Cruising the North Sporades Islands

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Cruising the North Sporades Islands

The North Sporades

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MORE notes about the passage

Introduction

The North Sporades, or simply the Sporades (Σποράδες), group of islands is maybe the second most popular cruising area in the Aegean after the Cyclades. Their name comes from the the greek word σπόρος (seed) because they seem to be scattered like seeds across the NW Aegean.

Unlike the Cyclades cruising conditions here are less demanding with milder winds and seas. Also, unlike the barren Cyclades the Sporades are green and lush with many deep coves suitable for anchorage.

Climate & Weather Information

In the summer months the weather is dominated by the meltemi which in the North Sporades comes from the NNE. In general the meltemi' winds in the North Sporades are much weaker than in either the Cyclades or the Dodecanese. The effects of sea and land breezes are often stronger than the meltemi.

For details see Aegean Weather.

Weather Windows

The best times to tour the North Sporades are in the late Spring, May to June, and in the early autumn, September to October. You are less likely to encounter strong meltemi winds and also all the anchorages are less crowded. Other than the weather-wise unpredictable winter months, the worse time to be cruising the North Sporades is during the month of August. In August all the harbors and anchorages, even the most remote, will be crowded as this is the prime vacation time in Greece and the rest of the EU.

Radio Nets

See Aegean Sea.

Navigation Charts Required

BA

1062 Nisoi Voríoi Sporades

2048 Skyros island

Imray-Tetra

G25 Northern Sporades and North Nisos Evvoia

G26 Nisos Evvoia

NIMA

54348 Vorios Evoikos Kolpos and Notios Evoikos Kolpos

54350 Nisoi Vorioi Sporadhes

54352 Plans in theAegean Sea: Nisos Skyros

Greek

31 North Evoikos to Kavala Gulf

33 Cape Sounion to Lesvos I.

74 Corinth to Skopelos Island

331 Sporades to Ay. Efstratios

See also Aegean Sea.

Passage Description

It is assumed that you have, following the description of Passages between Athens Region and the North Sporades you have already arrived at the southernmost of the islands Skiathos. You can, of course, start your cruise at any other island. Also, you may skip or add islands to the overall cruise.

You start the cruise by sailing to the NE direction and stopping along the islands. After you visit Pelagos you head SE and end your cruise in Skyros. From there you can follow the direction of Passages between Athens Region and the North Sporades and return to the Athens Region.

There three other alternatives:

1. End your cruise in Kyra Panayia and then head N towards N Greece,
2. end your cruise in Planitis and head NE to either Ayios Efstratios or Limnos, or
3. end your cruise as described above in Sarakino and then instead of heading to the Athens Region, head E to Psara.

Distance & Duration

See also Aegean Distances Tables.

Possible Departure Points

• Koukounaries 39°08.8′N, 23°24.1′E
• Skiathos Harbor 39°09.9′N, 23°29.6′E

Route/Suggested Stopovers

1. It is suggested to first stop in the most pleasant cove of Koukounaries 39°08.8′N, 23°24.1′E in the island of Skiathos where you can relax after your passage.
   
   
2. From Koukounaries proceed about 2 nM NE to Skiathos Harbor 39°09.9′N, 23°29.6′E.
   
   This is a good place from where to explore the island. Wander in the nice town and visit the house of Papadiamantis one of the most notable modern Greek writers. Even better read his books before you come to Skiathos.
   
   
3. After you depart from Skiathos Harbor you head SE to the island of Skopelos. If you are not in great hurry stop at the lovely cove of Panormos 39°06.5′N, 23°39.6′E, it is 9 nM from Skiathos Harbor.
   
   
4. The next stopover is Skopelos Harbor 39°07.4′N, 23°44.1′E on the NE side of the island, it is 15 nM from either Panormos or from Skiathos Harbor if you go directly from there.
   
   Skopelos is a lovely heavily wooded island which provides an opportunity for many off-track hikes and to observe its many birds. The towns of Chora (the harbor) and Glossa are particularly attractive and with interesting architecture.
   
   
5. From Skopelos Harbor the next recommended stop is Votsi 39°08.9′N, 23°52.4′E in the island of Alonisos, a 8 nM sail (note that Alonisos' main harbor of Patitiri is not recommended because it is usually very crowded and noisy).
   
   The restored town of Chora is well worth a visit. It is about 5 km from either Patitiri or Votsi.
   
   
6. The next island N of Alonisos is Pelagos an uninhabited island. It is part of the Marine Park and anchorage is restricted but not prohibited to private boats not engaged in fishing activities. The fist stopover in Pelagos is Kyra-Panayia 39°19′N, 24°03.1′E a 14 nM sail NE from Votsi.
   
   As mentioned above, you can stop you cruise here and head N to ports in N Greece.
   
   
7. From Kyra-Panayia you can sail 9 nM to Planitis 39°21′N, 24°04.5′E a very secure all weather anchorage.
   
   As mentioned above, you can stop you cruise here and head NE to either Ayios Efstratios (45 nM) or to Myrina 39°52.3′N, 25°03.3′E 57 nM).
   
   
8. If you continue your cruise from Planitis, you will now be sailing S for 20 nM to the uninhabited island of Skantzoura 39°04′N, 24°06.7′E. Skantzoura is also part of the Marine Park and while you can anchor you are not allowed to fish.
   
   
9. When you depart from Skantzoura, sail for 23 nM SE to Ayios Phokas 38°52.4′N, 24°28.6′E, a most pleasant anchorage on the NW of the island of Skyros.
   
   
10. From Ayios Phokas it is a short 8.5 nM sail (for safety you need to go around Valaxa island) to Linaria 38°50.6′N, 24°32.1′E the main harbor of the island of Skyros. Please note that while there is a a marina on the N side of the island, it is not recommended. It is better to use Linaria as base for your land exploration of this fabulous island.
    
    You can take either a bus or a taxi from here to visit Chora, one of the most picturesque towns in the Aegean.
    
    
11. Finally it is only a short sail of 9 nM from Linaria to the small uninhabited island of Sarakino 38°45′N, 24°36.9′E. This is a lovely anchorage and the end of your cruise.

Possible Arrival Ports

You can stop your cruise in any of the islands but if you complete it you will end in

• Sarakino 38°45′N, 24°36.9′E.

CruiserLog Forum discussions

Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum

External Links

See Aegean Sea.

References

Alexandros Papadiamantis, Tales from a Greek Island (English translation), The Johns Hopkins University Press, ISBN 0801848466 Alexandros Papadiamantis, The Murderess (English translation), Natl Book Network, ISBN 0906495725

See also Aegean Sea.

Personal Notes

I have sailed all of the above passages. --Istioploos

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