Kythnos
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Kythnos
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The island of Kythnos (Κύθνος) or Kithnos or Thermia (Θερμιά). The area of the island is 99 km2 and it belongs to the Cyclades.
Kythnos] is 30 miles due S of the large island of Evia and 25 miles SE of Cape Sounion at the NE limit of the Saronic Gulf. The island is a popular port of call for yachts sailing down from the harbours around Athens or from Lavrio in the Evia Channel and a regular stopping off point for yachts transiting the Corinth_Canall. There are two main harbours on the island, the main ferry harbour of Merikas on the W coast (which is not particularly yacht friendly) and the popular harbour of Loutra on the NE coast, which regularly accommodates up to 20 or so yachts on passage through the Cyclades. There are also a number of lovely anchorages on both the E and W coast of the island which can be used in the appropriate wind conditions. Kythnos is at the western fringe of the prevailing Aegean weather system and does not normally experience quite the same wind strengths as the islands further east.
Charts
- BA
- 1038 Stenó Sífnou to Stenó Kafiréa
- Imray-Tetra
- G31 North Cyclades
- NIMA
- 54320 Cyclades to Crete
- Greek
- 421 Karystos to Naxos
Weather
See Aegean Sea.
Passages
- Passages between Athens Region and Samos - Kusadasi
- Passages between Athens Region and Rhodes - Marmaris
- Cruising the Cyclades Islands
Islands
Communication
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
- Olympia Radio - VHF channel 27; No reception in Fikiadha and Kolimpithres
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
See entries for individual harbours and anchorages.
Entrance
There is no port of entry on Kythnos. The nearest ports of entry are Ermoupolis on Syros to the E and Lavrio or the marinas around Athens to the N and W.
Berthing
Ports
Merikas
The harbour of Merikas lies on the W side of the island, five miles S of the cape of Ak Kefalos at its northern tip. The main harbour used by the ferry boats, Merikas lies at the SE end of the bay of the same name and offers reasonable protection from the meltemi, which mainly gusts here from the NE. Visiting yachts can moor stern/bows to the quay (or even alongside in quiet periods) SE of the short ferry jetty, where depths are 3.0 – 5.0 metres and the holding good in sand and mud. Shelter is good in the prevailing NE winds, which blow a yacht off the quay, but poor with anything W in the wind. Strong westerlies would probably make the harbour untenable. The surroundings here are not very attractive, but Merikas is a useful port of call when strong NE winds make a passage round Ak Kefalos challenging.
Warning: Be aware that there can be substantial prop wash down the quayside from ferries when leaving which can, in extreme cases, cause damage to yacht mooring lines, fairleads and cleats.
There are several tavernas and a minimarket ashore. Buses go from here regularly to the Chora two miles uphill to the NE.Loutra
The harbour of Loutra is on the NE side of the island and is somewhat more yacht-friendly than the main ferry harbour. Although the prevailing NE winds blow down into the bay and cause a pronounced swell, the harbour, situated at the extreme W end of the bay, escapes much of the worst. The harbour is defined by a long NE breakwater with an L-shaped extension and, on the SW side, by a short jetty filled with local small craft. It is quite small, and yachts are advised to prepare anchors, lines and fenders before entering in view of the limited space to manoeuvre. Yachts can moor in one of three positions: stern/bows-to the quay of the NE breakwater using their anchors, where there is space for around 12 yachts; alongside the inside of the L-shaped extension, where there is space for two yachts; or alongside the outside of this extension, where there is room for four yachts. The last position experiences some swell with strong NE winds and is very uncomfortable in gales from this direction. The remaining positions afford very good shelter in all winds. There are plentiful water and electricity points along the quays. Toilet and shower is in marina office building, but it is not obvious if public.
There is a hot mineral spring known from ancient times. Visitors can take relaxing batch in freely accessible hot water bathtub opposite to the harbour (S end of the beach). Water contains iron that was also mined on the island – see remains of loading gantry N to the harbour. You can contact harbourmaster Stavros at +30 (6983) 461669
Beautiful Chora is reachable by taxi or 1½hour trip or, and from S end of the beach, you can rent a scooter from S.Margonis - who happend to be Stavros - to reach unspoilt little bays disseminating the island.
An alternative if the harbour is full is the anchorage of Ayias Irene's cove.
Prices
- May 2013, 34 feeter
- 9.11 €/night including water and electricity
- we were unable to pay for second day (nobody in office)
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
Fikiadha
Fikiadha is a beautiful anchorage, and is very well protected from both the meltemi and southerlies. Depending on the prevailing wind, anchor either on the N or S side of the little cove. Be careful, because there is weed at the bottom and sometimes anchors give the appearance of having caught but come undone when strained by a strong gust. Always check the anchor by snorkeling.
