Patmos

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Revision as of 23:29, 9 November 2009

Patmos

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	37°19.4′N, 26°32.9′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Monastery of St. John
Click for larger view

Patmos (Πάτμος), in addition to being a delightful island with many coves, is one of the most important places of the Christian religion. In the period between 81 and 96 AD St. John wrote the Apocalypse in a grotto not far from Skala, the harbor. Legend has it that a rock in the harbor used to be a sorcerer named Kynops who came afoul of St. John. In 1088 the Byzantine emperor Alexios Comnenos presented the island to St. Ioannis Theologos monastery which still dominates the island. The monastery has one of the most important libraries with many manuscripts including the illuminated Gospel According to St. Mark and the chrysobull signed by Alexios Comnenos granting the island to St. Ioannis Theologos. The people of Patmos are very religious and it seems that at least half of the male population go under the first name of Theologos which means "the theologian."

The harbor, Skala, is an attractive and bustling with activity town. Many cruise ships visit it every day and dislodge hundred of tourists who are herded into buses for the Monastery. Most of these cruise ships do not stay very long and at night the town is more manageable. The bathing area adjacent to the old commercial harbor is surprisingly clean.

The old town of Patmos is built around the Monastery on top of the hill and has many old houses. All together it is a very nice place to visit although in the summer months it is liable to be very hot.

Charts

Satellite view of Patmos
Click for larger view

BA

2682 Kolpos Patalion to Nisos Nisiros

3927 Patmos, Arki and Lipso

Imray-Tetra

G34 Southern Cyclades

NIMA

54400 Samos to Rodhos

Greek

423 Paros to Astypalia

Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 & Tel. +30 22470 31 231
• Olympia Radio - channel 24

Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

Approaches to Patmos are without problems. Entering the bay of Skala one should watch for the various rocks (above water) but these are easy to see, especially during the day.

Check-in facilities

See Skala.

Ports and Popular Stops

Ports

Skala

Chart of Scala - Chartlet
Click for larger view

37°19.4′N, 26°32.9′E

Yachts in Skala
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Skala (Σκάλα) is a fairly safe harbor during the meltemi season despite the strong gusts and cross-winds. However, it is open to the SE and during the winter months it can become untenable. Up until 1997, yachts were docked just NW of the ferry area, but a new quay was built and now all yachts are directed past the beach into the new quay while the old one is reserved for day-trip boats. The new quay is fine except that during strong northerly winds the fetch can become uncomfortable and you are usually docking with a cross wind. It used to be able to anchor off-shore on the N of the bay but it may interfere with the commercial vessels and it is discouraged. Good holding, but as there are several charter fleets operating from Skala, anchors can and do get tangled.

There are many restaurants, coffee shops, and stores in Skala.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• October 2009 --Istioploos

Anchorages

Aspri

37°19.6′N, 26°33.4′E The Aspri Cove Click for larger view Aspri (Άσπρη) is a small cove just N of Skala. It is reasonably well protected from the meltemi and it is a convenient anchorage away from the noise of the harbor yet Skala is easy to reach either with the dinghy or on foot, about 20 minutes. There is room only for 2 yachts. The bottom is mostly weed but there are several good patches of sand where you can drop your anchor in about 5 m depth. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: October 2009 --Istioploos

Meloyi Bay

Meloyi (Μελόη) Bay is less than 1 nmi N of Aspri. It is very attractive but the bottom is mostly weed and it is hard and unreliable to anchor here

Agriolivadho

37°20.4′N, 26°33.6′E Agriolivadho Click for larger view Agriolivadho (Αγριολίβαδο) or Livadhi Bay just N of Meloyi Bay it is protected form the meltemi but there are strong gusts. It is partially protected from the SE by the small Ayia Thekla Island (also shown in some maps as Panayia). The bottom is weed and sand. Anchor over a patch of sand in 4 m depth. The cove is attractive and Skala is just a 35 minute walk from here. Warning: Sometimes anchors drag on the weed so choose a spot of sand.

Chart of Agriolivadho - Chartlet 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:

• October 2009 --Istioploos

Kambos Bay

37°20.9′N, 26°34.1′E - Chartlet Kambos Bay Click for larger view Kambos Bay is further NE of Agriolivadho it is protected form the meltemi but there are strong gusts. Exposed to the S and SE. The bottom is weed and sometimes anchors drag. One can find a patch of sand to drop the anchor. There are a few tavernas on the beach.

Grikos Bay

37°18′N, 26°33.8′E<br/ Grikos Bay Click for larger view Grikos Bay (Γροίκος) is just 3 M S of Skala. There are a number of pleasant spots that one can anchor. At the head of the bay there are a few houses and a small mole that can accommodate one or two boats. It is open to the SE. It is better to anchor behind Tragos Island at Ormos Petras which provides some shelter from the SE. Reasonable holding. One can also anchor off at about 8-10 m. There are several permanent moorings and one may be free for a short stay.

