Alonnisos

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Revision as of 22:06, 1 March 2013

Alonisos

(Click links for more information)
	39°08.52′N, 23°52.03′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
350pxMap of Alonnisos & Peristera - Click for larger view

The main town in Alonnisos used to be Chora or Alonnisos until 1965 when it was destroyed by an earthquake.

Charts

BA

1062 Nísoi Voríoi Sporádhes

Imray-Tetra

G25 Eastern Sporades and North Evvoia

Greek

31 North Evoikos to Kavala Gulf

Greek 74 Corinth to Skopelos Island

Greek 331 Sporades to Ay. Efstratios

Radio Nets

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 and tel. Tel. +30 4240 65 595 (Patitiri)
• Olympia Radio - VHF no signal

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

In general, during the summer months the meltemi is weaker in the Sporades region. Approaches to the island are straight forward, no dangers. Specific dangers are mentioned, as needed, for each port or anchorage.

Berthing Options

Ports

The main harbor in Alonnisos is Patitiri but, near by Votsi, is a more attractive anchorage. So is Steni Vala and Kokino Kastro.

Patitiri

(Click links for more information)
	39°08.52′N, 23°52.03′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Chart of Patitiri - Click for larger view
The Harbor of Patitiri

Patitiri (Πατητήρι) is the harbor and the largest town in Alonnisos. The harbor affords good shelter from the meltemi. You can anchor moor stern-to at the quay to the north of the ferry dock, though space here is limited, or anchor moor on the south side of the ferry quay itself. The bottom is mostly sand and provides good holding. The quay is liable to be crowded during the summer months, while the SW of the harbor is more exposed to westerlies and is crowded with permanent moorings.

The town is attractive and has good shopping but it is relatively new and its architecture is nothing special. The society for the preservation of the Mediterranean Seal, Monachus Monachus or as it is locally known,MOm have an information pavilion in Patitiri which is also the headquarters for their patrol boats.

Votsi

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	39°08.9′N, 23°52.4′E
	gallery
	[Local chartlet
Chart of Votsi
The Anchorage of Votsi - Click for larger view

Votsi (Βότση) is one cove north of Patitiri. It is my favorite anchorage in Alonnisos in that it is fairly easy to anchor, very well protected from both the meltemi and the south-west winds, it is very quiet, and only about 40 minutes on foot to Patitiri.

It is best to anchor just behind the jetty. In the fall, when the wind can change direction it is best to use two anchors: one from the bow and one from the stern. This will keep the boat form swinging in the small cove. Alternatively one can take a long shore line to the trees, W of the jetty. The bottom is mostly sand and provides good holding. There is a small quay, but it usually occupied.

In August of 2011 there were so many boats, many on permanent moorings, that it was extremely difficult to find space. --Istioploos

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Steni Vala

39°11.5′N, 23°55.5′E
Steni Vala (Στενή Βάλα) is a small harbor, just across from Peristera Island. A flotilla operates from here during the summer months and the quay is crowded. It is an attractive place with a few tavernas. Go stern-to the quay.

MOm has been operating their seal rescue center here but in 1999 they relocated it in Gerakas.

Kokino Kastro

39°10.1′N, 23°54.1′E
Kokino Kastro (Κόκκινο Κάστρο) is located about 2 nM north of Votsi. It takes its name from the red color of the cliffs. There are several very attractive coves with sandy beaches and pine trees all well protected from the meltemi.

The ruins of the ancient city of Iko (Ικώ) have been excavated near by and you can visit them. Also on the little island of Vrachos (Βράχος) were found some Paleolithic tools.

Gerakas

39°16.3′N, 23°56.9′E
Gerakas (Γέρακας) is a narrow bay at the nothern tip of the island. It is very nice but it is exposed to the north-east and not a suitable anchorage during the meltemi season.

The MOm seal rehabilitation center operates here.

Mourtia

39°08.5′N, 23°50.3′E
This is a bay on the south-west side of the island. It is very exposed to the south but offers some protection to the north winds. Not a very safe anchorage.

Offshore Islands

Peristera

The Anchorage at Vasiliko, Peristerai
Click for larger view

The island of Peristera (Περιστέρα) or Peristeri or Xero is very lightly inhabited island just east of Alonnisos. There are three anchorages on the island and no facilities.

1. Vasiliko - Vasiliko (Βασιλικό) 39°12′N, 23°58.6′E is a bay at the middle of the west side of the Peristera. The northern corner of the bay is well protected from the meltemi but is exposed to the south winds. The south corner offers some protection but you have to anchor at 15-20 m depth on weed. Bad holding.
2. Vourlia - This cove 39°11.2′N, 23°56.7′E, just south-west of Vasiliko, provides much better shelter from the south winds than Vasiliko. Anchor near the N coast and take a shore line to a rock on the south coast. Good holding on a mostly sand bottom. Here you will be totally isolated save for a large flock of seagulls that roost here.
3. Peristera or Xero Bay - An isolated bay 39°10.2′N, 23°58.2′E at the south of the island. Well protected from the meltemi but open to the south. This is maybe the most attractive anchorage in the region.

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

None.

Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

About 1 km up the hill from either Patitiri or Votsi. Almost impossible to carry jerry cans without a vehicle

Water

N/A (Not Available)

Electricity

N/A

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The restored town of Chora is well worth a visit. It is about 5 km from either Patitiri or Votsi.

The town was destroyed in 1965 by an earthquake. At that time Greece was under a military junta. They ordered the town to be evacuated and set temporary housing for the inhabitants at Patitiri. The inhabitants were prevented from going back and rebuilding but were ordered to stay in Patitiri. Chora remained in ruins for several years. Some enterprising Germans bought a few ruined houses, for a very low price, and restored them. Their example was followed by more Germans and a few Englishmen. This process was just beginning in 1986. Now, more then half of the houses have been restored, most of them very tastefully. There is, alas, an overabundance of restaurants and bars. There are also a few art galleries but today they were all closed. Several of the streets have been re-paved with flagstones. By in large, the restoration of Chora is an example worthy of imitation.

Grocery & Supply Stores

There are several grocery stores in Patitiri

Eateries

• Good and moderately priced food at the Kamaki restaurant just off the waterfront on the road towards Votsi
• Rather indifferent food in the waterfront restaurants in Patitiri
• Pleasant tavernas and cafés in Chora

=Internet/WiF=i

In cafés.

Laundry

There is a laundry in Patitiri.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

There is motorbike rental place up the hill from Patitiri on the road to Chora.

Garbage Disposal

There are bins around the harbors and in several anchorages.

Transportation

Frequent hydrofoil service to the other Sporades and the mainland.

Routes/Passages To/From

• Cruising the North Sporades Islands

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Alonnisos (Wikipedia)

References & Publications

See Greece.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• June 2006 --Athene of Lymington
• August 2011 --Istioploos

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