Kythira anchorage guide · Ionian
Kythira Yacht Anchorages: The 2026 Guide
Where to anchor a yacht around Kythira: documented depth, holding and shelter for the island's main anchorages, drawn from published cruising sources.
Last updated May 2026
Kythira sits in the Ionian.
The Ionian is mild in summer, with a northwesterly afternoon sea breeze (the Maistro) that builds in the afternoon and eases overnight; katabatic gusts can fall into some bays at night.
It is the gentlest of the Greek cruising grounds.
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.
Kythira lies off the south of the Peloponnese with no full-service marina; berthing concentrates at Diakofti (best protected) and Kapsali (always some swell).
Ashore: The Venetian castle of Chora above Kapsali, the fortress and scenic fishing village of Avlemonas, and Mylopotamos with its waterfall, watermills, the Agia Sophia cave and the Venetian Kato Hora castle.
The anchorages
3 anchorages around Kythira
Use this guide to understand your captain's routing, request specific anchorages on your preference sheet, judge whether Kythira fits your charter style, and pair it sensibly with nearby islands.
Diakofti (NE coast, ferry port)
Depth
5-10m
Holding
Sand
Shelter
The most protected harbour, well sheltered from northerlies; can be exposed to easterly swell.
Purpose-built; ferries take priority.
Best for: Best shelter, base
Kapsali (south coast, below Chora)
Depth
shoaling to 2-4m at the quay
Holding
Sand, weed and rock, sometimes unreliable
Shelter
Twin bays open to the S; always some swell, untenable in strong S winds, gusty in strong W.
Often better side-to the quay with plenty of fenders.
Best for: Scenery, the castle town
Avlemonas (east coast)
Holding
Sand, good in the bay west of the harbour
Shelter
The small harbour has no room for a yacht inside; anchor in the large sandy bay to the W, sheltered from westerlies.
The Mentor shipwreck (Lord Elgin, 1802) lies just outside at about 20 m.
When to visit
The Ionian is mild in summer, with a northwesterly afternoon sea breeze (the Maistro) that builds in the afternoon and eases overnight; katabatic gusts can fall into some bays at night. It is the gentlest of the Greek cruising grounds.
Captain's note
The Ionian is mild in summer, with a northwesterly afternoon sea breeze (the Maistro) that builds in the afternoon and eases overnight; katabatic gusts can fall into some bays at night. It is the gentlest of the Greek cruising grounds. 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 Kythira
Speak with George P. Biniaris directly. MYBA-standard contracts, full Greek charter fleet.