Andros - Docking
Gavrion
This is the Island’s ferry port. Consequently, it is noisy and busy with ferries coming and going regularly in the summer (and at high speed). It does, however, offer the safest anchorage on Andros when tucked into the northern corner of the bay, out of the way of the ferries maneuvering to get on the quay.
The bay gives good protection from the Meltemi and is tenable in southerlies too. The bottom is weed over mud, so holding is good, but it would be wise to lay a second anchor if leaving your boat to explore inland.
A nighttime approach should be avoided as there are numerous unlit reefs and off-lying islands.
There may be room to moor to the quay between the ferry piers, although take care in a strong Meltemi when strong gusts can make berthing here tricky. There are water and electricity on the quay and fuel can be obtained nearby or a mini-tanker delivers. The town offers good provisioning and services.
Batsi
This small harbor lies a couple of miles SE of Gavrion and is very popular with tourists in the summer and is considered the most attractive of the ports on Andros.
The mole here has been extended and there is now room for 10-12 yachts.
It is also possible to anchor in the north or western sides of the bay but the holding is suspect. There is good shelter (particularly in southerlies), however, with the Meltemi this bay suffers from gusts off the land to the east, making conditions rather uncomfortable and maybe so in strong northerlies. Alongside the west mole is the best place to be in a north wind but beware in a strong southwesterly as waves will come up over the mole and onto your boat.
It has all the same services as Gavrion.
Kastro
This is the capital of the Island with the harbor in the north of the bay and the beautiful town to the south. Approach can be difficult in a strong Meltemi, which blows down the coast directly into this harbor.
While more exposed to the Meltemi, it is reasonably sheltered once inside the harbor. The inner harbor offers the best protection, however, this is normally full of local boats. There is room for quite a few yachts behind the mole, or on the new western mole to the west. Holding is poor in the rock and weed, but there are some laid lines available.
Water and electricity are available and the town has a fuel station, bank, and numerous food shops, tavernas etc.
Last updated: October 2020
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Port Navigation
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I have visited Batsi by boat many times in the past 35 years. It is true that the south mole is a bad place to be in a strong Meltemti but I have anchored in the bay many times with a Meltemi and it’s been ok. Alongside the west mole is the best place to be in a north wind but beware in a strong southwesterly as waves will come up over the mole and onto your boat. Delphini has good food but I prefer Stamati’s Taverna. You can dine on their balcony overlooking the harbor or in the narrow alley in front of the restaurant. The same family has run this restaurant since 1965.
Batsi remains the most attractive of the ports on Andros. Beware of the holding in the harbour, however – our well-set anchor dragged in a minor Meltemi – and I am very doubtful of its safety in a stiff northerly. I agree that the bay would quickly become untenable. In May only a few restaurants are open, but warmly recommend Delphini!
Batsi is much preferable to Gavrion for sure, and there are fine restaurants along the front. We were moored alongside during a moderate Meltemi and were OK, but those moored stern too were less comfortable.
In the bay, it was untenable. More generally Andros is full of charm. The Chora is delightful and there are plenty of places to visit.
Hire a car for the day and do a tour. It was one of the highlights of our 2018 season.
I visited Andros in May of 2014 and although I moored my boat in Gavrion I visited Batsi and Kastro (Chora). The Mole in Batsi has been extended and there is room for 10 or 12 yachts.
In Kastro, the inner harbour has been expanded and there in room for many more yachts Peter Karas s/y Daphne