Skyros

From CruisersWiki

Revision as of 22:15, 27 December 2009

Skyros

(Click links for more information)
	38°50.6′N, 24°32.1′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Skyros (Σκύρος) or Skiros is the most isolated island of the Sporades group, and as a result not too many yachts visit it. Skyros has about 4,000 inhabitants and an area of 210 km². The tallest peak is Mt. Kokhilas (792 m).

Skyros has a rather long history. In Greek Mythology its king, Lycomedes, offered hospitality to Theseus when he was an old man, but he became very jealous of his fame and murdered him. The same Lycomedes hid Achilles as a favor to Thetis, Achilles' mother, so that he could avoid going to the Trojan War. In more historical times, the island was conquered by the Athenians in 470 BC. In 404 BC it was taken over by the Spartans, and in 322 BC by the Macedonians who were followed by the Romans.

Skyros then became part of the Byzantine Empire until the 15th century when it was taken over by the Venetians. They held it until 1538 when the Ottoman Turks took it and held it until the end of the Greek War of Independence in 1821 when it became part of Greece.

Today Skyros is renowned for its folk art and its Carnival. The largest town is Chora, or Skyros, which is built around the Venetian castle. It is about 10 km from the Linaria harbor.

Native to Skyros is a rare species of small pony called Pikermic.

Embroidery from Skyros Click for larger view

Pikermic Pony Click for larger view

Charts

Map of Skyros
Click for larger view

BA

1062 Nisoi Voríoi Sporades

2048 Skyros island

Imray-Tetra

G25 Northern Sporades and North Nisos Evvoia

G26 Nisos Evvoia

NIMA

54350 Nisoi Vorioi Sporadhes

54352 Plans in theAegean Sea: Nisos Skyros

Greek

33 Cape Sounion to Lesvos I.

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 & Tel. +30 2220 91 475
• Olympia Radio - VHF channel 63, no signal in Ayios Phokas and in Skantzoura
• GSM/GPRS - No signal in Ayios Phokas and in Skantzoura

Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

Approaches to Skyros are easy but Skyros is a very windy island its N side of is exposed to very rough seas. All of the anchorages are on the S side with the exception of the "marina." The only harbor in the island is Linaria.

Check-in facilities

None.

Ports and Popular Stops

Ports

Linaria Harbor

38°50.6′N, 24°32.1′E Linaria (Λινάρια) is a small harbor and it offers good protection from the meltemi as well as from the S winds. Anchoring is very difficult because of the many laid moorings and bad holding. Most yachts moor alongside the W quay, avoiding the ferryboat area. There is only room for about three yachts and rafting is quite common. If there is no room you can anchor off-shore at the nearby Linaria Cove, although the bottom is weedy here and you need to take care to dig your anchor in well. The harbor is very pleasant with a few restaurants and stores. There is a water outlet at the quay, with water available, sometimes, and a nearby fuel station. The town of Chora is about 10 km away. There is a bus twice a day. For a taxi call +30 2220 91 666. Scooters can be hired at the port. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2001 --Istioploos September 2008 -- Athene of Lymington File:Skyros Linaria1.jpg The harbor of Linaria Click for larger view

Chart of Linaria harbor Click for larger view

Anchorages

Linaria Cove

38°50.9′N, 24°32′E Linaria Cove is just N of Linaria Harbor. It is open to the S winds. It well protected from the meltemi despite the strong gusts. The bottom is mostly mud and provides good holding. Caution: On the NE over the hill there is an electric power plant. It is refueled by some underwater pipes located between 2 small buoys. Stay away form the E side of the cove. The cove is a very pleasant and much more quieter than the harbor despite the proximity of the power plant. You can easily go ashore and leave the dingy at the small pier at the E side. Linaria is a 10 minute walk. Alternatively you can take the dingy to the harbor. On the NE corner of the cove there is a restaurant that has a good reputation with the locals. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2001 --Istioploos Linaria Harbor as seen from Linaria Cove Click for larger view

Chart of Linaria Cove Click for larger view

Ayios Phokas

38°52.4′N, 24°28.6′E Ayios Phokas or Ayios Fokas (Άγιος Φωκάς) is a gorgeous anchorage with very bright green pines all around, almost up to the water line. Anchor at 4m, very good holding on sand . There is a restaurant ashore which serves good food. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2001 --Istioploos Ayios Phokas Click for larger view

Chart of Ayios Phokas - Chartlet Click for larger view

Stin Angali

38°51.2′N, 24°30.2′E - Chartlet
Stin Angali (Στήν Αγκάλη - in the embrace) is a lovely setting and a safe anchorage but liable to have some swell. There is a restaurant ashore.

Port Achladi

38°46.8′N, 24°34.1′E
This is supposed to be a very good anchorage. I have only seen it from a distance and it looks very attractive (--Istioploos 08:42, 4 May 2008 (MDT)).

