Sivotas

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Sivota, Lefkas

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38°36.85′N, 20°41.51′E
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Photo gallery
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Local chartlet
SivotaWQuay.jpg Sivota W quay is lined with tavernas
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Sivota S quay has good depths until approaching the beach
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Half a dozen yachts can tie up to the pontoon at the end of the S quay
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The Yacht Bar pontoon offers some laid moorings – at a price
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Stav's Taverna pontoon has short mooring lines
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Sivota harbour is shared with fishing boats
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Around 20 yachts can anchor off in Sivota bay
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There is a good shingle beach near the S quay
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The village and harbour of Sivota lie on the E coast of the island of Lefkas in the Ionian Sea of Greece, four miles W of the island of Meganisi. The harbour is not to be confused with the similarly named island of Sivota next to the harbour of Mourtos opposite Corfu. The village is very picturesque, sited at the head of a long inlet that curves round from the open sea and shelters the bay from all but S/SE winds. Tourists flock here, lured by the attractive setting and the numerous good tavernas lining the waterfront. Two charter companies are also based here, making the harbour very busy at weekends with crew changeovers. Although Sivota can accommodate possibly up to 100 yachts at any one time, the mooring spaces are often taken up by early afternoon at the busiest times and a yacht arriving late will probably have to anchor off in the bay. Shelter is good in the prevailing N/NW winds, although there are gusts down into the bay, but Sivota is uncomfortable and possibly dangerous in strong S/SE winds.

Local Weather

Charts

BA
203 Nisos Zakinthos to Nisos Paxoi
Imray-Tetra
G12 Nísos Levkas to Nísos Zákinthos
NIMA
54280 Corfu Channel to Nisis Proti
Greek
2 Ionio Pelagos

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Approach and Navigation

There are no hazards in the approach to Sivota, although it is not always easy to locate the entrance, in spite of the few villas that have sprung up on the headland to the W of the entrance. It is best to set a waypoint if visiting for the first time. As a yacht rounds the dogleg of the inlet however, the village and harbour open up at the head of the bay.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Vathi, Ithaca or Lefkas are the nearest ports of entry. See relevant port page for details.

Berthing Options

There are five principal mooring options in Sivota (in addition to anchoring). The choice will depend on a yacht’s draft, the forecast wind direction and especially the time of arrival. For a map and summary of the main options, click on Map of berthing options in Sivota.

W Quay

The main W quay, which is the stretch of quay extending N from the beach up to the head of the bay, is the ‘main drag’ of Sivota and can accommodate around 30 – 35 yachts anchor moored back to the quay in depths ranging from 1.5 – 2.0 metres (although 3.0 – 4.0 metres where your keel will lie). This stretch is popular with charter crews as it fronts directly onto the numerous tavernas along the waterfront, but it is also the noisiest. Mooring is to rusty mooring staples. A number of fishing boats also moor on the quay (some with laid moorings) and it is necessary sometimes to squeeze in amongst them. Holding is moderate to good in sand, mud and weed and you may need more than one attempt to get your anchor well dug in. Shelter here is good in all but strong S/SE winds.

S Quay

The S quay extends from the beach E as far as the rocky shore at the entrance. Depths are greater here, especially once past the local boats on laid moorings near the beach, and range from 2.5 metres just E of the laid moorings to 3.0 – 3.25 metres at the end of the quay. The quay can accommodate around 15-20 yachts on anchor moor and a further five on laid moorings towards the local boats (which are usually occupied, however, by laid-up yachts). It is unwise to anchor moor anywhere W of the laid moorings as there are mooring chains on the bottom. You will be dropping anchor in depths of 8.0 – 12.0 metres off the quay and the holding is not wonderful, so it is advisable to use plenty of chain and dig your anchor in hard. Shelter on this quay is good in settled conditions, when the prevailing seabreezes are from S/SE during the day, followed by a NW landbreeze at night. With strong NW winds, however, this quay becomes uncomfortable, although not dangerous.

S Quay Pontoon

There is a small pontoon at the E of the S quay where a couple of yachts can moor alongside on the W side and four can anchor moor stern or bows-to on the E side. Depths on the pontoon are 3.5 metres at the root and 6.0 metres at the end. Shelter here is good, although the berths on the E side can get a bit uncomfortable if the usual S/SE seabreeze get a bit fresh.

Yacht Bar Pontoon

At the NE corner of the harbour is a short pontoon established by the Yacht Bar on the shore opposite. Here 20 – 25 yachts can moor in depths ranging from 2.0 metres at the root to 3.5 metres at the outer end. There are some laid moorings here, but most yachts will need to use their anchors. Water and electricity on the pontoon and showers and wifi from the Yacht Bar. Note that a charge is made here (Euros 30 a night in 2012).

Stav’s Pontoon

On the W side of the harbour, at the end of the W quay, is a pontoon established by Stav’s Taverna for its clients. Around 20 yachts can moor on either side here using the mooring lines supplied. However, the mooring lines are quite short and would be unsuitable for any yacht over around 11.0 metres overall, since if the wind pipes up it would be banging on the quay. Depths at the pontoon are mostly 3.5 metres but only 2.5 metres at the outer end, where there are shoal patches on either side of the pontoon. Water and electricity on the pontoon and showers and wifi at the taverna. Use of the pontoon is free for Stav’s Taverna customers.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Latecomers, especially during the peak season, will have to anchor off in Sivota bay. Probably around 20 – 30 yachts can anchor in depths of 8.0 – 10.0 metres before they start to interfere with one another. Holding is moderate only in mud and weed and it is important to dig your anchor in well if any gusts are expected. Shelter is good in the prevailing winds, but gusts can cause problems in anything above F5 - 6. Larger yachts often anchor and take lines ashore on the E side of the bay, which is a better option in unsettled weather.

Offshore Islands and Groups

Yacht Repairs and Services

None.

Marine Stores

Some chandlery items from one of the suupermarkets.

Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel
No fuel
Water
Water on the pontoons, the w quay and on the E end of the S quay (coin operated)
Electricity
On the pontoons only

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Sivota is a very picturesque spot and most people visit just for the setting. There is a small shingle beach at the SW corner, which is popular in hot weather, and it is possible to swim off the rocks at the E end of the S quay.

Grocery & Supply Stores

  • Several supermarkets along the waterfront

Eateries

  • Numerous tavernas and cafes along the main waterfront
  • Yanni’s Family Restaurant was very good value in 2013 --Athene of Lymington

Internet/WiFi

From most of the tavernas on the waterfront.

Laundry

None

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None

Garbage Disposal

Bins behind the beach in the SW corner.

Transportation

None

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?

  • There is often live music from one or other of the tavernas in summer (heinous murder of classics from the 50s to the 80s on our visit) and the S quay is quieter on such occasions. --Athene of Lymington

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Athene of Lymington


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