SPORADES ISLANDS

See the map for the Sporades sailing area in Greece.

Placed in the Northwest side of the Aegean Sea, the Sporades islands are real exciting sailing destination which differs from any other one in Greece. The Northern Sporades, as their actual name is, consist of scattered, remote and fertile islands. The dense vegetation along with the mountainous terrains features the area’s topography. The thick forests literally reach the sea water creating a natural shade shelter to the sailor. White sandy or rocky beaches (many of them accessible only by sailboat), secluded anchorages and the wildlife are often unexpectedly beautiful to the new comers.

The climate, in the Sporades, is the classic Mediterranean characterized by mild winters with frequent rainfalls and warm summers with long-standing sunny days. The average temperature is 16 (60,8F) to 28 (82,4F) degrees celsius from April to October and sometimes higher. During the summer period, the average wind force is calm to moderate due to the fact that the Meltemi -the prevailing Northern wind- is less strong than the open Aegean Sea blowing from North to North-East at force 3 to 5 beaufort scale. However, in July and August it blows at force 4-6 and may reach force 7 on occasion. In spring and autumn, the wind is blowing similarly from the North (Northeast – Northwest) but there are regular winds blowing from South as well.

Sporades routes are ideal for those having intermediate sailing skills.

Although most tourists gather in the 4 main ports of Skopelos, Skiathos, Skyros and Alonissos, there are other places in the North coast of Evia, inside the Pagassitikos gulf (Volos) and in the East coast of Thessaly mainland that are very attractive as well. The Chalkidiki peninsula (southeast of the city of Thessaloniki) is another wonderful and unspoilt place for boat holidays but sailors need a charter period of 2 weeks or more since the charter base for the Chalkidiki remains in Skiathos.

Sporades group of islands is certainly considered the best for nature lovers and even though the area of the Sporades is not the ideal place to visit archaeological sites and monuments, there are enough museums around. The national marine park of Alonissos, created in 1992 for the protection of the unique ecosystem in the Northern Sporades, is a distinguishable sightseeing spot. This park protects mainly the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus-Monachus and some of the species sighted in this area include dolphins, the loggerhead turtles (Caretta-Caretta) and numerous rarely found kind of birds.

Skiathos port is the charter base that “serves” the Sporades islands in the Aegean Sea. The distance from the marina to the airport is 5-7 minutes by taxi or mini-bus and the distance to the main harbour is about 600m on foot.
Skiathos island can be accessed both by plane and ferry/ hydrofoil. Skiathos airport is connected with direct charter flights from many capitals around the world and daily flights from Athens. Ferries and hydrofoils come to Skiathos from Aghios Konstantinos port (on Greece mainland, 180 km away from Athens) and from Volos port (again on the mainland, 320Km away from Athens). Still, the less complicated way to reach Skiathos is by plane.

See some links for the Northern Sporades islands in Greece:
• http://www.vacation-sporades.com/

See some of the islands/ approaches included in the Sporades area:
Skopelos, Skiathos, Skyros, Alonissos, the National Marine Park and the Minor islands (Skantzoura, Skyropoula, Psathoura, Peristera, Yioura, Kyra-Panagia and Piperi).