Tris Bookes

View from land Click for larger view

View from Sarakino Island Click for larger view

38°46.9′N, 24°35.6′E
Tris Bookes (Τρείς Μπούκες) or Trebuki is a very large natural harbor and has been used by the British and Greek navies as an anchorage. The name means three mouths and is descriptive of this large bay protected by two islands that give it three openings. However, it less suitable for yachts because of fierce gusts and swell. Also a Greek Naval base is under construction and could restrict access.

Renes Bay

38°46.2′N, 24°38.2′E
This is cove on the SE corner of the island.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Skiros Marina

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

Only fishing supplies.

Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

In Linaria at the W corner of the quay there is a fuel station. Depending on the location of the yacht, the hose may reach or the owner, if he fills like it, will deliver fuel to a yacht with his mini tank. Otherwise you can carry jerry cans the short distance

Water

In Linaria there is water outlet next to the quay where a hose can be used

Electricity

N/A (Not Available)

Offshore Islands

Sarakino

38°45′N, 24°36.9′E There is wonderful secluded anchorage at the S side of Sarakino Island (Σαράκινο). It provides good shelter from the meltemi but it is exposed to the S. The bottom is sand and weeds and provides good holding. Anchor at 4-6 m and take a shore line to a rock. Watch out for the many sea urchins. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2001 --Istioploos

Chart of Sarakino Click for larger view

Entering Sarakino Click for larger view

The Anchoarge in Sarakino Click for larger view

Skyropoula

38°50′N, 24°22′E
The S side of Skyropoula (Σκυροπούλα) is nice place for a temporary anchorage. There is very good spearfishing.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• 1991 --Istioploos

Skantzoura

39°04′N, 24°06.7′E Skantzoura (Σκάντζουρα) is a small uninhabited island. The only structure on it is an old hermitage, now abandoned. It is a very pleasant if isolated place. The island is within the Marine Park which was established a few years ago to protect marine life and particularly the highly endangered Mediterranean seal. All fishing is strictly forbidden. Yachts can stay for only one night. The organization for the preservation of the Mediterranean Seal, Monachus Monachus or as it is locally known, MOm, patrols the Marine Park and enforces its regulations. There are three anchorages at Skantzoura bay, on the W side of the island that afford some protection from the meltemi. All are exposed to the W. The bottom is sand and weed and provides reasonable holding. For an overnight, it is best to get near the shore and take a shore line to a rock, in addition to the anchor. Caution: There numerous unmarked low lying islets and reefs at the entrance to Skantzoura bay. Entry to and exit from the bay after dark is dangerous. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2001 --Istioploos Skantzoura bay Click for larger view

Chart of Skantzoura - Chartlet Click for larger view

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The Town of Chora Click for larger view

A Street in Chora Click for larger view

he grave of Rupert Brooke Click for larger view

Chora

This is one of the most picturesque towns in the Aegean. It is built on a hill which is crowned by a Venetian Castle. The traditional houses are well kept and always freshly white washed. Skyros is one the few places left in Greece where traditional folk crafts are thriving. Not only architecture but woodcarving, ceramics and embroidery are practiced with great flair.

Good samples of these crafts can be seen at the well known Faltaitz Museum of Folkloric art. It is small but very eclectic. It was founded by Manos Faltaitz who is still overseeing its function. He is Greek, and a native of Skyros. The original family name was Faltsis, but it was corrupted to Faltaitz in Odessa where his father did business. The museum is housed in the family house and a number of rooms have been re-created as there were last century. The exhibit consists of Skyrian furniture, chests, embroidery, traditional costumes, Carnival costumes with their large bells and masks, books, etc.

Next to the Faltaitz Museum is the Archaeological Museum. It is small and it has an interesting collection of Prehistoric, Mycenaean and Geometric finds from the Magazia excavation.

The narrow windy streets in Chora are full of surprises. Now a lovely courtyard, now a store with a man carving a wooden cradle, now a cozy restaurant.

Tris Bookes

Here, in an isolated spot among the olive trees is the grave of the British Poet Rupert Brooke. The grave is considered British soil and is maintained by a society in England. He was already a well known young poet when he died in 1915, at sea, on his way to the Gallipoli battle. He was 28 years old. They buried him here, some distance from the sea, while the boat lay at anchor in the bay. It is still very moving.

Grocery & Supply Stores

There are several small stores in Linaria and many stores in Chora. On the road to Chora there is a large supermarket.

Eateries

• The restaurants in Linaria rather indifferent
• There is a large variety of restaurants in Chora. The Ο Παππούς καί εγώ... (My Grandfather and I ...) serves an excellent variety of local dishes.
• The restaurant in Ayios Phokas serves good food

Laundry

There is at least one laundry in Chora.

Internet/WiFi

In Internet cafés.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Only in Chora.

Garbage Disposal

There are bins around the harbor and in several anchorages.

Transportation

There are flights to/from Athens.

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

• Skyros (Wikipedia)

References & Publications

See Greece.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

See individual ports in this page.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Template:Guide2

.