SeaTV · Cyclades Islands · Koufonisia · Marina
Koufinisi Marina — Cyclades Meltemi Shelter
Small port on the east side of South Koufonisia, 2 NM NW of Keros. The primary Meltemi shelter for the Lesser Cyclades — narrow entrance, 22-yacht capacity, mooring lines provided. When 30 knots is forecast, this is where charter weeks come to wait it out.
When sailing the Cyclades — especially in July and August — the Meltemi is not a surprise. It’s a feature. The skill is knowing which marinas you can tie up safely in when the wind goes 25–35 knots. Koufinisi Marina is one of those answers: a small port on the east side of South Koufonisia, 2 NM NW of Keros, that gives decent shelter from the Meltemi. For the wider context of Koufonisia (anchorages, village, walks), see the Koufonisia Island page.
⚠ Reality check before you commit:
→ Marina is very narrow — be alert when entering
→ Meltemi makes manoeuvring tricky — exactly when you most need to enter
→ Reserve in advance — only 22-yacht capacity
→ Visiting yachts may be asked to anchor along the western platform
⚓ Marina Quick Facts
Position
East side South Koufonisia · 2 NM NW of Keros
Coordinates
36°55’48″N · 25°36’0″E
Capacity
Up to 22 yachts
Central mole depth
3.8–4 m at the head
Mooring
Mooring lines provided
Services
Water · electricity
Why It Works as Meltemi Shelter
The Cyclades Meltemi pattern dominates summer sailing — strong NE winds for 3–7 days at a time, with peak gusts in the 30+ knot range. Koufinisi Marina sits on the east side of South Koufonisia, sheltered by the island bulk to the north. It’s not the most spacious shelter in the Aegean, and the entry is technical — but when you’re sailing in 30 knots and need to be tied up by sunset, it’s the right answer for the Lesser Cyclades. The neighbouring islands (Iraklia, Schinoussa) don’t have anything equivalent for proper Meltemi conditions.
⚓ Entry & Mooring Detail
The Approach · Narrow + Wind-Affected
Coming In
Entrance: Narrow · plan the manoeuvre carefully · bow thruster strongly recommended.
Brief the crew before commit: Roles assigned, fenders out, lines ready, communication clear.
⚠ Wind effect: The Meltemi makes manoeuvring tricky exactly when you most need to be inside — paradox of the shelter. Plan the approach assuming wind will affect every handling move.
Mooring Inside · Three Options
Where to Tie Up
Option 1 — Central mole head: Mooring lines provided · 3.8–4 m depths.
Option 2 — Around the marina: Mooring lines available at most positions.
Option 3 — Western platform anchor: Visiting yachts are sometimes asked to anchor here when the marina interior is full.
⚓ Calm-Weather Alternative — SW Cove
Position: SW corner of the island.
Use: When conditions are calm and the marina isn’t your safety priority, the SW cove is a recommended quiet alternative.
⚠ Limit: Calm weather only. Switch back to the marina if conditions deteriorate.
Facilities & Services
On the marina: Water and electricity supplies.
In the village: Basic amenities, traditional restaurants, shops along the front. Walk and pick what looks good.
Walks & beaches: The shoreline walks from the village lead to quiet beaches and small tavernas with sea views — Koufonisia rewards a slow shore day.
Pro Tips for Koufinisi Marina
Reserve well in advance. 22-yacht capacity is small. In Meltemi conditions, every charter in the Lesser Cyclades is heading here. Book before the forecast even confirms the wind pattern.
Test the bow thruster before commit. If yours is broken (charter-boat reality), plan an extra-conservative approach with bigger margins and a slower entry. The narrow entrance unforgiving without a thruster.
Time the entry for wind lulls. Meltemi pulses — there are calmer minutes between gusts. Watch the weather, hover outside if needed, and time your run-in for a softer pulse.
Brief crew on western-platform fallback. If you arrive and the marina interior is full, you may be directed to the western platform. Anchor there with proper scope — it’s still in shelter, but less so than the marina interior.
Use shore time wisely. If you’re locked in for a Meltemi day, walk the village, do a shore lunch, swim in the calmer water around the marina. The island’s small enough to do a half-day circumnavigation on foot.
Watch the forecast for the exit. Meltemi pulses come in 3–7 day patterns. Plan your departure around a known lull, not just a calm hour.
✅ Sailor’s Checklist for Koufinisi Marina
▢ Reservation made well in advance
▢ Bow thruster tested at check-in (or Plan B if broken)
▢ Crew briefed on narrow-entrance approach
▢ Western-platform anchor option understood as fallback
▢ Mooring lines ready for the central mole
▢ Wind-pulse timing planned for entry
▢ Multi-day Meltemi forecast reviewed for exit window
▢ VHF on Ch. 16 throughout
Emergency & Service Numbers — Koufinisi Marina
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Distress (VHF Ch. 16): Universal
Coastguard Working (VHF Ch. 12): Per region
Naxos Port Authority: Closest active port · VHF Ch. 12 / 16
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
Watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot Video
Drone passes over the narrow entrance approach, the central mole layout with mooring lines, the western platform anchorage, and the calm-water SW cove on the other side of the island. Free for members.
Related SeaTV Pages
Koufonisia · Other Pages
→ Koufonisia Island — anchorages overview · the wider island context, additional anchorages
Lesser Cyclades Neighbours
→ Schinoussa Island · west neighbour
→ Iraklia Island · further west (plane wreck snorkel)
Cyclades Routes & Region
Heading for Koufinisi?
Reserve in advance · narrow entrance · 22 yachts max · the Lesser Cyclades’s primary Meltemi shelter.
“Koufinisi Marina is the answer when the Lesser Cyclades is in 30 knots — narrow, technical, 22 yachts max, but reliable. Reserve ahead, time the wind pulse, and the marina becomes the safe centre while the Meltemi runs above. The shore time you’ll get when you’re locked in is what makes Koufonisia worth the rough approach.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Cyclades Edition
