Skip to main content
ForbesAs Featured · 1 May 2026How The Wealthy Are Hedging For InstabilityAs Featured · May 2026Read the feature →
Mykonos charter

Mykonos anchorage guide · Cyclades

Mykonos Yacht Anchorages: The Complete 2026 Guide

Where to anchor a yacht around Mykonos - practical depth, holding, shelter, and ashore-access detail for every major anchorage on the island.

Mykonos has the highest yacht traffic of any Greek island, and the anchorages reflect that demand: the famous bays fill by 11am in July-August, side-anchorages are increasingly important, and Meltemi routing matters.

This guide covers every meaningful Mykonos anchorage with the practical detail captains and charterers need - depth, holding quality, shelter direction, what's ashore, and our honest assessment of which work in peak vs shoulder.

All coordinates are approximate centre-of-anchorage.

Captains will use updated chart data for the precise anchor drop.

Depths are normal sand-bottom anchorage depths; rock or weed patches exist in most Cycladic bays.

The anchorages

8 anchorages around Mykonos

Use this guide to: (1) understand your captain's routing decisions, (2) request specific anchorages on your preference sheet, (3) decide whether Mykonos is the right base for your charter style, and (4) compare against quieter alternative islands.

Ornos Bay

37.420°N, 25.320°E

Depth

6-12m typical

Holding

Good (sand with weed patches)

Shelter

Excellent from north (Meltemi). Open to south winds (rare in summer).

Ashore

Multiple beach clubs (Kuzina, Branco), restaurants ashore, tender dock available

Mykonos' most popular anchorage. Expect 30+ yachts in peak July-August. Best to arrive by 10am for prime position. Beach club lunch reservations need 24-48 hours advance.

Best for: First-Mykonos visitors, families wanting beach club access

Psarou Beach

37.418°N, 25.337°E

Depth

8-15m

Holding

Good (sand)

Shelter

Excellent from north, exposed south (rare issue)

Ashore

Nammos beach club (Mykonos' most famous), restaurants, beach service to yacht

Glamorous anchorage with high visibility. UHNW yacht concentration. Nammos lunch is an event - book 1 week ahead in peak. Beach club tender service to yacht for swimwear shopping etc.

Best for: Social-scene-focused groups, see-and-be-seen charterers

Platis Gialos

37.410°N, 25.342°E

Depth

6-10m

Holding

Good (sand and pebbles)

Shelter

Excellent from north, open south

Ashore

Family-friendly beach, multiple tavernas, water sports concessions

Wider bay than Ornos, easier to find space in peak. Less glamorous than Psarou, more family-friendly. Tender access to several beach tavernas (Avli tou Thodori is recommended).

Best for: Families with children, casual lunch ashore

Paranga Beach

37.405°N, 25.348°E

Depth

8-12m

Holding

Good (sand)

Shelter

Good from north, open south

Ashore

Quieter beach, single taverna ashore, walking trail to Paradise

The quieter alternative to Paradise/Super Paradise. Same southern Mykonos location with less party atmosphere. Excellent swim spot.

Best for: Families and groups wanting the south coast without the crowds

Paradise Beach

37.402°N, 25.353°E

Depth

10-15m

Holding

Good (sand)

Shelter

Excellent from north, fully exposed south

Ashore

Paradise beach club (DJ-driven, daytime party scene), tavernas

Lively daytime atmosphere - DJ music carries to anchored yachts. Right anchorage for charterers wanting the Mykonos party vibe from the water. Wrong anchorage for restful afternoons.

Best for: Party-scene groups, young UHNW guests

Super Paradise Beach

37.401°N, 25.358°E

Depth

12-18m

Holding

Good (sand)

Shelter

Excellent from north, fully exposed south

Ashore

JackieO Beach Club (the iconic Mykonos LGBTQ+ scene), tavernas

Atmospheric daytime beach scene. Anchorage deeper than Paradise. JackieO bookings essential in peak. Atmospherically distinct from anywhere else on Mykonos.

Best for: Atmospheric afternoon scene, themed events

Kalafati Beach

37.443°N, 25.420°E

Depth

6-10m

Holding

Good (sand)

Shelter

Excellent from north (the most-Meltemi-protected Mykonos anchorage)

Ashore

Single taverna, surf school, very few crowds

On the east coast, the least-trafficked Mykonos anchorage. Best Meltemi shelter on the island. Often empty even in peak. The captain's escape valve.

Best for: Meltemi days, charterers wanting solitude near Mykonos

Delos Anchorage (off Delos Island)

37.395°N, 25.270°E

Depth

10-18m

Holding

Variable (sand with rock patches)

Shelter

Good from north, open south

Ashore

Delos archaeological site (UNESCO), guided tours, no restaurants

10nm from Mykonos. Tender to Delos for the morning archaeological visit. Anchor watching the Aegean's most important ancient sanctuary. Visit typically 9am-12pm; lunch back on Mykonos.

Best for: Cultural-focused day trip, archaeology

When to visit

Peak July-August: every Mykonos south-coast anchorage is busy by 11am. Captains arrive early for prime position or accept side-anchorages. Shoulder seasons (June, September): plenty of space, no queues. October: most beach clubs closed, anchorages essentially empty.

Captain's note

On Meltemi days (north winds 25-35 knots), all south-coast anchorages are usable. Kalafati on the east coast is the back-up if south coast is full. The captain should pre-check Nammos and JackieO reservations 48 hours before the planned visit day.

Continue exploring

Yacht charter MykonosMotor yacht charter MykonosCyclades cruising guide

Charter Mykonos

Speak with George P. Biniaris directly. MYBA-standard contracts, full Greek charter fleet.

Write to GeorgeMykonos charter →
Chat with George