Patmos anchorage guide · Dodecanese
Patmos Yacht Anchorages: The 2026 Guide
Where to anchor a yacht around Patmos: documented depth, holding and shelter for the island's main anchorages, drawn from published cruising sources.
Last updated May 2026
Patmos sits in the Dodecanese.
The Dodecanese are dominated by the summer Meltemi from the north and northwest (Force 4 to 7 in July to August).
East and south coasts give the lee; May to June and September are gentler.
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.
Patmos is tranquil and spiritual; Skala is gusty and the soft-sand anchorages give only indifferent holding in the Meltemi, so keep alternatives ready.
Ashore: The UNESCO Monastery of St John the Divine and the Cave of the Apocalypse, the hilltop Chora, and Psili Ammos beach.
The anchorages
3 anchorages around Patmos
Use this guide to understand your captain's routing, request specific anchorages on your preference sheet, judge whether Patmos fits your charter style, and pair it sensibly with nearby islands.
Grikos Bay (SE coast)
Depth
4-10m
Holding
Sand, good
Shelter
Protected from N and W winds, open to S and E.
About 3 nm south of Skala; the Meltemi lee.
Best for: Meltemi overnight
Skala (main harbour, E coast)
Depth
5-10m
Holding
Sand and mud, moderate
Shelter
A fairly safe harbour in the Meltemi despite strong gusts and cross-winds; exposed to northerlies.
Outer anchorage; gusty.
Best for: Town access, monastery
Ormos Petras / Diakofti (behind Tragos islet)
Depth
around 9m
Holding
Soft sand, indifferent
Shelter
Good shelter from the SE but poor in the Meltemi.
Have alternatives ready in the Meltemi.
When to visit
The Dodecanese are dominated by the summer Meltemi from the north and northwest (Force 4 to 7 in July to August). East and south coasts give the lee; May to June and September are gentler.
Captain's note
The Dodecanese are dominated by the summer Meltemi from the north and northwest (Force 4 to 7 in July to August). East and south coasts give the lee; May to June and September are gentler. 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.
Continue exploring
Charter Patmos
Speak with George P. Biniaris directly. MYBA-standard contracts, full Greek charter fleet.