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Argolic Gulf charter itineraries

The Argolic Gulf is bordered by two mountainous regions except at the head of the gulf where the mountains give way dramatically. The wide valley visible is the Argolid:

Nafplion

the fabled Argolid plain whose praises were sung in antiquity by Homer and others. The shore is generally barren and drops sheer into the sea, yielding numerous anchorages close to the shoreline.
Mycenae - like the city of Argos - north of Nafplion is definitely worth a visit, though it is located inland, but can be reached by taxi or bus from the town of Nafplion. The ancient town of Mycenae was the capital of the great Helladic civilization between about 1650 and 1100 BCE. Its position was strategically placed to block the natural land route to the Argolic gulf. Though the Mycenaean's built a vast and wealthy empire, the Mycenaean period came to an abrupt - and unexplained - end around 1000 BCE.
Other places, Leonidion, Poulithra, Actors, Kaidhari and the island of Spetses make the Argolic a popular yacht charter area, which is just a couple of days sailing from Athens.
As indicated in the map below, the winds usually blow from the south or south-east.

British Admiralty Chart 1031

satellite photo

Ports
In antiquity Spetses was an island of no importance. After the Orlov Rising, a rebellion against the Turks supported by Catherine of Great Russia, the population was expelled from the island in 1770 and Spetses town was laid waste. The inhabitants soon returned to their island, however, and their trading and seafaring activities brought them prosperity.

The island's capital, Spetses (pop. 3000), is built on the gentle slopes above the wide bay containing its harbour. The present town, with a number of handsome mansions and three interesting churches in Kastelli, the upper town, dates from the 19th c. There is a local museum in a late 19th c. mansion. The circuit of the island (12 km) is a pleasant day's walk, or it can be done in a horse-drawn carriage.

In the bay of Spetses you can anchor and take a long line to the shore or - if you are early and there is room - you can moor stern-to or bows-to in the inner harbour.
At the north-west corner of the island is a bay with a cove. This attractive anchorage provides shelter to all but NE winds.
British Admiralty Chart 1863

The lovely Greek village of Astros (Astrous) is built on subtle hills around a sandy bay. A medieval castle on top of the hill provides a panoramic view over the gulf. The place is alive with fishermen and tourists in a positive manner. Approximately 4 km from the village is Moni Loukous, a large monastery, which is well worth a visit. Go stern-to or bows-to either mole, poor holding in places.

Ieraka (Yerakas), which is located some 20 miles south of Leonidion, can be reached through a quite narrow entrance between high cliffs.

Up the north entrance a ruined acropolis can be found of possible Mycenaean origin. Moor bows-to the tiny boulevard directly opposite the tavernas or drop anchor in the west in the proximity of the lagoon (2-4 m in mud). Due to its isolation this little village is surprisingly unspoiled, although there is a regular ferry service to Piraeus.
 

Koiladia (Koiladhia, Koilas) seems at first a rather ugly place, but both surroundings and people are very pleasant.

Click to open aerial view of Koiladia.

The island Koiladia is private and the harbour on the south side cannot be used. When in luck you can go bows-to the pier between the fishing boats, otherwise drop anchor in 2½-3 meters south-east of this pier. Various important prehistoric finds have been made in the Franchthi Cave located at opposite side of the bay.
  Porto heli
 

  Leonidion