Port Spilia
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| Port Spilia
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 Plan of Port Spilia |
Port Spilia is the second harbour of the island of Meganisi in the Ionian islands of Greece. Lying at the head of a deep inlet at the NW end of the island, the harbour provides berthing for around 50 yachts on its various quays and pontoons, although the depths in the inlet are too great for most yachts to anchor. The harbour gets very busy in July and August and its two tavernas are kept busy non-stop catering for the crews from visiting flotillas and private yachts. Shelter is good in most conditions, although strong northerlies send in a surge which could be dangerous in some parts of the harbour, especially on the quay at the SE end.
Charts
See Meganisi .
Weather
Passages
Communication
Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
The approach to Port Spilia is free of dangers, except in the approach from due N, along the E side of the island of Skorpios, where a reef, Ifalos Heiromiti, lies about half a mile due E of Skorpios’ southern extremity. A large, modern hotel is conspicuous on the headland immediately W of the harbour entrance.
Berthing
There are several berthing options in Port Spilia, depending on the size and draft of your yacht and the wind conditions:
NW Quay
This quay extends for 100 metres from the ferry landing slip and then continues along the outer side of the breakwater of the small fishing boat harbour (with the quaint blue sign warning that it is for ‘pescatorial’ craft only). There are about 25 laid moorings along the first part of the quay and a further 10 along the breakwater. Depths are around 3.0 metres at all berths. Water can be obtained here with difficulty and electricity is available via the numerous sockets scattered along the quay. However, note that they all connect via 200 metres of 10amp cable to the Porto Spilia Taverna, so one careless crew switching on a hairdryer or electric kettle will blow the lot!.
Taverna Pontoons
The Porto Spilia Taverna, immediately S of the small fishing boat harbour, has three (rather flimsy) pontoons at which around 25 yachts can berth. Depths range from 2.0 - 3.0 metres towards the root of the most northerly pontoon to more than 20 metres at the end of the most southerly one. All are supplied with laid moorings and the southernmost pontoon with electricity points. As a result of the depths, the bow lines towards the end of the southerly pontoon are very heavy. None of the pontoons would be very comfortable in bad weather, the southernmost one particularly so, and could even be dangerous in a northerly gale.
In high-season, especcialy on Saturdays, call to make reservations. Once restuarant is full with reservations you'll be send away from berthing at the pontoons.
SE Quay
This is the quay to the E of the Spilia Taverna (the conspicuous white building to the E of the sandy beach). It has laid moorings for around 25 yachts, but depths at the quay are only 1.0 – 1.5 metres, so most yachts must go bows-to. There is just one electricity point here with two outlets (charge Euros 5 per day). Shelter here is good in settled weather, but strong northerlies (anything above force 4-5) send in an unpleasant swell. Anything above force 4-5 would probably be dangerous.
SE Fshing Boat Quay
A small fishing boat harbour has been constructed at N end of this SE quay, of which there is a section (just N of the slipway) with laid moorings for around eight yachts in depths of 3.5 – 4.0 metres. Again, there is just one electricity point here with two outlets (charge Euros 5 per day). Shelter here is better than the SE quay, but it is still uncomfortable in strong northerlies. Like the SE quay, it would probably be untenable in very strong northerly winds.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
The depths in the inlet of Port Spilia are too great for most yachts. Better anchorages are to be found on the NE coast of the island (see Meganisi).
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | On SE quays and pontoons |
| Electricity | One stanchion on each of SE quays (so widely spaced) with two outlets each. Several more on southernmost pontoon of Porto Spilia Taverna. Connections on NW quay and fishing harbour breakwater via spider's web of cables from Porto Spilia Taverna |
| Toilets | N/A (Not Available) |
| Showers | N/A |
| Laundry | There's laundry up in the village of Spartakhori. They will pick up and deliver to the harbour 6981969377 |
| Garbage | Several bins around the quays |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel | By tanker |
| Bottled gas | ? |
| Chandlers | None. |
| Services | |
| Repairs | N/A |
| Internet | At Porto Spilia Taverna and Spilia Taverna |
| Mobile connectivity | ? |
| Vehicle rentals | N/A |
Provisioning
- Small grocery shops in Spartachori
- Bread from Spilia Taverna
Eating out
- Both Porto Spilia Taverna and Spilia Taverna are reasonable value (Porto Spilia being the better of the two, but is somewhat more expensive than the area average). Both are sometimes are busy with flotilla crews, especially on Fridays, and it may be necessary to book in advance to be sure of a place.
Transportation
- Ferries to Nidri on Lefkas
Tourism
Places to Visit
The old village of Spartochori, situated on a steep rocky bluff above the port of Port Spilia, is most attractive and the steep climb up to it is rewarded with magnificent views over the harbour and Skorpios island. The SE part of Port Spilia has a small shingle beach and beach café where younger members of a yacht crew can while away the hours.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Meganisi (Wikipedia)
References
See Ionian Sea.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
- Meganisi is considerably more developed than when we were last here in 2005, but (so far) without spoiling its unique character. It caters pretty well for the hundreds of yachts that now visit every month, but is understandably busy in high season.--Athene of Lymington 16:14, 12 July 2012 (BST)
- In September 2013 we arrived in Meganisi and discovered (for the first time) that all the berths at Porto Spilia taverna were booked. Similarly, the pontoon at Karnayio Taverna round the corner was fully booked. It was a Friday and the forecast was for strong NW winds, but it is nevertheless a salutary warning that the island is now getting a little too popular. --Athene of Lymington
- Visited on June 1 2014. Berthed at the S-most quay near the Porto Spilia tavern. Got welcome by the taverna employees, free WiFi, free showers, free electricity and water, and good food at reasonable price. There was still plenty of berths available by the end of the day. The views from the village are very nice, and it's only a short walk. --dimrub
- Visited in september 2021, got sent away by Taverna because they were full with reservations
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Port Spilia and this page's details validated:
- May 2013 --Athene of Lymington 08:42, 17 May 2013 (BST)
- September 2013 --Zebahdy of London
- June 2014 --Dimrub
- Sept 2014 --Monterey
- Sept 2021 -- Timmema1
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