Sými

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Revision as of 22:01, 20 April 2009

Sými (Port of Entry)

Coords: 36°36.99′N, 27°50.3′E Chartlet: Chartlet Gallery: Photos

Satellite image of Sými
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Background

Sými or Sími or Syme (Σύμη) used to be off the beaten track and its harbor Yialos, is a jewel of a town with colorful houses built up the steep slopes. Unfortunately this lovely island has been "discovered." Now it is an "in" place and in the summer it is crowded and the lovely harbor now sports the usual bars with their loud music. On the other hand, many of the abandoned houses have been restored. In the last few years, however, the level of tourism has been upgraded, featuring some upscale restaurants and less loud bars, along with more restorations.

Symi along with Kalymnos and Chálki is famous for its sponge divers and at the height of the sponge trace in the early 20th century was very wealthy. Sponge diving in Symi has been going on since ancient times.

According to the mythology the island was named after princess Symi, the daughter of the king of Rhodes Ialysos. She was abducted by Glaukos the famous builder of Jason's Argo who brought her to the island. Her descendants were renowned ship builders. According to another myth, the Titan Prometheus modeled a man from clay from the island. This angered Zeus so much, that he turned Prometheus into a monkey. Since then the word "simian" is connected with monkeys.

Entering Yialós, Sými's Harbor
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Pelasgian walls found in Chorio attest to the long history of the island. In the Iliad, Homer tells how Symi mastered three ships which were led by king [Nireus Nireus]. In later times the island was part of the Dorian Hexapolis (six cities) and dominated by Rhodes. The Romans fortified the acropolis at Chorio and the Byzantines converted it into a fort. Later this fort was renovated by the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, Foulques de Villaret. During the knight period the island prospered.

When the Ottoman sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, attacked Rhodes, the Symiotes avoided the attack by offering their most precious sponges for his harem. He granted the island some independence and made it into a free port. The island continued to prosper under the Ottomans and the islanders in turn sent to Istanbul sponges every year. After the Greek revolution, some of the privileges were withdrawn but the island still remained prosperous.

The island was occupied by the Italians from 1912 until the second World War. During this period because the Italians closed the island to the Asia Minor markets and because of the competition from steam ships, the fortunes of Symi declined. Its population dropped from 23,000 to 600.

On May 8 1945 the treaty granting all of the Dodecanese to Greece was signed in Symi, and the island became part of Greece in 1948. Today, with tourism and with wealthy Athenians and Rhodians buying and reconstructing it old houses, the island is regaining its former wealth.

Charts

BA 1055 Rhodes Channel and Gökova Körfezi

Imray-Tetra G35 Dodecanese and Coast of Turkey

NIMA 54400 Samos to Rodhos

Greek 451 Leros to Rhodos

Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
• Olympia Radio - no signal

Approach and Navigation

All approaches to Sými are without danger.

Check-in facilities

Sými has one good harbor, Yialos, and several very attractive anchorages.

Ports and Popular Stops

Yialós

Chart of Yialós - Chartlet
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GPS: 36°36.99′N, 27°50.3′E
Yialós (Γιαλός) or sometimes just Symi, is a beautiful harbor. While it is well protected form the meltemi, it can become problematic with strong S winds. It is also a busy harbor. It is not an easy harbor because it is deep and its bottom of mud and rock does not always provide good holding.

It is best to moor side-to, if there is room. Otherwise drop the anchor around 15-20 m and after testing its holding come stern-to. Stay clear of the ferry and hydrofoil area. Often, there is an attendant who will direct you, catch your stern lines, and collect 2€ for his trouble.

There are several good restaurants and good provision shopping.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2002 --Istioploos 15:16, 6 June 2008 (MDT)

The Harbor of Yialós
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Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Ayia Marina

GPS: 36°37.43′N, 27°52.3′E There is an attractive anchorage behind the islet of Ayia Marina just S from the Cape Ayia Marina. Anchor in 4-5 m over sand. There is only a taverna here with umbrellas and beach chairs, otherwise it is very quiet. Very clear green water. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2002 --Istioploos 15:16, 6 June 2008 (MDT)

Chart of yia Marina - Chartlet Click for larger view

Pédi

GPS: 36°36.8′N, 27°51.5′E Pédi or Péthi or Pédhi (Πέδη) is a deep inlet S of Ayia Marina and Yialos. It affords good shelter from the meltemi although it can be gusty. You can either dock at the pier or anchor off in 6-10 m. The bottom is sand and weed, good holding once through the weed. There is a bus to to Yialós where one can get provisions. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: July 2005 --Istioploos 15:16, 6 June 2008 (MDT)

