Skiathos sailing holidays
Skiathos - Σκιάθος, a gently rolling wooded island, lies 2.5 NM East of the Peninsula of Magnesia and is the most westerly island of the Northern Sporades.
- All Greek islands
- Northern Sporades overview
- Skiathos
- Skopelos
- Alonissos
- Pelagos (Kira Panayia)
- Skyros
- Thasos
- Chalkidiki
Next island: Skopelos
Though not in the centre of this archipelago, it is the dominant island boasting the best ferry connections, a smallish airport and a “marina” (i.e. a single pontoon that is still not repaired 2024 May) that serves as the prime starting point for sailing holidays in the North Aegean since it is the only proper yacht charter base in the vicinity. Note that Volos on the mainland is not recommended.
With its equable climate and beautiful sandy bays it is a popular holiday destination, particularly favoured by Greeks. Skiathos' main source of income apart from the tourist trade is its 600,000 olive trees.
The chief place, and indeed the only town on the island, is Skiathos, on the South-East coast. Founded in 1830, it occupies the site of the ancient city, on two low hill ridges flanking a small sheltered bay.
The ruins of the island's medieval capital, “Kastro”, are located along the West coast on an impregnable crag. The remaining stretches of town walls and the drawbridge can be visited by boat or over land by beautiful winding dirt roads. The lush and fertile inland as well the Monasteries are the most appealing part of Skiathos.
Ferries, luxurious yachts and other commercial vessels can moor in this little port.
On the horizon, rising up behind Tsougria, is the immense island of Evia (Euboea). Hi-res image
History of Skiathos
Skiathos was never a place of any importance in ancient times. Herodotus mentions the island in connection with the naval battle off cape Artemision (480 BCE), reporting that the men of Skiathos conveyed information about Persian naval movements by means of fire signals.
Skiathos island ports & anchorages
Anticlockwise ↺
Skiathos island
Skiathos port
Skiáthos port - Σκιάθος features a “marina” – no more than a single pontoon – intended for the local charter yachts / catamarans. Storm Daniel damaged it, but there were plans to restore water and electricity before the start of 2024 yacht charter season. However nothing was done and on the start of the yacht charter season the pontoon is still in disrepair.
Even if the charter pontoon is fully restored, it is unavailable for visiting yachts during the weekend, roughly from Friday noon till Sunday night. During the week you should ignore the possible angry shouting and simply go for it. The minor docking fees are collected by the municipal officials, not the charter companies.
Also, VHF is no use, therefore just try and you might encounter one of the nicer charter folks (I can confirm there are a few which will also connect you to an electricity and water pillar for free).
The town quay is reserved for tripper boats and other commercial vessels, at least during the tourist season.
Similarly, at Bourtzi (Belvedere, or Skiathos Old Port) where the more luxurious tripper boats and gulets have their moorings, there are officially no available berths for visiting yachts. Luckily in the off-season there is room: VHF 12 (00 30 694 5966755), water/electricity as well as berths are really affordable; mind the swell from the ferries, keep your stern away from the quay; very safe spot even in Southerlies; the waterfront is lively in a good way; pretty surroundings.
Notice Daskalonisi islet “guarding” the entrance of Skiathos bay.
Behind the islet in the distance is Marangos island and on the horizon to the right is Tsougria island.
The quay in the foreground is reserved for commercial sailing yachts and tripper boats. Hi-res image
Lalaria beach
Lalária beach - Παραλία Λαλάρια is a hyped venue – yet only moderately spectacular – overrun even in the off-season; one of the most photographed beaches (the arch + pillar rock formation) of the Sporades. Lat Long
The cliffs are better appreciated from the beach than from the anchorage; definitely use a tripline, the rocky seabed is worth of an escape room; a lunch-stop anchorage in light winds only; use minimal chain or this too will get stuck under boulders.
NW coast anchorages
These bays are collectively known as Katavóthra (erroneously “Katavathra” in GWP), and offer safe anchorages in NE-SSW winds in striking ambiences with crystal clear waters.
Kechriá - Κεχριά bay and beach Lat Long just North of Ligaries beach - Παραλία Λυγαριές is a tiny verdant oasis, with hardly any beach dwellers even in the summer months; anchor over pebbles and sand. Between these two beaches is a reef / headland topped with the Hellenic Navy flag signalling the excellent traditional “Tarsanas” taverna. We saw a catamaran anchored near the miniature breakwater at the headland despite the rocky seabed there.
Superb hike up to the Monastery.
Mikrós Asélinos beach - Παραλία Μικρός Ασεληνος is a gorgeous anchorage for, at a bare minimum, a lunch-stop with some great swimming / snorkeling; solid holding in sand; happily spent the night with anchor watch. Lat Long
The bar ashore seems constructed out of driftwood but will serve tasty smoothies as well beer and snacks; for proper dining go to Kechria.
Megálos Asélinos beach - Παραλία Μεγάλος Ασεληνος is a wider crescent shaped bay rarely visited by yachts Lat Long but very convenient in Southerlies and Easterlies, even in SW; lovely beach and landscape, no noise-pollution, and solid holding in sand. Navionics and C-map show hazards on the East side of the beach; breathtaking forest above; the taverna annexe was blown of its foundation by the Medicane of September 2023.
Koukounaries bay
Koukounariés - Κουκουναριές is a fine sandy beach framed with pine trees.
Unfortunately, dozens of jet skis and other noisy watertoys will brutalise your ears and nerves.
The seabed is sand over rocky ledges, or hard sand; unpredictable holding in some places.
Anchor off Maratha beach in the East of the bay if necessary, but South of Xenia Beach in the West is the preferred spot if the weather allows it; cocktails at the Mystique bar.
Before June and after September you might get a berth (alongside) inside the small port.
Platania • Kolios bay
The wider Plataniá bay - Πλατανιά with its small Koliós - Κολιός inlet on the East side are well sheltered against the prevailing Northerlies.
However, the myriad local mooring buoys in Kolios make for a very tight anchorage, so likely this inlet is not an option.
Best to drop anchor on the far West side Lat Long of Platania where you can take a line ashore; safe anchorage in NW – NE winds.
Mind the Marinos / Marines rocks and reef.
Siferi bay • Megali ammos beach
Close to the town and West of Bourtzi port, is the beach of Megáli ammos - Παραλία Μεγάλη Άμμος in the bay of Síferi, which offers surprisingly good shelter, although it is challenging to avoid the Posidonia and locate the few sandy patches.
Most yachtspersons will pick a spot near the West end of the yellow buoy line, as there is more seaweed near the East end; ferry movements can produce annoying swells; our two favourites locations are either in front of the beach at Lat Long (near “My Ithaki“ taverna), or in the East of Ormos Siferi Lat Long close to Bourtzi with a delightful wooded shoreline, go stern-to with a long line to the rocks below the cliffs.
Tsougria island
The largest island South of Skiathos is Tsougriá / Tsoungriá - Τσουγκριά which isn't private (seemingly an error in the Eagleray guide); clearly demonstrated by the SUNSET beach-bar “loud music” restaurant and the rows of parasols and deckchairs (doubled to ±250, now also North of the life guard station).
The broken (2020) pier in the NW bay Lat Long – fully repaired now (2024) and used by tripper boats – is too shallow to go alongside (1.4 m at tip) but handy for the dinghy.
The inlet South Lat Long of the Ayios Floros Church is less attractive but also less congested. Mind the reef further South. In both anchorages the seabed drops rather steeply, make sure your anchor holds well; no BBQs allowed to prevent forest fires.
For peace and quiet look at the twin islet Tsougriaki / Tsoungriaki directly West. Lat Long
