Thira (Santorini) - Docking
Anchoring:
There are several anchorages around the island, but none are particularly safe and a yacht should not be left unattended in any of them.
Berthing:
There is a small fishing harbor/marina at Vlikadha, on the southern side of the island. This is available to yachts but is dredged to 1.7 meters (5.5 ft) only and is extensively used by day tripper and local boats. The tripper catamarans come and go twice a day. Try to avoid arriving at 09:30 – 10:30, 14:45 – 15:45 and around sunset, as these are the busy times, with as many as 10 tripper boats jockeying for position.
Berths are usually allocated on the outer side of the outer quays, however be prepared to raft up, sometimes up to three deep.
The marina is reported to be very dusty, but is convenient with local buses running from the marina car park to Thira town. Check with the marina office prior to arrival about current depth if at all concerned.
Another option for visiting this popular island is to go to Thirasia or Ios and take a ferry.
Last updated: March 2019
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Rainer Anders says:
Feb 18, 2019 03:51 PM
RED BEACH – Santorini, Greece
During our very extended 2017 cruising tour through the Greek Islands, in some places we faced Problems, to find a good anchorage with enough depth (but not too much). One of these problematic spots was the Island of Santorini.
With a fixed draft of 3.50M (12 feet) most Marinas would not be able to berth our KER 63. Due to its volcanic background, Greece presents extreme deep waters, at a very short distance from the shore, at many of their beautiful islands
Going around the southern end of the Santorini, we finally found a very good anchorage in 18-20 metres of water at 036° 20.769 N, 025° 23.943E.
Going ashore here is a real pleasure, the Restaurant ‘The Dolphins’ does have a very nice dinghy dock, they are very friendly and helpful people and are happy to call you a cab to go into town.
For them it is without saying, that while you are away, they watch your boat and dinghy for you.
After our return from a beautiful day tour around the island, we had a tasty and very typical dinner at The Dolphins and in the end stayed more than two weeks at the same spot.
It looks like it is dredged to 1.8 meters. We could get in with 1.85. Follow starboard as you go in. The best advice is to contact authorities before going in.
Entrance to Vlikhada Marina is 1,7m deep. Convenient enough for the catamaran daily cruise business since it excludes many monohulls from entering the marina, thus always leaving berths for the catamarans.
Occasionally some dredging is done but make sure you check with the marina office about the depth at the time beforehand.
Vlikadha Marina *does* have some space for yachts, if you’re happy to raft up. It’s an overnight base for a great number of day-tripper catamarans; try and avoid the rush hour.
Red Beach, a couple of miles to the west, is a safe anchorage, but you’ll suffer uncomfortable rolling. The numerous tourists on the beach and cats in the bay will completely disappear at sunset.
The must be place is Oia at the northwest end of Thira Island (at sunset time 🙂 ). Quieter then town Thira and more beautiful. Down the coast few mooring buoys.