Arki and Marathi

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Revision as of 21:27, 8 February 2013

Arki and Marathi

(Click links for more information)
	37°22.7′N, 26°44.1′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Satellite View of Arki & Marathi- Click for larger view

Overview

Arki (Αρκοί) is a small Greek island in the Dodecanese, situated three miles north of Lipsi and eight miles ENE of Patmos. The island has about 47 inhabitants, all in one hamlet in a deep inlet on the SW coast, where there is a small and rather shallow harbour, Port Augusta. It is not a very mountainous island, but very rocky and most of the inhabitants raise animals: sheep, goats, cows, and a few horses.

Marathi (Μαράθι) is an even smaller island half a mile to the SW of Arki with about 10 inhabitants.

Aerial View of Marathi & Arki
Click for larger view

Charts

BA

2682 Kolpos Patalion to Nisos Nisiros

3927 Patmos, Arki and Lipso

Imray-Tetra

G34 Southern Cyclades

NIMA

54400 Samos to Rodhos

Greek

423 Paros to Astypalia

Radio Nets

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 & Tel. +30 22470 31 231 (Patmos)
• Olympia Radio - VHF channels 24 & 25
• GSM/GPRS - Weak voice (Vodafone) but good (Cosmote) signal in Marathi. There is no Vodafone signal in Glipapas and Steno but if you climb up the road the signal is good, but there good (Cosmote) signal

Also see Cruiser's Nets

Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

Approaches are straightforward, but with a strong meltemi there can be very strong gusts in the channel between Arki and Marathi. The dog-leg inlet of Port Augusta, the main harbour on Arki, is very narrow and it is wise to take your sails down and get everything ready for mooring before you enter.

Berthing Options

There are several coves but Port Augusta is the only harbour.

Ports

Port Augusta

Chart of Port Augusta
Click for larger view

37°22.7′N, 26°44.1′E
Port Augusta lies at the head of a narrow, dog-leg inlet on the SW side of the island. There is a light (Fl R 3s 3M) at the N entrance. Once inside, the inlet is very well protected from all winds. There is a small quay with space for 8/10 yachts anchored stern or bows-to. Depths at the quay range from 2.5 metres at the west end (where, however, a shallow patch about 20 metres off makes it tricky to drop your anchor) to 3.5 metres at the east end. The village itself very quiet, with just one café opposite the quay and two tavernas in the main square. There is also a miniscule provision store. The quay has no water or electricity, but showers are available in the village (price Euros 3). In the summer the quay is sometimes full as a flotilla from Patmos uses it.

Port Augusta

The inlet of Port Augusta Click for larger view

The quay Click for larger view

The quay Click for larger view

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Glipapas and Steno
Click for larger view

Just south of Port Augusta there are two small inlets known as Steno and Glipapas. They are both well protected from the meltemi but open to the S. With the meltemi, there can be very strong gusts at the entrance to the inlets.

Steno

Chart of Steno
Click for larger view

37°22.4′N, 26°44.27′E
Steno (Στενό) or Porto Stretto is very narrow and shallow at its end. Anchor facing SE and take a shore line in the rocks at the NW shore. Alternatively, the Taverna Apolafsis has laid four moorings, marked by floating plastic containers, and a small jetty for dinghies to tie up. However, only the outer three moorings are suitable for most yachts, since the depth here is just two metres. The other one is in shallower waters. Mooring here is free of charge, although there is a moral obligation to have at least one meal at the establishment. The proprietors Angeliki, Fanourios, and their grown son Isidoros (Sideris) are very friendly.

Moorings and jetty of the Taverna Steno
Click for larger view

Glipapas

Chart of Glipapas
Click for larger view

37°22.4′N, 26°44.4′E
Glipapas (Γλίπαπας) or Porto Grosso is a favorite. Anchor right over the sand patch at 3-5 metres and let out plenty of chain. It gets very deep, over 10 m, quickly.

Here one can spend several days, the water is crystal clear and every morning and dusk there is the music of the animal bells as they move. You can also, if you wish, go ashore in your dinghy on the beach at the NW end and walk up to the Taverna Steno.

Warning: With the meltemi, there can be very strong gusts at the entrance to the inlets.

Anchorage at Glipapas
Click for larger view

SE Cove

37°22.4′N, 26°45.2′E
There is an attractive looking cove on the SE of the island.

