Meganisi

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Meganisi

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Meganisi.

Small info.png (Click links for more information)
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38°39.73′N, 20°45.67′E
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Photo gallery
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Local chartlet
350pxMeganisi from Space - Click for larger view
MeganisiView.jpgView from Meganisi of Skorpios and Levkas - Click for larger view
SpiliaSE.jpgSE bay, Port Spilia - Click for larger view
Meganisi (Μεγανήσι) is one of the Greek Ionian islands in the so-called Inland Sea, situated barely a mile off the SE coast of Lefkas. There are about 2000 inhabitants on the island, most of them in the village of Spartachori and its harbour of Port Spilia and the main ferry port of Port Vathi, both on the N side of the island. The island is exceptionally well developed for yachting, with quay and pontoon space for over 50 yachts in the harbour of Port Spilia and over 80 in the harbour of Vathi and in its new, 68-berth marina, Odyseas Marina. Along the NE coast of the island are three delightful anchorages, Ormos Kapali, Ormos Abelike and Port Atheni, in the various coves of which a yacht can anchor moor with a line ashore in peaceful surroundings.

Charts

BA
189 Nisos Sapiénza to Nisos Paxoi
203 Zakinthos to Paxoi
Imray-Tetra
G11 Nísos Kérkira to Nísos Levkas
NIMA
54280 Corfu Channel to Nisis Proti
Greek
2 Ionio Pelagos
21 Ionio Sea - Northern Part Othonoi I. to Zakynthos I.

Radio Nets

  • Coast Guard - VHF channel 12

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Weather

Approach and Navigation

The approach to Meganisi is free of dangers, except in the approach from due N, along the E side of the island of Skorpios, where a reef, Ifalos Heiromiti, lies about half a mile due E of Skorpios’ southern extremity .

Check-in facilities

None. Nearest ports of entry are Preveza, Lefkas, Argostoli or Sami on Kefalonia, Vathi on Ithaca, or Zakinthos.

Berthing Options

Ports

Port Spilia

Port Spilia, Meganisi
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World icon.png 38°39.73′N, 20°45.67′E

Port Spilia lies at the head of a deep cleft on the NW side of the island and contains several berthing options for visiting yachts.

Click on link for details: Port Spilia.

Port Vathi

World icon.png 38°39.87′N, 20°46.95′E

Port Vathi lies about a mile NE of Porto Spilia and it is where the ferry from Nidri, Lefkas island, berths. In addition to the old harbour, it also hosts a new, 68-berth marina, Odyseas Marina.

Click on link for details: Port Vathi.

Port Atheni

World icon.png 38°39.82′N, 20°47.94′E

Port Atheni lies on the NE coast of the island and is the third inlet passing E from Port Vathi. The inlet contains a quay with space for 10-12 yachts on anchor moor, a taverna pontoon and several anchorages.

Click on link for details: Port Atheni.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

  • The new Odyseas Marina in Vathi opened in 2011 and currently offers berths for 68 yachts up to 30 metres in depths up to 8.0 metres. Click on link for details.

Anchorages

The principal and most popular anchorages on Meganisi are along the NE coast of the island, just round the corner from the harbour of Vathi. From W to E, they are Ormos Kapali, Ormos Abelike and Port Atheni. Between them, they offer nearly 20 different coves in which a yacht can anchor moor, usually with a line ashore. The bottom is mostly mud and weed in all the inlets and good holding once your anchor is through the weed. Shelter in all three is good during the prevailing NW winds (although there is often some swell in late afternoon). Sometimes a NE land breeze will set in at night, which can be uncomfortable but is rarely dangerous. There are tavernas in the summer in Ormos Abelike and Port Atheni.

Ormos Kapali

World icon.png 38°40.01′N, 20°46.9′E

Ormos Kapali is the first inlet passing E from Vathi. It consists of a two-pronged inlet, with sandy coves at both its E and W heads. During the season, these are usually buoyed off for swimming, and it will be necessary to anchor outside the line of buoys in 6.0 – 10.0 metres, usually taking a line ashore.

Ormos Abelike

Abelike Bay
Click for larger view

World icon.png 38°39.96′N, 20°47.4′E
Ormos Abelike is usually considered the most beautiful of the three anchorages. Once quiet and secluded, it is now busy during the summer and two tavernas have been established to cater for the numerous visitors. Depending on the wind, anchor in one of the seven different coves around the inlet and take a line ashore. Some of the coves are buoyed off for swimming during the season. In the S cove is Pirate's Cove Taverna, which is worth a visit. The taverna has a small pontoon which can accommodate around three yachts in depths of 3.0 metres and offers water and electricity. The N cove is the most attractive anchorage and offers the best shelter, but anchoring depths are 12-15 metres and it is very crowded here during the season. However, it has lots of useful rocks along its shores for taking stern lines. The E cove is more open but has good anchoring depths (5.0 -6.0 metres) and is often better for free anchoring as there are usually fewer yachts in here with lines ashore.

Anchored in Abelike
Click for larger view

Offshore Islands

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

None.

Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel
Can be delivered by tanker to Port Spilia. Fuel delivered to berth in Odyseas Marina.
Water
On quays and pontoons in both harbours.
Electricity
On SE quay (two outlets) and Porto Spilia taverna pontoon (Port Spilia) and on E side of old harbour and in Odyseas Marina (Vathi).

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The old village of Spartochori, situated on a steep rocky bluff above the port of Port Spilia, is most attractive and the steep climb up to it is rewarded with magnificent views over the harbour and Skorpios island. The SE part of Port Spilia has a small shingle beach and beach café where younger members of a yacht crew can while away the hours. From Vathi, there are peaceful walks around the NE coast and inland through olive groves towards the settlement of Katomeri.

Street scene, Spartachori
Click for larger view

Grocery & Supply Stores

Eateries

  • Spilia Taverna in Port Spilia is good value, although sometimes busy with flotilla crews.
  • Several good tavernas around the old harbour in Vathi.

Internet/WiFi

Available at Spilia and Porto Spilia tavernas in Port Spilia and in Odyseas Marina in Vathi.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None.

Garbage Disposal

Bins around the quays at both harbours and in Odyseas Marina.

Transportation

Ferries from Port Vathi to Nidri in Lefkas.

Routes/Passages To/From

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 Ionian Sea.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

  • Meganisi is considerably more developed than when we were last here in 2005, but (so far) without spoiling its unique character. It caters pretty well for the hundreds of yachts that now visit every month, but is understandably busy in high season.--Athene of Lymington 15:54, 12 July 2012 (BST)
  • We found Meganisi to be beautiful but were repeatedly bothered by wasps which seem to infest the island. Monterey June 2011

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Island & this page's details validated:


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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Istioploos, Atheneoflymington, Nereus, Haiqu, Monterey


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