Fourni

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Revision as of 21:42, 24 February 2009

Fourni

GPS: 37°34.7′N, 26°28.5′E

Satellite View of Fourni
Click for larger view

Background

Fourni (Φούρνοι) located SW of Samos and SE of Ikaria actually consist of three islands: Fourni, Thymaina (Θύμαινα) or Fimaina, and Ayios Miνnas (Άγιος Μηνάς). They are part of the Samos prefecture.

During the 19th century and earlier they were infamous for their pirates. Today, they are inhabited by fishermen and collectively they own the largest fishing fleet in the Aegean. In the town (also called Fournoi), there are several restaurants serving seafood and lobsters at a very reasonable, by Greek standards. price.

The Fourni islands are off the beaten track and not too many cruisers visit them. Maybe the violent gusts deter them. This is a shame because these island are very indented and have many attractive coves where a yacht can anchor and enjoy the solitude.

Charts

BA 2682 Kólpos Patalion to Nísos Nísiros
BA 1537 Nisídhes Foúrnoi with the straits between Nísos Sámos and Nísos Ikaría

Imray-Tetra G32 Eastern Sporades, Dodecanese & the Coast of Turkey

NIMA 54402 Island of the Aegean - Fournoi

Greek 42 Andros to Chalki Island
Greek 422 Naxos to Samos & Opposite Coast of Asia Minor

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 & Tel. +30 22750 51 207
• Olympia Radio - VHF (No signal)
• GSM/GPRS - There is no signal in Perokopió

Approach and Navigation

Approaching Fourni is not hard but if you want to transit the channel between the island of Fourni and Thymaina there is Danger: With a strong meltemi the wind not only is accelerated (Venturi effect) but it is fighting the north setting current and creates rather confused seas. Under no circumstances you should transit the channel by night. Also, the very narrow channel between the small island of Diapori and Fourni is too shallow for most yachts.

Warning: The channel between Fourni and Samos is subject to very strong gusts. Usually the wind in the channel is on force point stronger than elsewhere in the neighborhood. When you transit this channel stay as far as possible from Samos with its very strong katabatic winds down Mt. Kerkis.

Ports and Popular Stops

The main harbor is in the town of Fourni and it is not a very comfortable anchorage. Near-by is the small but secure anchorage of Kampí, and there are many other attractive coves. All of Fourni, however, are subject to very violent gusts.

Fourni

Chart of Fourni Harbor - Chartlet
Click for larger view

GPS: 37°34.7′N, 26°28.5′E
The harbor of Fourni (Φούρνοι) or Korséi (Κορσέοι) gets a fair amount of swell with the meltemi and to compound the problem its rocky bottom with a thin layer of mud provides poor holding.

It is an attractive town and a "must see place" for anyone interested in traditional Greek wooden boats (caiques). Unfortunately an ill-conceived EU program sponsored by the EU that is aimed at reducing over fishing is destroying a centuries old maritime heritage. The program pays a substantial sum to a fisherman who retires his fishing boat, provided that the boat is destroyed. Here, in Fourni where there are many traditional caiques, the effect of this well-meaning program is to destroy many irreplaceable traditional wooden boats. Last winter, we were told by the locals, with tears in their eyes, that two beautiful trechandiria, in very good condition, were broken with a bulldozer.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• July 2004 --Istioploos 14:26, 26 June 2008 (MDT)

Anchorages

Kampí

Chart of the Kampí Anchorage - Chartlet
Click for larger view

GPS: 37°34.2′N, 26°28.6′E
Kampí (Καμπί) is a small cove just south of the Fourni harbor. It is well protected from the meltemi. We have weathered here a force 9 gale blowing for several days. The bottom provides much better holding than Fourni harbor but it is fairly deep and care must be taken during anchoring. Allow at least 45 m of chain.

On the W shore, the proprietor of the local taverna To Kampí, has made concrete columns on the rocks for tieing a shore line. It is best to use two lines. He also (2001) has placed 3 laid moorings but in September of 2008 only one was there. These are much easier and more secure than anchoring. Please do keep in mind, however, that if you do use them you are morally obligated to eat at least one meal at his restaurant.

Care must be taken approaching the rocks with an inflatable. They are very sharp and full of sea urchins. The wind here, as in most of Fourni, has violent gusts and seems to come from every direction.

Ashore, there is a small restaurant (the owner of the moorings and columns) with wholesome home cooking and very fresh fish. There is an uphill path that connects with the road leading to the town about 30 minutes on foot.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2008 --Istioploos 01:25, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Kambí from the water Click for larger view

Kampí from up the hill Click for larger view

Pelekaniá & Elidaki

GPS: 37°33.7′N, 26°28.6′E Pelekaniá (Πελεκανιά) to the north and Elidaki (Ελιδάκι) to the south is the first cove going south from Kampí it is also referred to in several charts as Kladharidi. Note that in some charts these coves are erroneously referred to as Marmaro. It is attractive and remote, only some nudist bathers make it here. It provides reasonable shelter from the meltemi but not as good as in Kampí. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2001 --Istioploos 15:04, 26 June 2008 (MDT) The Elidaki cove Click for larger view

