| This article looks at the harbours and anchorages | | | | It is possible for a yacht to anchor in the harbour |
| on the western coast of the Peloponnisos in the | | | | at Koroni. The bottom is a mix of mud, sand and |
| Southern Ionian sea. We begin a Katakolon and | | | | weed with the odd large boulder. Not everywhere |
| proceed south through the gulfs of Messiniakos | | | | provides good holding. Water is not readily |
| and Kolpos finishing on the island of Kithera, | | | | available but it may be possible to get a delivery |
| birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. Although like | | | | by tanker. There is good shopping and tavernas in |
| much of Greek mythology this claim is disputed | | | | the town. Several off the tavernas specialise in |
| by other locations. In this case by Cyprus which | | | | charcoal grilled octopus. The town itself is |
| also lays claim to be the birthplace of the godess | | | | attractive, built on a steep slope and partially |
| The wind in the Western Peloponnisos during the | | | | within the Venetian fort. |
| summer months is predominately from the NW. It | | | | Petalidhion is a small, attractive bay in the NW of |
| gets up around noon and dies down in the | | | | the gulf of Messiniakos. There is good shelter |
| evening. As you progress further south the wind | | | | except with winds from the NE or E. Fuel, water |
| is more from the W – SW. The winter | | | | and most provisions are available in the village, |
| months from October to April sees winds | | | | which itself is attractive, set on the edge of the |
| predominately from the SE. | | | | sandy beach. |
| The coast of the Western Peloponnisos is in the | | | | Kalamata harbour provides excellent all round |
| most part high, rugged mountains, still often snow | | | | shelter. Yachts can go alongside the western quay |
| capped in the spring. The two principal ranges, | | | | or use the adjacent marina. Water and fuel are |
| Taiyetos and Parnon, run south ending at the | | | | readily available on the quay. There is excellent |
| capes of Matapan and Malea respectively. | | | | shopping for all provisions with a supermarket |
| Peloponnisos was originally an island but great | | | | within easy walking distance. There are numerous |
| geological upheavals united with the mainland. A | | | | tavernas of a high quality, look out for fresh fish |
| later retreat by the sea formed the Isthmus of | | | | and char grilled octopus. |
| Corinth which in turn was cut in the 19th century | | | | The large bay of Kitrou provides good shelter |
| to make the Corinth canal and made Peloponnisos | | | | from the prevailing southerly winds. Yachts can |
| an island again. | | | | anchor off the beach where convenient. The |
| Katakolon. Go bow or stern to the quay either | | | | slopes around the bay are cultivated with olives |
| side of the central quay or alongside the quay | | | | and citrus trees. With the whitewashed villas |
| itself. There is good shelter, the best being found | | | | dotted between them this is a very attractive |
| to the south of the quay. Water is available on | | | | spot. There are a few tavernas ashore but little |
| the quay and fuel can be delivered from the | | | | else in the way of facilities. |
| town. Most provisions are available but better | | | | Limeni is a large bay approximately 20 miles south |
| shopping can be found at Pirgos. There are plenty | | | | of Kitrou. Although it is open to the west yachts |
| of tavernas to choose from. This is the best | | | | will generally have no problems finding shelter here |
| place to leave a yacht and go to Olympia, about | | | | during the summer months. Yachts have a choice |
| 25 miles away. Further to the south is Kiparissia. | | | | of two anchorages at Karavostasi in the NE of |
| There is little shelter from winds from the NW-W | | | | the bay or in the south at Limeni. There are |
| and Kiparissia should be avoided in theses | | | | tavernas ashore serving simple fare and the bays |
| conditions. Go bow or stern to the quayed section | | | | setting is very attractive and well worth a visit. |
| of the breakwater or anchor off. There is water | | | | Sail around the headland of Matapan and you |
| from the taverna near the quay and fuel can be | | | | arrive in the gulf of Lakonikos. Asomato and Vathi |
| obtained in the town. All provisions can be | | | | are the first two inlets and are suitable |
| obtained here and there are waterfront tavernas | | | | anchorages in calm weather. Better shelter is to |
| and more can be found in the town. The town | | | | be found a little further north at Kayio. With winds |
