Anchorage· Ithaca· Greece — Ionian, Saronic & Argolic
Kioni Harbour (Ithaca)
38° 26.9′ N · 20° 41.6′ E
A narrow, steep-sided inlet on Ithaca's northeast coast with three ruined windmills on the entrance point and a horseshoe of tavernas around the quay — the harbour most Ionian sailors rank as the prettiest in the islands. The village was settled from Anogi in the late 16th century and kept some Renaissance-era houses through the 1953 earthquake.
Practical
Coordinate is the SailingIssues waypoint "Kioni" (N38°26.870' E20°41.577'); the "Kioni-E" east-entrance waypoint is N38°26.840' E20°42.170'. Sea-Seek: depths fall away fast (lay out lots of chain, max 10 m), strong gusts in the prevailing wind, and southerly winds make the quay untenable. Coordinate approx: placed in the inner basin off the village quay from the village's position on Greeka/OSM; check your chart. Med-moor stern-to on the quay near the green harbour light; rig a wide-angled line from a midships cleat against westerly gusts. Mud bottom, good holding. Anchoring off opposite the quay is unreliable without a line ashore; mooring rings are fixed in the rocks on the south bank. Shelter from all directions except ESE, which is rare in season. NW gusts funnel down the hills; strongest in June–July, peaking in the afternoon (boatbookings: often windy from about 6pm, dying off toward 8pm). Arrive before noon for a quay berth in high season. No electricity. Water by hose from the water-man who arrives around 5pm, €6 per 100 L (SailingIssues, c. 2024 — verify locally). Mooring fees: charter boats are charged roughly half (or a third) of the private-yacht rate; free before about mid-May. Showers free with a meal at Mills restaurant, otherwise €4. North Bakery and the Pantopoleion minimarket for provisions. A marked footpath climbs to Anogi and Kathara Monastery. Clear water for snorkelling; phosphorescence on night swims.
Best for
The classic Ionian quay night — tavernas, windmills, long-lines ashore
Season
May–Oct; quay full by early afternoon in Jul–Aug