Syros Yacht Anchorages: The Complete Guide

Syros 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: Ermoupoli's neoclassical capital and the Apollo Theatre (1864, modelled on La Scala), the medieval Catholic hill-town of Ano Syros (founded in the 13th century), and beaches at Galissas, Agathopes, Komito and Kini.

Syros is the Meltemi bolt-hole of the central Cyclades and the neoclassical capital of the islands: 70 nautical miles from Alimos and 55 from Lavrio on our distance table, 25 from Kythnos and 25 from Mykonos, so it sits on the direct line from Athens to Mykonos and is where a displacement yacht sleeps on the way.

Finikas on the south-west coast, three to six metres over sand, is the best reliable shelter on the island from northerlies; Megali Agkali by Didymi islet at the entrance to Ermoupoli bay, around six metres with excellent holding, is sheltered from the Meltemi; Vari on the south coast, four to five metres over sand, is the quiet southern lee; Kini on the west, five to twelve metres, is partial shelter over sand and weed; Ermoupoli itself is town-quay berthing with ferry wash, gusts and exposure to the north, and full city amenities ashore.

On the Greek Charter Index 2026 a 26 to 31 metre motor yacht runs EUR 35,900 to 75,000 a week, a 22 to 25 metre EUR 21,000 to 47,500, a 20 to 22 metre sailing catamaran EUR 31,500 to 43,500, per yacht before VAT and APA.

Where can a yacht anchor at Syros?

Syros has 5 anchorages in this guide: Finikas (SW coast), Megali Agkali (by Didymi islet, bay entrance), Vari (south coast), Kini (west coast), Ermoupoli (main port). Each entry below gives depth, holding, shelter direction and what is ashore.

Which Syros anchorages are sheltered from the meltemi, the summer north wind?

Finikas (SW coast): The best reliable shelter on the island, from northerlies. Megali Agkali (by Didymi islet, bay entrance): Sheltered from the Meltemi.

How deep are the anchorages at Syros?

Finikas (SW coast) 3-6m; Megali Agkali (by Didymi islet, bay entrance) around 6m; Vari (south coast) 4-5m; Kini (west coast) 5-12m. Depths are typical sand-bottom anchoring depths; the captain drops on current chart data.

What is the holding like at Syros?

Finikas (SW coast): Sand, good. Megali Agkali (by Didymi islet, bay entrance): Excellent. Vari (south coast): Sand, good. Kini (west coast): Sand and weed, moderate. Ermoupoli (main port): Sand and mud, moderate in the outer areas.

When is the best time to anchor at Syros?

The Cyclades are dominated by the summer Meltemi, the northerly that blows hardest from mid-July to mid-August, around Force 5 to 7 and gusting higher in open water, and Syros is where the Athens to Mykonos run waits it out, in Finikas or behind Didymi. Ermoupoli is busy with ferries day and night all summer. May, June and September are calmer, and on the Greek Charter Index the shoulder months price 15 to 25% below peak on the same rate card with three to four months of lead time rather than a year.

What does the captain plan around at Syros?

Finikas, three to six metres over sand, is the night in a Meltemi, and Megali Agkali by Didymi islet, around six metres with excellent holding, the alternative at the mouth of Ermoupoli bay; Vari, four to five metres over sand, when the wind is north and the party wants the quiet south coast. Ermoupoli is for the evening ashore by taxi or a town-quay berth in settled weather, with the ferry wash and the northerly exposure expected. Kini is partial shelter, checked for the set in weed. Mykonos is 25 miles and Kythnos 25, morning passages. Depths and holding here follow published cruising sources; the captain confirms the anchor drop against current charts on arrival.

Cyclades

Saronic

Ionian

Sporades

Dodecanese

Crete