Donousa anchorage guide · Cyclades
Donousa Yacht Anchorages: The 2026 Guide
Where to anchor a yacht around Donousa: documented depth, holding and shelter for the island's main anchorages, drawn from published cruising sources.
Last updated May 2026
Donousa sits in the Cyclades.
The Cyclades are dominated by the summer Meltemi (Etesian) northerly, strongest mid-July to mid-August (around Force 5 to 7, gusting higher in open water).
Plan south legs downwind and overnight on lee and south coasts.
May, June and September are calmer.
This guide covers the island's main anchorages with the practical detail charterers and captains actually use: depth where a published cruising source documents it, holding, and shelter direction.
Where a figure was not documented we say so rather than guess.
Donousa is the loneliest and most remote of the Lesser Cyclades, relatively open and exposed, with limited shelter and facilities.
Ashore: The blue-domed Church of Timios Stavros, Kedros beach with the sunken WWII ship just offshore, the Fokospilia seal cave, and the Geometric-period ruins at Vathi Limenari.
The anchorages
3 anchorages around Donousa
Use this guide to understand your captain's routing, request specific anchorages on your preference sheet, judge whether Donousa fits your charter style, and pair it sensibly with nearby islands.
Roussa (north / NE)
Depth
8-10m
Holding
Excellent
Shelter
Two anchorages guarded by Skilonisi islet; Meltemi-proof in the N corner near Kalotaritissa, open only S-E.
The best Meltemi shelter on the island.
Best for: Meltemi shelter
Stavros (east coast, main port and village)
Depth
4-8m
Holding
Sand, moderate
Shelter
Partial shelter from northerlies.
Tie along the ferry quay; priority to ferries.
Best for: Village access
Kedro / Dendro bay (E of Stavros)
Shelter
More suitable in strong NW winds, affected only by SE-SW; gusts from the NE.
Seafloor rises sharply; anchor S of the WWII wreck with care; published depths conflict.
When to visit
The Cyclades are dominated by the summer Meltemi (Etesian) northerly, strongest mid-July to mid-August (around Force 5 to 7, gusting higher in open water). Plan south legs downwind and overnight on lee and south coasts. May, June and September are calmer.
Captain's note
The Cyclades are dominated by the summer Meltemi (Etesian) northerly, strongest mid-July to mid-August (around Force 5 to 7, gusting higher in open water). Plan south legs downwind and overnight on lee and south coasts. May, June and September are calmer. Pick the anchorage to the wind: in the prevailing summer airflow, favour the lee and sheltered bays listed above, and keep a documented all-weather shelter or a layover day in reserve when the forecast climbs. Depths and holding here follow published cruising sources; your captain will confirm the exact anchor drop against current charts on arrival.
Charter Donousa
Speak with George P. Biniaris directly. MYBA-standard contracts, full Greek charter fleet.