Gouvia Marina

[Appleyard]

We just got home from our spring Cruise in the Ionian. We decided to visit Gouvia Marina for an overnight stop on the way to north Corfu. Big mistake. What a dump!!!!Apart from 41 Euros for one night( which included cold and dirty showers and all the mossies we could swat),it is the most depressing place imaginable.there seems to be a lot of "project" boats ,in and out of the water being worked on by very sad looking individuals.It was like a floating Steptoe's yard in places. There also seem to be a helluva lot of boats which have taken up permanant residence there ,judging by the growth around their waterline. The "village" beyond the marina is a real eyesore as well ; very run down ,even by Greek standards.
Sorry if my opinions cause any offence ,but having heard forumites talk about the place I thought it worth a visit,but was really disappointed . Compared to Lefkas ( which is owned by the same Co.and which I have only walked through)it is a real tip. We were very glad to leave the place.

 

[ostra4]

Well thats a surprise .I havnt been there for three years or so and it was very well kept at that point with very good shower blocks .The village used to be vibrant before the marina arrived but the local shops were all closed down partly due to marina fencing off easy access and and folk not wanting a mile walk round to shops and back .Its a shame they couldnt both live together but it wasnt to be .Is Takis taverna still there do you know ?That used to be a focal point of local yachties along with navigators bar -also full of ex-pats gradually drinking their lives away .Very dissapointed to hear its gone downhill .As you say Lefkas is very good .

 

[Davy_S]

I spoke to a friend out here who has just visited Lefkas and Gouvia marina for repairs to his yacht. He described Lefkas as very good, but Gouvia as ( a bloody disgrace) I have not been to Gouvia for a few years now so cannot comment myself.

 

[bendyone]

walk a little further into the village, lovely bakery with fresh cream cakes

 

[Oliveoyl]

We also read prior posts about how grim Gouvia was, so it was with some trepidation that we started our charter there at the end of April. Pleasantly surprised to find clean, hot,free showers, well stocked grocery store with free delivery to the boat... As for the village of Kontokali, OK not the most upbeat place we visited, but much preferred it to eg Kassopi, further north. While we were there, there was much activity on the hard, as enthusiastic owners were doing the finishing touches before going back in the water. There were some other boats on the hard in need of lots of TLC, and there were some sad ones in the water in "liveaboard corner", but then again saw real Steptoe boats in Platarias.
As for Lefkas - visitors pontoons miles from the sanitary facilities, (expensive ) showers require prepaid card, available during office hours only, shelter not good and paid 48 euro for 38ft. Not motivated to go back

 

[BobOwen]

We recently returned from Gouvia after spending the last 8 months there.
Have to agree its certainly not as smart as Levkas and the management doesn't seem to care too much there either.

Over the winter, a pontoon broke a number of its mooring chains and as a result, the concrete pontoon blocks suffered a number of fractures and holes in the .
This resulted in a number of large holes appearing. Numerous complaints resulted in total indifference.
One of our friends stepped into a hole while moving her bicycle - she fell in, the bike on top of her to the bottom, 20ft deep. Luckily it was day time, her ingoing scream was heard and other than a very bad bruise, she was OK.
The management did manage to get the holes covered next day..........More from fear of some legal action than anything else.

Theres also one pontoon with the electrical live and neutral wires wrong way around. Potentially deadly dangerous, the management just doesnt bother doing anything about it, after numerous complaints from many visitors and long termers.

As for the showers, you really must have caught it on a bad day. Was it charter change over day perhaps?

Kontokali is probably the scruffiest area we saw in Greece, but does somehow seem to work. The 'Navi' was still going strong and Mikes Bingo Bongo - "You deserve me ! " was a hit over winter.

 

[Appleyard]

As a matter of fact,Bob it was on Saturday/ Sunday 27 May that we were in Gouvia,so it would probably have been a charter changeover time. We also had a walk around the pontoons ,and saw "True Colours" moored up. ..She's Looking well!

 

[Metabarca]

Just got back from there; a bit scruffy but not so bad really. The shower block was clean and there was hot water. The village behind was pretty quiet but we had a good meal there.

 

[Zimbali]

We just left Lefkas and are now in Zea at Athens (again owned by the same company). Its a real surprise. Hardly any raggies - mostly the place is full of either superyachts or sinking wrecks. There is one shower (I mean shower, not shower block) for the whole marina, there is no laundry, no chandlery and the guys at reception seem to be particularly unhelpful. I hadn't realised how good Lefkas was.

 

[Stevie_T]

Hello Zimbali
We wont be stopping there then on our Pelloponese circumnavigation.
Was looking at Athens but it all looks very pricey and rather squalid, have some experience of Alimos (Kalamaki) Marina in Athens, the toilets/showers were grim there but it sounds better than Zea, I thought Zea was supposed to be 'exclusive'.

Couldnt get a price for Alimos but was hoping it was one of the cheaper ones, but maybe not.

Steve