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 second 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.

Sailing holidays Northern Sporades, yacht charters Skiathos
From Skiathos yacht charters base to the Marine Park takes a few days, but we are finally tacking round cape Gregali, the north-east cape of Alonissos island, and sailing to Kyra Panagia.
The Alonissos Marine park and Kyra Panagia Monastery
Looking out of Monastery bay (Monastiri) – A4 on Kyra Panagia (Pelagos) towards the high island of Gioura – A3 in the distance, and Prasso islet closer in.
Monasteri bay on Kyra Panagia in the Northern Sporades: our sailing holidays
Safely at anchor in Monasteri bay on the east coast of Pelagos island (Kira Panayia), were we took to the dinghy ashore to visit the famous Monastery.
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.
Inside the Athonite Monastery of Kyra Panagia (Pelagos).
Inside the Athonite Monastery of Kyra Panagia (Pelagos).
Monasteri bay
Our charter yacht at anchor as seen from the path leading down from the Monastery, our first stop inside the Marine Park. After the cultural part we went snorkeling, appreciated plenty of fish around the yacht.
The Athonite Monastery of Kira Panayia
The Athonite Monastery: most yacht charters from Skiathos won't reach as far as Kyra Panagia.
Sailing holidays from the Northern Sporades to Chalkidiki
The wind died halfway during our crossing from the Northern Sporades to Chalkidiki, we aimed for the middle promontory: the Sithonia peninsula, as recommended in the Eagleray pilot.
The entrance to Porto Koufo, after a long day sailing on our charter yacht.
Approaching Porto Koufo on the west side of Sithonia: cliffs on either side mark the grand entrance to this secluded bay and fishing port. It was a very long day sailing and motoring due north from Sporades.
The bay and port of Porto Koufo on Sithonia, Chalkidiki
The dogleg shaped natural harbour of Porto Koufo is still home to many (tuna) fishing boats. These trawlers can arrive at night claiming berths at the east pier.
Northern Sporades to Chalkidiki: route of our sailing holidays.
Monastery cove on Kyra Panagia • Porto Koufo, Sykia bay on Chalkidiki (Sithonia).
Approaching Sykias
Rounding the devious Skepes rocks and reefs before the approach of Skala Sykias (Bay of Sykia) on the east side of Sithonia, Chalkidiki.
Sykia Pigadaki
Since Sykia (Pigadaki port) is off the beaten track, there are usually no charter yachts this far north and we were able to dock stern-to at the end. Note that the pier has been extended now.
Sykias looking west towards Porto Koufo behind the mountains of Chalkidiki.
Sykias on the middle promontory of Chalkidiki, looking west in the direction of Porto Koufo (Koufou) which lies behind these mountains.
Sykia anchorage and mini-port
Sykia! A delicious Greek salade with our yacht in the background moored stern-to the head of the mole.
There is only room for 2 or 3 yachts, since the outer section is ill-advised due to waves and swell from passing commercial vessels, but we had the place again to ourselves.
Sailing guide to Chalkidiki and the Northern Sporades
We were the only visiting yacht in the whole area of Chalkidiki (Sithonia): pure paradise. Looking west through the valley of Sykia.
There are no yacht charters available nearby, so opt for a 3-week itinerary from e.g. Skiathos port.
Sykia Pigadaki bay
Sykia bay (Pigadaki port) after sunset as seen from the yacht – Porto Koufo is behind the mountains on the other side of Sithonia.
Chalkidiki: route of our sailing holidays in Northern Greece.
Porto Koufo, Sykia bay, Diaporos bays, Panagia on Chalkidiki (Sithonia).
Sunrise at sea with Mount Athos
Stunning sunrise at sea – we went anchor up before dawn – with to the left Mount Athos.
Mount Athos sunrise at sea
The Athos peninsula is the easternmost “finger” of Chalkidiki with as its “fingernail” the gigantic Mount Athos, which is getting closer as the sun rises; breakfast + coffee time.
Diaporos island and anchorages sailing holidays Northern Greece
Although still early September (and therefore main yacht charters season) we had the Diaporos island anchorages for ourselves: Kriftos bay (dogleg with narrow entrance via the north(.
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.
Kriftos bay on Diaporos island in Halkidiki
The beautiful anchorage in Kriftos bay on Diaporos island in Halkidiki (Chalkidiki), after the sun had set.
South passage of Diaporos, Northern Greece Chalkidiki
Carefully checking for the entrance of the south passage of Diaporos, Halkidiki. Laura is acting as our depth sounder since all instruments are down (as usual), this yacht was in bad shape to begin with and falling further apart. Once more it has proven difficult to find reliable yacht charter companies in Greece.
Diaporos island and anchorages sailing holidays Northern Greece
Diaporos island on Chalkidiki, looking northeast.
We just slipped through the narrow southern passage that is fringed with reefs, look at those nasty rocks.