Ios Marina (Gialos)

36° 43.4′ N · 25° 16.3′ E

The island's only harbour: a yacht quay tucked into the north-east corner of Ormos Iou, the deep west-coast bay below the white hill town of Chora. You come in past the little white-domed chapel of Agia Irini on the entrance point. In July and August this is where boats run to hide from the meltemi.

Western Cyclades Central Cyclades

Practical

Position from Grecosailor (36°43'21.6"N 25°16'18.5"E). Approach: Agia Irini church on the entrance point is visible from seaward. Keep well clear of the Xeres reef off Cape Xeres, which lies between the harbour mouth and Mylopotas Bay (Sailing Issues). Fast ferries and hydrofoils come and go constantly. Berthing: Sailing Issues and George Yachts say visiting yachts pick up laid moorings in the east basin and go stern-to the boulevard, and that anchoring is not allowed in the east basin. my-sea says there are only a few mooring lines on the E quay, marked by an unlit yellow buoy, and a May 2019 reviewer found none. Have your own anchor ready. Grecosailor reports a crew who found the quay a squeeze and lay on the eastern wall, northern side, on two lazy lines. Depths: my-sea gives 1.5-5 m along the quay and a mainly sand-and-mud bottom with good holding; Grecosailor lists draught to about 6 m. VHF 12 (Grecosailor; Sailing Issues says 12 or 19). Port Authority +30 22860 91264 (Municipality of Ios and my-sea). Shelter: the best on the island in the meltemi (Grecosailor, Visit Ios). But strong NE gusts and downbursts sweep the bay when it blows (Sailing Issues, my-sea), and southerlies send swell and surge in along the quay (Sailing Issues Liveaboard). Ferry wash surges along the quay, so use plenty of fenders and keep well off. Services: the Visit Ios tourism site says yachts can get fuel, water, food and electricity at the marina. my-sea also lists gas bottles, laundry, a slipway and a boat lift, but another guide says there is no haul-out and major repairs mean Santorini, Paros or Athens, so confirm before relying on it. No published berthing tariff found; ask on arrival (verify locally). Gialos has tavernas, mini-markets, car hire and the main KTEL bus stop, and Chora is a short uphill walk (under 2 km) or bus ride.

Best for

Meltemi shelter, crew changes and the walk up to Chora

Season

All year; crowded Jul-Aug; NE downbursts in strong meltemi; surge in southerlies

Practical

Best for

Season

Nearby