Poros - General Info
Description:
An attractive, bustling town on the southern shore of the island of the same name. It is separated from the Peloponnese mainland by a narrow channel (the Poros Channel) and has an attractive old town above the harbour.
Important Navigation Note:
Following a helicopter accident in August 2019, the power lines crossing the SE end of the Poros channel were damaged. It is understood that the air height of the power lines is currently just 26m, much less than the charted 46m.
Recent unconfirmed reports suggest that the lines may have been raised slightly, but they are not due to be tightened back to the charted height until late October. Until then all vessels with air height over 25m are advised to use only the north entrance to the Poros channel.
Please refer to local Notices to Mariners for the latest information.
-ends-
While Poros has a substantial town quay, skippers should be cautious if intending to overnight here. Be sure to check the local weather forecast as sudden strong winds are common. Couple this with a great many fast ferries and powerboats coming and going continually and this makes for very uncomfortable (at times untenable) sea and weather conditions.
There are good anchorages nearby within dinghy trip distance from the town, that are safe for overnighting and may be a better option than using the town quay.
Position:
37°30.05′ N, 023°27.09′ E (North Quay)
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Related to following destinations: Greece, Poros, Saronic Gulf
Port Navigation
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Poros: North town quay.
Be aware of the old mooring chain that runs parallel to the quay at 30 meters distant at eight meters depth. Every morning there is chaos with mainly charter boats getting caught under this. After an hour or so of wrecking their windlass a diver usually is required to release the anchor €100.
Best to put out at least 50 meters and motor back out to the anchor in the mornings before hauling in.
The pontoon that runs out from the middle of the north quay has signs put up from the port authority forbidding side on mooring, this is the cause of anchors getting caught around each other in the mornings.
It’s win, win for the port authority, they get more boats stern to, to charge and they don’t care what happens every morning, the port diver has his weeks wages made by Tuesday morning.
Also, be very aware of the dreadful swell from the sea cats all day and night long, boats are seriously damaged every week in here leaving swim platforms down.
That said, Poros is a wonderful port to visit, it has a great chandlery run by the Pavalou Brothers (100 years) in the square.
Enjoy.
The pontoon at the north quay that juts out of the north town quay:
Authorities seem to ask the yachts to come ‘stern to’ on the pontoon. However, near the root of the pontoon, any yacht that drops it anchor will cross anchors with the yachts moored stern-to on the main quay.
Water & electricity available on posts along the quay.
Harbourmaster office (berth fees, water & electricity payment/cards: +30 22980 2912; +30 6981 706069, VHF # 09. (Office on west quay). Port police office on southern quay, (east of ferry dock)
Ten minutes north from the town is ‘Russian Bay’. Very nice anchorage with a beach taverna. People anchor randomly which limits space.
Best action is to tie to north wall and tuck yourself in (50 meters from beach). You can also tie to the opposite wall as the small bay is quite well sheltered. Good holding, cold beer.
Also from Peter Pelo:
This is a link to a youtube movie with only a slightly strong wind blowing. You can easily see what kind of fetch picks up in the harbour (waves).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCSxYXGMOTY
Even with this amount of wind the yachts alongside are really prancing around.
Reported by Peter Pelo, SY Funny Girl:
Friday, October 7th 2016 we were in Poros when a thunderstorm hit the bay at about 21:00. It lasted for about 20 minutes and made huge damages. The wind was recorded at 60 knots, others speak of 80 knots, with waves of 1.5m within 20 minutes.
We were the only yacht which did not break away from the pontoon (and there were 14 boats on the pontoon). We had long lines and long springs, but still suffered cracks in the hull and very deep scratches, mostly to starboard where we were hit by unoccupied boats.
You can see pictures of the damage on our blog – http://7octoberporos.blogspot.com.es/p/blog-page.html. According to the locals, this happens more frequently every year.
Poros is sheltered from all wind directions, but be careful with thunderstorms! The wind hit us like a passing train with about the same amount of noise. We are shocked but ok and now in Preveza for repairs.