Gulf of Evia
From CruisersWiki
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around the Gulf of Evia.
The Gulf of Evia, that is the gulf between the large island of Evia and mainland Greece, is not a popular cruising ground. The waters of this gulf tend to be less clear than the Aegean and there is a sizable industrial development along the southern mainland. However, many yachts choose to transit the more protected gulf on their way from the Athens region to the Sporades islands instead of braving the notorious Kafireas Stait with is strong northerly winds.
Charts
- BA
- 1038 Stenó Sífnou to Stenó Kafiréa
- 1085 Kólpos Petalión to Srimonikos kólpos
- 1554 Nótios Evoïkós
- 1556 Vórios Evoïkós Kólpos and approaches to Vólos
- Imray-Tetra
- G26 Nisos Evvoia
- NIMA
- 54340 Nisos Spetsai to Nisos Vorioi Sporadhes
- 54348 Vorios Evoikos Kolpos and Notios Evoikos Kolpos
- Greek
- 41 Cavos Maleas to Cavos Kimis
- 74 Corinth to Skopelos Island
- 421 Karystos to Naxos
Weather
See Aegean Sea.
Passages
- Passages between Athens Region and Samos - Kusadasi
- Passages between Athens Region and the North Sporades
Islands
Petalii
Vasiliko
Ormos Atalantis
The cove is on the SW side of the island Atalanti, about 30 nM NW of Halkis and near the mainland. The island is deserted and it is used as a bird sanctuary. It is a very pleasant anchorage.
You can easily reach by dinghy the small harbor in the mainland, Skala Atalantis, less than a mile from the island.
This anchorage is in the Ormos Amirou [[Gulf of Evia#Ormos Amirou|Ormos Amirou]] 38°40.276'N, 023°04.602'E just off the beach. There is a cafe and tavernas ashore.Approached to the gulf are straightforward. The trickiest part is transiting the Euripus Channel with its low bridge and strong tidal current which can reach 6-7 knots.
Communication
- Goast Guard - VHF channel 12 tel. +30 22210 28888 (Halkis)
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Berthing
The major port in the Gulf of Evia is Halkis.
Ports
Halkis
Halkis or Chalkis or Khalkis is the capital of Evia. It is a bustling and fairly pleasant place. Good shopping for provisions, chandlery and gas.
A yacht travelling north can wait for the bridge to open moored side-to (alongside) by the customs house on the SE side of the channel or in the marina 38 27.466N, 023 35.444E which is operated by the local authority and welcomes visiting yachts transiting the bridge. Alternatively anchor off in the anchorage just south-west of the bridge keeping clear of the tidal streams.
Travelling south yachts normally moor alongside the NE town quay (take care to allow for the tide when mooring alongside).Halkis Bridge
Since the opening of the new high bridge, the old bridge which spans the 39 m wide channel Euripus Channel no longer carries all the traffic into Evia. However it is still very busy and only opens to allow water-borne traffic to pass through late at night or early morning and when the tidal stream, which can be as high as 7 knots is at a low point. Boats wanting to pass through the channel may have to wait until there are several boats waiting to transit, sometimes for up to 2 days for it to open.
Opening times can be found on the Evia Port Authority website. The information in Heikell - that the bridge does not open on Friday - is incorrect nowadays.
You must visit the Port Police (Limenarchio) at the new office (which is now on the Halkis town side (east) of the bridge) in advance to book a passage through the bridge. Then they will then contact you on VHF Channel 12 in the evening to check you are ready and again to call you to start the transit through the bridge.
Karistos
Karistos or Karystos is a large, mostly commercial, harbor in S Evia. While the harbor is large finding room is another mater all together. Also, the Limenarchio (Coast Guard) is very vigilant and liable to overcharge you.
This is a good place to wait a good weather window when you are going N on the infamous Kafireas Strait.
The inner basin of the harbor is an excellent all-around shelter. Anchor in the inner basin and moor stern-to. The bottom is mud and it provides good holding.
With the prevailing during the during the summer meltemi winds you can anchor off E of the harbor in front of the small fort. Anchor in 6 m depth over sand. Good holding.
Caution: There can be violent gusts and katabatic winds into the bay, especially when the N wind is blowing hard.Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Halkis marina is now (2013) run by the local authority. The yacht club is adjacent to it.
Anchorages
Voufalo
Kastri
Yacht Services and Repairs
Marine Stores
Only fishing supplies.
Repairs/Yards
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- In Halkis you can get from either a gas station or arrange for a delivery by a truck
- In Karistos from gas stations, you will have to carry jerry cans. You may be able to arrange for a delivery by a mini tank
- Water
- In Halkis on the N town quay and in the marina
- On the quay in Karistos
- Electricity
- In Halkis on the N town quay and in the marina
- N/A (posts have been installed in Karistos but not operational)
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
List places of interest, tours, etc.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Eateries
- You can have very good seafood on the N town quay of Halkis
- In Karistos there are many tavernas. Good loukoumades (honey fritters) at Jimmy's and good food at the Marinos
- Also in Karistos the Gevsiplous (Γευσήπλους) serves an amazing variety of excellent and unusual mezedes (tasty snacks)
- There is a taverna in Skala Atalantis (see Ormos Atalantis)
Internet/WiFi
In cafés
Laundry
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Garbage Disposal
There are bins in the ports and in some of the anchorages.
Transportation
- There are daily busses and trains to Athens from Halkis
- There are daily ferries from Karistos to Rafina
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
- Evia] at the Wikipedia
- Halkis at the Wikipedia
- Evia Port Authority website
- Euripus Channel at the Wikipedia
- Karistos at the Wikipedia
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.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Gulf of Evia and this page's details validated:
- 1986 (Halkis Bridge, Voufalo, Ormos Atalantis) --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis
- May 2009 (Vasiliko) --Istioploos
- August 2011 (Karistos, Kastri) --Istioploos
- 2013 (Halkis Bridge, Ormos Atalantis) --Vigdis yachtvigdis blog
- 2013 (Halkis Bridge) --Antoniofj Vourkary Cove is now a marina with floating pontoons and mooring lines. If you plan to cross the bridge to the north, is a good place to stop and pay the toll. A day's stay is free. Currently (2013) the toll payment office is on the eastern side of the bridge.
- 2015 (Halkis Bridge) --Lady Marie D Moored alongside just by the toll payment office (just S of the bridge on the E side - yachts moor on the red painted part of the quay)
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. |
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Names: Istioploos, Lighthouse |