Skiathos

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Skiathos

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	39°09.9′N, 23°29.6′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Skiathos (Σκιάθος) is the most touristically developed of the Sporades. As a result in the past several years it has been cursed by many large and ugly new buildings, especially along its southern shores. By nature, Skiathos is a beautiful island, mountainous and very green, with large trees, and its reputed 62 beaches are of stunning beauty. Unfortunately very few have been left in their natural state. Most have been "developed" which translates into bars, blasting loudspeakers, umbrellas, cigarette buts, beach chairs, plastic wrappers and may other non-natural elements.

To my mind, as to the mind of most people raised and educated in Greece, Skiathos is synonymous with the archetypal Greek island. This is because of our early introduction to the vivid short stories of Alexandros Papadiamantis which all take place in Skiathos. Papadiamantis is maybe Modern Greece's pre-eminent short story writer. He lived and wrote in Skiathos. His stories are populated with local characters who move along the countryside and gaze on the sea and its waves braking on the rocks. He wrote in an archaic form of language, catharevousa, that no one uses any more and is hard to read, but the characters all spoke in the vernacular dialect of the island. Despite the language barrier these stories are totally absorbing. The modest house where Papadiamantis lived and worked is now a museum. My inner vision of Papadiamantis' Skiathos contrasted with the modern polyglot reality is stark.

The history of Skiathos is almost identical with the history of Skopelos. The small fort, Bourtzi, between the old and the new harbor was built by Venetian Gizzis. Many of the island inhabitants are descendants of refugees from Evia who settled on Skiathos in 1790.

Charts

Map of Skiathos
Click for larger view

BA

1062 Nisoi Voríoi Sporades

Imray-Tetra

G25 Northern Sporades and North Nisos Evvoia

NIMA

54350 Nisoi Vorioi Sporadhes

Greek

331 Sporades to Ay. Efstratios

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12

Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

In general, during the summer months the meltemi is weaker in the Sporades region. Approaches to the island are straight forward, no dangers. An exception to this is the approach to the Harbor of Skiathos.

WARNING: The approach the Harbor of Skiathos, especially at night, can be tricky because of the confusion caused by the flashing red lights at Dhaskalo islet and at the end of the ferryboat mole.

Check-in facilities

None.

Ports and Popular Stops

Ports

There is only one harbor in Skiathos and several attractive coves.

Skiathos Harbor

39°09.9′N, 23°29.6′E Skiathos Harbor provides excellent shelter. There are several anchoring possibilities: Anchor in the old harbor, which is the most sheltered. This is frequently impossible because of the large number of day-trip boats. Also it can be noisy here at night. If you do, come stern-to after dropping the anchor in 4-5 m. The bottom is sand with good holding. Dock stern-to the concrete quay of the new harbor (N of the old harbor). The bottom is sand with good holding. You will need to drop your anchor at least 35 meters off the quay to avoid a mooring chain. The dockmaster is very officious here and is likely to move you if you arrive when he is not present. The newer pontoon or floating dock has essentially been taken over by charter companies and its is unlikely you will find a berth here. Anchor off on the eastern side of the bay. Good holding. WARNING: Avoid the restricted area along the flight path to the airport.

Chart of Skiathos Harbor - Chartlet Click for larger view

The Quay at the New Harbor Click for larger view

The Floating Dock at the New Harbor Click for larger view

Anchorages

Vasilias

39°09.6′N, 23°28.8′E
This is a cove about 1 nM W of the Old Harbor. Several local yachts anchor off here.

Kanapitsa

39°08.4′N, 23°27.7′E - Chartlet
Kanapitsa is a sheltered cove about 3 M SW of Skiathos Harbor. It used by several local yachts and looks attractive despite the near by hotels.

Platanias Bay

39°08.4′N, 23°26.5′E - Chartlet
This is a large bay E of Koukounaries. It is well sheltered from the meltemi but exposed the southerlies (avoid in the fall). Many large hotels.

Koukounaries

Chart of Koukounaries
Click for larger view

39°08.8′N, 23°24.1′E
Despite the number of tourist at the beach during the day, this is my favorite anchorage in Skiathos. There is a small harbor where, if there is any room you can tie side-to or take aline to the quay. Both places are usually occupied by flotillas. It is best to anchor off the beach at about 6 m. The bottom is sand and provides good holding. The bay is sheltered from the meltemi but exposed the southerlies (avoid in the fall).

While Koukounaries (Κουκουναριές) may not be the "most beautiful beach in Greece" as the locals will tell you, it is still a wonderful beach with a pine forest all the way to the waterfront. The whole area is a park and protected from development. The beach is crowded during the day, but the park closes at night and you can then enjoy this great anchorage.

