Mourtos and Sivota Islands
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Mourtos & Sivota Islands
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Mourtos (Μούρτος) is a small village and fishing harbour located on the mainland of Greece opposite the southern part of Corfu, six miles S of Igoumenitsa and three miles S of Plataria. In recent years it has been rather overtaken by tourism and the small harbour is now used as much by yachts as fishing boats, while the quay is a mass of tourist restaurants and bars. In evenings in the season - especially at weekends - the quay is packed with charter and cruising yachts alike and it can be difficult to find a place. The harbour also contains a small marina, half of which is taken up by local boats and boats on gardiennage, but the other half can be used by visiting yachts. The marina is partly equipped with laid moorings, although some yachts will need to use their anchors. Nearby are several anchorages, including around the Sivota or Syvota (Σύβοτα) islands, which offer good shelter in the prevailing winds.
Charts
- BA
- 206 Corfu: Channels
- Imray-Tetra
- G11 Nísos Kérkira to Nísos Levkas
- NIMA
- 54280 Corfu Channel to Nisis Proti
- Greek
- 10 Kerkyra
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
- Coast Guard VHF Channel 12
Weather
- See Ionian Sea Weather
- Also see Ionian Sea Currents & Tides
There are no obvious hazards in the approaches to Mourtos, though yachtsmen should refer to official charts and pilots for full details. The passages between the Sivota Islands are mostly too shallow for yachts to transit, although some use the channel between the mainland and the nearest of the islands.
I have passed though myself on several occasions drawing 1.8 metres. The water is usually very clear in the channel. --Istioploos 
Check-in facilities
None. The nearest port of entry is Corfu Town.
Berthing Options
Town quay
Mourtos town quay extends for around 300 metres at the head of the inlet. The N third is occupied by small fishing boats on moorings, but the remainder is available to yachts moored bows or stern-to using their anchors. Depths along the quay are from 2.0 metres at the N end to 2.25 metres at the S end (where there is a short ramped ferry quay). The quay continues S after the ferry quay with depths increasing from 2.25 to 3.0 metres and deeper draft yachts tend to make for this spot. Depths increase gradually off the quay, and there is 2.5 metres along most of it where a yacht’s keel would be. The quay is plentifully supplied with bollards and mooring rings in good condition. Water and electricity points are concealed under the stone benches along the quay. Shelter here is reasonable in the prevailing NW winds, but strong winds from this direction cause a heavy swell and the whole of the town quay could become untenable.
Note that the quay is very busy at weekends during the season with yacht charter handovers, principally by the Neilson company, and there is unlikely to be room at that time.
Marina
Mourtos marina, after many years as a dusty and half-finished monument to thwarted aspirations, is now (more or less) in business. Mooring blocks have been laid and there are mooring lines around the N and W side of the marina, although just two or three remain on the S side. Depths throughout the marina are 3.5 - 3.75 metres. ‘Proper’ yacht moorings are at the top of the marina, the W end, where some 10 yachts can tie up using lines tailed to the quay (more if and when the rusting ferry in the NW corner is moved). Along the S side there are only three lines at present (September 2012) and they are very short and only suitable for relatively small yachts. Otherwise, if there are no spaces at the top of the marina, use your anchor to moor in one of the gaps on the S side. The moorings here are short and go down to blocks, so there is no danger as long as you lay your anchor in the middle of the basin. Holding is good in mud and weed. Finally, it is also possible to go alongside on the end of the S quay if it is not in use by a hotel or fishing boat, or alongside a short stub quay on the OUTSIDE of the marina breakwater (this latter position only in settled weather), which has 3.0 metre depths off it.
There are water and electricity points around the marina; a marina attendant is frequently around and will connect you to either for a charge of €5 a day (or both for €10). Shelter in the marina is better than the town quay, although there is an uncomfortable back swell from the town quay in strong NW winds.
Anchorages
Yachts unable to find a place on the quay, or preferring to lie at anchor, can usually find a space to anchor in the channel between the mainland and the closest of the islands, N. Agios Nikolaos. Unfortunately, the best and most sheltered spot, a small cove at the NE end of the island, is now taken up with fore and aft moorings, so yachts need to anchor further out. Depths in the centre of the channel are quite deep (6.0 - 9.0 metres) and some yachts take lines to the shore. Note that between mid morning and early evening this channel is used by numerous water taxis, small tour boats, and other water craft passing from Mourtos round to the beach developments to the south. Shelter is good here in the prevailing NW winds and little swell creeps in.
An alternative anchorage is the bay half a mile NW of the harbour, where there is a small beach, large hotel complex and a taverna. Anchor in 5.0 – 6.0 metres wherever there is space. Holding is good in sand, mud and weed. Shelter is good from the prevailing NW winds, but the anchorage is open SW.
There are several further potential day time and perhaps overnight anchorages on the S side of the Sivota Islands for yachtsmen keen to explore. However, much of this area has now been developed for water sports activities and you will get little peace here during the season.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Mourtos marina (see above).
Yacht Services and Repairs
Marine Stores
Effectively none.
Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- It may be possible to have fuel delivered by mini-tanker to the village quay. Check with the locals.
- Water
- Available on the quay and in the marina. On the quay, note that the taps are locked and that you will have to find the keyholder to open the lock for you. There may be a charge. Water also in the marina (€5 per day).
- Electricity
- Available on the quay (connection points concealed under the stone benches along the quay). Also in the marina (€5 per day).
Offshore Islands
See above.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
Mourtos is a pretty village, in spite of being now largely given over to tourism, and there are some good walks in the hinterland. However, most of its attractions are on and around the water and on a yacht you are in the best place to appreciate tham.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Very good supermarket and fruiterer on the north side of the harbour.
Eateries
- Numerous restaurants, bars and cafes.
- Giorgio’s Taverna on the waterfront is popular with the locals.
Internet/WiFi
In several of the waterfront cafes and the Hotel Filakas.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Through local travel agents.
Garbage Disposal
Garbage skip at the marina, on the N side of the harbour and on the roadside 100 metres back from the harbour.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
- Local ferries only.
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
- Mourtos (Wikepedia)
References & Publications
See Greece.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- July 1988 --Istioploos
- August 2010 --Wayward
- September 2012 --Athene of Lymington 13:00, 17 September 2012 (BST)
Personal Notes
This anchorage used to be an attractive anchorage on the mainland, just off the southern tip of Corfu, but my understanding is that it has been spoiled by heavy concrete development. --Istioploos
True of the S side of the Sivota Islands, but Mourtos is still very attractive and not yet spoilt. The completion (more or less) of the marina also makes it a much better port of call than before. --Athene of Lymington
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Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, Wayward, Athene of Lymington |
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