Andros island is a part of Cyclades complex and it is 380,041 km2 long and 58 miles from Athens, Alimos marina. It is the northernmost island of Cyclades, about 3km north of Tinos and the second largest of Cyclades. It is about a quiet island, not very touristic but is a haunt of several very rich shipowner families. That means Andros is a very well kept and you can visit for relaxing sailing holidays.
The main towns of Andros, are Andros town, Gavrio, Batsi and Korthiou Ornos.
As mentioned above, Andros has a long tradition of seafaring. Also is a paradise for those who love walking, as they can walk through wild mountains who are cleaved by valleys and bubbling streams. It’s worth stopping your sailing boat at small bays and follow the footpaths you are going to find at each destination. Many of the footpaths are paved and stepped and you can easily pass through by foot, in order to experience majestic landscapes driving you to unique archaeological remnants.
About Andros
- Gavrio → The port of Gavrio – Gavrio has a demanding approach – reefs, islets and rocks – but once inside it provides safety except during the strongest southerlies (waves and swell).Ask the harbour master for a berth, which will be between the two ferry piers
- Batsi → Batsi is just 2 3/4 nM south-east of Gavrio and provides good shelter, although it can be gusty, from the meltemi but it is exposed to the south. You can either anchor off-shore or go stern-to at the small quay. There is room for 10+ boats stern to facing north east and another 7 side to the east and west of the new extension to the mole. Depths alongside the new mole are >5 metres. The bottom is sand and provides good holding. There are no harbour fees to pay although there is a self-styled harbour master who will guide you to a space and attempt to collect one. We checked with the port police; their understanding with him is that he can do this work for tips, but certainly not charge a nightly fee or direct boats to move. An “official” port police/harbour master’s office is built and slated to open in 2016. Electricity and potable water free of charge from posts on the quay.This is a pleasant and quiet anchorage (if you are off-shore) and yet there are enough stores and restaurants ashore. There is fuel available from a station but it is uphill and out of town, not an easy walk carrying jerry cans. You can rent cars and motorbikes.
- Kastro → The capital of Andros also known as Chora. There was a small yacht harbor in Chora, that now has been enlarged. The new harbor has now room for many yachts and you can anchor safely your sailing boat here. During 2015 water and electricity installed and is available.
- Korthi → The port of Korthi / Korthiou – Κόρθι / Κορθίου is small but offers protection against the high waves and winds of a Meltemi / Bouro storm Lat Long Despite the 40 m extention of the quay there is little room for visiting yachts: the extremities of both breakwaters are unfinished and there are blocks / shoals.
- Palaioupolis Bay → 3 nautical miles away from Batsi, there is a lovely anchorage named Palaioupolis. Although it is exposed in some way at the South, it is really protected from Meltemi winds. You have to be careful as there are some underwater foundations of the ancient harbor and some ruins ashore.
- Plaka Bay → Some nautical miles away from Palaiopolis there is a small bay called Plaka, and you can carefully temporary anchor your sailing boat.
