VI. Evia and the Northern Sporades

PLANITIS

@ 39°21'.2N 24°04'.5E

narrow entrance which is difficult to see until you are close in. With strong N winds a considerable sea piles up at the entrance to Planitis and it is a frightening experience being pushed by the wind and sea towards the entrance which is only 82m (270ft) wide. Conversely with strong N winds it can be difficult to leave the bay. There is a least depth of 6m over the bar at the entrance. Inside the bay the water is always smooth.

Anchor in either of the two forks of the bay. A favourite place is in 3m in the NE corner of the southernmost part of the bay. Excellent all-round shelter. The bottom is sand and mud with some weed - good holding. It is deserted apart from a large herd of goats, and the crackle of several million cicadas.

There is a shallow passage between the N end of Nisis Sfika and Pelagos which in settled weather makes an attractive lunch stop. Explore with caution.

NISIS YIOURA

A precipitous jagged island with no sheltered anchorages. A herd of the European wild goat, the now rare ibex, lives on the island and every year an armada of caiques sets out to cull the herd under the supervision of an official. Michael Carroll gives a lively description of the cullers and the culling in his Gates of the Wind.

NISİS PIPERI

The Pepperpot. There are no anchorages around it.

NISÎS PSATHOÜRA

N. Psathoüra light (F1.10sl7M) 39°30'.3N

24°10'.9E

The northernmost of the northern Sporades, it is

very low (0-6m/2ft), but the lighthouse (40m/131ft)

is conspicuous. An extensive submerged city,

possibly ancient Halonnesos, is reported to lie off

the N end of the island.

Currents Around Psathoüra Island and also to the N of it the current sets strongly towards the SW. On passage between Porto Koufö and Pelagos in November, I estimated the current to be about 1/4 knots to the SW. Quite possibly it is stronger at other times of the year. With strong winds from the N and S the seas in the vicinity of Psathoüra can be exceptionally disturbed and steep.

NÎSOS SKANTZOURA

Lies about 15 miles E of the S end of Skopelos. A number of small islands and shoals lie off the coast. A yacht can anchor in a number of places:

1. 
   Ormos Prasso (opposite Nisis Prasso) which is
   made up of two small coves. Anchor in 4--6m
   sand.
   
2. 
   Nisis Prasso S side On the S side of the islet
   there is a cove which you can tuck into. Anchor
   in 4--6m on sand and weed and take a long line to
   the shore.
   
3. 
   Örmos Skantzoura A deep narrow bay on the
   S side of Skantzoura. Anchor in 3--5m and take a
   long line ashore.
   

The bays here afford adequate if not always comfortable shelter from the meltemi. A swell usually works its way into the bays after the wind dies and the waves are not 'blown' past the anchorages. Open to the W-SW. The bottom is sand and weed. Excellent underwater fishing in the vicinity of the island.

Caution Nisos Skantzoura and the islets surrounding it are comparatively low-lying and are unlit. Care must be taken in the vicinity of the islands, especially at night.

Planitis on Pelagos looking NE with Nisos Yioura at the very
top of the photo Peter KleinothlMareTeam

350

NİSIS SKANTZOURA ANCHORAGES

@ 39°03'.0N 24°05'.9E

Skiros

(Skyros)

The most easterly and the largest of the northern Sporades. It is nearly divided into two by a narrow isthmus in the middle. The summit of the island lies in the rugged southern half where Mt Kokhilas rises to 792m (2,600ft). The lower slopes of the high ground are wooded in pine and maquis. The northern half of the island is fertile and cultivated in parts.

The capital, Skiro or Khorio, is more like a Cycladic village than the villages on Skiathos or Sköpelos. The white cubist houses with flat roofs are built on a steep slope with a Venetian castle on the summit. In the village there is an unusual amount of carved wood - doors, shutters, chairs and stools. Skiros embroidery is also much in evidence. Some



NİSOS SKIROS

@ 19 2M N of Nisis Vorios Pödhi

(Skiros N end) 39°03'.2N 24°28'.1E @ 20 1M S of Âk Valaxa light

38°47'.0N 24°29'.5E @ 21 2M S of Nisis Sarakino light (Skiros S end)

38°43'.5N 24°37'.6E

of the best island folk art is contained in the Faltaitz Museum near the castle - one of the best of its kind in Greece.

Ancient Skiros was ruled by King Lykomedes. It was he who treacherously killed Theseus, king of Athens, by hurling him over a cliff into the sea. His body was recovered and forty years later taken to Athens for a burial befitting his rank. Later Achilles was sent here by his mother to keep him away from the Trojan Wars in which it had been prophesied he would die. The wily Odysseus, en route to the wars, discovered his identity and lured him away to his prophesied death.

The island has always been important because of its position on the trade route across the northern Aegean. The Athenians colonised it and the Venetians held it for some considerable time. The Venetian castle overlooking Khorio has ancient masonry incorporated in its construction and was the likely site of the ancient acropolis.

The inhabitants of the island have been little touched by tourism although the 'younger set' are beginning to discover it. Some of the old men wear linen blouses and black pantaloons and boots and most sport big bushy moustaches. A herd of wild ponies, descendants of the ancient breed called Pikermic and akin to Shetland ponies, roam the island. Despite the rough seas and strong winds around the island it is well worth a visit; the islanders are friendly and the scenery is grand and wild.

SKIROS (Skyros)

On this island battered by both wind and sea, (its ancient name was Anemosa meaning 'windy'), the anchorages are mostly on the SW coast. From the N these are:



Ormos Ay Fokas Offers good shelter from the meltemi in attractive wooded surroundings. Anchor and take a long line to the shore to hold the bows into the slight swell that enters when the wind dies down in the evening. The bay is used by a few

holiday-makers who come for the surroundings rather than the pebble beach. A taverna opens in the summer.

Ormos Pevki A large bay due N of the passage between Skiros and Nisis Valaxa. Good shelter from the meltemi and plenty of room to swing to anchor. There is a quay and slipway for small craft on the S side of the bay. The long beach is popular in the summer and a couple of tavernas open for the season.

Dhiavlos Valaxou There are depths of 2-5m in this passage. Keep to the centre of the passage or closer to the Skiros side. Usually you will encounter least depths of no less than 3.5-4m. It is scary but the ferry between Linaria and Kimi often uses this passage.

Ormiskos Linaria Lies further to the N from the ferry port of Linaria. Good shelter from the meltemi. The bottom is mud - good holding. Taverna on the beach.

LIMİN LINARIA

BA 1571 Imray-TetraG18

Approach

Once past Nisis Valaxa some of the buildings around the harbour will be seen. The harbour proper will not be seen until you are right up to it when approaching from the S.

By night Use the light on the S end of Nisis Valaxa (Ak Valaxa) F1.3.3s5M and the light on the end of the mole at Linaria Fl.WRG.2.5s6--4M (353°-R-021°-W-120°-G-300°).

Dangers With the meltemi there are strong gusts off the high land and confused seas in the approaches to the harbour.

Mooring

Go alongside where shown. It is reported that the E side of the quay has been dredged and it may be possible to moor on the quay there.



LINARIA

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