Wildlife· Venetiko· Greece — Dodecanese, Sporades & North Aegean
Venetiko Islet Eleonora's Falcon Colony (S Chios)
38° 7.5′ N · 26° 0.9′ E
A steep, lighthouse-topped rock 2.3 km off Cape Mastichon at Chios's southern tip, protected as a Natura 2000 Special Protection Area for its colony of Eleonora's falcons. Sail past in late summer to watch the falcons work the cliffs and hunt low over the sea.
Practical
Coordinate is the islet infobox position on Greek Wikipedia (38°07'32"N 26°00'56"E). The islet is about 270 m by 170 m and 39 m high, with a small automatic lighthouse reached by steps on the north side, the only accessible side (Greek Wikipedia). It is a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA 1150, 'Venetiko islet, Chios') listed for Falco eleonorae and other coastal-cliff species; the listed threats are hunting, nest destruction and visitor disturbance (KBA factsheet), so do not land, and keep dinghies and drones well off the cliffs in the breeding season. Kamari Blue Ride's south-coast cruise points it out from Avlonia beach. Best viewed by passing slowly under sail from the Emporios or Avlonia anchorages; there is no anchorage at the islet itself. Eleonora's falcons breed late (they feed chicks on autumn migrant songbirds), so August to October is the time to see them.
Best for
Falcon-watching under sail on the way round Cape Mastichon
Season
Apr–Oct; falcon breeding peaks Aug–Oct
Nearby
- Venetiko Islet Dive Sites (S Chios)Right here
- Vroulidia Bay (Chios)1.8 NM away
- Avlonia Cove (south Chios)2.5 NM away
- Avlonia Cove Snorkel (south Chios)2.5 NM away
- Mavra Volia Black Pebble Beach (Chios)3.6 NM away
- Emporios Bay & Mavra Volia Snorkel (Chios)3.8 NM away
- Emporios Cove & Mavra Volia (Chios)3.8 NM away
- Emporios Waterfront Tavernas3.8 NM away