Sailing the Saronic Gulf › Poros

Sailing Poros

A pine-covered island, a harbour town stacked up a hill, and a narrow channel you sail through with the Peloponnese close enough to touch.

By Vaggelis, Punto Voyage · a local guide from the Saronic Gulf

Poros town and its harbour, with the channel and the Peloponnese behind.

Poros is really two islands joined by a short bridge: little volcanic Sferia, where the town is, and green Kalavria, covered in pine forest. Between Poros and the mainland village of Galatas runs a channel only a couple of hundred metres wide. Sailing in through it, past the clock tower and the waterfront cafés, is one of the most beautiful arrivals in Greece.

The town is lively in the evening but never loud. Behind it, Kalavria has quiet bays with pines down to the water, a monastery and the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon.

“Come in through the channel in the late afternoon, when the light hits the houses. You’ll understand why painters and writers stayed here for years.”
— Vaggelis, Punto Voyage

Poros town, the channel and Galatas on the mainland, seen from above.

Harbour and anchorages

The channel between Poros and Galatas is only about 200 metres wide at its narrowest, and every bay is a short sail from town.

The harbour and bays in blue, sights in orange. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Poros town

Moor along the waterfront below the clock tower, with cafés and tavernas right behind the boat.

Skipper’s note: The quay is long but busy in July and August. Water taxis and ferries pass close, so we set the lines with care.

Russian Bay and Love Bay

Pine trees to the water, clear green sea and the ruins of an old Russian naval station on the shore.

Skipper’s note: Sheltered from the north. Busy with day boats around midday, quiet in the morning and evening.

Pines, clear water and yachts at anchor: a typical Saronic bay.

Neorio

A wide bay a short sail from town, with a few beach tavernas.

Skipper’s note: A good overnight anchorage when the town quay is full.

Monastery bay

Below the Zoodochos Pigi monastery, with a small beach and a spring.

Skipper’s note: Open to the south. A calm-day swim stop on the way to Hydra.

Things to do on Poros

Walk up to the clock tower

Ten minutes of steps through the old town for the best view over the channel.

The Lemon Forest

Across the channel in Galatas, thousands of lemon trees on a hillside. Take the water taxi over.

Temple of Poseidon

The ruins of a 6th-century BC sanctuary in the pines, where the orator Demosthenes died.

Zoodochos Pigi monastery

An 18th-century monastery in a green valley above the sea, with a spring and a beautiful carved iconostasis.

Swim in Russian Bay

Green water, pines to the shore and a small islet with a chapel just off the beach.

The best part of the day: jumping straight off the boat.

Sunset on deck

Evening in the channel, watching the lights of the town come on across the water.

Friends on deck as the sun goes down.

A day around Poros

A quiet morning at anchor in clear water.

The morning starts at anchor in Russian Bay. The day boats haven’t arrived yet, the water is green and still, and someone swims across to the little chapel on the islet.

At midday you sail slowly round to town and come in through the channel. After lunch, a water taxi takes you across to Galatas and up into the Lemon Forest, where in spring the air smells of citrus.

Sailing round in the late afternoon light.

In the evening, climb the steps to the clock tower as the sun goes down over the hills of the Peloponnese. Dinner is on the waterfront, a few steps from the boat.

Heading home at sunset.

Tips before you sail

April – June. Lemon blossom in the Lemon Forest, green hills and light winds.

July – August. A busy waterfront and a warm sea. The channel and the western bays stay sheltered when the meltemi blows.

September – October. Warm water, a quieter town and easy sailing.

Water taxis. Small boats cross to Galatas every few minutes, day and evening. The ride takes about two minutes.

Provisioning. Supermarkets, bakeries and a fish shop on the waterfront. A good place to restock before Hydra.

Getting around. Taxis and scooters on the island. The monastery and the temple are 10–15 minutes away by taxi.

Monastery visit. Cover shoulders and knees. Wraps are usually available at the door.

Local pies for lunch on deck.

New to sailing? Coming with children?

The channel and the bays around Poros are some of the most sheltered water in the Saronic Gulf, which makes it an easy place for a first time at sea.

Calm water. The channel and the western bays stay protected even on windy summer afternoons.

Easy days. Everything is close. Most days mean an hour or two of sailing and the rest of the day at anchor.

Children. Shallow sandy beaches, the water-taxi ride and the climb to the clock tower keep them busy.

Getting ashore. In town you step straight off the boat onto the waterfront.

Plenty of room to relax on the bow.

Combine Poros with…

Poros fits naturally into a week in the Saronic Gulf, after Palaia Epidavros and before Hydra, a morning’s sail away. Two nights here are never too many. See the example Saronic week.

About 20 nautical miles to the north is Aegina, the island where I grew up, with its harbours, the islet of Moni and the Temple of Aphaia. Read the Aegina sailing guide.

For the whole picture, from Aegina to Hydra and Spetses, read my guide to sailing the Saronic Gulf.

Questions about sailing Poros

How far is Poros from Athens by sailboat?

About 30 nautical miles, a long day’s sail. On the Saronic week we reach it via Palaia Epidavros.

Where is the best anchorage on Poros?

Russian Bay and Love Bay on the west side, for pines, clear water and shelter from the north.

Can you visit the Lemon Forest from the boat?

Yes. Take a water taxi across the channel to Galatas, then it is a short walk or taxi ride up the hill.

Is Poros good for families?

Yes. Sheltered water, short distances and a town where the boat is always a few steps away.