Naxos anchorage guide · Cyclades
Naxos Yacht Anchorages: The 2026 Guide
Where to anchor a yacht around Naxos: documented depth, holding and shelter for the island's main anchorages, drawn from published cruising sources.
Last updated May 2026
Naxos 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.
Ashore: Chora old town and its Venetian Kastro (seat of the Duchy of Naxos, 1207 to 1537) and the Portara, the great marble gate of an unfinished Temple of Apollo.
Plaka and Agios Prokopios are among the finest Cycladic beaches.
The anchorages
3 anchorages around Naxos
Use this guide to understand your captain's routing, request specific anchorages on your preference sheet, judge whether Naxos fits your charter style, and pair it sensibly with nearby islands.
Chora harbour (Naxos Town)
Depth
4-7m
Shelter
Breakwater anchorage in the NE corner gives shelter from the Meltemi. Exposed to northerly swell in strong wind.
The main town harbour; no large dedicated marina. Becomes uncomfortable in strong Meltemi.
Best for: Provisioning and town access
Ormos Kalando (Kalantos), SE coast
Depth
3-6m
Holding
Sand
Shelter
One of the best Meltemi lees on the southeast coast.
Anchor near the head of the crescent bay.
Best for: Meltemi shelter, quiet overnight
West-coast roadsteads (Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna)
Holding
Sand
Shelter
Open roadsteads, exposed to northerly winds.
Fair-weather day stops; depth not documented in a cruising source, confirm on chart.
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 Naxos
Speak with George P. Biniaris directly. MYBA-standard contracts, full Greek charter fleet.