Nisis Skorpios

Close Ε of Órmos Vlikho are the twin islands of Skorpios and Skorpidhi. These are the private islands of the Onassis family, originally bought by the late Aristotle Onassis. Sailing between Skorpidhi and Skorpios you used to see Christina, the late Onassis' motor yacht (read ship), moored to two large buoys. The whole of Skorpios has been planted as a park and requires a considerable full-time staff to maintain it. On the SW corner there is a farm to supply fresh milk and meat, on the Ε side are the generating plant, warehouses and employees' houses. Unfortunately for those who buy islands to gain privacy, the very scale of the acquisition seems to attract sightseers and from Nidri a number of caϊques run day trips around Skorpios.

You can sail around the islands, you can even anchor off the coast, but you cannot land above the high water mark. Anchor on the Ν or S sides where convenient. The best shelter is in the coves on the S side. There is a cove on the SW with a small beach house that Jackie Onassis favoured. Further Ε is a sandy isthmus and a yacht can anchor on either side of it. The best spot is on the Ε side of the isthmus off a sandy beach. Anchor in 6-12m on a mud and weed bottom.

Nisos Meganisi

Imray-Tetra G121

This Rorschach blob of an island lies immediately Ε of Levkas. The strait between Meganisi and Levkas, Stenon Meganisiou, is one of the loveliest channels in the Ionian, with the high precipitous slopes of Levkas on one side and the lower more gentle slopes of Meganisi fringed by a beach on the other. Winds in the channel are fickle and often you will have wind from a southerly direction at the S end and a northerly wind at the Ν end.

The Ν side of Meganisi is much indented with several natural harbours and numerous enclosed bays. Most of the bays are fringed by olive and cypress with clear blue water - a combination that makes them popular with yachts though there is always somewhere to anchor in high season and a little more solitude outside of July and August.

On the SW coast of Meganisi, on the 'tail' of the island, are a number of caves. The most famous of these, ‘Papa Nicolis’, is quite large and rumoured by the locals to be the hiding place of a Greek submarine during the Second World War.

Further south of this cave are a number of small but deep caves which lead 60 to 70 feet in. There is some good fishing to be had around this part of the island.

For some unknown reason Meganisi seems to be home to more wasps than anywhere else in the Ionian. It takes them seconds to locate a yacht with lunch on the go, and at times you can be inundated with these persistent, though usually benign, insects.

SPARTAKHORI (Port Spiglia)

Approach

The village of Spartakhori perched on top of a hill on the W side of the bay is easily seen from the Ν and W. Once you are into the bay the small harbour will be seen.

Mooring

Go stern or bows-to the quay or short pier where possible. Most berths have laid moorings tailed to the quay to pick up. You can also go stern or bows-to the quay at the head of the bay off taverna Spilia which also has laid moorings. A new quay has recently been built around the SE cornier with a stubby breakwater built out to provide additional shelter. Good shelter with the prevailing winds although the evening NE breeze makes some berths on the W side of the harbour uncomfortable. Anchorage Anchor off the beach at the head of the bay. It is deep here and you will be anchoring in considerable depths as the buoyed swimming area means you must anchor a fair way out.

Facilities

Minimarket at the harbour and limited water from the tavernas. Fuel by mini-tanker. Tavernas by the harbour, at the head of the bay, and in the village.

General

The village is reached by a winding cypress-lined road and is worth the hot walk to reach it. From a bend in the road before you get to the village you have a view over the whole of the Ν part of the inland sea. Even if you eat at the bottom, it is well worth the steep climb up to the village for both the stupendous view and the enchanting village itself.

Facilities

Water close to the quay, although it is often turned off in the summer. Limited provisions and several tavernas.

General

The small village is the nominal capital of the island, though the dusty little place hardly acknowledges it. It is a charming place, seemingly half asleep in summer. Good walks inland through the olive groves.

VATHI MARINA

On the W side of the bay at Vathi a small yacht harbour has been planned. It is not known when, or even if, work will begin.