Oinousses
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Oinoussa Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Oinoussa, Greece
 (Click links for more information)
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 | 38°30.8′N, 26°13.1′E |
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 | Photo gallery |
 | Local chartlet |
Overview
Oinoussa is the main island of a group of nine islands, the Oinousses group, situated just over a mile off the NE coast of the Greek island of Chios and separated from it by a narrow channel, the Stenou Oinoussou. The island’s main claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of several of the most wealthy Greek ship owning families, including the wealthiest of all, the Lemos clan, statues of the various members of which can be found all over the town. During August there is usually a ‘gathering of the clans’ and the large natural harbour of Mandraki on the S side of the island can often be crammed to bursting with yachts and motor yachts of all sizes. Outside these times the harbour is usually very quiet and visiting yachts rarely have any problems finding a berth anchor moored on its long ‘yacht club’ jetty or lying alongside one of the extensive and well-maintained quays. At the north end of the harbour is a large naval boarding school, accounting for the numerous youngsters with cropped haircuts usually seen around the town.
Charts
- BA
- 1645 Nísos Khíos and Izmir Körfezi
- Imray-Tetra
- G28 Nísos Khíos & the Coast of Turkey
- NIMA
- 54380 Tuzla Burnu to Samos
- 54386 Khios Strait Greece and Turkey
- Greek
- 334 Chios Island & Opposite Coast of Asia Minor
Radio Nets
- Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Weather
See Aegean Sea.
The main (and indeed only) harbour in the island group is the ferry port of Mandraki on the south side of Oinoussa. There are no dangers in the approach to Mandraki from S or E. In the approach from N or W, however, the rocky islet of Vrk Prasonisia and a shoal patch just over half a mile SE of it need to be given a wide berth. In the approach from N, gusting will often be experienced in the narrow channel between Oinoussa and Chios, especially with winds from W round to NE. Once close in, a conspicuous church on the easternmost of three small islands protecting the harbour from W and S, Nisos Mandraki, will be seen, and, at the extreme S tip (visible only when rounding the island if approaching from N or W) is a small bronze statue of a mermaid perched on an isolated rock.
Mandraki is a natural harbour, improved by a rubble breakwater and a natural sand bar connecting the three islands on the W side of the harbour and two concrete breakwaters protecting it from E. The harbour is entered from E, passing the mermaid to port and continuing on a dog leg course between these breakwaters. Do not be tempted by the narrow channel at the NW end of the harbour – it is shallow and used by small fishing boats only.
Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)
Yachts have several mooring options in Mandraki. At the NW end of the harbour there is a long concrete jetty with a 'yacht club' at its root which can accommodate around a dozen yachts on anchor moor, either stern or bows-to. Depths are around 3.0 metres, although they shoal to around 2.5 metres towards the end of the jetty. Yachts can also moor alongside the quay immediately E of the jetty, where there is room for 2/3 yachts before the fishing boat moorings start, or alongside the large ferry jetty at the root of the northern breakwater, clear of the area at the S end where the ferry berths. A further 3/4 yachts can moor alongside here. Depths at this quay are 4.0 – 5.0 metres. Finally, the harbour is large enough to anchor off if preferred in 4.0 – 5.0 metres. The holding is good in mud and sand. Shelter in the harbour is excellent from all directions.
Anchorages
There are several anchorages on the W side of the main island of Oinoussa and others dotted among the small islands to the E of Oinoussa. A large scale chart is an advantage, particularly if exploring the ones to the E, since there are numerous reefs and shoals around the coast.
It is also possible to anchor in the cove of Ayios Ioannis ( 38°30.8′N, 26°13.8′E) just E of the harbour. The holding here is good and the anchorage is reasonably well protected from the meltemi.
West Cove
38°31′N, 26°12.5′E
This a lovely cove, not very secure but good for lunch and a refreshing swim.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- 1997 --Istioploos
East Cove
38°30.3′N, 26°14.6′E
Good shelter here and good holding on sand and light weed. Isolated.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- July 2002 --Istioploos
Pasha Island
38°30.1′N, 26°16.5′E
There are several coves on the west side of this large island immediately E of Oinoussa. Most of them offer reasonably good shelter from the prevailing winds.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
There is a ‘yacht club’ in Mandraki, which is really more of a café/bar than a formally constituted yacht club. It offers a good bar, café meals, free wifi and toilets and is very welcoming to visiting yachts.
Yacht Services and Repairs
None.
Marine Stores
None.
Repairs/Yards
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
No fuel. Water and electricity points along the quays and on the jetty. Not all the electricity points are working, but it is usually possible to connect on and near the ‘yacht club’ where there are six points available at two separate stations (although you may need a long extension cable). Water is only switched on at present on Monday and Friday afternoons.
Offshore Islands
Numerous small islets off the E coast of Oinoussa.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The town of Oinoussa is a short (if steep) walk uphill from the harbour and contains many old houses and attractive villas as well as a small cathedral and minimarket. The wonderfully sited convent of Moni Evangelisou, nestling among pine trees and ringed with magnificent gardens, is about 45 minutes walk along the west side of the island. Knock on the door for admission (and be sure to dress conservatively for your visit). The walk along the coast road to the eastern end of the island passes a series of quiet coves, some of which are suitable as overnight anchorages in settled weather.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Minimarket next to the cathedral.
Eateries
A simple taverna in a small square behind the waterfront, otherwise just the ‘yacht club’ and a couple of seasonal cafes.
Internet/WiFi
At the yacht club and the Palaio Teloneio (old customs house) café.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
None.
Garbage Disposal
Bins next to the ‘yacht club’ jetty.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
Routes/Passages To/From
Oinoussa is conveniently placed 40 miles SSW of the island of Lesvos and 15 miles N of the headland of Karaadbdullah Burnu on the Turkish coast at the S end of the Chios Channel. It is thus a handy stopping off point on a cruise between Lesvos and the island of Samos 55 miles SE or the harbours of Ayvalik or Eskifoca and Sigacik or Kusadasi on the adjoining Turkish coast.
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
Links to relevant websites.
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- July 2004 --Istioploos
- September 2009 --Atheneoflymington 08:43, 12 September 2009 (UTC)
- July 2011 --Athene of Lymington 12:26, 29 June 2011 (BST)
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Aegean Sea | Greece | Oinoussa | |
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