Marina· Halki· Greece — Dodecanese, Sporades & North Aegean

Emborio Harbour (Halki)

36° 13.4′ N · 27° 36.8′ E

A miniature Symi: pastel neoclassical captains' houses round a horseshoe harbour, a bell tower and three windmills on the ridge. Halki has about 300–500 people, almost no cars and very clear water. You can swim straight off the boat.

Dodecanese

Practical

Seasonal yacht T-pontoon north of the ferry quay. Sailing Issues (May 2023 and June 2024): laid moorings at only a few of about 15 berths, so be ready to drop anchor in 12–18 m. Harbour master Statis (+30 694 085 9419) guides you in. The west side is preferred, with less chance of fouling and better holding. Old tyres and debris lie near shore. The pontoon is removed the first week of November and usually reinstalled in the second week of May. No electricity; water is free (also reported by Grecosailor). Ferry swell, and in gales the pontoon shifts a lot. The south-side ferry quay takes two yachts alongside or more stern-to, but you must leave before ferries arrive: mySea says the port police ask you to move half an hour before. Anchoring: depths force you to the north shore, clear of local moorings and the ferry turning area (mySea). Shelter is safe in SW–N winds but dangerous in ENE–SSE; spring easterlies are a problem, and in northerlies waves can reflect off Nisaki islet into the bay. Gusts NW–NNW. Use holding tanks. Grecosailor: VHF 12, port tel +30 22460 45220; a 12.4 m boat paid €15 (undated report; verify locally). Fuel, water and repairs are limited, so arrange in advance. A desalination plant has supplied water since 2014, though shortages are possible in summer (Wikipedia). Tavernas, bars and a few shops for provisioning.

Best for

Tiny-harbour charm and swimming off the boat

Season

Pontoon mid-May to early November; avoid in ENE–SSE winds

Nearby