Anchorage· Mongonisi· Greece — Ionian, Saronic & Argolic
Mongonisi Anchorage (Ozias Bay / Spuzzo)
39° 10.9′ N · 20° 12.2′ E
A nearly enclosed bay at the SE heel of Paxos, between the main island and the islet of Mongonisi. It has a small sandy beach, cypress- and pine-covered hills, and a taverna quay. This is the quieter alternative to Gaios, about 2 nm south; OSM names it Ormos Ozias, and charter guides call it Spuzzo.
Practical
Anchor in about 3-10 m over sand and seaweed; the anchor holds well once it cuts through the weed, but mySea rates holding moderate in the 3-8 m area. A 2010 cruising blog anchored in 9 m with a stern line ashore and found depths deeper than charted throughout. Room for roughly 10-15 boats if everyone anchors carefully (Sea-Seek; 2010 blog). Shelter is good except in strong northerlies, which send swell into the bay (mySea). A small sunken fishing boat was reported in the bay in 2010, and Boote warns of a few rocks near the pier, so watch your dinghy oars. In peak season flotillas fill it; a July 2019 blog found it 'equally rammed' as Gaios and used a small bay in the approaches with a kedge astern. Gaios is a 30-minute walk or a short dinghy ride. Paxos Map lists the 6th-century church ruins of St Marina and St Stefanos at 'the port of Ozias'. Greek Wikipedia notes the Greek state has designated Ormos Ozias a landscape of special natural beauty.
Best for
The best quiet overnight anchorage on Paxos when Gaios is full
Season
May-Oct; swell in strong N winds
Nearby
- Mongonisi Taverna & Quay0.1 NM away
- Gaios–Mongonisi Coast Beaches (Plakes, Stafiucha, Kamini Gouva)0.2 NM away
- Kaltsonisi Anchorage (Gkrava)0.3 NM away
- Mongonisi Blue Pot & Angelos Cave0.3 NM away
- Lesianitis Windmill (Gaios)1 NM away
- Tripitos Arch1 NM away
- Gaios Outer Anchorages (North & South Entrances)1.2 NM away
- Gaios Tavernas (Mambo, Taka Taka, Pan & Theo)1.2 NM away