Meganisi anchorage guide · Ionian
Meganisi Yacht Anchorages: The 2026 Guide
Where to anchor a yacht around Meganisi: documented depth, holding and shelter for the island's main anchorages, drawn from published cruising sources.
Last updated May 2026
Meganisi 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.
Meganisi is a compact, highly protected cruising ground of deep fjord-like bays that favour stern-lines over swinging.
There is no fuel on the island, so refuel in Lefkada or Nidri.
Ashore: Spartochori village perched on a bluff above Port Spilia, the Papanikolis sea cave (a WWII submarine refuge and one of the largest in the area), and the waterfront tavernas of Vathi.
The anchorages
4 anchorages around Meganisi
Use this guide to understand your captain's routing, request specific anchorages on your preference sheet, judge whether Meganisi fits your charter style, and pair it sensibly with nearby islands.
Port Atheni / Atherinos (NE coast)
Depth
5-6m
Holding
Sand, good
Shelter
Good in all but strong NE and E winds.
Quay for 10 to 12 yachts, or anchor off the beach with lines ashore.
Best for: Sheltered overnight
Ormos Abelike (NE coast)
Depth
5-6m in the east cove
Holding
Mud and weed, good once through the weed
Shelter
Seven coves; the north cove has the best shelter but is deep and crowded.
Anchor and take a line ashore.
Port Vathi (north, main harbour)
Depth
up to 8m in the marina
Holding
Mud, good
Shelter
Good in most conditions; strong northerlies send in a surge.
Old harbour plus Odyseas Marina (68 berths).
Best for: Base, provisioning
Spartochori / Spilia
Holding
Good, stern-to (the seabed rises sharply)
Shelter
A village harbour; prevailing NW-N, sporadic NE at night.
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 Meganisi
Speak with George P. Biniaris directly. MYBA-standard contracts, full Greek charter fleet.