Vlychada, Santorini

[chris-s]

Just abandoned trying to enter here in the dark, it really does seem to be as bad as the reviews make out! We draw 2m, grounded twice at the entrance, after narrowly avoiding the unlit yacht anchored just outside. Perhaps we will try again in the daylight.

Anybody else have recent feedback for here?

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Best to park in IoS and take the ferryboat.its a dangerous place to be miles from anywhere safe if a storm come up.

 

[Chae_73]

some potentially relevant info here:

Disclaimer - I've never been there, purely based on having a look at some maps and Google.

Santorini island sailing holidays, yachting and yacht charters guide to Thira in the Cyclades, Greece

At the south tip of Santorini (Thira island) is the Marina of Vlychada or Vlikadha - Μαρίνα Βλυχάδα, which is regarded as the only port where it is safe to moor the yacht during a (Meltemi) storm or leave the yacht unattended while exploring the island.

 

[Cspirit]

The 'marina' at Vlychada is nasty in any sort of wind. Visitors are directed, or at least not prevented from mooring on the outside of the marina rim. There is a short breakwater for protection but I can assure you that in anything above around F4, from any direction, it's dangerous. I was moored there, singlehanded, when the wind blew up to around a 6. The boat was smashing against another boat so around midnight I literally cut my lines and moved into the inner marina and moored against a fishing boat. This was relatively safe and quiet. I only went here for one night to collect crew. I'll never go here again.

 

[BobnLesley]

Just abandoned trying to enter here in the dark,..

A wise decision.
I went in a couple of times, though many years ago and with a shallower draught; to be honest, I found the entrance far easier than the picture which the pilot books painted, but both visits were in light weather/full daylight. I've also visited Thira for a day-trip using the fast ferry from Paros and as noted earlier from Mr Cassandra, that's much to be preferred; Santorini's not a good place to be if the weather cuts up rough and if you're intending going back north into the Cyclades, the passage tends to be hard work and uncomfortable at the best of times.

 

[chris-s]

Thanks guys. We spent a peaceful if little rolly night anchored outside then motored around to Thira and tied up to one of the massive buoys for the day and tonight. Off to Naxos tomorrow.

 

[mjcoon]

Thanks guys. We spent a peaceful if little rolly night anchored outside then motored around to Thira and tied up to one of the massive buoys for the day and tonight. Off to Naxos tomorrow.

I had not popped my head up because I have not been there since 2015 and we (a skippered 50 footer) did not attempt to get into Vlychada. We did tie up to "one of the massive buoys" but gave up trying to get passengers/crew ashore and went back to Ios (where we had previously been) for the night. Scheduled personnel exchanges, and visits to Thira, took place from there via ferry! Still, at least we had seen the island from the sea...

 

[chris-s]

Having walked up to the town today, I think Thira is best seen from the water, very touristy tacky. We took the bus to Oia which was much nicer.

 

[Neeves]

Not been for a good few years...

The bus to Oia might be fine currently but when the cruise industry returns to full strength the bus fills quickly as the cruise ship passengers need to get back.

Fascinating location if you have any interest geology.

Jonathan