Nisos Simi

Simi lies in the entrance to the Gulf of Doris (Turkish - Hisarönu Körfezi) looking like a giant Rorschach ink blob. From seaward it is a barren precipitous island, but inland there are patches of pine forest. The indentations in the coastline provide numerous anchorages and in fact the principal harbour is an entirely natural feature. Simi was once famous for shipbuilding and sponge-diving. Simiot shipwrights built many of the fast galleys for the Knights of St John and later for their Turkish masters. Even today Simiot caiques seem to be better cared for than in many of the other islands. Simiot divers were once known as the best in the Aegean, although Kalimniot divers would contest that claim. Today few Simiots risk the dangers of sponge-fishing and Kalimnos is the undisputed centre.

SIMI (Litnin Siniis, Symi, Syme)
BA 1532
Imray-Tetra G35

Approach
Conspicuous From the Ν the houses of Simi on the ridge above the town are conspicuous. From the S and Ε the harbour will not be seen until you are right into the bay. From the S it is easy to confuse the entrance to Pethi, the large bay immediately SE, with that of Simi. Entering Ormos Simis the houses of Simi town are immediately conspicuous. A clock tower and a white church on the Ν quay are also conspicuous.
By night Use the light on Ak Koutsoumba F1.3s5M and the light on the quay Fl.G.3s3M.
Mooring
Go stern or bows-to the quay on the Ν side of the harbour taking care to leave the part of the quay allotted to the ferries clear. A harbour attendant will usually whistle or wave you into a berth. Most of the western quay is reserved for local trip boats and the local ferry. The depths in the harbour drop off rapidly and you should be prepared to let go your anchor in 12-20m. The bottom is mud and rock -poor holding in places.
Shelter Good shelter from the meltemi. With strong S winds there is a considerable surge in the harbour which can become dangerous with prolonged southerlies. The ferries (five or more in the summer) create a considerable wash when they arrive about mid-morning.
Authorities A port of entry. Port police and customs. Charge band 2. Anchorage In settled weather it is possible to anchor in Órmos Kharani and take a long line ashore. Reasonable shelter from the meltemi with the only problem being the wash from ferries as they charge into Port Simi. Keep pulled well off.
Facilities
Services Water on the quay. The harbour attendant will open it up for you. Electricity can be connected on request.
Fuel The harbour attendant can arrange for fuel to be delivered. Repairs Limited mechanical repairs. A boatyard hauls out large caiques and the occasional yacht in the cove Ν of the harbour.
Provisions Good shopping for provisions.
Eating out Excellent tavernas in some delightful locations in the town. Other PO. OTE. Banks. ATM. Greek gas and Camping Gaz. Hire motorbikes. Daily ferries to Rhodes.
General
Discovering Simi is like discovering an exotic plant in the desert. The muted blue, amber, cream and rose-hued houses have been built one upon the other up the steep sides of the inlet like a child's building block version of a town. On the S side of the harbour a staircase leads up the hill to the houses on the top and though this heart-thumping climb takes it out of you in the summer, it is worth the effort both for the views from the top and for the fine old houses built on rocky projections and inclines on the way. The people of Simi remain detached from the daily onslaught of tourists from Rhodes and you can almost hear the sigh when the ferry departs.