SeaTV · Saronic Gulf & Eastern Peloponnese · Porto Cheli
Porto Cheli — Sailing & Mooring Guide
A wide, almost fully-enclosed bay on the Eastern Peloponnese — dozens of yachts dancing on anchor on a typical summer evening, with mud-bottom holding that earned it a reputation as one of the most reliable overnight stops in the Saronic.
Porto Cheli sits on the Eastern Peloponnese, just 3.7 NM north of Spetses. The bay is large, almost fully enclosed, and offers excellent all-around shelter — a rare combination in the Saronic. The town has earned a “Greek Riviera” reputation, with hotels and beach clubs along the shore, and on a typical summer evening you’ll see dozens of yachts dancing on anchor across the bay.
For sailors, this is the go-to safe overnight when crossing between Spetses and Poros, or as a base for exploring the eastern Argolic. Mud and sand bottom, holding excellent, multiple anchoring choices depending on what kind of evening you want — quiet SE corner or buzz of the town. The marina takes 149 berths but books up — no walk-in slots in season.
⚠ Reality check: On approach from the east, watch for underwater rocks around Cape Ayios Aimilianos — give the cape proper clearance. The S side of the bay is shallow. Hotel music carries across the water at night — anchor SE of the bay if you want to sleep. Marina Porto Heli requires advance booking; don’t show up expecting a slot.
⚓ Quick Facts for Sailors
Coordinates
37°19’27.7″N · 23°08’43.8″E
Position
Eastern Peloponnese · 3.7 NM N of Spetses
Marina VHF
Ch. 88
Bottom & Holding
Mud & sand · excellent
Shelter
All-around · almost fully enclosed
Marina Capacity
149 berths · max LOA 60 m
Approach & Navigation
From the east — watch the cape
Care is needed when approaching from the east. There are underwater rocks around Cape Ayios Aimilianos — give the headland proper clearance and don’t try to cut the corner on the way in. Once you’re past the cape, the bay opens wide and the run-in is straightforward.
From the south or west
Coming north from Spetses (3.7 NM south) the approach is clear and direct. From the west, around the Argolic, the bay opens up as you close the entrance — town buildings and waterfront hotels visible from a long way off.
Wind & shelter
The bay is one of the most sheltered in the Saronic — almost fully enclosed by surrounding land. Excellent shelter from all main directions. Even in a building Meltemi (rare in the Saronic but it can happen), the bay stays workable. The S side is shallow — keep depth awareness when manoeuvring there.
⚓ Mooring & Anchoring Options
SE Side · Quiet Overnight
Anchor on the SE Side of the Bay
The recommended overnight position — anchor on the south-east side of the bay, away from the noisy music that carries from the waterfront hotels and beach clubs.
Bottom: Mud and sand — excellent holding.
Best for: Quiet night, full crew rest, real shelter.
⚠ Watch: The S side of the bay is shallow — depth awareness on approach.
Small Coves · Calm Weather Only
Anchor in the Smaller Coves
Several lovely smaller coves around the bay — useful for daytime swim stops and lunches in calm weather. Mud/sand bottom throughout, holding excellent.
⚠ Watch: Calm weather only for the smaller coves — limited swing room if conditions change overnight.
Town Quay · Stern-To
Stern-to the Town Quay
You can take a stern-to slot on the town quay for direct access to the waterfront — restaurants, shops, services all immediately on shore.
⚠ Avoid: The ferry and taxi mooring area — these slots are reserved and the wash is regular.
Best for: Crews wanting town access, evening walk to dinner.
Marina Porto Heli · VHF Ch. 88
Marina Porto Heli — Book in Advance
Capacity: 149 berths · max LOA 60 m
VHF: Ch. 88
Services: Water and electricity on the quay; full facilities available.
Best for: Crews wanting the security of a marina slot with full services.
⚠ Booking required: Don’t show up expecting walk-in availability — the marina fills in season. Book in advance.
