Anchorage· Zakynthos· Greece — Ionian, Saronic & Argolic
Xigia Anchorage & Pelagaki Bay
37° 52.1′ N · 20° 44.1′ E
A tiny cove under bright green pines with a sandy beach in crystal-clear water, where sulphur springs well up along the shore. Just south, the small bay of Pelagaki offers solid holding.
Practical
SailingIssues: small and sheltered; a 'natural sulphur spa', so expect a strong sulphur smell. Imray and Garmin charts miss the islets and rocks west of the beach, opposite the cliff face; C-Map and OpenSeaMap show them correctly. Winter storms shift the sand, so depths can vary by up to 2 m from one season to the next. Pelagaki bay, immediately south of the White Cave, has solid holding; several underwater vents and sulphur springs line the shore. Open to N and E like the rest of this coast. Ashore: the Xigia taverna up the hill (SailingIssues); Pelagaki restaurant and Magda's snack bar above Little Xigia (OpenStreetMap). Busy with tripper boats and swimmers by day.
Best for
A quiet night (once the day boats leave) and a sulphur-spring swim
Season
May–Oct in W–S or light winds; open to N–E