The Octopus has been traveling a lot lately to make you discover new destinations. That’s why he decided to take some time off, and this time, he is heading to the Sporades. Don’t worry, he didn’t forget you and is still taking you with him for a tour of the best anchorages in the Sporades!
This archipelago, located in the Aegean Sea, has four main islands: Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros, and many other uninhabited islets. As they are less frequented than the other Greek islands, they will satisfy your wildest escape dreams! With their historical and natural attractions, white sandy beaches and beautiful green landscapes, there is no doubt you will be seduced by the Sporades.
Best anchorages in the Sporades
Weather and climate in the Sporades
With mild, rainy winters and warm, sunny summers, the Sporades enjoy a Mediterranean climate, so you can go there all year long without any problem. To better enjoy your stay, we still advise you to wait for the warmer months, from may to September. At this time of the year, the sea is warm enough to go swimming and snorkeling!
Chrisi Milia
The Octopus’s first stopover during this tour of the best anchorages in the Sporades is the Alonissos Island, and more precisely Chrisi Milia. This anchorage is very popular in the region and really appreciated by the Navily community. In this rocky bay covered by conifers, you can anchor in a seabed made of sand and rocks at a depth of about 5 – 8 meters. The good protection from the southwest to northeast winds by the west should ensure a peaceful stay. However, when the meltem blows, some swell enters the bay, but nothing unbearable!
In this magical place, the seabed is just like the wild coast, flourishing and home to an abundant fauna! It is the ideal place for a family snorkeling session. You can also enjoy the beach for a relaxing moment in the warm waters of the bay.
Finally, from your boat, you will witness a breathtaking landscape. The clear rock, the paralia Milia beach, the crystal-clear waters and the thick vegetation coexist in harmony and make the bay a place to dream and relax.
Votsi
Going down along the coast, we are now reaching our next destination, a beautiful anchorage named Votsi. There, you will drop anchor easily in shallow waters (about 4 meters) in a sandy seabed. However, boaters recommend using lines for a better hold.
Votsi is the perfect anchorage to fully immerse yourself in Greek culture. The bay is facing a small traditional village made up of many houses with local colors and a fishing port very appreciated by the sailors. Gille on Navily sums up his experience in one sentence: “This is Greece in all its glory.”
In addition to the charming setting the anchorage offers, the capital of the Island is only a few steps away. You can walk to Patriti, and once you’re there explore the city, discover the local shops and taste typical Greek food in one of the many tavernas. Chaos, Panouli, Konaki… so many possibilities!
Kechria
After visiting the Alonissos island, we are now heading to its neighbor, Skathios. There, we stop at Kechria, an anchorage very well rated by the Navily community, according to whom it is better to go there in calm weather. Once comfortably anchored in the sandy seabed and protected from the northest to south winds by the east, you will enjoy the beauty of this place peacefully.
The anchorage remains quite wild, which makes it a quiet and uncrowded place where you can decompress, with only the sound of waves to sooth you. From your boat, you will have the view on two long sandy beaches easily accessible, Paralia Kechria and Ligaries. These beaches, dominated by impressive mountains, are bathed in a sea with infinite shades of blue that takes on orange colors in the evening, during spectacular sunsets.
After a beautiful day of sunbathing and swimming, the Kechria Tarsanas Taverna will welcome you for a memorable meal. The boaters who stayed at the anchorage highly recommend all the typical Greek food they serve, especially the grilled fish and squid!
Limnonari Beach
After eating a delicious meal in the Kechria taverna, the Octopus continues its adventure a little further east, on Skopelos island. Its first stopover is located at the south of the island and is one of the best anchorages in the Sporades : Limnonari beach. Protected from the west to east winds by the north, you will anchor easily in a seabed mainly made of sand. There are also a few patches of seagrass, but the clear waters of the bay will allow you to see them clearly. The bay is quite popular in summer and frequented by charter boats during the day, but sailors really appreciate this place for the view it offers.
Indeed, majestic mountains covered with thick vegetation encircle the bay, and in the back, a white sand beach is bathed in turquoise waters. On the beach, you can find a beach bar and a taverna which, according to the boaters, are known for serving extremely good meals. Finally, this anchorage is described as an ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, exploring rocks and caves, or simply relaxing on the beach! Many activities that will make your stay unforgettable.
Limani Panormos
Our next destination is located at the north-east of Limnonari beach and deserves its place in the best anchorages in the Sporades. If you are looking for a calm and natural place, Limani Panormos will offer you an amazing experience.
Indeed, very few shops, restaurants or other commodities are near the anchorage, which makes it an ideal place to forget about the little problems of everyday life. The boaters who stayed at the anchorage highly recommend it, but they advise to arrive there early to be sure to have a place (or simply to go there in low season).
At Limani Panormos, the good protection from west to east winds by the south will assure you a pleasant stay. The seabed is mainly composed of seagrass which does not offer a very good hold. That’s why, according to the Navily community, it is better to add lines ashore to ensure a comfortable anchorage. The rock formations bordering the bay are covered with dense vegetation, made of pine and fir trees that touch the water with the tips of their needles. This wild setting makes Limani Panormos a wonderful place to relax.
Agios Ioannis
To continue our visit of the best anchorages of the Sporades on Skopelos, we are heading to Agios Ioannis, an anchorage located at the north of the island. At the anchorage, you will drop anchor in a seabed made of rocks, seagrass and sand that you can easily distinguish thanks to the clarity of the water. You will benefit from a good protection from the southeast to the northwest winds by the west. However, to make the most of your stay at Agios Ioannis, it is better to go there when the weather is good, and the wind is not too strong.
This anchorage is popular among sailors, but even more among the fans of Mamma Mia! Nearby the anchorage is the church that got famous in this movie. Located on the top of a rock, you can reach it by foot without too much difficulty.
Although it is very popular, this church is not the only thing that makes Agios Ioannis one of the best anchorages in the Sporades. Impressive rock formations surround the bay and plunge directly into deep blue waters. It is a unique landscape that you’ll love if you’re looking for a natural getaway.
Skiropoula East
To wrap up our list of the best anchorages in the Sporades, the Octopus is now taking you to Skyros, the archipelago’s fourth main island. There, he stops at Skiropoula East. Thanks to the sandy seabed, you will anchor easily while enjoying a good protection from the northwest to the east winds by the north.
From the deck of your boat, you will witness a magnificent contrast between the turquoise waters and the green hills, only separated by a thin layer of white rock. This beautiful and wild setting makes the anchorage a real jewel of the Sporades.
Finally, this magical place is far from everything. No shops, bars or restaurants around, which will allow you to fully and peacefully enjoy this natural setting. As Gianguido said, it is “one of the best anchorages of all the Sporades”, Laura – sailboat, 12 meters.
Our journey in the Sporades is now coming to an end. Now that he made you discover the best anchorages in the Sporades, the Octopus is going to rest and take some well-deserved holidays.
If, like him, you have been seduced by this region, don’t hesitate to share your experience with us. After discovering this archipelago, if you want to know more about Greece, check our other articles on the best anchorages in the small Cyclades and our guide to sailing in Greece.
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