Facilities & Services
Provisioning: Full supermarkets in the town — solid range for fresh produce, fish, meat, drinks. The best provisioning point on this stretch of coast.
Banks & ATMs: Multiple in town centre.
Pharmacy: Available in town.
Water & electricity: Available on the marina quay.
Tavernas, cafés, bars: Plenty along the waterfront — Porto Cheli has a livelier evening scene than most Saronic stops.
Ferries: Regular services to Spetses and the Saronic islands — useful for crew rotations.
Where to Eat — Sailors’ Picks
Porto Cheli’s restaurant scene reflects its “Greek Riviera” character — a mix of waterfront tavernas, Greek cuisine spots, and a few more upscale options aimed at the resort crowd. Standards are good across the board, prices reflect the destination.
Restaurant
A long-running waterfront classic — fresh fish, mezze, traditional Greek menu. The kind of evening that runs three hours. [link]
Alexandra
A few streets back from the waterfront — slower-paced, family-run, the local choice for traditional Argolic cooking. [link]
Pro Tips for Porto Cheli
Anchor SE for sleep, town quay for the evening. The hotel music carries across the water surprisingly far. If a quiet night matters, drop SE of the bay — you’ll see dozens of other boats making the same call.
Book the marina before arrival. 149 berths sounds like plenty until July, when it isn’t. If you want a marina slot with full services, call ahead on Ch. 88 or arrange via the marina’s online booking.
Cape Ayios Aimilianos clearance. The submerged rocks around the cape are real — keep a respectful distance off if approaching from the east. Don’t trust your eye-line; trust the chart.
Day-trip to Spetses. 3.7 NM south, an easy morning sail to one of the Saronic’s most-loved islands — beach lunch, return to Porto Cheli for the night.
Provision here. Porto Cheli is one of the best-stocked towns in the eastern Saronic — top up before pushing further south or into the smaller islands.
Suggested Routes from Porto Cheli
South to Spetses (3.7 NM): The classic short hop south — Spetses Old Harbour, beach anchorages, evening on the cosmopolitan waterfront.
North to Hydra (15 NM): Up to the car-free island of Hydra — stone mansions, gallery scene, and one of the most photographed harbours in Greece.
North-east to Poros (25 NM): Across to Poros, separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow channel — neoclassical town, sailing-focused atmosphere.
Day visits to nearby coves: The smaller bays around Porto Cheli are good calm-day stops for swim and lunch — return to the main bay for the night.
✅ Sailor’s Safety Checklist
▢ Cape Ayios Aimilianos rocks plotted on chartplotter
▢ Marina booking confirmed if planning marina (VHF Ch. 88)
▢ Anchor plan ready (SE side recommended for quiet)
▢ S side shallow — depth awareness
▢ Ferry/taxi mooring area avoided on town quay
▢ VHF on Ch. 16 / Ch. 12
Emergency Numbers — Saronic / Argolic
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Distress (VHF Ch. 16): Universal
Coastguard Working (VHF Ch. 12): Per region
Marina Porto Heli (VHF Ch. 88): Confirm channel before arrival
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
Watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot Video
Approach footage past Cape Ayios Aimilianos, drone passes over the bay with dozens of yachts on anchor, the manoeuvre into the marina, and walking footage of the town — Porto Cheli as you’d see it from the cockpit. Free for members.
Related SeaTV Pages
If you’re sailing the Saronic Gulf or the eastern Peloponnese, here are the related SeaTV pages — organised by area.
Saronic & Eastern Peloponnese · Region Hub
Greece · Other Regions
Continue your Saronic charter
Short hops to Spetses, Hydra, or further north toward Poros and Aegina.
“Porto Cheli is the workhorse of the eastern Saronic — sheltered, well-stocked, and reliable. Anchor SE, sleep deep, sail south in the morning.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Saronic & Eastern Peloponnese Edition
