Skopelos
From CruisersWiki
Skopelos
Click for larger view
Background
Skopelos (Σκόπελος) is a very green mountainous island with an area of 96 km2 and about 5,500 inhabitants. It highest peak is Delphi at 366 m (1200 ft.). There are many natural springs and about a fifth of the island is cultivated with olive groves, plum trees, almond, and orange trees. Its capital Skopelos or Chora, is also its main harbor and it is located on the NE of the island. More than half of the island's inhabitants live there.
In the antiquity the island was known as Peparethos. According to the tradition, it was colonized on the 16 century BC by the king of Crete, Stafylos who was the son of Ariadne and Dionysos. His name means "he of grapes" and indeed Peparethos was well known in the ancient world for the quality of its wine. A cove on the SE corner of the island is still known today as Stafylos and a rich Minoan tomb was excavated there, in 1927. In historical times Skopelos was part of the Athenian League. During the Peloponnesian War it fought on the side of Athens and after their defeat was briefly occupied by the Spartans. During this time Peparethos prospered and minded her own coins. The island worshipped in particular Dionysos and Demeter. Later it fell to the Macedonians and declined. In 146 BC it fell to the Romans until 42 BC when it was granted to the Athenians, but in 196 AD it reclaimed by Rome. The present name Skopelos was first mentioned by Ptolemy.
During the early Byzantine times, in the rain of Julian in the 4th century AD, the bishop of the island, Saint Riginos ( same as my last name) was martyred and became the patron saint of the island. At that time the island had a second prosperity. After the fall of Constantinople to the 4th Crusaders in 1204, Skopelos was occupied by the Venetians under the brothers Andrea and Jeremiah Gizzi who held it until 1276 when the Byzantines reclaimed the island. After Constantinople's fall to the Ottomans in 1453 the islanders petitioned to Venice to take over the Sporades islands. Venice held them until 1538 when the Ottoman admiral-pirate Barbarossa occupied them after heavily looting them.
During the Ottoman occupation, Skopelos prospered, developing a thriving shipping industry. At the Greek War of Independence of 1821, Skopelos with her significant fleet joined the rest of the islands. After the war, Skopelos, along with the rest of the Sporades, became part of the new Greek state. But the war had decimated her fleet and the island fell into hard times and was overrun by pirates, Admiral Miaoulis, the hero of the Greek revolution, subdued the pirates in 1828 but the island continued her decline which was accelerated by the advance of steam powered ships which made the traditionally built in Skopelos sailing ships obsolete. Today tourism, which has become the island's main industry, has brought it a new affluence.
Charts
BA 1062 Nísoi Voríoi Sporádhes
Imray-Tetra G25 Eastern Sporades and North Evvoia
NIMA 54348 Vorios Evoikos Kolpos and Notios Evoikos Kolpos
Greek 31 North Evoikos to Kavala Gulf
Greek 74 Corinth to Skopelos Island
Greek 331 Sporades to Ay. Efstratios
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 and tel. Tel. +30 4240 22 180
- Olympia Radio - VHF channels 03 & 04
In general, during the summer months the meltemi is weaker in the Sporades region. Approaches to the island are straight forward, no dangers.
Specific dangers are mentioned, as needed, for each port or anchorage.
Ports and Popular Stops
Skopelos Harbor
Click for larger view
Skopelos [39° 07' N 23° 43.5' E], the main harbor of the island is a large and noisy harbor. With a meltemi (NE) it can develop a very uncomfortable swell. Moor stern-to on the W side of the harbor but stay away from the ferries and hydrofoils. The bottom is mud and provides excellent holding.
The town is rather attractive if you stay away from the waterfront.
Warning: With strong NE winds (meltemi) the sea builds up and it may be dangerous to enter or leave the harbor.
 View of the Harbor from the NE |
 View of the Harbor from the S |
 The Quay |
Glossa
Click for larger view
Glossa (Γλώσσα) or Loutraki (Λουτράκι) [39° 09.5' N 23° 37' E] is an attractive but often crowded harbor. You can come stern-to the W quay, north of the ferry boat landing or anchor off if there is room.
On the E side of the harbor there is a loading dock that appears to be used exclusively by a flotilla.
The harbor is well protected from the meltemi. The bottom is sand and weed and provides good holding.
The very attractive town of Glossa is about 1 hr. walk up the steep hill.
 The Harbor of Glossa |
 The Floating Dock in Glossa |
Agnontas
| Agnontas (Αγνώντας) is the third harbor in Skopelos. It is well protected from the meltemi and all N winds. Unfortunately there is a restaurant that continuously plays very loud music. Come along side-to. | File:Skopelos Agnontas h.jpg Chart of Agnontas Click for larger view |
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None
Anchorages
Panormos
Click for larger view
Panormos (Πάνορμος) [39° 06.3' N 23° 39.7' E] is a large bay about 1 nM SE of Dasa Island on the SW of Skopelos. It consists of two coves and is very deep.
The most protected spot from the meltemi is on the NE corner. Anchor at about 10-15 m. The proximity of the hotel and beach however makes this a less desirable anchorage.
