Paxos anchorage guide · Ionian
Paxos Yacht Anchorages: The 2026 Guide
Where to anchor a yacht around Paxos: documented depth, holding and shelter for the island's main anchorages, drawn from published cruising sources.
Last updated May 2026
Paxos 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.
Paxos is pretty and sheltered but very crowded with charter fleets in July to August.
Ashore: The pastel Venetian-style villages of Gaios, Lakka and Longos, St Nicholas island's Venetian castle, and the west-coast sea caves (Ypapanti).
The anchorages
4 anchorages around Paxos
Use this guide to understand your captain's routing, request specific anchorages on your preference sheet, judge whether Paxos fits your charter style, and pair it sensibly with nearby islands.
Port Gaios (main harbour, E coast)
Depth
6-8m
Holding
Mud and weed, good
Shelter
Protected by St Nicholas island; quay berthing.
Depths quoted in the channel.
Best for: Town access, shelter
Port Lakka (N coast)
Depth
3-4m
Holding
Sand, good (weedy and deeper to the south)
Shelter
Sheltered from most directions except northerlies.
Can be uncomfortable in strong NW.
Mongonisi (SE)
Depth
3-6m
Holding
Mud, good
Shelter
Good shelter.
Quiet southern bay.
Port Longos
Depth
3-4m
Holding
Sand and weed, good
Shelter
Poor shelter in the prevailing NW.
Pretty village berth in settled weather.
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 Paxos
Speak with George P. Biniaris directly. MYBA-standard contracts, full Greek charter fleet.