According to an ancient legend, the first to arrive to the remote Island of Anafi were the Argonauts, who in their way to Crete following the challenging northward route were caught by a storm in the middle of a moonless night. The compassionate god Apollo suffering for the dire fate of the brave heroes who had left to recover the Golden Fleece, decided to give them a helping hand and shot a glowing arrow that lit the night and guided them toward the imposing silhouette of Kalamos Mount at Anafi.
Little has changed since then in this incredible little Island in the middle of the Southern Aegean Sea, just a few miles away from Santorini, because Anafi is still untouched, wild and evocative with its spectacular rocky buttress that is the largest one in Europe after the Rock of Gibraltar, its magnificent white “Chora”, with its silent small alleys and the breathtaking views on the deep-blue Aegean Sea. And last but not least, the five pristine sandy beaches along the southern coast offering incredible swimming and snorkelling opportunities in crystal-clear waters.

Anafi is the opposite of Santorini because it is still untouched by mass tourism. The scarcity of shelters may discourage sailors but once you get there you will be overwhelmed by the powerful emotions that only a special and unique island like Anafi can offer you.

For the sportsmen, we suggest the challenging excursion to the monastery Panagia Kalamiotisa with the ruins of the Apollo temples. We strongly recommend to take to the road in the coolest hours of late afternoon and to spend the night outdoor on the top of the mountain to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunsets in the Mediterranean.

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This butterfly-shaped Island is ten islands in one. It belongs to the Dodecanese but it has a Cycladic soul as evidenced by its picture-perfect white Chora topped by the Kastro, considered by many as the most beautiful chora in the whole Aegean Sea.

Lying down gently on the water, with a thin isthmus to divide the two “wings, dotted on the south coast by an archipelago of tiny islands and rocks, Astiphalea rugged coast boasts spectacular swimming opportunities and wonderful day and/or night mooring spots almost always in perfect loneliness.
The small harbour of Skala is lively enough but never crowded or too noisy; from there, a short uphill walk takes you the white Chora on the top of the mount where a row of red-roofed white windmills make this place unique. From the well-preserved Kastro you can enjoy an unparalleled view on the archipelago of several tiny islands set into a cobalt-blue sea.

The south coast offers several beautiful mooring opportunities in magnificent bays or coves, including Ormos Livadhi boasting the best view on the Chora and excellent beach-front taverns as well as Maltezana, not to mention the suspended atmosphere of the solitary Agrilithi gulf.
On the north coast, a very narrow opening leads into the magical and unique Vathi bay, a natural and safe harbour protected by all winds, an ideal shelter when meltemi reaches gale-force strenght. On the land, a family-run tavern serves exquisite Greek food in a very informal and special atmosphere.
Astiphalea is the epitome of the Greek islands and a perfect holiday destination; between a swim in its crystal clear waters, a dive from one of its spectacular rocky formations or natural arches, a walk in the picturesque chora and a quite challenging excursion to an isolated pristine beach that can be reached only on foot through a downhill path (along the way, especially on the steep uphill way back, you can have a refreshing stop bathing in the fresh water ponds) Astiphalea is an island not to be missed.

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Set between Rhodes and Nissiros, the small and forgotten Tilos is the island of the peace of mind. Still unspoilt by tourism, this medium—sized island boasts a very special atmosphere, sleepy and splendid at the same time. Tilos is blessed by an almost always moderate wind, and life goes on slowly and in harmony with the few inhabitants devoted to farming and tourism. The main village, Livadhi has a dock with mooring buoys and water on demand but yachts can also drop anchor in the large bay in front of the beach. From here, a short bus trip takes you to the ancient village of Megalo Chorio and to the fisherman village of Ag. Andonis on the north coast. The latter can also be reached on foot taking the hillside scenic path. The east coast offers a continuous series of bays and coves but thanks to its indented shape, all the sides of Tilos offer a large choice of mooring possibilities, the most sheltered of which is in the large bay of Eristos, open only to southerly winds.

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The last and southernmost of the Ionian Islands, Kythira leads a separated life enjoying the peace and the quiet of its remoteness. The legend says that Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty was born in these waters and in fact Kythira has a bounty of beauties to offer. From the arduous west coast, rocky and wind-beaten, to the indented and sheltered east coast hosting the small port of Diakofti, in the vicinity of which the haunting bow of the rusted wreckage of the Nordland emerges from the sea. Going south, sailors will discover the enchanting and peaceful fisherman village of Avlemona but the real not-to-be missed stop in the island is Kapsali, the “main” town where a sea turtle adopted by the local fishermen swim peacefully in its water. At Kapsali life is concentrated on a thin strip of seafront filled with cafes and local restaurants and a short uphill walk leads to the Chora of the island, comparable in splendor to the Cycladic villages and offering a spectacular view on the port and the sea

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Never heard this name? No wonder. Kasos is the ultimate frontier of anti-tourism. This small jewel located 6 miles west of the southern tip of Karpathos, is projected toward Crete and has a 20-mile coastline that can be sailed in a day. The northern coast, open to the gusting meltemi, offers a safe shelter in the small port of Fry where life is peaceful and the welcoming and warm inhabitants don’t live on tourism but on fishing. Leaving the coast, an easy car drive or a pleasant walk lead to some traditional and totally unspoilt villages. A road crossing spectacular landscapes, climbing up the mountain before going down again leads to the only bay on the south coast accessible by the land, Helatros, where some locals spend the summer in very basic summer houses.