Satellite view of Pelekaniá & Elidaki - Chartlet Click for larger view

Perokopió

GPS: 37°33.6′N, 26°29.2′E Perokopió (Πετροκοπιό) or Marmaro (Μάρμαρο) is a large and pleasant cove located 2.1 nM SE of Kampí. It provides reasonable shelter (but not as good as Kampí). On the shore there is an ancient marble quarry. Anchor in 3-6 m. Good holding. Warning: Be careful of the submerged foundations of the ancient harbor on NW side of the cove. It is easy to visit the ancient quarry where there are a number of unfinished column drums. There is no GSM/GPRS) signal here. To make a call you must climb up the hill. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2008 --Istioploos 01:25, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Satellite view of Perokopió Click for larger view

Marmaro Cove from the Sea Click for larger view

Unfinished Ancient Columns in Perokopió Click for larger view

Perokopió Cove from the Shore Click for larger view

Ayios Ioannis

GPS: 37°32.3′N, 26°29.8′E
The next cove S of Perokopió is Ayios Ioannis (Άγιος Ιωάννης). There is a small village above the cove and a monastery. It looks attractive.

Kasídi

The Kasídi cove
Click for larger view

GPS: 37°32.1′N, 26°30.1′E
Kasídi (Κασίδι) is an isolated cove is just NW of Cape Agridió and about 6 nM from Kambí. It is a lovely place with clear emerald-colored waters. It gives good protection from the meltemi but with southerlies an unpleasant swell develops.

Anchor in 4-6 m over sand. Good holding.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• July 2003 --Istioploos 15:04, 26 June 2008 (MDT)

Vlichada

GPS: 37°31.9′N, 26°30.3′E
Vlichada (Βλυχάδα) is the southernmost cove in Fourni just W of Cape Agridió. It provides good shelter from the meltemi but is completely exposed to the S.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• July 2003 --Istioploos 15:04, 26 June 2008 (MDT)

Vitsiliá

GPS: 37°32.6′N, 26°30.5′E Vitsiliá (Βιτσιλιά) is lovely cove about 2.5 nM NE of Agridi. It affords good protection from the meltemi and the SW wind. On its head there is a small sandy beach and it is enclosed by cliffs. Anchor in 5 m over sand, good holding. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2008 --Istioploos 01:25, 3 November 2008 (UTC) Anchored in Vitsiliá Curtesy Andrew & Karin Gerswell S/Y Gerswell Jenny Click for larger view

Satellite view of Vitsiliá Click for larger view

Maneta

GPS: 37°34.5′N, 26°30′E
This is a cove a few miles N of Vitsiliá. According to the locals it provides good all around shelter but it does not look very attractive and the bottom is weed. Bad holding.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2007 --Istioploos 15:29, 26 June 2008 (MDT)

Gria

GPS: 37°36.1′N, 26°32.1′E
Griais a deep cove, well protected from the meltemi. But, you are almost touching the shore and it is still 12 m deep.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2008 --Istioploos 01:25, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

E of Gria

GPS: 37°36.4′N, 26°32.14′E This cove is just east Gria. It is a lovely cove, very well protected from the meltemi and S winds. But, the bottom is covered by heavy weed at 6 m depth. Most anchors will not hold here. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2008 --Istioploos 01:25, 3 November 2008 (UTC) Ayios Minas GPS: 37°36.2′N, 26°33.2′E This large cove is just on the SE of the island of Ayios Minas.It provides excellent shelter from the S winds and reasonable shelter from the meltemi. Unfortunately it is dominated by a large fish-farm the land installations of which makes for an ugly and bleak setting . Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2008 --Istioploos 01:25, 3 November 2008 (UTC) Other Coves There are many other coves, as indicated on the map, in Thymaina or Fimaina and Ayia Triáda, NE of the harbor. Use depending on the weather.

Cove East of Gria Click for larger view

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Tourism & things to do ashore

Fourni are not a "tourist's" islands. There are no major antiquities or other sites. There is the quarry in Perokopió, of course, and the town of Fourni or Korséi. It has some attractive houses, and for someone interested in traditional boats there are there although they too are getting fewer and fewer.

But, there are wonderful, isolated beeches and lovely walks early in the morning or late in the evening.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

None of these are available.

Laundry

N/A.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• There are stores with limited supplies
• A store next to the bakery in the town of Fourni sells a very good local fresh goat cheese

Eateries

• In the Fourni there are many restaurants serving fresh seafood and lobsters (not in September) at reasonable prices
• Miltos is one of the oldest and very reliable

Internet/WiFi

N/A

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• In the town of Fourni.

Marine Stores & Facilities

Only fishing supplies.

Repairs

Woodwork and Diesel engine repairs are possible.

Transportation

• There are daily ferries to Athens, and in the summer hydrofoil service to Samos and Patmos
• There is only one taxi tel. +30 22750 51223 or +30 6977 370 471

References & Publications

See Greece.

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 the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

• Fournoi (Wikipedia)

Personal Notes

• I am in love with Fourni --Istioploos 16:08, 26 June 2008 (MDT).

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

See individual ports in this page.

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