Chart of Grikos Bay - Chartlet 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:

• June 2000 --Istioploos

Ormos Petras

37°17.7′N, 26°33.7′E Ormos Petras Click for larger view Ormos Petras (Όρμος Πέτρας) is a pleasant enough anchorage behind Tragos Island. It affords good shelter from SE wind but not so good a shelter when the meltemi is blowing, in that case, go to either Skala or Grikos. Anchor at about 9 m. The bottom is soft sand which provides indifferent holding.

Chart of Ormos Petras - Chartlet 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:

• June 2001 --Istioploos

Stavros Bay & Psili Ammos

Chart of Stavros Bay - Chartlet
Click for larger view

Stavros (Σταυρός) Bay ( 37°17.5′N, 26°32.6′E) and Psili Ammos (Ψιλή Άμμος) ( 37°17.3′N, 26°33.2′E) are two big bays at the SW of the island. Usually there is some swell which make them uncomfortable. Not recommended for an overnight, but good places for a swim and lunch. Anchor on the SW of Psili Ammos. Good holding.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• 1996 --Istioploos

Livadhi Pothitou

37°20.7′N, 26°35.3′E - Chartlet Livadhi Pothitou (Λιβάδι Ποθητού) is a pleasant and some what isolated anchorage. There is only one restaurant but it closes for the evening. The bay is well protected from the meltemi and the little island of Ayios Yiorgis protects it from light southerly winds. Anchor in 5 m over sand, good holding. Danger: There are several reefs and shallows. Enter the cove from the E of of Ayios Yiorgis island staying closer to the island and away from the submerged reefs on the E of the channel. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: October 2009 --Istioploos

Livadhi Click for larger view

Livadhi Kaloyiron

Livadhi Kaloyiron
Click for larger view

37°22.25′N, 26°33.6′E
Livadhi Kaloyiron (Λιβάδι Καλογήρων - Meadow of the Monks) is a very attractive cove open to the NW. It is a good anchorage, frequented by fishermen, with S, SE, and NE winds. Anchor over sand in 5 m depth. The surrounding country side is very pleasant.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• May 2007 --Istioploos

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

There is at least one store in Skala, right across from the yacht quay.

Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards

• There is a shipyard at Diakofti
• There is a haul-out facility in Ormos Geranou, E of Livadhi Pthitou

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

Since 1997 the gas station at the end of Skala Bay pumps fuel directly to boats temporarily docked at the little pier exactly at the N of the bay (I am not sure if it is still operational, 2009 --Istioploos). Sometimes there is a small ship at the pier (3 m depth) but it is possible to tie alongside. The hose is not too long. After docking, walk to the station and ask them to start pumping.

Also a mini-tanker delivers to the yachting quay in Skala

Water

Since 1998 there are two small water tankers that come in the yacht quay in Skala, every day delivering water. If you do not see the little truck ask at the kiosk

Electricity

N/A

Offshore Islands

• Lipsi
• Arki and Marathi

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

The Monastery from the Click for larger view

The Monastery from the town Click for larger view

Inside the Monastery Click for larger view

Skala from the Monastery Click for larger view

The Monastery of Evangelismos Click for larger view

Tourism

The late 10th century Byzantine Monastery of Saint John, a World Heritage site, is a must. It is open 8:00 to 13:00 weekdays, 10:00 to 13:00 Sunday and in the afternoon Sunday, Tuesday, & Thursday.

Also visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse, is halfway down between the monastery and Skala. It here that St. John wrote the book of the Apocalypse.

It is definitely worth strolling around the old town surrounding the castle of the Monastery. One can visit the Monastery on foot from Skala (about 30-40 minutes) but because of the heat it is best to take a taxi or a bus and then walk down hill, visiting on the way, the Apocalypse Grotto.

In addition to the Monastery of Saint John there many other lesser but very attractive monasteries scattered around the island.

There are many attractive and clean beaches in this fairly low key island.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• In Skala there is a very good grocery shopping
• Wine and ouzo are cheaper here than in other islands
• There is a large dry fruit store on the main square
• There are also excellent bakeries.

Eateries

There are many restaurants in the island.

• In Skala the sophisticated Vegghera(tel. +30 22470 32 988) right across from the yacht quay
• Also in Skala he Pyrofani, just across from the old quay (day-trip boats) serves good Greek dishes.
• About 4 km form Skala along the the S coast towards Sapsila there is the best restaurant of the island, and one of the best in Greece Mpenetos (tel.+30 22470 33 089, you will need a reservation)

Internet/WiFi

In Internet cafés.

Laundry

• A laundry opened in 1998. They will wash and iron the clothes within a few hours. It is located, right across from the yacht quay in Skala
• Another laundry is off the main street in Skala

Motorbike & Car Rentals

There are several rental stores in Skala.

Garbage Disposal

There are bins around the Skala and in several of the anchorages.

Transportation

There are daily, and in the summer several per day, ferries to Athens and hydrofoils to Samos and Kos.

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

• Patmos (Wikipedia)
• Monastery of Saint John
• Monastery
• Grotto of the Apocalypse

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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