The rest of the southern coast can be accessed only from the sea but considering the position of the island meeting other yachts is very rare. Those who dare taking these waters will find a series of solitary and remote bays with pristine beaches and spectacular rocks of different colours and dazzling shapes.

Not to be missed the islet of Armathia, less than 3 miles from the port of Fry, offering a wonderful safe shelter on the south side with a spectacular golden beach dotted with granite formations.

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Karpathos is the perfect destination for those in search of something different and unique. A thin and curvy vertical strip of land set at the centre of the Southern Aegean, due to very challenging sailing conditions, Karpathos is completely cut out of the traditional tourist itineraries. The island is a real factory of wind, where according to the legend, dead calm has never appeared. A chain of mountains generates very powerful winds gusting down violently. Nevertheless, its long East coast offers several safe shelters such as the small port of Diafani, a tiny fishermen village, a real oasis of peacefulness and an easy bus ride from the mountain village of Olymbos where the time seems to have stopped. And also the lively main port of the island, Pigadhia, teeming with life at night as well as the Southern wind-swept bays, a real paradise for windsurfers. On the west coast of the island a fjord with a very small entrance, Tristomo, offers protection from all winds.

Topping the Northern tip of Karpathos, the small and uninhabited Saria boasts three wonderful bays on the East coast characterized by rocky columns and crystal clear water. On the land, you will be welcome by some bees and a donkey

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Notoriously named “the Island of Devil” by sailors, Donoussa, a real jewel of the Aegean Sea set East of Naxos, is unapproachable when meltemi blows fiercely. But when the wind calms down and weather conditions are good, this is a very special island, remote and wild and a real paradise for the brave visitors. The spectacular and closed bay of Ormos Roussa on the North-East coast of the Island, offers an enchanting stop. On the land, just a taverna, a farm and the bus that running along a thin asphalt strip reaches the small village. At Ormos Roussa, unpaved dirt roads offer exceptional photo opportunities with breathtaking views on the indented coast of the island. Sailing along the East coast, it is possible to drop anchor in front of some pristine white cobblestone or sand beaches that interrupt the rocky coastline. The wonderful Livadhi, that’s perfect for a daily stop and the safe bay of Kedros are worth a visit as well as the small harbour of Stavros fringed by a long white beach.

A few miles from Donousa towards Naxos, the three rocks of Makares emerge from the sea. The largest of the three offers a safe and well protected mooring and crystal clear water.

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The 150 miles of the South coast of Crete are the wildest corner of the Mediterranean Sea. The pilot charts suggest sailing at least 5 miles from the coast to avoid the powerful katabatic winds that fiercely lash the coast falling down from the high mountains of Crete.

This is definitely a quite challenging sail, characterized by swift changes of wind, very few protected bays and a single accessible port; but all of this is rewarded by the mesmerising beauty of the unspoilt and spectacular coast with some stops that are real “must” such as the tiny island of Elafonisi, connected with the mainland by a thin sandy beach fringed with purple shellfish skeletons, the amphitheatre-shaped bay of Loutro, the island of Gavdos the Southernmost point of Europe, the view of the Samaria gorges and the island of Gaidharounisi, a handful of flat rocks set amid a fabulous sea.

In Crete the contact with Nature is unique and incomparable.

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The island where Saint John the Evangelist took shelter in 95 A.D. to write the Apocalypse is pure magic. A perfect mix of harmony, elegance and majesty, Patmos is curvy in shape and warm in the colours of the land that dives into the cobalt blue sea. Some spectacular bays fringe the area North-East of the village and the port of Skala. Excellent mooring possibilities in the bays of Kambos, Livadi or close to the islet of Agios Georghios or a bit South, in front of the village of Ormos Grikos. A visit to the enchanting West coast of the Island is a must in calm days

But the real jewel of Patmos is the quiet and solemn Chora, dominated by the Monastery of Saint John; the Chora can be reached by bus or scooter and offers breathtaking views over the two seas separated by a thin isthmus

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The small, peaceful and sleepy Lipsi is everybody’s favourite for the sheer charm of its welcoming nature. The legend says that even Ulysses had a hard time to leave this jewel of the Aegean Sea. According to other sources, Lipsi was the island of the famous Calypso and some malignant rumours dared to affirm that the hero was attracted more by the beauty of the island than by the gracefulness of the nymph.

With its magnificent indented coast and its gentle hills, Lipsi is the ideal place for all visitors. Pathways or roads depart from all bays offering visitors the possibility of breathtaking walks with stunning views. The island offers a wealth of safe bays and shelters, including the magnificent Hoklakoura or the even more protected and spectacular Lera Lipso. Lipsi is surrounded by a series of micro archipelagos such as Macronisi, in the South, offering a stunning daily stop or Aspronisi in the East, with crystal clear turquoise water and a white cobblestone beach.

The village and the port of Lipsi lie on the West coast, at the bottom of a large bay. The seafront is dotted with tavernas and ouzeries, featuring the unmissable octopus drying in the sun.

One of the real wonders of this paradise is the wonderful cove of Platì Gialos, which can be reached on foot or by boat, meltemi allowing, featuring an incredible turquoise water “swimming pool” and a tamarisk-fringed solitary beach.

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