Serifos
From CruisersWiki
Serifos
 (Click links for more information)
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 | 37°08.6′N, 24°31.2′E |
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 | Photo gallery |
 | Local chartlet |
Serifos (Σέριφος) is a barren rocky island in the Cyclades with an area of 75 km2, about 1,400 inhabitants, and with a number of abandoned mines.
According to the mythology, Danae and her son Perseus were washed ashore on Serifos after drifting in a box that her father had placed them and cast them ashore fearing a prophesy that he would be killed by his grandson. The king of Serifos, Polydectes took a fancy to Danae and wanted to marry her but she refused. When Perseus grew up Polydectes sent him on an impossible quest: to slay the Medusa. With the help of Athena he did so and after returning to Serifos he showed Polydectes Medusa's head. The sight of the head turned Polydectes, his court, and most of the island into stone.
The first inhabitants of Serifos were Ionian Greeks. The island was fairly wealthy in antiquity because of its rich iron and copper mines and minted its own coins. In Hellenistic times it was conquered by the Macedonians and the Ptolemies from Egypt. During the 3rd century AD it was taken over by the Romans who used it as a place of exile. After the Byzantines, Serifos was taken by the Venetians who held it like the rest of the Cyclades. They built the castle of Chora. Following the Venetians it was taken by the Ottomans.
In modern times Serifos took an active role during the Greek War of Independence in 1821 following which it became part of Greece. In 1916 there was a violent miner's strike after which the mines declined and were eventually abandoned by 1960. The island's population declined to about 1400 inhabitants.
Today tourism has given the island a new prosperity.
Charts
Click for larger view
- BA
- 2682 Kólpos Patalion to Nísos Nísiros
- 1038 Stenó Sífnou to Stenó Kafiréa
- Imray-Tetra
- G33 Southern Cyclades (West)
- NIMA
- 54320 Kiklades Nisoi to Kriti
- 54330 Plans in the Kikladhes
- Greek
- 41 Cavos Maleas to Cavos Kimis
- 415 Ydra to Sikinos
Radio Net
Also see Cruiser's Nets
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 & Tel. +30 2810 51 470
- Olympia Radio - VHF channel 03 in Livadhi
Weather
See Aegean Sea.
Approaches to Serifos are straightforward but:
Warning: With a meltemi there are strong gusts on the south side of the island.
Check-in facilities
None.
Ports and Popular Stops
Ports
Livadhi
37°08.6′N, 24°31.2′E
Livadhi (Λιβάδι - meadow) is the only harbor in the island. There are two alternatives here. You can either dock stern-to on the south side of the quay or anchor off. Either way there is good shelter from the meltemi despite the strong gusts. With a strong south-east wind there is appreciable swell into the bay. The docking area is usually very crowded and noisy. Yachts also anchor moor stern-to on the north side of the quay, but it is not to be recommended in strong northerlies as the holding is not good.
Many cruisers prefer the alternative of anchoring off. Anchor at 6 m towards the north-west of the bay but stay clear from the area where the ferries maneuver.
Warning: One drawback in this otherwise good anchorage is the number of mosquitoes.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- September 2007 --Istioploos
- July 2006 --Athene of Lymington
 The south side of the mole during a meltemi. The north side was untenable at the time |
 View of Livadhi |
 The S side of the mole in Livadhi |
Anchorages
Koutala Bay
37°07.9′N, 24°27.4′E
Koutala (Κουτάλα - spoon) Bay is a large bay on the south side of the island. It provides good shelter from the meltemi but it is subject to very violent katabatic gusts; they can go from 0 to 25 knots in almost no time.
There are several possible places to anchor: In the north-west cove at 6-15 m, north-east cove 5-10 m, and on the Eeastcove at about 5 m.
If there is any suspicion of a south wind, the Eeastcove is your best bet.
Warning: With strong gusts, two anchors may be advisable.
The bottom is mostly sand, good holding. The beaches here are nice and clean.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- September 1999 --Istioploos
Megalo Livadhi
37°08.7′N, 24°25.5′E
Megalo Livadhi (big meadow) [37° 09' N 24° 26' E] is an inlet just north-west of Cape Kyklops. The shelter here is good but the surroundings are somewhat bleak and isolated.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 1994 --Istioploos
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Yacht Services and Repairs
Marine Stores
None.
Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- A truck delivers fuel at the quay of Livadhi. Call them on VHF channel 08l
- Water
- Limited water at the quay of Livadhi
- Electricity
- N/A (Not Available)
Offshore Islands
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
 The Town Click for larger view |
 A House Click for larger view |
 A Fountain Click for larger view |
 A Street Click for larger view |
 A Door Click for larger view |
 The Square Click for larger view |
Tourism
Chora
The must see place here is the main town of Chora. It is one of the more picturesque Cycladic towns with a Venetian Castle, many white washed houses in narrow streets and stairs, decorated with geraniums. Many of these houses have been restored by rich Athenians, British, and Germans.
There is a bus from Livadhi to Chora.
Kastro tis Grias
Near Koutala there is the 6th century AD white marble Kastro tis Grias (Κάστρο της Γριάς - Castle of the Hag) and the castle is the Cave of the Cyclops, with two stalactite chambers and a small lake. Bring a flash light.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Stores in Livadhi
Eateries
- At the main square in Chora they serve nice mezedes (snacks)
- Many restaurants in Livadhi
- There is at least one restaurant in Koutala
Internet/WiFi
In Internet cafés.
Laundry
- ?
Motorbike & Car Rentals
- In Livadhi
Garbage Disposal
There are bins around the harbor and in several anchorages.
Transportation
- Ferries to Milos and Piraeus
- For Taxi call +30 6977 370 471
Routes/Passages To/From
- Passages between Athens Region and Samos - Kusadasi
- Passages between Athens Region and Rhodes - Marmaris
- Cruising the Cyclades Islands
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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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Aegean Sea | Greece | Serifos | |
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