Othoni Sailing Guide: Anchorages, Harbours and Tips

Othoni, the westernmost Greek island, rewards sailors with a welcoming community, remote anchorages and crystal-clear waters.

Overview

Othoni (also spelled Othonoi, from the Greek “Οθωνοί” — where “οι” is pronounced as “i”) is the westernmost inhabited island of Greece and a hidden gem of the Diapontia archipelago. Remote and unspoiled, it offers a rare glimpse of traditional island life, with rugged cliffs, pine forests, and secluded beaches such as the striking Aspri Ammos. The island is also known in mythology as the place where Calypso held Odysseus captive.

Besides sailing, hiking is a popular activity and rewards visitors with breathtaking views across the Adriatic. However, caution is advised near the eastern cape, which is a navigational hazard due to numerous shoals and rocks—maintain a safe distance when approaching.

The local coast guard office is located in Ammos. For emergencies or assistance, you can contact them at +30 26630 72280.

Othoni Sailing Map: Anchorages and Harbours

Below is an interactive map of all major anchorages and harbours in Othoni. Click any location to jump to the detailed guide below.

Locations

Ammos

Type: Village with harbour and anchorage
Best for: Main stop on the island, services and provisioning
Protection: Anchorage OK in NW with gusts; poor in S winds; harbour generally sheltered
Holding: Excellent in sand (2–4m in main bay)

Ammos (Άμμος, meaning “sand”) is the only port of the island. You can find taverns and a nice sandy beach in the bay.

Anchoring

Anchoring is possible in the bay at approx. pos. 39⁰50.459′ N, 19⁰24.176′ E. Avoid the eastern dock for a prolonged stay, as it is reserved for the ferry. The sandy bottom at 2-4 metres provides excellent holding. In case of a southern wind, you should leave without a second thought. With the usual NW wind, you should expect some katabatic gusts, but with plenty of chain, it is nothing to worry about. In peak season, the main bay may be full. Anchoring just outside the bay in about 10 metres of depth is a perfectly good alternative.

Docking

If you prefer to dock, the marina in Avlakia (Αυλάκια) is a great option. Moor alongside on both sides of the marina’s entrance. The entrance is at 39⁰50.366′ N, 19⁰24.665′ E . It can provide water, electricity and help with docking from the marina personnel. It is run by SaMMY and you can see related info or book in advance through this link. The cost is approximately €50 per day for a 12-metre monohull. Note that the marina is officially closed outside the season. During this time, you can dock for free, but water and electricity are not available.

Aspri Ammos Beach

Type: Beach anchorage
Best for: Swimming and short stop in scenic cove
Protection: Some shelter from NW; caution required
Holding: Good in sand

Approx. Anchorage Pos.:39⁰50.504′ N, 19⁰22.966′ E

Accessible only by boat, Aspri Ammos (Άσπρη Άμμος, meaning “white sand”) enchants visitors with its turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs. A boat taxi service operates from the main town, so you may not be entirely alone. The cove offers some shelter from the prevailing north-westerly wind, but caution is advised as there are visible rocks close to the shore.

 Nearby, you’ll find Kalypso’s Cave at 39⁰50.407′ N, 19⁰23.130′ E , which you can enter with a dinghy. According to legend, this is one of the places where the nymph Kalypso is said to have lived.

Fyki

Type: Natural bay anchorage
Best for: Quiet anchorage and diving / exploration
Protection: Exposed to NW. Good from S, SE and SW
Holding: Good (sand and rock patches)

Approx. Anchorage Pos.: 39⁰51.658′ N, 19⁰24.154′ E

Fyki (Φύκι, meaning “seaweed”), the northern part of the island, is a natural bay, featuring a rocky – and in parts pebbly – coast, with lush green slopes. At night, the abundant plankton can illuminate the sea, creating a rare and spectacular natural light show.

Wrecks

• At coordinates 39⁰51.887′ N, 19⁰24.11′ E , there is a non-dangerous shipwreck of a submarine at 13m depth. It is visible with a good free dive without any equipment.
• The most famous wreck is the Sara, an Italian steamship that sank on February 2, 1925, due to bad weather. It is located at 39⁰52.085′ N, 19⁰23.441′ E , at 20 metres depth, and is a popular site for scuba diving enthusiasts.

Anchoring

The bay offers protection from S, SE, and SW winds. You can anchor in 5-7 metres of depth with good holding. The bottom has both sandy and rocky patches. If possible, always try to set your anchor in the sand. If you must anchor on a rocky part, use a trip line to facilitate retrieval if the anchor becomes fouled.

Xylosermi Beach

Type: Anchorage
Best for: Short stop and sunset
Protection: Exposed to NW
Holding: Average (deep waters)

Approx. Anchorage Pos.: 39⁰51.124′ N, 19⁰22.367′ E

Xylosermi (Ξυλοσερμοί) is another beautiful place with pristine water. The sunset from here is amazing.

Anchoring

It is not for every hour of the day, since it is completely open to the prevailing NW wind. Due to plenty of rocks close to the shore, you will need to anchor in deeper water, around 15 metres. Be sure to use a trip line for your anchor in case it gets fouled on a rock below.

Explore nearby Erikousa and Mathraki, as well as Corfu, in the full Ionian sailing guide.