Porto Kheli•Kosta
- SPETSES ARGOLICGULF
SARONICGULF
DHOKOS IDHRAIdhra• • Mandraki
Derrick Bay
PELOPONNISOS
POROSRussian BaysNeorion and
Ak Skillaion
PeninsulaMethana
AIGINA
Ormos Klima
- Aigina
Palaia Epidavros Dhorousa AngistriAngistri •Perdika
Galatas
- Vathi
(^0) NM 5
shrill lawnmower engine is never far away. The highlight of the day, though, was our fithe holiday; shared plates of calamari, rst Greek waterfront lunch of
gavros (whitebait), Greek salad and chips, all washed down with a half-litre of chilled white wine. Perfect.Although we weren’t equipped to
benefiof a couple of clean bathing beaches right at its heart. It also has a vibrant local wooden boatbuilding industry. Heikell’s t from it, Spetses has the advantage
Greek Waters PilotSeverin had his bronze-age replica galley built here for his re-enactments of the mythical voyages of Jason and Odysseus. reminds us that Tim
old-fashioned caique – the putt-putt sort. It took about 10 minutes longer than our earlier manic trip but we paid no more Our return journey was by a more normal
than Porto KheliDay 2 arrived, and we departed Porto p5 all in. Lesson learned.
Kheli. While cruising this area a few years previously in our own boat Janie and I
by-passed Porto Kheli, discouraged by the pilot book’s reference to it being a watersports mecca, notably of the more frenetic sort. However, while this
description is accurate and, yes, there was a fair amount of motorboat activity, we were agreeably surprised by the place. Perhaps more to the point, the lagoon
makes a popular and safe haven when foul weather threatens. Meanwhile, the town does indeed provide well for most needs.On leaving the lagoon we spotted a
number of attractive anchorages that offered almost as comprehensive shelter but in prettier natural surroundings, all in 3-4m of water and within a short walk or
dinghy ride into town.DhokosOur Day 2 destination was the virtually
uninhabited Argolic island of Dhokos. We arrived just in time for a late lunch and anchored for the night off the little white chapel on the east side of the main bay,
Órmos Skindos. As dusk fell most boats scuttled off, but we remained to enjoy an
excellent dinner and a tranquil night.hosts. Clive and Tricia are old friends; Clive and I have known each other I should at this stage introduce our
through work for 30 years. Now retired, he’s currently vice-commodore of the Royal Lymington Yacht Club, and I can vouch that no sooner had Moineau’s
anchor hit the seabed, the anchor ball was aloft. Likes to do things properly, does Clive, and quite right too.Dhokos makes for a peaceful anchorage
in settled weather, but ashore it’s very rocky – with slippery rocks – and not good underfoot with light shoes. The nearby waterfront chapel was well worth a visit,
though. It’s extraordinary that in middle-of-nowhere places such as this we so often come across little unlocked Orthodox sanctuaries, exquisite icons and lit
lanterns within.
Water Taxi
Órmos Skindos bay
Derrick Bay to the west of Órmos Skindos on Dhokos – there’s good anchoring, with care
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