| and the surrounding countryside are most | | | | from the W-SW yachts should anchor in the cove |
| attractive and Kiparissia is well worth a visit if | | | | in the south of the bay. The holding is not good in |
| conditions allow. | | | | hard sand with weed and rocks and care must be |
| Thirty two miles to the west of Kiparissia lie the | | | | taken. There are alternative anchorages in the |
| islands of Arpia and Stamfani. There is a bay on | | | | east and north of the bay and wind direction will |
| the south side of Arpia where yachts can anchor | | | | dictate which is the most suitable. Facilities are |
| and water is available from wells ashore. Yachts | | | | limited, water is available and there are a few |
| should not visit or remain in the waters around | | | | tavernas. It is sometimes possible to obtain fresh |
| these islands in any kind of unsettled weather, as | | | | fruit and vegetables from a van that calls at the |
| seas are very turbulent. | | | | bay. |
| Marathoupolis is on the mainland. It is a small | | | | Yithion lies in the NW corner of the gulf. Yachts |
| harbour, unsuitable for yachts above 10m. Entry is | | | | can go bow or stern to the mole where there is |
| not advised in strong NW winds and even | | | | good holding in mud. Water can be found on the |
| moderate winds from this direction cause swell | | | | quay and fuel can be delivered. All provisions can |
| and make the entrance difficult. Yachts that do | | | | be obtained in the town and there are some good |
| get in should go bows to the mole but it is likely | | | | fish restaurants here. |
| to be crowded with fishing boat. Water and limited | | | | Plitra lies half way down the eastern side of the |
| provisions can be found in the village. The view | | | | gulf. Yachts can go bow or stern to the outer |
| across to Nisos Proti is very attractive and almost | | | | end of the mole. Holding is not great on the rocky |
| worth the visit alone. | | | | bottom and a trip line should be used on the |
| Pilos lies further to the south. There is a purpose | | | | anchor. Shelter is good in all but southerlies. Water |
| built yacht marina here with lazy lines. Water is | | | | may be available from local sources but the |
| available in the marina or on the main pier. Fuel | | | | nearest provisions are in a village some 4km |
| can be delivered to the pier and the marina. All | | | | away. There are though several tavernas around |
| provisions can be obtained and there is a good | | | | the shore. The sandy beaches are good and this |
| choice of tavernas both around the marina and in | | | | is a good place for snorkelling. |
| the town. Pilos was constructed by the French | | | | The island of Kithera and Andikathera lie to the |
| following the battle of Navarinon which saw the | | | | SW of the gulf and make up an island bridge |
| defeat and destruction of Turkish sea power. | | | | between the Peloponnisos and Crete further to |
| 5 miles to the south of Pilos is Methoni. Yachts | | | | the south. Pelagia is the ferry port for the island. |
| can anchor of with good holding in mud or sand. | | | | Winds from the NE make the harbour untenable. |
| There is good shelter from winds from the NW. | | | | Kapsali is on the south coast of Kithera. Yachts |
| Water is available on the breakwater. Most | | | | should go to the western cove and go stern to |
| provisions and fuel ca be obtained in there village | | | | or alongside the outer half of the quay. Seek the |
| and there are tavernas both on the beach and in | | | | permission of the port police to berth here. The |
| the town. A large Venetian fort guards the | | | | bottom is a mix of sand rock and weed and once |
| harbour and in Venetian times Methoni was | | | | the anchor is in provides reasonable holding. Water |
| renowned for its wine and pork. The hinterland is | | | | is available but limited provisions can be obtained |
| still intensively cultivated. | | | | around the harbour with more available in the |
| To the east is Finakounda. Yacht can go bow to | | | | chora. The harbour setting, the chora and the fort |
| the end of the breakwater or anchor off. | | | | all combine to make this an attractive place to |
| Provisions can be obtained ashore and there are | | | | visit. |
| numerous tavernas catering in some part to the | | | | Potamou, the small harbour on Andikathera is |
| watersports centre. The setting of the village is | | | | unsafe in all but calm weather and most yachts |
| wonderful, built around the beach and under the | | | | avoid the place. |
| rocky crop. | | | | |