Anyone sailed from Skiathos?

[Whiskey Bravo]

We're bareboating from Skiathos later this month, an area we haven't visited before. Anybody got any recommendations for places to moor, [not anchoring overnight], tavernas etc or places to definitely avoid. We only have a week this time due to our companions having to [whisper] work.

 

[vyv_cox]

The Sporades are an excellent cruising area. Mooring places Skiathos itself, Loutraki and Skopelos on Skopelos island, Steni Vala is very nice but shallow so you need to go bows-to. Agnondas is pretty good but watch out for the oil ship which arrives at the ferry berth just as you are sitting down for dinner. Patitiri is pleasant but believe what the pilot says - if there is any north to east in the wind a large swell will come in and life becomes most uncomfortable. We damaged the boat here when the surge broke the chain hook on my snubber and the stern hit the wall.

Suggest you anchor at Planitis on Panayia island, one of the best anchorages you will ever see, but extremely remote.

We ate twice at a restaurant in Skiathos, superb. Walk south from the marina follow the coast until it turns to the west at the bay where all the tripper boats berth. In 100 metres or so go up a side street until you reach a street parallel with the shore line. The restaurant has lots of meat on spits outside. Possibly the best meals we have eaten in Greece, just edged by the Nidri Yacht Club, now extinct.

 

[jhr]

I'd add Panormos (on Skopelos) to Vyv's list, and second his comments about Patatiri - a lovely place, but not very comfortable when the swell comes in.

Several flotilla companies operate from Skiathos, and Sunsail operate from the mainland nearby, so try to find out when they'll be visiting places - and avoid co-inciding with them.....

Away from the fleshpots (Skiathos and Skopelos Towns) most restaurants are fairly bog standard Greek fare, although there is a great place (whose name I forget, I'm afraid) in Loutraki - but in the main Town (up a long, steep hill), rather than down by the waterfront. Steni Vala has a reasonable array along the waterfront.

Probably about time I posted this link again.

Enjoy yourselves, it's a great cruising area.

Edit: Oops; sorry. Ignore the bit about Panormos - it's anchors only...... I must read threads properly!

 

[SimbaDog]

Yes
Done 2 weeks out of there, great sailing, will give you some more info later when I have more time.

 

[Saguday]

Also sailed from there for two weeks and loved it. Will consult with SWMBO and our diaries and post back later with more info and opinions.

 

[SarahJ]

Skiathos

Great restaurant at Koukounaries. It's described in Heikell's guide. We anchored outside of harbour and then walk along beach turn right at end, walk down wide road (looks pretty unpromising) and down on right German owned place in gorgeous garden. Fantastic food. Koukounaries pretty and peaceful. Also loved Glossa; got a taxi up from Loutraki.
Have fun....

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

Many thanks for replies so far, anymore welcome. We're anticipating a great time even more now, just have to survive the rigours of 4 nights on the Norfolk Broads next week including having SWMBO's sister on board.

 

[DownWest]

Sorry about the travailles on the broads next week (not refering to SWMBO´s sister...) But we had a magical night at Panormos on the hook. Do read Michael Carroll´s book `Gates of the Wind´. A nice pic of the area in an earlier world (64?) certainly improved our visit. His house is/was there and added to the the atmosphere. Well protected from winds, give it a try.
A

 

[vyv_cox]

Great restaurant at Koukounaries. It's described in Heikell's guide. We anchored outside of harbour

There is space for a couple of boats alongside the breakwater in the little harbour at Koukounaries. In daytime the end of the wall is used by tripper boats but it's OK to go alongside in the evening. The first one doesn't arrive until about 1100 and even then not every day. A bus into Skiathos goes from outside the hotel just above the harbour.