Sailing the Gulfs of Hydra and Argolikos in Greece

It is difficult to generalise about weather patterns withinLook out for Spetsai's specialty, "Fish a la Spetsiota"
the area. In the summer months the north usually seescooked in the oven with a lot of tomato and green
the Meltemi from the NNE - NE. But unlike the rest ofpeppers and covered in cheese. The town and
the Aegean it is by no means guaranteed and if itharbour are attractive with many houses and
does not blow winds are usually light and from themansions dating back some 200 years.
south. The prevailing wind in the south of the area isOrmos Zoyioryia is a large bay in the NW of Spetsai.
from the SE and it will blow from midday beforeYachts can anchor in the bay in depths of 5 - 8m.
calming in the evening. It usually does not exceed forceThere is a small cove on the western side of the bay
5. There are limited problems with gusts from high land.that offers shelter from all but winds from the NE - E.
Astrous on the Peloponnisos is renowned for aThis is an attractive anchorage, clear water
katabatic wind at night. It gets up quickly from calmsurrounded by wooded slopes and there is a single
conditions and can blow a force 7 for up to 6 hours.taverna ashore.
Nisidhes Tselevinia, the islands of Spathi and Skilli lie ofPort Kheli is on the Peloponnisos. Yachts can go bow
Cape Skillaion. There is a secluded anchorage at theor stern to the quay or anchor off. The bottom is mud
SW tip of Spathi. Nisis Soupia lies 1.5 miles W of Spathi.and excellent holding. Shelter is also excellent.
Yachts can anchor where convenient, the bottom isDrinking water and fuel are delivered by tanker. Most
covered in thick weed and holding is not good inprovisions can be obtained in the village. There are
places.good tavernas in the village and on the waterfront.
Ermioni is on the Peloponnisos. When approaching takeThe bay is home to many water sports and in the
care of the remains of the ancient mole on thesummer has a busy feel to it. There are also
northern side of the headland. Yachts can go bow oranchorages on either side of the entrance channel.
stern to on the inside of the outer mole. AlternativelyKoiladhia is a large bay on the eastern side of the Gulf
anchor in the bay to the north. The bottom is mud andof Argolikos. Yachts can anchor of the village in 2 -
weed with some rocks with poor holding in places.3m. Excellent holding on mud and good all round
There is a quayed area on the southern side of theshelter. There is water on the quay and most
peninsula that can be used with offshore winds. Waterprovisions are available. The tavernas on the
is available on the quay and there is fuel in the village.waterfront are good and often have fresh fish
Most provisions can be obtained and there are plentyavailable.
of tavernas. Ermioni remains comparativelyKhaidhari is set at the top of Ormis Dhrepanou. Yachts
undeveloped. Ormos Kapari is the large bay to thecan anchor in the bay or go bow to the outer end of
south of Ermioni. Yachts can anchor in the SW cornerthe mole. Holding is good in mud and weed and there is
where there is shelter from the prevailing winds. Thegood all round shelter. There are tavernas ashore. Tolo
bottom is sand and weed with good shelter.is a small harbour. Yachts can anchor of or go
Hydra or Idhra is the long, narrow island lying parallel toalongside, stern or bow to the mole. The bottom is
the Peloponnisos coast. There is not much writtensand and good holding. Water is limited. Most provisions
about the island until around the 15th century. Aroundcan be obtained and there are plenty of waterfront
1460 Albanian refugees who were later joined bytavernas that often have fresh fish available. The
settlers from Crete, Evia and Kythnos settled Hydra.village is now a bust tourist resort with its fine sandy
Then in the 18th century Hydra welcomed a largebeach.
number of refugees from the Peloponnisos during theNavplion lies at the head of the Gulf of Argolikos.
war between Russia and Turkey. In 1792 the townYachts should berth on the quay in the inner basin. The
was almost completely abandoned when the plaguebottom is mud and holding is difficult. Shelter is good
killed much of the population. But by the end of the 18thwith the exception of strong NW winds. If the swell
century Hydra had become quite prosperous becausebecomes too bad yachts are better anchored off.
of its commercial fleet that was trading as far asThere is water on the quay and fuel in the town. All
France, Spain and even the Americas. When the warprovisions can be obtained and there are numerous
of independence broke out Hydra was in a position totavernas. The town is beautiful. Houses from the 18th
contribute some 150 ships and supplies to fight againstand 19th centuries are covered with bougainvillea or
the Turks. However when Greece did finally achieveclematis. Navplion was briefly the capital of Greece
independence in 1821 Hydra was economically isolatedafter the war of independence until Athens was
and did not receive its fair share of assistance fromchosen as the permanent capital. Astrous is on the
the new state and a period of hardship andwestern side of the gulf. Yachts can go bow or stern
unemployment set in causing many of the inhabitantsto either mole. The bottom is mud and weed and poor
to abandon it leaving behind large mansions andholding in places. Astrous is notorious for the strong
beautiful residences that fell into ruin. Yachts can gokatabatic winds that blow off the mountain at night
bow or stern to the town quay or on the northerntime. There is water on the mole. Most provisions can
mole. The bottom is mud and weed and poor holding inbe obtained but there is better shopping in the town
places. Strong winds from the N - NW produce asome 2 miles away. There are good tavernas on the
dangerous surge in the harbour and the north mole iswaterfront and in the village.
the only safe place. There is water on the quay. TheFurther to the south is Leonidhion. Yachts can bow or
town will provide most provisions. As far as eating outstern to the mole. The bottom is hard sand and rock
goes the waterfront tavernas are over priced and youand poor holding in places. There is limited shelter from
will find much better value in the town.the prevailing winds. Water is available on the quay.
Mandraki is a bay about 0.75 miles east of Hydra.Limited provisions can be obtained but there are good
Yachts can anchor were convenient. The bottom iswaterfront tavernas.
sand, mud and weed with good holding. There areKiparissi is a large bay. Yachts can anchor of the
tavernas ashore. Other anchorages on Hydra includevillage of Paralia or go alongside the ferry quay.
Vlikhos, Ormos Molos, Petassi, Bisti and Ay Nikolaos.Alternatively go bow or stern to the quay in the SE
Spetsai lies at the mouth of the Gulf of Argolikos. Pinecorner of the bay. A third choice is to anchor in the
trees cover much of the island. Like Hydra, Spetsainorth of the bay or lastly berth at the mole in the north
played an important role during the Greek Revolutionof the bay. There are provisions and tavernas in the
of 1821 committing her fleet which was commandedvillage. The bay is completely unspoilt and is
by the heroine Laskarina Bouboulina Spetsai has thesurrounded by high mountains. Ireaka lies at the head
same policy with cars as Hydra: they are notof a bay. Yachts can go bow to the quay. The bottom
permitted on the island and transportation is, like inis mud weed and rock and reasonable holding in the
Hydra, effectuated by horse-drawn carriage, donkeymain. There are tavernas ashore and limited provisions
or taxi-boat. Yachts can anchor in the bay with a lineare available.
to the shore or go bows to in the inner harbour if thereMonemvasia is an island linked to the Peloponnisos by
is room. In the outer harbour the bottom is sand anda causeway. Yachts can go bow or stern to the mole
weed and poor holding in places. Shelter in the inneror anchor off. The bottom is sand, weed and rock with
harbour is excellent but winds from the NW push swellpoor holding in places. Water and fuel can be delivered.
into the outer harbour making it uncomfortable. There isAll provisions can be obtained and there are several
water and fuel on the quay. There is good shoppingtavernas in the old village in a lovely setting. Try the
with a supermarket close to the harbour. There arechar grilled octopus here.
good tavernas around the harbour and in the town.