Argostoli
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| Argostoli Port of Entry
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 Doric-style lighthouse at entrance |
Argostóli (Αργοστόλι) is the main harbor of Kefalonia and is a port of entry to Greece. It was destroyed by the 1953 earthquake and has been re-built. Although the reconstruction lost much of the architectural character of the town, an effort has been made in recent years to refurbish the waterfront and establish parks and other green areas to brighten up Argostoli, an effort which has been rewarded with a burgeoning tourism industry – helped in part by the publicity given to the town and its wartime history by Louis de Berniere’s novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Most visiting yachts moor on the quay immediately S of the customs quay, where depths range from 2.5 metres at the S end to 3.0 metres at the N end. Shelter here is excellent from the prevailing winds but the quay is choppy in strong E winds. Alternatively, a yacht can berth on the E side in the uncompleted and rather forlorn Argostoli marina or anchor off at the S end of the bay, 200 metres N of the causeway that crosses it.
Charts
- BA
- 203 Nisos Zakinthos to Nisos Paxoi
- 1557 Argostoli Port
- Imray-Tetra
- G12 Nísos Levkas to Nísos Zákinthos
- NIMA
- 54280 Corfu Channel to Nisis Proti
- Greek
- 2 Ionio Pelagos
- 30 Kefalonia, Ithaki
Weather
- See Ionian Sea Weather.
- Also see Ionian Sea Currents & Tides.
Passages
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
A good chart and careful navigation is necessary in the approach to Argostoli. There are reefs off both the E and W headlands at the entrance to the Gulf of Argostoli and shoal patches to be avoided on entering the Gulf itself. On arriving at the headland of the peninsula on which the town sits, which is marked by a conspicuous Doric-style lighthouse, stay at least 200 metres off the headland when rounding it, as there are extensive shoals off both the NW and NE sides. There is also a further starboard marker 50 metres SE of the cruise ship pier to be negotiated, which marks a dangerous shoal patch.
The main harbour and yacht quay are to starboard, next to the town, and the ‘marina’ to port on the W side. The bay shallows quickly once past the customs quay and terminates after another 200 metres in a concrete causeway linking the two sides of the bay and creating an enclosed salt water lake to the S.
Entrance
Argostoli is a port of entry. Customs offices are at the N end of the yacht quay.
Berthing
There are effectively two berthing options in Argostoli, the yacht quay on the W side of the bay, where most yachts moor using their anchors, or, with adverse weather conditions, alongside the jetties in the incompleted marina on the E side of the bay, where you will be sharing the accommodation with the usual collection of rusting hulks and abandoned caiques.
There are also two small mini-harbours N of the customs quay, both of which have narrow and shallow entrances and are full of local craft. Neither represents a realistic option for a visiting yacht.
Yacht Quay
This is where most yachts usually berth as it has the greatest number of spaces and the best shelter from the prevailing NW winds. The quay is the section immediately S of the customs quay, avoiding the section with rubber tyres, which is used by tripper boats. Around 10-15 yachts can anchor moor to this section of quay in depths ranging from 3.0 metres at the N end to 2.5 metres at the S end. Once beyond the ‘elbow’ in the quay, depths progressively reduce, so only shallow draft yachts should consider mooring here as depths are little more than 2.0 metres. The quay is plentifully supplied with yellow-painted bollards for shore lines. You will dropping anchor in 4.0 – 5.0 metres at the N end and the holding is good in mud once the anchor is well dug in and assuming you avoid the visible weed patches. Shelter on the quay is excellent from the prevailing NW winds, but can become a little uncomfortable with strong E winds.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Argostoli ‘marina’
Club Nautico di Argostoli
Club Nautico di Argostoli [[Argostoli#Club Nautico di Argostoli|Club Nautico di Argostoli]] 38°10.995'N, 020°29.282'E Anchorages
There is a good anchorage in the bay around 100 metres SE of the yacht quay, where a yacht can anchor in 3.0 – 4.0 metres and get reasonable shelter from the prevailing winds. If the wind pipes up from N, the yacht quay or the marina provides a refuge.
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | One water point in the middle of the yacht quay (may have to be switched on) |
| Electricity | N/A (Not Available) |
| Toilets | N/A |
| Showers | N/A |
| Laundry | N/A |
| Garbage | Bins near the N quay |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel | Fuel can be delivered by road tanker from the nearest garage |
| Bottled gas | ? |
| Chandlers |
|
| Services | |
| Repairs | None |
| Internet | From several tavernas and cafes near the yacht quay. Compass Cafe is closest to the yacht quay. |
| Mobile connectivity | Good 3G signal |
| Vehicle rentals | Several car and scooter rental outlets on the waterfront |
Provisioning
- Several small supermarkets in the town
- Large Spar supermarket at the S end of town
- Marine supplies stores on the waterfront
Eating out
- Numerous tavernas and cafes along the waterfront
- Captains Table at the N end of the yacht quay is popular with yacht crews.
- Paparazzi, an Italian restaurant up the narrow street to the N of Compass Cafe, does an excellent pizza.
Transportation
- Ferries to Patras and Italy
- Buses to Patras and Athens
- Local ferries to Lixouri
- Local buses to Ayia Eufimia and Sami
- Flights from local airport to Zakinthos and Athens
Tourism
There are several interesting museums in Argostoli, including an archaeological museum with remains from Mycenaean up to Roman times and two folklore museums. A further museum commemorates the murder by the Nazis in 1943 of nearly 3,000 members of the Italian Divisione Alpini Acqui, the survivors of a ferocious battle in which 6,000 of their comrades lost their lives to a superior Nazi force. Along the road N of the town is the interesting Katavotheres waterwheel, which used to provide motive power for a mill via seawater descending into underground channels which lead all the way across the island to the Melissani Cave. A few hundred metres further on is the unusual Doric-style lighthouse that is one of the sailing landmarks of the bay. Finally, the warm and shallow waters of the bay are a magnet for turtles, who can often be seen nibbling the mussels from old mooring lines or curiously surveying the fishermen mending their nets.
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
- Argostoli at the Wikipedia
- Wikipedia Acqui Division
References
See Ionian Sea.
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. Personal experiences?
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Argostoli and this page's details validated:
- 1987 --Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
- 2011 --Monterey
- May 2013 --Athene of Lymington
| 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 |
