Ios
From CruisersWiki
Ios (Ίος) or Nios for many cruisers is not a favorite island in the Cyclades. This is because the island has been completely overrun by tourists, lots of them, and of the worst sort: loud, aggressive, and high on drugs. There is a tradition that Homer's mother came from Ios, and that Homer himself is buried here on the mountain near Plakotos which was an Ionian town and had a temple of Apollo. There are several berthing options in the harbour, either using the laid moorings supplied or your own anchor. Shelter in the harbour is good in the prevailing winds, although it can become uncomfortable in strong southerlies.
Charts
- BA
- 1037 Nisís Falkonera to Nísos iOS
- Imray-Tetra
- G33 Southern Cyclades (West)
- NIMA
- 54320 Kiklades Nisoi to Kriti
- Greek
- 423 Paros to Astypalia
Communication
- Goast Guard - VHF channel 12
- Olympia Radio - VHF channels 61 & 62
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Weather
See Aegean Sea.
Passages
Islands
None.
The approaches to Ios are straightforward.
Berthing
Ports
Port Ios
Port Ios or Yialos is the only port on the island. It provides excellent shelter from the meltemi but during the peak holiday period it is so noisy with infernal disco music and loud beer parties, and worse, that it is sometimes impossible to sleep. Moor stern-to the quay on the east side of the inlet, where there are pickup lines, or anchor moor on the quay extension that forms the outer breakwater of the adjacent fishing boat harbour. The bottom is mud and provides excellent holding. Most of the NE side of the quay is currently (June 2009) occupied by a laid up ferry and the rest of the NE side is used by the working ferries.
Secure your boat well off the quay as ferry arrivals cause a considerable temporary surge in the harbour. Anchoring in the bay is not permitted as it obstructs the ferries.
There is a narrow cove [[Ios#narrow cove|narrow cove]] 36°43.4′N, 25°15.9′E just NW of the harbour where one boat can squeeze in. It is a safe anchorage but it can develop a strong and uncomfortable swell and is exposed to southerlies. The holding is good and it is very quiet in the evening after all the bathers have departed.
There is also (September, 2013) a pontoon for approx. 10 yachts on the S side of the inlet. There are no moorings, so you need a drop an anchor. It might be a less secure place since you get the prevailing winds on your bow. And because of funnelling you may get winds of force seven and more. --Dreamsails 14:08, 18 October 2013 (BST)
Danger: There is a treacherous reef of Cape Xeres on the SE entrance of the bay.Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
Milopotamos Bay
Koumbaras Bay
Manganari Bay
Manganari is a large bay on S tip of the island. The bay affords good shelter from meltemi although there cane be intermittent gusts.
Anchor in 3-4 m at either the head of the bay or on the E. The bottom is sand and provides good holding.Yacht Services and Repairs
Marine Stores
None.
Repairs/Yards
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- N/A (Not Available)
- Water
- On the E pier (buy a key in the nearby tourist office)
- Electricity
- On the E pier (buy a key in the nearby tourist office)
We paid 10 euros for water and electricity for two days. --Dreamsails 14:08, 18 October 2013 (BST)
Things to do Ashore
The town of Ios |
The Windmills in Ios |
Tourism
Ios, the inland capital of the island, used to be, some 20 years ago, charming with working windmills. Now, at least during the summer months, it is a madhouse. --Istioploos
We stayed here for a week or so in June 2012. We found it to be a peaceful place. Just down the road from the port is the Corali Hotel where you can use the beach chairs or swimming pool for the price of a drink. Some nights there was a little noise from a Boat Bar in the port but nothing too obtrusive. --Trenelly 07:11, 3 August 2012 (BST)
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Many food stores in Port Ios
Eateries
- Bad restaurants in Port Ios
- Better tavernas in the town of Ios
Internet/WiFi
- In Internet cafés
- Sept. 2013 : there is free WiFi in the whole port area --Dreamsails 14:08, 18 October 2013 (BST)
Laundry
Motorbike & Car Rentals
In the town of Ios.
Garbage Disposal
There are bins around the harbors and in several anchorages.
Transportation
There are daily ferries and in the summer hydrofoils to other islands and to Piraeus.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
References & Publications
See Greece.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
- I usually avoid this island because it is too crowded and rather noisy. --Istioploos
- We loved this island. --Trenelly
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Ios and this page's details validated:
- June 2001 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis
- June 2009 --Athene of Lymington
- June 2012 --Trenelly
- Sept 2013 --Dreamsails
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
Contributors to this page
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Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, Athene of Lymington, Trenelly, Dreamsails |