Sporades

Typical afternoon wind

4–5 Beaufort · Meltemi edge

Passage lengths

2–4 hours

Suits

Some seasons

Season

May–September

Pine-covered islands and Europe's largest marine park, with less traffic than the Cyclades and gentler wind.

The Sporades sit at the northern edge of the Meltemi's reach. The wind arrives here weaker than in the Cyclades and the islands themselves are green and hilly, which softens the thermals further. The marine park around Alonissos is the reason most crews come, and it enforces genuine restrictions on where you can go, which keeps it quiet.

A typical week

1. Day 1 Skiathos to Skopelos town
2. Day 2 Alonissos, Patitiri
3. Day 3 Into the marine park: Kyra Panagia
4. Day 4 Back to Alonissos or Peristeri
5. Day 5 Skopelos, Panormos bay
6. Day 6 Skiathos, Koukounaries
7. Day 7 Back to base

Roughly 80 to 100 nautical miles over the week

Worth the detour

• Alonissos marine park and its monk seal colony
• Skopelos harbour
• Panormos and Peristeri anchorages
• Koukounaries beach from the water

Watch out for

• The Meltemi does reach here in July and August, weaker but real
• Marine park zones restrict navigation, check the current rules
• Limited marina infrastructure east of Skopelos

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