If the anchorage is full, you can drop your anchor near the NW and take a line to the N shore.
There is now a restaurant over the sandbar. Its food is of an indifferent quality.Kolimpithres
Kolimpithres or Kolona is E of the sand bar which separates it from Fikiada is also a very attractive anchorage. It is very well protected from both the meltemi and southerlies. On a small beach on the N side of the cove, there is a hot spring in the shape of a small bathtub where you can relax. Unfortunately, it is very popular with motor cruisers from Athens during the summer weekends.
Anchor to the S and take a line to a rock on the N shore. The bottom is weed and not always good holding. Drop the anchor on a sandy patch and always check the anchor by snorkeling.Apokrousis
Ayia Irene
This is a deep inlet at the SE end of the bay of Loutra. A yacht can anchor here in 3.0 – 6.0 metres and take a line ashore to rings in the rocks on the N side of the inlet. Shelter here is reasonably good in moderate winds, though a swell comes in with strong NE winds.
In the town are the main hot springs from which Kea derives its alternative name of Thermia. There are several tavernas around the harbour, a couple of good minimarkets in the village and car and scooter rental can be arranged.Ayios Stefanos & Ayios Ioannis
Episkopis
Kanala
Open to the SE. Not very good shelter from the meltemi. Good only in calm weather.
I arrived here on August 14, 2013 with a north wind of between 20 and 30 Knots The anchorage on the east side of the bay near the church was quite comfortable with no swell. The Paniyiri here was outstanding. --DaphnoulaAyios Nikolaos
Amenities
Facilities | |
---|---|
Water | Loutra: vailable on the quay, there is an extra charge for this |
Electricity | Loutra: vailable on the quay, there is an extra charge for this |
Toilets | ? |
Showers | ? |
Laundry | ? |
Garbage | There are bins around the two harbours and in several anchorages |
Supplies | |
Fuel | Can be delivered at Loutra and Merikas. Call +30 (6945) 316808 or +30 (22810) 31419 |
Bottled gas | ? |
Chandlers | None |
Services | |
Repairs | N/A (Not Available) |
Internet | In internet cafés in Merikas and Loutra |
Mobile connectivity | Good 4G signal |
Vehicle rentals | Can be arranged in Merikas and Loutra |
Provisioning
Several small stores in Loutra and Merikas.
Eating out
- Chora
- Steki [[Kythnos#Steki|Steki]] Excellent food (tel. +30 (22810) 31 204). You can call the taxi of Moschoula's (the proprietress) brother Yiannis, at +30 (6944) 271 609 or +30 (22810) 31 272. He can pick you up from Loutra or where the road ends in Apokrousis where you could go with the dinghy from Fikiadha.
- Koutsikos [[Kythnos#Koutsikos|Koutsikos]] There are very good local meat dishes at the Koutsikos, on the road to Chora.
- Araxovoli [[Kythnos#Araxovoli|Araxovoli]] In the harbor, good sea food.
Transportation
There are ferries, several per day, to Lavrio and in the summer hydrofoils from Zea.
Tourism
History
The island was named after Kythnos, the leader of Dryopes from Evia. It was also known in antiquity as Ofiousa, Theramnia, or Thermia. It was peopled by the Ionian Greeks. It took part in the Persian wars. During Roman times it was used as a place foe exile. In 1207, after the Fourth Crusade, it was occupied by the Franks who called it Fermina, and in 1537 it was occupied by the Ottomans who called it Hamam Adasi.
Places to Visit
- Visit Chora, two miles S of Loutra and the same distance E of Merikas.
- Take a bath in the hot springs of Loutra
- Visit the churches, some of which are quite old
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
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.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Kythnos and this page's details validated:
- 1988 (Merikas) --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis
- 1997 (Ayios Nikolaos) --Istioploos
- Sept, 2000 (Ayios Stefanos & Ayios Ioannis) --Istioploos
- June, 2003 (Apokrousis) --Istioploos
- May, 2010 (Loutra, Fikiadha) --Istioploos
- September 2011 (Merikas, Loutra) --Athene of Lymington 16:28, 6 September 2011 (BST)
- May 2013 (Loutra) --Mithril
- August 2013 (Kanala) --Daphnoula
- August, 2014 (Ayia Irene) --Istioploos
- August 2016 (Kolimpithres) --Istioploos
- August 2017 (Loutra)
- June 2022 (Loutra) --Smoothtraveller Stavros is an energetic and competent harbourmaster. You can rely on him !
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
Contributors to this page
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Names: Istioploos, Athene of Lymington, Daphnoula, Mithril |
(User:Mariope)