Spetses

From CruisersWiki

The island of Spetses (Σπέτσες) is within a day's sail from Athens. It is small but very beautiful. Its ancient name was Pityousa (Πιτυούσα) or Pityonesos from Pitys (Πίτυς - pine tree). This name is very apt for this pine-tree covered island.

At Ayia Marina, not too far from the town on the SE side of the island, artifacts have been found dated from 2500 BC. In 1220 AD the island was conquered by the Venetians who are reputed to have named it Spezie - Spice. Its present name is a corrupted version of this Venetian name.

The Venetians were replaced by the Ottomans in 1460. In the early 18th century many Albanian Christians moved into the island. By this time the island had developed as a major ship-building center and the owner of a sizable shipping fleet. When the Greek War of Independence from the Ottomans broke out in 1821, Spetses was the first island to declare for the revolution. It played, a major role in this war with many distinguished captain/ship-owners. The most famous of these is Laskarina Bouboulina who commanded her own ship the Agamemnon and later became an admiral and was responsible for several Greek naval victories. She was also the mother of six children.

Today Spetses is a very popular island with the well to do from Athens. During the weekends the Old Harbor is completely crowded with large motor cruisers. Many of the old ship-owners' mansions have been renovated by their Athenian owners. The mansion of Hadziyiannis Mexis has been converted to a museum. It houses among other exhibits Bouboulina's guns and her "Freedom or Death" flag.

Charts

BA

1031 Yerakas to Kea

Imray-Tetra

G14 Saronic and Argolic Gulfs

NIMA

54340 Nisos Spetsai - N. Vorioi Sp.

Greek

414 Poros mechri Monemvasia

Radio Nets

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
• Olympia Radio - VHF Channels 27 & 28

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

Danger: When approaching Spetses from the E watch out for the underwater rocks off Cape Aimilianos, they are not always visible. Keep a respectful distance from the mainland.

Berthing Options

Ports

Old Harbor or Baltiza

The Old Harbor or Báltiza is the only yacht harbor in the island. It is almost always crowded and has been used for a long time. As a result fouled anchors are quite common. I once brought up a small row boat!--Istioploos 11:06, 23 April 2008 (MDT)

The most protected area is the inner harbor but finding an empty space there is rare except in early or late season, when sometimes a space can be found bows or stern-to next to the fuel quay. Alternatively, one may stay for short periods (e.g. a quick trip ashore) on the fuel quay itself, with the permission of the harbour staff. Warning: The fuel quay owner will charge you 25 Euro, if you stay there overnight. Water and electricity are available on the quay - if you can moor there.

Both the W and E shores of the outer harbor are full of rocks, so the only other option is to anchor in 4-5 m and take a long line ashore, where there are plenty of places to tie the line. The holding is not always good.

Warning: Avoid the Old Harbor during weekends; boats from Athens will surround you and you may not be able to leave until Monday.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 1995 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis
• May 2006 --Atheneoflymington 14:06, 13 January 2010 (UTC)

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Zoyeryia

Zoyeryiá (Ζογεργιά) or Zogergiá is a lovely deep cove. The water is very clear and you are surrounded by a pine forest). It can be crowded, however, during the weekends. Anchor in 5-8 m. The bottom is sand a weed and holds well. There is a good restaurant ashore (closed from late September to May) that serves traditional Greek food with local specialties.

Warning: There are some nasty rocks on the NE of the cove.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2007 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis

Offshore Islands

None.

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

There is one store in Báltiza.

Repairs/Yards

Excellent wood repairs in Báltiza.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

On the quay of the Báltiza inner harbor in Spetses

Water

On the quay of the Báltiza inner harbor in Spetses

Electricity

N/A (Not Available)

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

• Visit the of Hadziyiannis Mexis mansion now a museum. It houses among other exhibits Bouboulina's guns and her "Freedom or Death" flag
• Nice walks and bicycle rides

Grocery & Supply Stores

Stores in the old town.

Eateries

• Good food in Zoyieryiá (closed from late September to May)
• Also in Costis at , right across from the ferry quay

Internet/WiFi

In Internet cafés.

Laundry

In the old town.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• You cannot rent cars nor motorbikes but you can rent bicycles

Garbage Disposal

There are bins around the harbors and in most anchorages.

Transportation

There are daily, and in the summer several per day, hydrofoils to Athens serving both Spetses and Porto Heli.

Routes/Passages To/From

• Circumnavigating the Peloponnese

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

• Spetses (Wikipedia)

References & Publications

See Greece.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

See individual ports and anchorages in this page.

This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Istioploos, Athene of Lymington