Cyclades - Bases Syros Finikas & Alimos Athens

Northern Cyclades

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 Mykonos 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...

Western Cyclades

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 Apokriosis 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.

S e r i f o s
According to mythology, Serifos is the petrified Medusa killed by Perseas. It is a mountainous isle with the main town of Chora built on a hill overlooking the closed Livadi bay, where you should moor. Chora is one of the most beautiful towns in the Cyclades, and the view down to Livadi bay is overwelming. Livadi is usually full of yachts as it offers fuel and water delivered on the quay, good provisioning and excellent tavernas. A pleasant picture to the eye with green valleys and iron mines alternating with sandy beaches and blue bays ( don't forget to stop for a swim at Koutalas Bay on the South). Serifos is a must.

S i f n o s

Naturally protected by steep rocky slopes surrounding it, allowing small bays to form between them, Sifnos has a wild beauty of its own to be discovered only by the lucky ones who sail there, as most bays are not linked by road. Sifnos has 400 churches and 20 monasteries while at Kastro there is an archaeological site where you can see remains dating as far back as the geometric period of the 9th century BC. The bays of Sifnos are renowned for their beauty, and the photo on the right of Panagia Chrysopigi is the entrance to one of the most famous.