Hydra

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Hydra

(Click links for more information)
	37°21.1′N, 23°28′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Hydra or Idhra (Ύδρα) is a very popular and picturesque island on the NW of Peloponnese.

Hydra as well as with Spetses and Psara were the most important Greek sea powers during the 1821 revolution which resulted in Greece's independence from the Ottoman rule. Hydra not only had the largest fleet of sailing vessels but was the home of Admiral Miaoulis and many other important captains. Hydra is a barren island and in antiquity was not very important. It was purchased in the 6th century BC by the famous Tyrant of Samos, Polykcrates but was not settled until the 15th century AD when Greek and Albanians fleeing the tyranny of Ali Pasha of Epirus moved in the island. Since there were hardly any resources for significant cultivation, they turned to the sea for trade, smuggling and piracy. By the 18th century the island had a fleet of 150 vessels and a wealthy population of 25,000. During the war of independence they were so successful that Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt called Hydra "Little England."

After the revolution, with the establishment of the Greek state, piracy was suppressed. This combined with the advent of steamships resulted in a decline of Hydra. Its inhabitants turned to sea again mostly sponge fishing but again the combination of a sponge disease and declining markets further depressed the island's economy. In the 1950's Hydra was the location of the film Boy on a Dolphin with Sofia Loren. Following this film the island was "discovered" and an artist colony was established spearheaded by the very successful Greek painter Hadjikyriakos Ghikas. Artists flocked here from all over the world and bought houses and Hydra became as famous as St. Tropez and Portofino. There are no roads and no cars in Hydra and that has saved the island. Despite its fame, it is still a very attractive place.

Charts

Chart of Hydra and region
Click for larger view

BA

1031 Yerakas to Kea

Imray-Tetra

G14 Saronic and Argolic Gulfs

NIMA 54340 Nisos Spetsai - N. Vorioi Sporadhes

Greek

415 Ydra to Sikinos

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

• Coast Guard - Channel 12

Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

The approaches to Hydra present no problems other then the heavy and at times chaotic traffic to and from the harbor to the mainland.

Check-in facilities

None.

Ports and Popular Stops

Ports

Hydra Harbor

Chart of Hydra harbor - Chartlet
Click for larger view

Hydra Harbor
Click for larger view

37°21.1′N, 23°28′E
The harbor of Hydra is always very crowded in high season and is best avoided at that time. Early spring is the best time to visit, when it is usually possible to moor either on the south quay or the inside of the north breakwater (where, however, it shallows as you go further in). In peak season, it is not unusual for boats to be moored three deep on the quay.

Crossed anchors is the least of the problems here. A bad swell develops with strong N-NW winds. It is better to anchor in near-by Mandraki or Vikhos.

Warning: There are several rocks near the N breakwater.

One time I was moored here a fishing caïque, returning in the middle of the night, untied my stern lines and my boat was nearly damaged. --Istioploos

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2001 --Istioploos
• May 2006 --Athene of Lymington

Anchorages

Mandraki

Chart of Mandraki
Click for larger view

37°21.33′N, 23°28.9′E
Mardraki is an attractive anchorage less than a mile E of Hydra Harbor. It is exposed, however, to the N. Anchor in 3-6 m over sand, weed, and mud. There is a water taxi service to the harbor.

Warning: The water taxis create a strong wake as the zoom by.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• 1989 --Istioploos

Vikhos

37°19.92′N, 23°25.7′E
Anchor in front of the hamlet. The anchorage is exposed, however, to the N. Anchor in 3-6 m over sand, weed, and mud. There is a water taxi service to the harbor.

Warning: The water taxis create a strong wake as the zoom by.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2001 --Istioploos

Molos

37°19.6′N, 23°24.75′E
Molos (Μόλος) just a few miles W of Hydra Harbor is a good alternative anchorage. Other than a few luxurious properties the cove is isolated. Anchor in 3-5 m, good holding.

Molos from the west hills Click for larger view

Molos Click for larger view

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2007 --Istioploos

Bitsi

37°17.86′N, 23°22′E
This is a deep bay under Cape Bitsi on the SW of Hydra.

Ayios Nikolaos

37°17.86′N, 23°57′E
This cove, off the island of Ayios Nikolaos on the SW of Hydra is reputed to be very attractive.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

Only fishing materials.

Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

N/A (Not Available)

Water

On the quay in Hydra Harbor

Electricity

N/A

Offshore Islands

Dokos

Chart of Dokos
Click for larger view

37°20.5′N, 23°20′E
The isolated island of Dokos or Dhokos (Δοκός) has several anchorages. During the day, especially in the weekends, there are many boats here but in the evening it is very quiet. There is only one family on the island who runs a rather indifferent but expensive restaurant. They do monitor VHF channel 16.

The NE cove is fairly deep, about 20 m, and hard to anchor. Here an ancient shipwreck has been found and explored. While snorkeling, however, I have not been able to see anything. The other anchoring opportunities, 3-6 m are easier although holding is not always good.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2007 --Istioploos

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The town of Hydra is very picturesque and there no cars. The Nautical Museum is interesting with many exhibits relating to the island.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Stores in Hydra Harbor.

Eateries

• Good food at in Hydra Harbor and Vikhos.
• There is a restaurant in Dokos (VHF channel 16) but the food mediocre and the prices very inflated

Internet/WiFi

In Internet cafés.

Laundry

•  ?

Motorbike & Car Rentals

N/A.

Garbage Disposal

There are bins around the harbors and in several anchorages.

Transportation

• There are daily, and in the summer several per day, hydrofoils and ferries to Athens
• Water taxis run between Ermioni and several places in Hydra

Routes/Passages To/From

• Circumnavigating the Peloponnese

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

• Hydra (Wikipedia)
• Hydra Direct]

References & Publications

See Greece.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

See individual ports in this page.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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