Chart of Pédi Click for larger view

Thessalona

GPS: 36°35.8′N, 27°52.5′E - Chartlet
This is a very beautiful cove with dramatic cliffs. It is well protected from the meltemi but it is very gusty. Anchor, in the middle of the cove, if possible, to allow for swinging, in 7-10 m over sand, avoid the patches of weed. Good holding.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2002 --Istioploos 15:16, 6 June 2008 (MDT)

Nanou-Maria

GPS: 36°34.9′N, 27°51.6′E - Chartlet
This is also a lovely and large sandy cove. Despite what many pilot books say, it is a good and well protected anchorage. Anchor in 10-12 m near the shore over sand. Good holding.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2002 --Istioploos 15:16, 6 June 2008 (MDT)

Marathouda Bay

GPS: 36°34′N, 27°51.8′E - Chartlet
Marathouda Bay is about 3 nM S of Pédi. It is subject to gusts from the hills, but it is very attractive with just a small hamlet. Anchor in 4-5 m on patchy sand and weed.

Faneromeni Bay

GPS: 36°33.1′N, 27°52.4′E - Chartlet
Faneromeni Bay or Phaneromeni (Φανερωμένη) is a deep and narrow inlet 1 nM S of Marathouda Bay. No people. It too, is subject to strong gusts. Anchor at the head of the bay in 16 m. It is best to take 2 lines ashore to keep the boat in the middle of the inlet.

Panormitis

GPS: 36°33.1′N, 27°50.5′E Panormitis (Πανορμήτης) is a bay on the SW of the island. It is completely enclosed and it is an excellent all around shelter in a very pleasant environment. Anchor 3-7 m, the bottom is sand and weed and once the anchor has penetrated it provides good holding. It is also possible to take a line to the N shore. Beware of bees. The monastery is very famous but its buildings are not very attractive. There is taverna ashore, and a bakery. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: September 2002 --Istioploos 15:16, 6 June 2008 (MDT) File:Symi pan.jpg Panormitis in Sými Click for larger view

Chart of Panormitis - Chartlet Click for larger view

Ayios Emilianos

Chart of Ayios Emilianos
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GPS: 36°36.4′N, 27°46.6′E
Ayios Emilianos is lovely cove on the W coast of the island. It is deserted save for the monastery. The cove provides some shelter from the meltemi. Anchor in 8-10 m S of the headland.

Nimborios

GPS: 36°37.4′N, 27°49.2′E
Nimborios is a cove just N of Yialós.

Offshore Islands

Seskli Island

GPS: 36°31.3′N, 27°52.2′E - Chartlet
Seskli Island is S of Sými. On the S side of the island there is an attractive deserted anchorage with good protection from the meltemi. Anchor in 5-6 m over sand, good holding.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Tourism & things to do ashore

Yialós and Chorio

Chora in Sými
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Yialós is a very picturesque town with many colorful neoclassical buildings. There is a Nautical Museum (open Mon-Sat, 10-3).

Nearby Chorio has many older houses. It can be reached from Yialós by climbing the 375 steps. At Chorio there is a Museum (open Tues -Sun, 10-2).

On top of Chorio is the Kastro, the site of the ancient and Byzantine acropolis. Within the Kastro there is a post-Byzantine church with some icons and frescoes.

The Monastery of Taxiarchis Michael Panormites

The Monastery of the Archangel (Taxiarchis) Michael at Panormites is famous throughout the Dodecanese. It is believed that when a seaman is in danger, wherever that may be, all he has to do is pray to Michael put some money in a bottle and toss it into the sea. Michael will protect the seaman and his boat while the bottle will eventually wash ashore here at Panormites. There thousands of bottles on display that have come from all over the world to attest this.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

N/A.

Laundry

?

Grocery Stores

There areeveral stores in Yialós.

Eateries

• The Ellinikon
• Manos (expensive)
• Les Katerinettes
• and the Neraida, all in Yialós, are recommended

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Motorbikes can be rented at Yialós.

Marine Stores & Facilities

None, except a fishing supply store.

Repairs

N/A.

Transportation

There are twice a week ferries to Athens and daily hydrofoils to Kos and Rhodes.

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

• Sými (Wikipedia)
• Simi

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

See individual ports in this page.

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