Anchorage· Symi· Greece — Dodecanese, Sporades & North Aegean
Panormitis Bay (Symi)
36° 33.1′ N · 27° 50.8′ E
An almost landlocked bay on Symi's south coast, wrapped around the great monastery of the Archangel Michael and its baroque bell tower, floodlit at night. After the day-trippers leave it is one of the most peaceful nights in the Dodecanese.
Practical
Sailing Issues: perfect all-round shelter. Solid holding in muddy sand; avoid the weed patches. The premium anchorage is in the north of the bay (pin), clear of the ferry and hydrofoil manoeuvring area. In northerlies avoid anchoring near the pier and quay. Eagle Ray notes a rebound sea at the entrance in strong NW. The red-roofed 'Mirador' windmill marks the northern cape, which is lit. The L-pier takes up to 5 ferries at once; only the inner side of the L is deep enough (3.6–4.7 m), the stem is mostly under 1.5 m, so go alongside only if the Harbour Office allows and expect pilgrim crowds when ferries dock. mySea: the jetty is mostly taken by tripper boats, the local ferry and the water tanker. Grecosailor: anchored in 5 m; a wind shift made a neighbour drag. Religious rules: no nudity and no music in the bay. Turtles swim in the bay. Ashore: the monks' bakery 'The oven of Panormitis' and Panormio Cafe-Restaurant in front of the anchorage. Most tourists leave after 4 pm.
Best for
Calm, atmospheric overnight below the monastery
Season
All-round shelter; busiest around the 8 November feast
Nearby
- Panormitis feast (Archangel Michael, November)0.2 NM away
- Panormitis Monastery0.2 NM away
- Marathounda Bay (Symi)1.2 NM away
- Vathy Gialo & Faneromenis Coves (Symi)1.2 NM away
- Nanou Bay (Symi)1.8 NM away
- Seskli Islet2.2 NM away
- Cory's Shearwaters (Sesklia–Symi IBA)2.6 NM away
- Agios Vasilios (Symi)2.8 NM away