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Magnesia and the West Aegean Sea Area ... all the beauty of Greece!
From a yachting point of view the West Aegean and the Sporades Islands are a sailor's paradise.
This less well known region of Greece is the jewel in the crown, the land of the Argonauts from which the Argo set sail. Volos, Pelion and the Pagasitikos Gulf providing access to the West Aegean sea area and the Sporades Islands. Crystal clear waters and a good wind provided by the 'Meltemi' blowing from the NE, quiet bays and fishing villages, history to investigate and many beautiful islands to explore.
The picture shows a map of Greece with the Magnesia region highlighted. Magnesia is one of four counties which make up the region of Thessaly. Magnesia is the coastal county with Mount Pelion and the Aegean Sea to the east, the Pagasitikos Gulf to the south and includes the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonnisos otherwise know as the Sporades Islands. Volos is the capital city which is 215km from Thessaloniki and 326km from Athens and is therefore central to the country.
The region of Magnesia is a unique combination of green Mount Pelion and the clear blue sea of the Pagasitikos Gulf leading to the emerald shores of the Sporades Islands and MIXit with the cosmopolitan city of Volos and you have Magnesia.
Pelion is a hidden peninsula, an unexplored area of Greece, where life in the mountain villages and little fishing harbours remains as serene as in the distant past.
On one side you have the Aegean Sea and the other the Pagasitikos Gulf, both sides different, both sides unique. According to Greek mythology, Mount Pelion was the home of the Centaurs and it was from Volos, or the port of ancient Lolkos, that Jason set out in the Argo in search of the Golden Fleece.
The MAGNESIA Tourism website -
www.magnesia-tourism.gr
This is a link to the official Magnesia Tourism website and provides comprehensive information about this region and all it has to offer to give you a flavour of this wonderful place.
However, it does not present information from a sailing perspective and therefore to compliment this please find below a pictorial journey around this region from the waterside with general navigation and location information.
The Cruising Area - The West Aegean
From a sailing perspective you have access to three sailing areas/adventures PLUS the big challenge:
1 - The Pagasitikos Gulf or Gulf of Volos
2 - The Sporades Islands of Skiathos, Skopelos & Alonnisos & many more
3 - Island of Evia (inside & outside) and the adjacent mainland coast.
4 - The round Evia 2 week CHALLENGE
The Pagasitikos Gulf
12 x 15 nm of crystal clear, warm, safe sea. With Volos City to the north, Mount Pelion to the east, the Evia channel to the south, mainland Greece to the west and an abundance of coastal villages and islands to explore, the views are exceptional.
Travelling clockwise around the Gulf (Volos City being at 12 oclock) please see below general information on the coastal villages of this beautiful area.
Volos City
- Volos and the start of the Pagasitikos Gulf taken from Mount Pelion
Volos City - Seafront with Mount Pelion in the distance
Volos Port
Agria
Kato Gatzea
NAV : 39.18.58N - 23.06.13E (Mast at end of pier).
Small harbour (behind rocks) mainly for local boats, 4m depth at end of pier (by mast) becomes 2m inside as you approach. Best to anchor or pick up a buoy (RHS). Very good tavernas and kiosk by harbour and along the seafront. High on mountain stands white cross (con) of Monastery Ag. Trias.
Kala Nera
Afissos
NAV : 39.16.44N - 23.09.78 (Tip of small harbour wall). Small harbour for local boats, yachts anchor in bay or stern on at end of the small pier opposite tavernas with 2m (great position but difficult in wind). Afissos has many shops/kiosk and tavernas, well worth a visit.
Alatas Island & Vathoudhi Bay
Prasoudha Island
Kotte Village & Ormos Trikeri
Trikeri Island - Trikeri Island Harbour (left side)
 - Trikeri Island Harbour (right side)
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Pithou (Donkey) Island - Pithou Island looking east. (Can you see the donkey?)
Trikeri Village (Upper) and Trikeri Harbour (Lower)
Ormos Ptelou (Gulf West Side)
The West Side - Amalioupolis - (Coming Soon)
Nea Ankhialos Harbour - (Coming Soon)
Alikes & Back to Volos - (Coming Soon)
Trikeri Channel West
- View west at Gulf exit (Trikeri to Stavros Point) with Evia Island in the distance (Left)
Trikeri Channel East
- View east at Gulf exit (Trikeri to Skiathos) with Pondikonisi Island in the distance.
The Northern Sporades Islands
The Northern Sporades Islands are located in the north-west of the Aegean Sea and are only a short distance from Volos.
It is a sailors pardise of numerous islands, countless bays and harbours, sheltered ancorages and idyllic beaches.
The cosmopolitan Skiathos, the lush green Skopelos and Alonnisos with its unique flora and fauna and the Greek National Marine Park.
Skiathos - The Cosmopolitan Island
Skiathos is 12km long and 9km wide and has more than 60 beaches. It is one of the most cosmopolitan of the Greek islands whilst still preserving its traditional charm and heritage.
Skiathos is only 2.4 miles from the south coast of Pelion and this narrow channel is called Stenon Skiathou, wind can be funnelled through this gap. Between the two is Lefteris rock which is clearly marked by a light and floating buoy. Koukounaries harbour and beach is in the SE corner of the island providing good shelter and mooring (keeping clear of the day tripping boats)or anchor on the mole if there is room or in the bay. Skiathos main town (shown above) is identifiable by its lighthouse and cluster of small islands. Go stern or bows-to on the quay beyond the ferry boats or the pontoon. You can anchor in the bay but make sure you stay away from the prohibited area under the flight path. The bottom is mud, sand and weed and offers good holding.
Skopelos - A green oasis in a blue sea
Skopelos is known as the island of forests with 80% clad in pine forest that ends in bays, ports and beautiful beaches. The coasts in the north and east are rocky, while in the south and west the land slopes down to beautiful beaches. The town of Skopelos is traditional Greek with white-washed houses and cobbled roads and preserved as a listed traditional settlement. On the western end lies Glossa with its many chapels and the beautiful harbour of Loutraki. From Glossa you can see Skiathos and Pelion and the sunset over Pelion is unbelievable.
Alonissos - An Ecological Paradise
Back to nature with a unique heritage of flora and fauna, a natural environment protected and enhanced by its inhabitants and providing access to the National Marine Park. The north western part of the island is rugged, while in the south-west you can find the most beautiful beaches; Megali Ammos, Steni Vala, and Kokkinokastro to name but a few. The island's port, Patitiri and Votsi form the town which is in traditional style, the island has a thriving nature-friendly tourism industry alongside the local agriculture and fishing businesses.
Alonissos - The Marine Park - The Desert Islands
The islands next to Alonnisos form the core of the Marine Park; Peristera, Skantzoura, Yioura, Piperi and Psathoura.
Points of Interest
Best Beaches
The best beaches in the area can be found at Fakistra, Damouhari and Potistika and also excursions to Lafko and Horto.
Excursions
Lafko and Horto.
The Little Steam Train of Pelion
The railway runs from Lehonia to Milies with beautiful views over the Pagasitikos Gulf all the way, a particular favourite with children.
Must see Villages
Damouhari, Tsangarada, Lafko and Aghios Georgios.
Local Foods
Sausage, bean soup, fruit conserves and the local honey.
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