marathonas A or B beaches to the north.

Perdika port, looking south-east, with the pre-2022 situation.
Cape Agios Sozon promontory to the right with – in the middle – the handy short mole for southern winds.

Perdika port

The port of Perdika - Πέρδικα is safe in nearly all conditions except for strong Sirocco SE or ESE winds which result in waves reflecting of Moni islet into the port. Moreover, in strong westerlies only use the leeward sides of the piers. Poor holding in places; the central pier has rocks extending on the west side; crowded in summer → arrive early!
In southerly winds up to 25 knots you can anchor and take a long line ashore to the short mole opposite Perdika Lat Long

The NW pier has been extended and fully refurbished, see below.  

Current situation, this is July 2022 → the short mole and to the right the new / updated pier.
Current situation – July 2022 – the new and extended pier.
The openings in the breakwater, NW side of the new pier, can be used as well to dock: sufficient depths for gangways.
Perdika nautical chart
Perdika port, showing the new situation

Perdika is an aesthetic fishing village; good tavernas ashore: “Alkioni” and “Anthonis Fish Restaurant”; starting point for a hike to Mt Oros the most prominent feature in the Saronic Gulf (534 m), with scooters you will get half-way to the top, a further 20 minutes walk to enjoy the ecstatic panoramic views over the Gulf.
Take a taxi (or scooter) to the Temple of Aphaia.

Pyrgos / South coast anchorages

The two bays directly west of Cape Pyrgos are open to NW – SE winds.

  • The lively bay of Klima; canteen (summer months) at the superb beach; swimming area marked with buoys; snorkeling Lat Long
  • Mazioti bay; less yachts than in Klima; good holding once anchor is dug in sand; (Meltemi) gusts will come from the east; take a long line ashore to the east shore below the snaking road Lat Long
Pre-COVID situation: hammerhead dock in Ayia Marina bay (east coast of Aegina). From here it is a splendid walk to the Temple of Aphaia.

Ayia Marina

The busy little modern resort and half open bay of Ayia Marina on the east coast of Aegina is conveniently near the Sanctuary of Aphaia, a lovely 30 min. walk.   The name doesn't refer to a marina port, rather to the martyr Margaret the Virgin (of Antioch).

The recently (2021) reinforced quay in the south of the bay is still too shallow, rather use the hammerhead dock in the north and go along-side or stern-to. Lat Long excellent shelter except for strong easterly winds; prevailing winds in the afternoon are south-east; in the main season there can be 30 yachts at anchor; cruise ships bring heaps of passengers ashore; outstanding tavernas: “Ouzeri Akrogiali” at the beach and Taverna “I Thalassa” at the dock, but also plenty of tourist traps.

The extension of the hammerhead is nearly finished, see below.  

The extended pier at Ayia Marina – Aegina island.
Works on the extended pier at Ayia Marina, in April 2022. Hi-res image

Agistri island

Verdant with turquoise waters: 3 nm south-west of Aegina is the wooded island of Angistri or Agistri - Αγκίστρι with a population of 1142, the descendants of Albanians who settled here in the 16th c.

A hilly island with a peak (295 m) on the east side near the port of Skala - Σκάλα, which at first glance might seem the main port, but is too shallow for modern (charter) yachts and catamarans. The Skala beach, however, is pure bliss and pure sand (no pebbles).

Sailing holidays Angistri Agistri port

Megalochori port

The only appropriate port is Megalochori - Μεγαλοχώρι, which offers excellent shelter except from strong NE – SE winds (but the SE winds are very rare). Go stern-to the breakwater or mole, or alongside at the pontoon. The south facing stretch of breakwater is home to the local fishing fleet and the extremity [green light] is reserved for ferries, which is vividly indicated. Sometimes the south pier can be used, but mind the water taxis.The approach and port are shallow, but you can see the seabed clearly; sandy with patches of weed.

Aponisos islet & coves

On the west coast of Agistri is Aponisi (Aponisos) - Απόνησσος with especially to the north several beautiful anchorages; pine trees and cerulean waters Lat Long plus the two coves further NE.
In northerlies you can anchor south of the islet. The mini fishing port of Apolimani is too shallow; the fine taverna near Apolimani is open circa May – October and has a pier   (temporary mooring option only for fuel, dining…), stunning views toward Dorousa Lat Long
All these anchorages combined mean allround shelter.  

Dorousa isle

Directly to the west – across a deep channel with Agistri / Aponisi – is the stunning isle of Dorousa - Δορούσα with an abundance of superb anchor opportunities, notably Lat Long and Lat Long
Also see gallery 2.

Further reading

See chart symbols for the meaning of e.g. Rocks and the Greek chart terms.

The marvellous island of Dorousa, looking towards the north-east, with to the right Agistri island (Aloponisos islet & taverna).