SeaTV · Sporades Islands · Skopelos
Best Bays & Anchorages in Skopelos
A standout stop in the Northern Sporades for sailors who love clear water, green coastline, and practical anchorages. Four key Skopelos bays with coordinates, anchoring depths, and the navigation hazards skippers need to know.
Skopelos sits in the middle of the inner Sporades triangle — greener and quieter than Skiathos, more developed than Alonissos. Its coastline gives sailors four very different anchoring options: a dramatic rocky swim cove at Amarandos, the practical bay anchorage at Port Agnontas, the relaxed pebble-beach stop at Limnonari, and the big shelter-on-all-conditions option at Panormos. Each one has specific hazards and best-uses — get them on the chartplotter before the week begins.
⚠ Reality check:
→ Agnontas reef 300 m SW of green entrance light · 100 m offshore · 2.6 m over it
→ Agnontas ferry diversions create damaging swell when Skopelos Port closes
→ Panormos wrecks — two charted wrecks in the bay
→ Amarandos rocky surroundings — daytime swim stop only, not overnight
⚓ At a Glance — Best Use by Anchorage
Best for a dramatic swim stop: Amarandos Cove
Best practical anchorage in the bay: Port Agnontas
Best “swim + relax” beach stop: Limnonari Beach
Largest / safest bay option: Panormos Bay
1. Amarandos Cove (Amarandos Beach)
Position · 39°4’29″N · 23°42’29″E · Daytime Only
Amarandos — Rocky South-Coast Swim Stop
Position: Small rocky inlet along the southern coast of Skopelos.
Why stop: Dramatic coastline, exceptionally clear water, small caves carved into the rocky shore. Popular for swimming, cliff jumping, and freediving.
Best use: Short daytime anchorage / swim stop only. The rocky surroundings make it inappropriate for overnight stays.
⚠ Limit: Treat as scenic stop only — don’t plan to overnight.
2. Port Agnontas (Bay of Agnontas)
Position · 39°4’59″N · 23°42’38″E · Best Bay Anchorage
Port Agnontas — Practical Anchorage with Quay
Position: 0.6 NM north of Cape Amarandos. The bay opens W–SW, extends inward ~0.2 NM, ~200 m wide.
Anchoring: Inner part in 5–10 m · sandy bottom with good holding · small craft only.
Quay: Curved 190 m quay along the southern shore, oriented SW · depths alongside 3.4–5.5 m · ramp used by local ferries.
Entrance lights: Green starboard / Red port (for vessels entering).
Services: Water · limited provisions · fuel by truck · minor repair facilities.
⚠ Critical hazard #1 — Reef: A dangerous rocky reef lies 300 m SW of the green entrance light, 100 m offshore, with only 2.6 m of water over it. Plot it; avoid it.
⚠ Critical hazard #2 — Ferry swell: When strong winds prevent ferries from using Skopelos Port, ferry traffic may divert to Agnontas. High-speed ferries can create significant swell that may damage boats moored along the quay. Be wake-aware; consider moving to anchor if ferries are diverting.
3. Limnonari Beach
Position · 39°5’22″N · 23°41’53″E · Pine-Slope Bay
Limnonari — Swim & Relax Stop
Position: ~9.5 km from Skopelos Town · just north of Agnontas.
Character: Pine-covered slopes reach down to the shore. Calm, very clear water. Small pebble shore.
Facilities ashore: A sun bar · umbrellas · trees providing natural shade.
Best use: Convenient stop for swimming and a relaxed afternoon ashore.
4. Panormos Bay (Natural Port of Panormos) + Panormos Beach
Panormos Bay · 39°06’7″N · 23°39’7″E · All-Weather Port
Panormos — Natural Port + Bay
Position: Narrow bay opening to the west · the natural port lies near the head of the bay.
Shelter — bay: Safe from N and SE winds.
Shelter — port itself: Safe in all weather conditions. The most protected harbour on Skopelos.
Access: Easy entry · ~400 m of quays.
Anchoring: NE corner of the bay · 10–15 m depths.
⚠ Charted wrecks — both must be avoided:
→ Wreck #1: 120 m north of the eastern end of Panormos Port
→ Wreck #2: 70 m east of the north-eastern end of the port
Panormos Beach · 39°6’40″N · 23°39’47″E · West-Coast Beach
Panormos Beach
One of the most popular beaches on the west coast of Skopelos. White sand mixed with pebbles, exceptional water clarity. Walkable from the Panormos port anchorage.
Skipper Notes & Planning Takeaways
Amarandos: Treat as a scenic swim stop only. Not for overnight — the rocky surroundings make it risky. Worth the daytime visit for the dramatic coastline and crystal water.
Agnontas: Your primary practical anchorage on Skopelos’s south coast. Plot the reef 300 m SW of the green entrance light — it’s the headline hazard. Be wake-aware near the quay if ferries divert from Skopelos Port.
Limnonari: Straightforward swim-and-relax stop, with shore facilities and shade. Settle into the pine-covered slopes for an afternoon break.
Panormos: The bay-and-port combination gives you all-weather flexibility — anchor in the NE corner of the bay (10–15 m), or move into the port for full shelter. Plot both wrecks before approach.
✅ Safety Checklist for Skopelos
▢ Agnontas reef plotted (300 m SW of green light, 2.6 m over it)
▢ Both Panormos wrecks plotted (120 m N + 70 m E of port)
▢ Amarandos confirmed as daytime-only (rocky surroundings)
▢ Ferry diversions to Agnontas understood (move from quay if conditions worsen)
▢ Panormos as primary heavy-weather backup
▢ Hazards verified against current charts
Emergency & Service Numbers — Skopelos
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Distress (VHF Ch. 16): Universal
Coastguard Working (VHF Ch. 12): Per region
Skopelos Port Authority: VHF Ch. 12 / 16
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
Watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot Video
Drone passes over Amarandos and the south-coast cliffs, the Agnontas approach with the green entrance light and the reef offshore, the pine slopes of Limnonari, and the Panormos bay-and-port complex from the air. Free for members.
Related SeaTV Pages
Sporades · Other Pages
Sailing Skopelos?
Four anchorages, four very different uses — pick by weather, plot the hazards, and the island’s the rest.
“Skopelos gives you a different anchor for every kind of day — Amarandos for the swim, Agnontas for the practical, Limnonari for the relax, Panormos for the storm. Plot the reef, watch the wrecks, and the island opens up.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Sporades Edition
