Poros has a unique landscape and is one of the most popular yachting destinations. It located close to Athens and is divided by the mainland Peloponissos (Galatas) only by a narrow canal. It has a picturesque town which is also its port. It is usually preferred by Greeks (as a family destination) for a short trip and is not developed as a mass tourism destination. However it offers a good variety of options for accommodation, food and entertainment, as all Greek destinations. Many tavernas, cafes and bars are all over the town and the nearby settlement, Askeli. Night life is not wild but there are 1-2 nice dancing clubs in the town.
Poros attracts all yachters because it is the most "yacting friendly" island of Saronic Gulf. It is full of greenery and its pine trees come all along the emerald green sea. It has a few cozy beaches but they are usually crowded by yachters and bathers.
YACHTING IN POROS
PROS:
- Its proximity to Athens, Peloponese (Epidavros, Methana) and other islands such as Hydra, Aegina, Agistri etc.
- Its big and safe port which is always calm, since it is located in a very "deep" and round bay, like a lake. It does not have an organized marina but finding a place to moor in the port is usually easy. Furthermore, all shops and restaurants are near by the docks.
- It has a few small but picturesque bays with pine trees and nice green waters, which are good anchorages because they are found in the larger bay of the port. Many yachters prefer to anchor there instead of mooring in the port, since they are beautiful and very close to the town (reached even by tender).
- Its beautiful natural landscape, the canal and the picturesque town (port).
- Weather in Saronic Gulf is usually calmer than Aegean Sea. Even with strong north - north western winds ("meltemi") that prevail in the summer there, it is easier to travel to Poros compared to other destinations.
CONS:
- There is usually annoying swell in the port due to the very frequent transportation of many ferries, boats etc. Furthermore, the docks right on the main road are noisy but are preferred by those who want to be in the center of the town's life. Thankfully there are some vertical pontoons that offer quieter mooring places.
- The sea of the beautiful and well protected beaches (and anchorages) - even though it has an attractive green color - is not always clean, because they are located in the very "closed" bay which is close to the port and numerous boats that pass by.
- Poros is a small island with only two settlements. It is ideal for 2-3 days, but it does not offer the variety of things to do that will attract visitors for a longer stay