Arki and Marathi
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| Arki and Marathi
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 Satellite View of Arki & Marathi |
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.
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
Weather
See Aegean Sea.
Passages
Islands
Marathi
Marathi 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 in the evening. 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.
By 2014 Marathi's popularity has far exceeded its capacity. Now instead of just sailboats it is crowded with large motor cruisers and mega yachts. These are all crewed boats and their crew, in complete disregard of the swimmers and speed laws, continue to come and go, at high speed, from the shore to their mother ships. This is so especially in July and August. As a result the cove now during the day is not only disturbed by the continuous wakes but it is a dangerous place to swim. During the night the same cruisers and mega yachts add their illumination to the above mentioned "street lights". The enchanted island is gone and has become a noisy and uncomfortable cross road. It is best to visit the island either early or late in the season. --Istioploos 05:57, 11 September 2014 (BST)
Take any mooring.
Communication
- 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 World Cruiser's Nets.
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
There are several coves but Port Augusta is the only harbour.
Ports
Port Augusta
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
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
Glipapas
Glipapas 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.
SE Cove
Tiganakia
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 as the channel between the small island of Makronisi and the islet of Tsouka. Visited in July 2017, approx 7.5m depth (mostly sand) some weed and small low rocks. Long lines not essential as plenty of room for a dozen yachts; wind changes in evening to a southerly and strengthens causing a mild swell.
Warning: Always have a lookout at the bow because the area is not well charted and there are many shallow spots. ONLY 2m depth just 300m due south of cove. At least one boat didn't know and was stuck for 30 minutes
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | N/A (Not Available) |
| Electricity | N/A |
| Toilets | In the restaurants |
| Showers | N/A |
| Laundry | N/A |
| Garbage | Bins in Port Augusta and on the road up the hill from Glipapas and Steno |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel | N/A |
| Bottled gas | N/A |
| Chandlers | None |
| Services | |
| Repairs | N/A |
| Internet | WiFi in the Pandelis taverna in Marathi |
| Mobile connectivity | Spotty 3G signal |
| Vehicle rentals | N/A |
Provisioning
Port Augusta [[Arki and Marathi#Port Augusta|Port Augusta]] A miniscule provision store.
Eating out
-
Port Augusta [[Arki and Marathi#Port Augusta|Port Augusta]] There are three very modest tavernas, the taverna from the N is operated by a very friendly young lady.
- Apolafsis [[Arki and Marathi#Apolafsis|Apolafsis]] The taverna opened in 2002, their food is good and the prices are reasonable.
- Pandelis [[Arki and Marathi#Pandelis|Pandelis]] On the N side. This 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.
- Piratis [[Arki and Marathi#Piratis|Piratis]] On the S side. Serves fairly good food.
- There is a third taverna between the other two. Not very popular.
Transportation
There is a small ferry that calls in Port Augusta several times a week.
Tourism
 WWII Guard House 1 |
 Fishing Boats in Augusta |
 Troller in Glipapas |
 Perama Caïque in Augusta |
Places to Visit
There is an Italian 
WWII guard house [[Arki and Marathi#WWII guard house|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.
It is reputed that there is a castle and a cave in Arki but I have not located them yet. --Istioploos
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
- Arki and Marathi at the Wikipedia
- Marathi (Greek Wikipedia, in Greek)
References
See Greece.
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.
- 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.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Arki and Marathi and this page's details validated:
- September 2010 --Athene of Lymington 10:18, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
- June 2017 --Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
- July 2017 -- S/Y Speedbird
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Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, Athene of Lymington |
