Cyclades - Bases Syros Finikas & Alimos Athens

Northern Cyclades

K e a
Although closest to Attica, Kea (or Tzia) is off the beaten track for most land tourists and will delight you with picturesque fishing villages, the inland town and beaches for all tastes. The deep bay of Agios Nicolaos embraces the ferry port of Livadhi to the S, and Vourkari NE which is the favourite yacht anchorage. Vourkari is renowned for its fish tavernas and from there you can visit the mountainous Chora (or main town) and the famous lion carved out of a rock face, a remnant of Keas ancient glory. Kea has many bays worth visiting. Koundouros (or Kavia Bay) approximately 5 miles S of Vourkari, is a favourite stop for a swim, protected from the N winds, although caution should be taken when entering because of the shoal extending from the N side of the entrance. Polais bay on the SE side of the island offers the visitor the added excitement of exploring the ruins of the ancient city.
Caution! Do not attempt to enter Polais Bay at night. The narrow passage between the shallows although easily detected in daylight, tells another story at night...

K y t h n o s

An island bleached by the sun, washed by the sea and blown by the wind, Kythnos is a place to feel very close to nature. From the port of Merichas, at a distance of 7 km one can visit the main town of Chora where there are many archaeological sites and Byzantine churches. On stone pavements and patios , local artists have painted flowers, fish and sailing boats with lime. Narrow streets winding through the town with arches bowing over them, whitewashed houses and windmills make Chora a beautiful town true to the Cyclades tradition of unique architecture. For the sailor, crowded Merichas is a trial.For those who prefer peace we suggest anchoring in one of the twin bays of Fikiada and Apokrisis just a mile N of Merichas. The little port of Loutra on the NE side of the island is another favourite yacht anchorage.The hot mineral springs of Looter run to this day, while the village itself welcomes the yachtsman as a guest of honor.

A n d r o s
The northernmost island of the Cyclades and quite different as it is green, wooded and cultivated. It is one of the largest  islands of the group and mountainous throughout. Andros is the birthplace of many shipping families and is not dependent on tourism. Sariza, an inland village, bottles the famous Sariza mineral water which is exported worldwide. For the sailor, the harbor of Gavrio offers the best anchorage on Andros, as it is a deep natural harbor well protected from the prevailing north winds, although there are gusts sweeping into the bay when the mealtime is strong. Caution should be exercised when entering the bay from S as there are two reefs SE of the bay. The most popular place on Andros, Batsi, is a smaller harbor approximately 3 miles SE of Gavrio sheltered from the Meltemi.

T i n o s
Greek Orthodoxy's most sacred island with the famous monastery of the Madonna of Tinos, honored on the 15th of August each year by pilgrims from all over Greece hoping for a glimpse of the icon or a token of its miraculous powers for curing the ill and the misfortunate. Beautiful uncrowded beaches, valleys rich in vegetation, and small villages considered rare examples of Greek popular architecture, with pigeon towers and white churches with blue domes and stone fences running through the whole island up onto steep rocky cliffs and down to calm blue bays.

S y r o s
Ermoupolis, the main port and capital of the Cyclades, has a long tradition in shipping and is to this day one of the largest commercial ports in Greece. Classic buildings, old mansions, small houses painted red, pink or ochre, rest high up on the hills and sweep down to the port, resembling Europe of the 18th-19th century. Upper Syros is built on San Georgi hill, a medieval part of the island inhabited by 2000 Roman Catholics. Here you will see the famous Capuccine monastery built in 1635 and the Jesuit monastery built in 1744. Syros is blessed with many beautiful bays with sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, amongst them Megas Yialos, Phoinikas (yachtsmen's favourite anchorage) and Galissa to the south, and Delfini, Aetos and Grammata NW.

M y k o n o s

This island needs no introduction as it is famous throughout the world. Arid and windblown, but sparkling with whitewashed clusters of houses, churches and windmills overlooking golden beaches and glittering seas, Mykonos will enchant you. It will dazzle you with its endless cosmopolitan nightlife and visiting VIPs, its elegant shops and haute couture establishments. She'll calm you and lull you on a golden beach bathed in bright sunshine and make a friend of you when her islanders smile at you offering a simple fishmeal and ouzo at a little taverna by the sea. A tip to fellow sailors: avoid Mykonos harbor, prefer to anchor in Ornos Bay (it is approximately a mile to main town), or Plati Yalos immediately E of Ornos.

D e l o s
The heart of the Cyclades, with a history of 4500 years, Delos is perhaps the most important archaeological site, as the whole island was a religious sanctuary with homage paid to her by ancient civilizations who built temples and brought treasures for Apollo. Uninhabited since the fall of the ancient empires, it is alive with the echo of ancient life rising from marble ruins. For today's pilgrim, Delos can be visited by sailing boat, but we strongly advise you to take the caique from Mykonos leaving daily for Delos, as the waters leading to the hidden ancient port of Delos are full of shoals. Delos may be visited only from sunrise till sunset. When the sun sets over the island, it returns to the silence of its past glory...