CC BY-SA 3.0, Adam Carr, Wikimedia CommonsAnchorage· Attica mainland (Sounion)· Greece — Cyclades
Sounion Anchorage (Ormos Sounion)
37° 39.4′ N · 24° 1.2′ E
The classic first or last night of an Athens or Lavrio charter: anchor under the floodlit Temple of Poseidon. Since antiquity, sailors have used this bay to wait out a meltemi before heading for Kea, Kythnos or back to Athens.
Practical
The seabed is sand and weed, with holding mySea and SailingIssues both describe as moderate to poor. SailingIssues says taking a line ashore can help. mySea gives depths of 2–10 m. This NE spot is the main one of four anchorage positions SailingIssues gives in the bay. Gusts come down from the north. A cruiser report describes dragging overnight in 20–25 kn from the NE and resetting closer to the buoys before it held, so set well, use generous scope and keep an anchor watch. No moorings and no fees found. Land the dinghy at the small jetty off the beach. Tavernas line the beach. SailingIssues says the 20-minute walk to 'Syrtaki' taverna is well worth it. In strong southerlies, SailingIssues advises leaving for Korissia or Vourkari on Kea (about 24 nm). Swimmers and day-boats crowd the bay in summer.
Best for
Sunset at the temple and a meltemi bolt-hole on night one
Season
May–Oct; shelter from N–NE, but gusty; untenable in strong southerlies
Nearby
- Sounion Beach Tavernas (Ilias & Akrogiali)0.2 NM away
- Sounion East Anchorage (below the temple)0.2 NM away
- Sounion North-West Anchorage0.2 NM away
- Sounion Beach & Dinghy Jetty0.3 NM away
- Sounion Rocky Shore Snorkel (Cape Sounion)0.3 NM away
- Archi Islet Anchorage (Sounion, southerly winds)0.4 NM away
- Temple of Athena Sounias0.4 NM away
- Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion0.4 NM away