Santorini (or Thira if you prefer)

[Appleyard]

We are planning to do a cruise round the Cyclades this spring and visit some new places (new to us that is) ,one of which would be the above.

Vlikadha seems to be the best, if only ,harbour to consider. Looking at it on Heikell it seems to have good all round shelter but a bit of care is needed in the approach. Can anyone offer any first hand information and recent experience?

 

[macd]

I've been there as a landlubber: a truly spectacular place and well worth visiting, although not the easiest by sea. Some friends went there early season, as you are proposing, and picked up a mooring (with permission, their reception was friendly) off Ammoudi/Finikia at the NW end of the main island. This is probably the most spectacular of the island's villages.

Vlikahda is conveniently close to the ancient hill town above Akrotiri: well worth the walk.

 

[Appleyard]

Thanks for your reply,however I am really looking for some first hand information regarding the marina as we plan to stay for a day or so,also any info about other anchorages on the island. I am aware that anchoring off in the caldera is a no go.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Thanks for your reply,however I am really looking for some first hand information regarding the marina as we plan to stay for a day or so,also any info about other anchorages on the island. I am aware that anchoring off in the caldera is a no go.

I think you would be better in going to Ios and taking the ferry to Thira.

Marina entrance and sudden storms in the area keep most of the Professional skippers away.

 

[Appleyard]

I have heard about the ferry.. known as the vomit comet. No thanks. We will chance it.

 

[blenkinsop]

We visited in May last year.
The marina at the south end of the island seemed the only reasonable place to stay - other anchorages deep or exposed. Care needed in approach and entry - for the latter called as per pilot book when hm stood on dock to guide, ok for 2m keeping to starboard side of channel. Marina not expensive.
Car/bike hire (necessary) available nearby with delivery to marina (consult hm)
Enjoyable in spite of high tourist concentrations in main town. Still very spectacular

 

[Appleyard]

Thanks Blenkinsop, I was thinking that we should call ahead ,it sounds that the marina /hm is used to doing this?
Was the marina busy ...any problem getting a berth?
We draw 1.5 m so presumably should have no problem for the channel?

Did you have a look at any of the other anchorages on the island? Rod mentions two or three.

 

[blenkinsop]

Thanks Blenkinsop, I was thinking that we should call ahead ,it sounds that the marina /hm is used to doing this?
Was the marina busy ...any problem getting a berth?
We draw 1.5 m so presumably should have no problem for the channel?

Did you have a look at any of the other anchorages on the island? Rod mentions two or three.

We only looked at other anchorages from the shore - caldera not inviting, even the cruise ships were not anchored. Some buoys at the north end of the caldera but we do not know under whose authority.
Marina not crowded at the time of our visit, but berthing in outer part unlike Heikell's guidance. Some rafting, but not more than 2 deep when we were there. Friendly service from hm. Certainly no problem at 1.5m. Only very basic supplies available there but Lidl and other supermarkets not far if you rent a car or m/bike (easy and cheap)

 

[Appleyard]

We only looked at other anchorages from the shore - caldera not inviting, even the cruise ships were not anchored. Some buoys at the north end of the caldera but we do not know under whose authority.
Marina not crowded at the time of our visit, but berthing in outer part unlike Heikell's guidance. Some rafting, but not more than 2 deep when we were there. Friendly service from hm. Certainly no problem at 1.5m. Only very basic supplies available there but Lidl and other supermarkets not far if you rent a car or m/bike (easy and cheap)

Sounds good. definitely on the to do list then! Thanks.

 

[affinite]

See you there maybe

We were also planning a visit this year - prob in May before Meltemi really gets going. Do I gather you can phone the HM to reserve a berth ?

We got as far as Ios last year and then had to make a run for Leros when a big blow was forcast. Hoping for better luck this year.

Steve

 

[Mr Cassandra]

I have heard about the ferry.. known as the vomit comet. No thanks. We will chance it.

Yes the sea can get violent down there. If you need to motor there you will have no problems. If you have enough wind to sail there the entrance to "marina" can be very difficult. from 0 bf to 8 in a couple of hours.with 2 - 3 meter waves

have a good trip

 

[Plevier]

Stayed in Vlikhada in mid 2010. Approach does need care but not as bad as the book indicates. Not difficult after the first time! The buoyage was different from the book. We drew 1.8m and had to be careful, 1.5 shouldn't be a problem. They have a dredger but it didn't look very active!
It's definitely not smart. There are several restaurants around.
It was fairly busy but not crammed.
Reasonable bus service to Thira.

 

[jimbaerselman]

The bottom in the caldera is mostly volcanic rock with some quite big lumps. OK if you can set the hook and take a line ashore (which you can in a couple of spots with some persistence) or otherwise ensure that you hook will always be pulling in the same direction. I set a tripping line, and once (out of three anchorings) had to use it. My view is that the Caldera is best avoided.

Monolithos, close to the airport on the east coast, was far too rolly in the meltemi at the one time I just looked at it. I didn't look into the small dredged inlet south of the long beach.

Vlichada is easier to approach than early Heikell editions suggest (haven't seen the latest 2). There's a good 4m - 7m un-even approach sector, about 45 degrees wide, and at it's narrowest about 150m wide close to the harbour entrance. The bottom is usually (disconcertingsly!) visible in the clear water.

Some silting occurs during southerly winter gales. This dumps sand just inside the outer stone quay leading to the inner harbour entrance. From time to time this is dredged to leave 3m access to the inner harbour.

I received a report last year that the inner length of this channel leading to the slip was now dredged, with quays both sides, and used for end on mooring on the east side, alongside on the west. I used to moor alongside, abreast of others if needed (in spite of some moans!). Visitor craft otherwise usually moor up end on on the left as you enter the inner harbour - if there's space - or alongside, inside the left quay.

Apart from the report I received, this all 5 years out of date, of course. I have never been aware of any possibility of reserving berths here. In a Greek harbour? This is new!

What to do there - see the Cyclades page on my web site.

 

[whiteshythe]

Vlikadha

I was last there in May 2009. Stayed for three nights, the first night rafted up on the outer wall, then into the inner harbour for two nights when space became available. Depths were just adequate for my 1.85m draught. I do not remember any problems with the Approach, just follow Heikell's instructions.
Vlikadha is well protected from the North and West, but I would not recommend it in a strong Southerly, especially on the outer wall.
The harbour is mainly used by fishing boats, but the Vlikadha HM was friendly, but I very much doubt that you could reserve a berth in advance. We hired a car through the helpfull owner of the local cafe.
Thira is well worth a visit.

Good sailing,

Steve

 

[rich]

I was in Santorini in 1979,my dream has always been to sail into the port in the Volcano

 

[Appleyard]

Thanks fellas, much enthused and reassured by your comments and information,it will definitely be a destination this coming spring. We will be heading westwards from our winter base in Turkey,probably via Kalymnos & Levitha to Amorgos ,Naxos and onwards,round the islands.

 

[affinite]

Anafi anyone ?

As a stopp off to Santorini, has anyone anchored at Anafi ? Agiou Nikolaou harbour looks quite open on Google Earth but just wondered if it was a viable anchorage in calm weather ?

 

[jimbaerselman]

Anafi is OK, a bit rolly if there's any west in the swell outside. I took a long line ashore north of the ferry berth at Skala, where a little headland pokes south, and pulled as close to the shore as possible. It's a very useful stop if you need a rest from a rough meltemi ride.