Tiganakia

Tiganakia: From Makronisi looking over the channel to Tsouka
Click for larger view

37°21.6′N, 26°45.06′E
Tiganakia (Τηγανάκια - small frying pans) is group of small islands to the S of Arki. They are surrounded by lovely water with sandy bottom. This is good place for a lunch and swimming break but too exposed for an overnight stop.

The exceptions to this is the channel between SW headland of Arki and the islet of Avaptistos as well ast the channel between the small island of Makronisi and the islet of Tsouka.

Warning: Always have a lookout at the bow because the area is not well charted and there are many shallow spots.

Tiganagia

From Arki Click for larger view	The anchorage Click for larger view
The cove Click for larger view	From Makronisi looking N to Arki Click for larger view

Offshore Islands

Marathi

(Click links for more information)
	37°22′N, 26°43.6′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Chart of Marathi - Click for larger view

Marathi (Μαράθι) is a small island just across from Glipapas and Steno there is a nice anchorage, very popular with the charter yachts. It is well protected. There are three small tavernas ashore. The Marathi and the Pandelis have been here for some time. They have placed several laid moorings for visiting yachts. Both provide good food. Of the two, Pandelis (tel. +30 22470 32 609, email) is the more sophisticated and helpful. They usually have very fresh fish brought within hours of getting caught. Pandelis' wife Katina bakes fresh bread every day and grows many of the vegetables she cooks. Their biologist daughter Toola speaks impeccable English.

The cove is a bustling place. All afternoon boats of all descriptions come and go: sailboats, fast inflatables, caïques, day-trippers from Patmos, small cruisers. Yet the place is surprisingly pleasant and quiet. The island has a nice beach with very few houses, two of them renting rooms, three restaurants, and three tents. There is no road here, just goat paths.

In 2010 the power company connected Marathi with Arki and the ugly electricity poles are an eyesore detracting from the beauty of the island. To add further damage in 2011 these poles were equipped with powerful flood lights illuminating the goat paths and completely spoiling the magic nights of this previously enchanted little island.

Take any mooring and enjoy this magic place.

The Marathi Cove from N Click for larger view

The Marathi Cove from W Click for larger view

Yacht Services and Repairs

Also see each Port

Marine Stores

None.

Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

N/A (Not Available)

Water

N/A

Electricity

N/A

Things to do Ashore

WWII Guard House 1 Click for larger view

Fishing Boats in Augusta Click for larger view

Troller in Glipapas Click for larger view

Perama Caïque in Augusta Click for larger view

Tourism

There is an Italian WWII guard house 37°24.1′N, 26°43′E at the N tip of the island. It is a good 1-1½ hour walk from Augusta but the view of the Samos-Ikaria Channel and beyond is spectacular.

A hike up the rocky path to the church of the Metamorphosis on the top of the island (access from the NE corner of the square) is rewarded with great views over Arki, Samos and Lipsi.

There is reputed to be a castle and a cave in Arki but I have not located them yet. --Istioploos

Grocery & Supply Stores

There is a miniscule provision store in Port Augusta.

Eateries

• There are three very modest tavernas at Port Augusta. The taverna from the N is operated by a very friendly young lady
• At Steno and Glipapas a new taverna Apolafsis opened in 2002. Their food is good and the prices are reasonable
• In Marathi there are three tavernas, the one on the south Marathi serves fairly good food
• Pandelis is the oldest taverna in Marathi and it is definitely worth a visit. They have excellent food and are very friendly to yachties. A telephone call (+30 22470 32609) to Pandelis Emilianos will ensure that excellent fish (Pandelis receives calls from the local fisherman goes with his speed-boat meets them and gets the fish before they even go to port) will be available when you arrive.

Internet/WiFi

N/A.

Laundry

N/A.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

N/A.

Garbage Disposal

There are bins in Port Augusta and on the road over Glipapas and Steno.

Transportation

There is a hydrofoil and a small ferry that call at Port Augusta several times a week.

Routes/Passages To/From

• N - S Passages in East Aegean
• Cruising the Samos Sea Islands
• Cruising the Dodecanese 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 partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Arki (Wikipedia)
• Marathi (Greek Wikipedia, in Greek)

References & Publications

See Greece.

Personal Notes

• Arki and Marathi are two of my favorites small islands in the Aegean. Unfortunately new high intensity lights have been installed in Marathi and now, 2011, are operating all night long and completely spoil the magic of the place. --Istioploos.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• September 2010 --Athene of Lymington 10:18, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
• October 2012 --Istioploos

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