Ikaria

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Ikaria

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37°36.8′N, 26°17.8′E
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Photo gallery
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Local chartlet

Ikaria (Ικαρία) or Icaria or Nikaria is a large and mountainous island 10 nM W of Samos. It has an area of 255,303 km2 and about 8,000 inhabitants. Unfortunately there are no totally safe anchorages where one can leave a yacht and explore this beautiful island.

The name Ikaria derived from the myth of Daedalus who was being kept in Crete against his wish by king Minos. In order to escape he made wings for himself and his son Icarus. They flew from Crete but when they were over the island of Ikaria, Icarus with the exuberance of youth he flew higher and higher until the wax that held together his wings melted and he plunged into the sea.

Ikaria's first inhabitants were the Pelagians. In historic times it colonized by Greeks from Miletus. In 538 BC it became part of Samos under Polycrates. After the Crusades it was for a while under the Knights of St. John of Rhodes and then it was taken over by the Genoese who were in their turn succeeded by the Ottomans. Ikaria participated in the Greek War of Independence and was for while part of the new Greek state but then it reverted back to the Ottoman Empire until 1912 when it joined Greece.

Charts

Satellite View of Ikaria
Click for larger view
BA
2682 Kólpos Patalion to Nísos Nísiros
Imray-Tetra
G32 Eastern Sporades, Dodecanese & the Coast of Turkey
NIMA
54400 Nisos Samos to Nisos Rhodhos
Greek
42 Andros to Chalki Island
422 Naxos to Samos & Opposite Coast of Asia Minor

Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

  • Coast Guard - VHF channel 12, Tel. +30 2750 22 207
  • Olympia Radio - VHF channels 25 & 28

Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

Approaches to Ikaria are straightforward but, Warning: fierce gusts are very common on the S side of the island during the prevailing northerlies. If you are just transiting in the area it is best to sail at least three miles south of Ikaria. Equally, if approaching Evdhilos on the N side from the direction of Fournoi or Samos, strong gusts will be experienced off the airport at the eastern end of the island whenever the wind direction is southerly.

Check-in facilities

None.

Ports and Popular Stops

Ikaria has only two harbours and a couple of anchorages. Of the two harbours, unfortunately only Evdhilos offers any real security with the recent improvements to the harbour, although considerable swell is experienced even here in strong northeasterlies.

Ports

Ayios Kirykos

World icon.png 37°36.8′N, 26°17.8′E

Ayios Kirykos (Άγιος Κήρυκος) also referred to in some charts as Ayios Kiristos is the main harbor of the island. The main harbor is exposed to dangerous swell and it can at times be dangerous.

It is best to anchor off west of the jetty, or even better go to Thermia.

Warning: There are very strong Easterly gusts.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

Satellite View of Ayios Kirykos - Chartlet
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Evdhilos

The new inner harbour at Evdhilos
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World icon.png 37°37.9′N, 26°11′E
Evdhilos (Εύδηλος) is the second harbour of Ikaria. It is a small harbour on the N side of the island, ten miles SSW of Cape Dhrepanon at the eastern tip of Ikaria. An extension to the outer breakwater has made Evdhilos a rather more secure port of call than hitherto. In addition, over the past two years a new ferry ramp and viaduct, together with a small yacht and fishing boat basin, have been constructed inside the harbour, affording visiting yachts much better protection than before. However, the outer harbour is still very exposed to strong NE winds and a swell develops even in the new yacht basin in these conditions (force 6/7 and above). Nevertheless, the port police advise that the swell is uncomfortable rather than dangerous.

Tie up alongside on the inner side of or on the bottom end of the L-shaped jetty (see photo). Alternatively – and in settled conditions only - either lie alongside the outer side or do an anchor moor back to it. Beware of the pile of rocks at the ‘elbow’ of the jetty (where there are two steps up), as depths here are reduced to less than 2.0 metres over the rocks. Otherwise depths along both sides of the jetty are between 2.5 and 3.0 metres, in spite of the mooring blocks seemingly dumped there. Electricity and water are available from three silver-coloured stanchions at the eastern end of the basin (you will need a 50 metre-plus extension/hose if right on the end of the jetty). There is a bank with an ATM, several tavernas and three supermarkets in the town.

Warning: A large Hellenic Seaways ferry enters the port four times a week on its way to Piraeus, creating a considerable surge that lasts for up to twenty minutes. Make sure you are well fendered and securely tied up and stay out of the bosun’s chair if a ferry is due!

If the harbour is full, in settled weather only there is a good anchorage just east of the new inner basin. Anchor in 5.0 – 6.0 metres on sand. Good holding.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

Anchorages

Thermia

World icon.png 37°37.4′N, 26°18.4′E
Thermia (Θέρμα) or Loutra or Loutro is a small bay about half a mile NE of Ayios Kirykos. It better protected than Ayios Kirykos and the little town is very pleasant. The problem is that it is full of local boats and there may not be any room. Anchor off.

Akra Dhrepano

World icon.png 37°41′N, 26°21.8′E - Chartlet
Akra Dhrepano or Drapano (Δράπανο) or as the locals called it Atsipades (Ατσιπάδες) is an open bay just S of Cape Drapano, the easternmost cape of Ikaria. It offers partial protection from the meltemi. There is nice sand but the cove is steep and very deep and then it gets shallow very quickly.In calm weather one can anchor here and visit the nearby ancient tower, although it is a difficult climb.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

Only fishing supplies.

Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel
N/A (Not Available)
Water
There is a tab near the quay
Electricity
N/A

Offshore Islands

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Ikaria is beautiful island well worth a visit. However, because there is no secure place to leave your boat it is best to do so in Fourni and visit Ikaria with the hydrofoil.

Grocery & Supply Stores

There are several food stores.

Eateries

Internet/WiFi

In Internet cafés.

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

In town.

Garbage Disposal

Trash cans in the harbors.

Transportation

There are a few flights per week and daily ferries to Athens. A hydrofoil, operating in the summer months connects Ikaria to Samos, Fourni, and Patmos.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

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

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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