The S cove is more isolated and although it is fairly narrow and can be crowded is an all around good shelter and is very pleasant with pine trees all the way to the water. Anchor anywhere you find room at about 4-10 m and take a line ashore to prevent the boat from swinging into other boats.
Warning: Because the bottom is steep you may have to anchor at 10 m which could cause holding problems. Also be aware of protruding rocks near the shore.
There are several restaurant in the large NE cove which is known to the locals as Lanarakia.
 The Panormos Anchorage |
 Looking towards Dasa Island from Panormos |
Limnonari
Limnonari (Λιμνονάρι) [39° 05.3' N 23° 41.9' E] is a pleasant anchorage protected from the meltemi but exposed to the S. The water is very clean and there is only a restaurant with umbrellas at the sandy beach which closes at night. Anchor outside the buoys at about 5 m. The bottom is sand with some weed and holds well.
 Click for larger view | File:Skopelos Limnonari h.jpg Chart of Limnonari Click for larger view |
Stafylos
Click for larger view
Stafylos (Στάφυλος) is a pleasant anchorage for a swim or lunch but because it completely exposed to the S it is not suitable for overnight unless the weather is settled. Anchor in 3-4 m in the NE corner.
Warning: Watch out for the reef S of the small island on the W of the cove.
There is a restaurant, Terpsis, on top of the hill that serves excellent chicken. They need, however, to be told in advance.
Click for larger view
Offshore Islands
None.
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Tourism & things to do ashore
Skopelos is a lovely heavily wooded island which provides an opportunity for many off-track hikes and to observe its many birds.
Chora
Chora or Skopelos is the main town in the island. It is charming town with over 120 churches. Noted among them is the Zoödochos Pigi with an icon attributed to St. Luke and the Ayios. Athanásios with frescoes from the 1500s. Unfortunately the waterfront esplanade has been overrun by tourists and the unattractive establishments that cater to them. The town is built amphitheatrically around a hill. The houses are very attractive in their narrow cobble-stone lanes with bridges and balconies and dark slate roofs. On top of the hill, at the same spot where the temple of Athena used to be is the Venetian Castle, the Kastro, built by the Gizzi. It affords a marvelous view of the town.
Within the town the Laofraphiko Museio (Museum of Folk Art) is worth a visit. Some of the stores do sell some good local crafts such as ceramics and wood carvings, but the best local product are model boats which alas are quite expensive.
 Steet in Chora |
 Church |
 Another Church |
Ayios Riginos
Click for larger view
About 2 km from Chora is the monastery of St. Riginos (Άγιος Ρηγίνος) the patron saint of Skopelos. He originally came from Cyprus and was the bishop of the island. He was beheaded by the Ottomans in 362. His stone sarcophagus is at the court-yard of the monastery.
Legend has it that there was a dragon terrorizing the island and would only be appeased by being offered every year a maiden. St. Riginos took the place of the yearly victim, and after praying, he was able to lead the docile dragon to its death over the cliff.
Evangelístria and other Monasteries
The convent of Evangelístria (open 10-13 and 16-19) affords an excellent view of the town. It was built in 17th century. Today the nuns sell their weavings in the little shop.
Further east, there are the monasteries of Ayia Varvara (fortified and with 15th century frescoes), Metamorphosis, and Timiou Prodromou.
A good hike form Timiou Prodromou, up the summit of Mt. Palouki is the abandoned monastery of Taxiarchon with a marvelous view of Alonisos.
 The Evangelistria Monastery |
 The Sotiros Monastery |
 The Monastery of Ayia Varvara |
Tripiti Cave
The cave is N of Ayios Konstantinos and can be visited by boat.
The Town of Glossa
Click for larger view
The picturesque town of Glossa (Γλώσσα) is near the NW tip of the island. It is worth a visit because of its architecture.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel - A mini truck delivers on the quay of Skopelos Harbor. Ask at the kiosk
- Water - At the quay of Skopelos Harbor
- Electricity - N/A
Laundry
There are two establishments in the back streets of Skopelos Harbor.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- There are many food stores and some good bakeries in Chora
- Camping Gaz can be found outside the town of Chora on the St. Riginos road
Eateries
- Very good stuffed chicken up the hill from Stafylos at the Terpsis restaurant, must call them in advance (tel. 0420 22 053)
- Spyros on the esplanade of Skopelos Harbor has a good reputation
- In Chora the Ouzeri Anatoli under the Kastro (a good climb from the harbor) serves excellent mezedes and ouzo and has live Rembetika music.
Internet/WiFi
In internet cafés.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
From Chora .
Marine Stores & Facilities
Only fishing supplies on the St. Riginos road.
Repairs
There is Diesel mechanic, Yiorgos, of questionable competence. Ask at the kiosk.
Transportation
There are 4 flights per week to Athens and several hydrofoils to Ayios Konstantinos, Volos, and the other islands.
References & Publications
See Greece.
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
- Skopelos (Wikipedia)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- September 2001 --Istioploos 12:05, 15 June 2008 (MDT)
.