There is a lagoon behind the beach and, if you are lucky enough to be here on a quiet evening in the late spring, you may be treated to the wonderful spectacle of rare Eleanora's falcons taking dragonflies on the wing over the lagoon.

About a 15 minute walk from the footbridge (turn left at the asphalt road) there are several groceries and restaurants.

Koukounaries Beach

North Coves

Beach under Kastro
Click for larger view

There are many attractive sand beaches on the N shore of the island where you can anchor but they are all exposed to the meltemi. The nicest ones are:

• Mandraki 39°10′N, 23°23.8′E
• Anemosouria 39°10.1′N, 23°24.4′E
• Megalos Aselinos 39°10.6′N, 23°25.4′E
• Mikros Aselinos 39°10.7′N, 23°25.9′E
• Kastro 39°12.6′N, 23°27.8′E
• the famous Lalaria 39°12.5′N, 23°28.8′E
• and Megalos Yialos 39°11.8′N, 23°30′E.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

There is only one store that sells supplies for fishermen.

Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

There is a Mini tank that services boats in the harbor but it is very hard to get as they refuse to deliver small quantities of fuel

There is a gas station about 300 m west from the floating dock.

Water

here some water outlets near the quay

Electricity

N/A (Not Available)

Offshore Islands

None.

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The Town of Skiathos Click for larger view

The House of Papadiamantis, now a Museum Click for larger view

Lalaria Beach Click for larger view

The Forest in Koukounaries Click for larger view

The Beach under the Kastro Click for larger view

The Bridge of Kastro Click for larger view

Ceramic Decorations Click for larger view

Skiathos Town

It is hard to walk the narrow streets of the town of Skiathos without thinking of Papadiamantis and his wonderful stories. The house where he lived, wrote, and died is now a museum. Anyone who has read any of his vivid stories will want to visit it.

The town today is not of course the same town as the one described by Papadiamantis. It is full of tourists and all the sordid establishments that cater to them. Yet, despite it all, I love wandering in these streets.

The Beaches

Skiathos is famous for its many beaches. The most famous of which is Koukounaries and Lalaria. All these beaches are full of tourists during the day, brought by day-trip boats, and are far from pristine with ugly food/drink stands and littered with empty bottles, food wrappers. Too many people, too much "civilization." Skiathos is a lovely island, but ...

A nice walk in the woods of Koukounaries, especially early in the morning or late in the evening when the hordes have gone, is very pleasant.

The Monastery of Evangelistria

The Monastery of Evangelistria was founded in 1797. It is open from 8 to 12 and from 16 to 20. It is located in a lovely spot and has a very attractive garden. Here was a place that during the Ottoman years many fugitives and revolutionaries found refuge. Within the monastery there is a small museum recalling this past.

Kastro

Kastro was the old capital of the island. It was abandoned in 1829 and is now a ghost town reminiscent of Mystras. A scenic dirt road along the N side of the island leads you to the chapel of St. John the Beheaded from where you will have to proceed on foot. The chapel is shaded by large cypress and sycamore trees and it commands a wonderful view of the sea. A spring in the yard gushes clear ice water. A good walk takes you to Kastro, perched on top of rock surrounded by the sea on three sides and separated from the rest of the island by a narrow bridge, overhanging the cliff. It is lovely if haunting scene.

There are left only 8 of the original 30 Byzantine churches. Some have frescoes or are decorated with nice ceramic tiles. Among the various ruined houses are also the ruins of a Turkish hamam bath. Near by is the 15th century of Panayia Kechriá with some fine frescoes.

Grocery & Supply Stores

There are several supermarkets in the town.

Eateries

• The up-scale Family restaurant near the Clock Tower has an extensive selection of wines from small Greek vineyards and their food is superb.
• The Mesogia restaurant is the oldest in town and has a very good reputation.
• There several pleasant ouzo places on the waterfront of the old town.

Internet/WiFi

In Internet cafés.

Laundry

The Χιωνάτη (Chionati - Snow White) on 13 Filocleous Georgiadou street, the inner street paralleling the harbor, provides same day service.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Several places along the esplanade.

Garbage Disposal

There are bins around the harbors and in several anchorages.

Transportation

There are 4 flights per week to Athens and several hydrofoils to Ayios Konstantinos, Volos, and the other islands.

Routes/Passages To/From

• Cruising the North Sporades 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 the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

• Skiathos (Wikipedia)
• Skiathos Tourism

References & Publications

Alexandros Papadiamantis, Tales from a Greek Island (English translation), The Johns Hopkins University Press, ISBN 0801848466 Alexandros Papadiamantis, The Murderess (English translation), Natl Book Network, ISBN 0906495725

See also Greece.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2001 --Istioploos
• June 2007 --Athene of Lymington

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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