Northern Sporades Family Cruise

My wife Ilse and I boarded S/Y Stolos, a nice Lagoon42 catamaran chartered from Athenian Yachts in Neo Klima port on Skopelos island on Saturday 12th, July 2025. Together with my son Matthias, his wife Isa, their children Jonas and Valerie we bought supplies delivered from Alexandros market and had dinner at Oasis Restaurant.

Sunday morning we checked equipment, motors, and sails and finally set sail with nice south easterly winds to Stafylos Bay, where we anchored in sand at 10m with 50m chain. Next morning we motored to Skopelos Old Town Marina to buy some fresh provisions. After some sightseeing we continued to the east coast of Alonissos, where we took a buoy in Chrissi Milia and spent a quiet night.

With 5 Bft northerly winds we sailed along the eastern coast of Peristera into the National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades, buying online tickets on https://alonissos-tickets.necca.gov.gr/checkout. We anchored carefully in the quiet and beautiful bay of Agios Petros in the south of Pelagonisi. Sadly we saw no dolphins, no monk seals, but some goats wandering the coastline. But we enjoyed the wonderful landscape and a beautiful sunset.

Next day at noon we sailed with a nice northwesterly wind around the northern tip of Alonissos to the famous Church of Agios Ioannis Kastri (Mamma Mia Church) in the northeast of Skopelos and anchored further north at Mavraki bay in sand at 5m with 35m chain.

On Thursday 17th with no wind we motored round Ak. Gourouni, the northern tip of Skopelos to the bizarre Rocks of Cape Kastro and continued along the western coast of Skiathos and finally anchored in the famous bay of Koukounaries in sand. 

Friday afternoon we continued east into Kolios bay where we anchored in a rare sandy patch at 9m with 50m chain and had dinner at Kolios Sea food Restaurant. Saturday 19th we changed crew via dinghy: Matthias family left us for their stay at Kleopatras Villas  and our daughter Sophie with Christian and their children Laurenz, Valentin and Louisa  came on board. After some bunkering and a good swim we all together had a nice dinner at The Beach House.

Sunday 20th we motored 15nm with no wind to Limnonari Beach on the southern coast of Skopelos and on Monday we continued further east to Patitiri harbour on the eastern coast of Alonissos, where we  stocked up our provisions at the nice supermarket of Evagelia Anagnostou. In the afternoon we motored again into Chrissi Milia and took another buoy.

Next morning we decided to try again the National Marine Park, but this time to easterly Skántzoura island, where we anchored in the northern part of Prasso bay. Again we enjoyed swimming and the quiet and beautiful landscape, but found no dolphins or seals.

Wednesday 23th at noon we rounded Skántzoura and explored the south coast of Peristera and finally anchred in Leftos Gialos at the east coast of Alonissos in sand about 8m with 40m chain.

Next day at noon with a nice 5-6 bft northeastery wind we sailed along the south easten coasts of Alonissos and then Skopelos with a maximum speed of 8.7kn to Ak. Velona, explored Limenas Agnontas and Ormos Panormou. Finally we set anchor in scenic Kastani Beach in sand at 5m with 30m chain and explored the lovely beach and rocky coves.

Friday 25th afternoon we motored back to Neo Klima port and ended our cruise with a dinner at Oasis Restaurant.

 

Next morning my daughter's family moved into Hovolo Apartments while my wife and I took a ferry to Skiathos, where we spent 3 more leasurly days at Irida Aegean View.

We sailed 47 hours and logged 180 sm in 13 days.

You may download our track in gpx-format or view it directly on GoogleMaps.