The Sporades are the greenest islands in Greece, with a softened Meltemi and the largest marine park in Europe. This week from Skiathos links Skopelos, Alonissos and the protected islets of the national park. Around 99 miles, short legs and crystal-clear water: an ideal place to build confidence gently. Full detail below.
In brief
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base | Skiathos |
| Access | Direct flights to Skiathos (JSI) in season, or via Volos (mainland) |
| Total distance | ~99 NM |
| Sailing time | ~20 h over 6 sailing days |
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Level | Intermediate, accessible; a good first Aegean cruise |
| Recommended boat | 38-44 ft monohull or catamaran |
| Best time | June to September |
| Winds | Meltemi from N-NE, softened, 8 to 10 kt lighter than the Cyclades |
| Indicative budget | ~700 to 1,100 € per person (see Sailing budget in Greece) |
Explore the stops
Approximate destination locations for trip planning. Use current nautical charts and local information for navigation.
Skiathos · Skopelos · Glossa, Skopelos · Alonnisos · Kyra Panagia · Peristera
Weather month by month
| Month | Meltemi | Air | Sea | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Light | 21-24° | 18-19° | Green, calm |
| June | Moderate, soft | 26-28° | 21-22° | Ideal |
| July | Moderate | 29-31° | 23-24° | Busier |
| August | Moderate | 29-31° | 24-25° | Book early |
| September | Light to moderate | 25-28° | 23-24° | Ideal |
| October | Light | 21-24° | 21-22° | Quiet end of season |
Day by day
Day 1, Skiathos to Skopelos (Chora), 18 NM, ~4 h
Anchorage: Skopelos harbour, Med-mooring at the town quay. Water and provisions.
Ashore: a white village rising in an amphitheatre, lanes and monasteries.
Warning: the quay can roll in an established northerly.
Day 2, Skopelos to Glossa (Loutraki), 8 NM, ~2 h
Anchorage: the small harbour of Loutraki, below Glossa.
Ashore: the church of Agios Ioannis Kastri on its rock (the Mamma Mia wedding), up around a hundred steps.
Warning: limited facilities, a small harbour.
Day 3, Glossa to Alonissos (Patitiri), 20 NM, ~4 h
Anchorage: Patitiri, the main harbour of Alonissos, or Steni Vala further north. Water, provisions.
Ashore: the capital of the Sporades, gateway to the marine park.
Warning: you are entering the park's regulated zone; check the anchoring rules.
Day 4, Alonissos to Kyra Panagia, 12 NM, ~2-3 h
Anchorage: the natural harbour of Planitis, an almost enclosed bay with exceptional all-round shelter. A deserted island at the heart of the park.
Ashore: no facilities, a monastery, goats, silence. Buoys or anchoring as per park rules.
Warning: national park, respect the protected zones (Mediterranean monk seal).
Day 5, Kyra Panagia to Peristera, 8 NM, ~2 h
Anchorage: off Peristera, above the classical shipwreck site (one of the most important in the Mediterranean), water of rare clarity.
Ashore: an uninhabited islet, guided diving on the wreck, swimming.
Day 6, Peristera to Skopelos, 15 NM, ~3 h
Anchorage: back west, Skopelos or Glossa depending on the wind. A last evening in the village.
Day 7, Skopelos to Skiathos, 18 NM, ~4 h
Sailing: back to base, a short and easy leg.
Summary table
| Day | Leg | NM | Time (~5 kn) | Anchorage | Shelter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Skiathos to Skopelos | 18 | ~4 h | Skopelos (quay) | Good |
| D2 | Skopelos to Glossa | 8 | ~2 h | Loutraki | Fair |
| D3 | Glossa to Alonissos | 20 | ~4 h | Patitiri / Steni Vala | Good |
| D4 | Alonissos to Kyra Panagia | 12 | ~2-3 h | Planitis | Excellent |
| D5 | Kyra Panagia to Peristera | 8 | ~2 h | Peristera | Good |
| D6 | Peristera to Skopelos | 15 | ~3 h | Skopelos | Good |
| D7 | Skopelos to Skiathos | 18 | ~4 h | Skiathos | Good |
| Total | ~99 | ~20 h |
Practical checklist
- Licence: coastal licence plus ICC plus VHF Short Range Certificate.
- Alonissos Marine Park: regulated anchoring, official buoys in places, no-go zones around the monk-seal colonies. Ask at Patitiri.
- Provisioning: stock up at Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos, nothing on the park islets.
- TEPAI and the usual papers.
Booking and preparation
- Compare boats available from Skiathos or Volos.
- Charter insurance recommended.
- Flights: to Skiathos (JSI) in season.
- Shore activities: diving the Peristera wreck, walking on Alonissos and Skopelos.
See also: the guide Sailing the Sporades and the article How much does a week's sailing in Greece cost.
Nautical data: Sporades distance tables, harbour offices of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos. Weather: HNMS. Alonissos Marine Park rules to be checked with the park authority before departure.
A word from the crew
Logbook. The marine park north of Alonissos is pure silence: bottle-green water, deserted coves, and the thought that a monk seal might just poke its head up.
The mistake to avoid. Forgetting that the northern marine park is regulated. Some zones are off-limits or need a permit; check beforehand and respect the marked anchorages.
Our favourite, and what we skip. Favourite: Kyra Panagia and the coves of Alonissos. What we skip: the beaches of Skiathos at peak hours, gorgeous but saturated in August.
Our verdict. Beauty 5/5. Anchorages 4/5. Ease 3/5. Crowds 2/5. Verdict: green, wooded Greece, a total contrast with the Cyclades, perfect for quiet sailing.
