SeaTV · Cyclades Islands · Schinoussa
Schinoussa Island — Quiet Lesser Cyclades Stop
South of Naxos in the Lesser Cyclades chain, between Iraklia and Koufonisia. Three anchorages, a small working harbour at Mersini with good Meltemi shelter, and the kind of quiet sailing the bigger Cyclades have outgrown.
Schinoussa sits in the Lesser Cyclades — the small-island chain south of Naxos that includes Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonisia, and Donousa. It’s quieter than the bigger islands and offers sailors three practical stops: Mersini as the main harbour with good Meltemi shelter, plus two anchorages to the SE — Tsigouri Beach and Livadi Beach. The island works well as part of a Lesser Cyclades sub-loop combining Iraklia, Schinoussa, and Koufonisia within 5–10 NM hops.
⚠ Reality check:
→ Mersini holding variable — sand, rock, and algae · not all positions hold well
→ Limited pier space at Mersini quay
→ Tsigouri Beach islet on the right side of the entrance
⚓ Quick Facts
Position
South of Naxos · Lesser Cyclades
3 anchorages
Mersini · Tsigouri Beach · Livadi Beach
Main harbour
Mersini (NE) · good Meltemi shelter
Best in N winds
Bays on the southern side
Atmosphere
Quiet · uncrowded · Cycladic
Neighbours
Iraklia (W) · Koufonisia (E)
1. Mersini (Main Harbour)
Position · 36°52’19″N · 25°30’36″E · Main Harbour
Mersini — Working Harbour with Meltemi Shelter
Position: NE side of Schinoussa · the island’s main harbour and pier.
Mooring: Stern-to the quay — but pier space is limited. Plan for anchoring as the primary option.
Anchoring: 5–8 m in the bay · sand, rock, and algae bottom · holding is not equally good everywhere — set the anchor with care, drag-test before settling.
Shelter: Good shelter from the Meltemi.
Alternative for north winds: The bays on the southern side of the island offer good shelter when N winds dominate.
Ashore: Several tavernas — walk the front and pick what looks good.
2. Tsigouri Beach
Position · 36°51’53″N · 25°30’59″E · Sheltered Bay · SE of Mersini
Tsigouri — Sheltered Bay with Islet Hazard
Position: SE of Mersini · sheltered bay.
⚠ Critical hazard: Care is needed due to the islet on the right side of the entrance. Plot it on the chartplotter, eyeball the water on approach.
3. Livadi Beach
Position · 36°51’39″N · 25°31’22″E · Sandy Bottom · SE Schinoussa
Livadi Beach — Quiet Sandy-Bottom Anchorage
Position: SE of Mersini · further east than Tsigouri.
Bottom: Sand · good holding.
Best use: Quiet day-anchor or overnight in calm/moderate weather. The simpler choice if you want clean holding.
Wind Strategy on Schinoussa
Strong Meltemi (NE): Mersini is the right call — good shelter from the Meltemi.
North winds in general: The southern-side bays (including Tsigouri and Livadi) work well.
Calm weather: Any of the three anchorages workable. Livadi gives you the cleanest holding.
Pro Tips for Schinoussa
Drag-test the Mersini anchor. Sand-rock-algae mix means holding varies by exact position. Set, give it strong reverse, and verify before committing to overnight.
Plot the Tsigouri islet first. The islet on the right side of the entrance is the headline navigation hazard. Get it on the chartplotter before approach.
Use Livadi for the cleanest hold. If you want predictable sand-bottom holding without the variable Mersini conditions, Livadi is the call. Particularly good for first-set crews.
Build a Lesser Cyclades 3-island loop. Schinoussa + Iraklia + Koufonisia within 10 NM of each other. Three quiet stops away from the bigger Cyclades crowds — ideal mid-week within a longer charter.
South side in N winds. When the Meltemi is strong from the N, drop into the southern-side bays of the island. The geography works in your favour for shelter from north weight.
Suggested Routes from Schinoussa
West to Iraklia: Short hop. See Iraklia Island.
East to Koufonisia: Short hop. See Koufonisia Island and Koufinisi Marina.
North to Naxos: ~20 NM · the larger island.
Full Cyclades route: See the SeaTV 8-Day Cyclades Route — Schinoussa is part of the eastern Lesser Cyclades sequence.
✅ Sailor’s Checklist for Schinoussa
▢ Tsigouri entrance islet plotted on chartplotter
▢ Mersini anchor drag-tested before overnight commitment
▢ Mersini pier space limit understood — anchoring as primary plan
▢ Southern-side bays as backup for N winds
▢ VHF on Ch. 16 throughout
Emergency & Service Numbers — Schinoussa
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 Mersini harbour layout, the islet on the right side of the Tsigouri entrance, and the sandy holding ground at Livadi Beach. Free for members.
Related SeaTV Pages
Lesser Cyclades Neighbours
→ Iraklia Island · west neighbour (plane wreck snorkel)
→ Koufonisia Island · east neighbour
→ Koufinisi Marina · Meltemi shelter
Cyclades Routes & Region
Sailing Schinoussa?
Three quiet anchorages, Meltemi shelter at Mersini, and a Lesser Cyclades loop with Iraklia and Koufonisia.
“Schinoussa rewards the sailor who reads the bottom carefully — Mersini for the Meltemi shelter (drag-test the anchor), Tsigouri for the cove (watch the islet), Livadi for the clean sand, and the southern-side bays when the wind goes north. The Lesser Cyclades at their quietest.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Cyclades Edition
