Sailing Route – Northern & Middle Cyclades

Kea is the most westerly of the larger Cyclades, laying some 12 nm southeast of Cape Sounion. In a distance of 41 NM you will find the hilly island of Syros or Siros half-way between Kythnos and Mykonos. Its central situation makes it the principal centre of administration, commerce and fisheries in the Cyclades. Both Ermoupolis and Finikas form (just like Paroikia on Paros) practical charter bases in the middle of the Cyclades.

Paros

The central island of Paros, is occupied by a range of hills of gently rounded contours. Three bays cut deep inland – in the west the sheltered Paroikia Bay, with the island’s capital and serves as a yacht charter base – in the north the bay which shelters the little town of Naoussa and in the east the flat Marmara bay. The island Serifos, north-west of Sifnos, is a bare and rocky island, its hills slashed by gorges; its highest point is Mount Tourlos with 483 m. The ore is shipped from Koutalas on the south coast. In the season especially Livadi is much frequented by charter yachts; the Chora, towering above Livadi bay, makes this one of the most stunning approaches.

Kythnos

The island of Kythnos lies south-east of Kea and is a rocky and barren island of karstic limestone, that is usually covered in an abundance of colourful flowers in the spring. The coast is much indented – with many beautiful anchorages and ports for a sailing boat- and for the most part falls steeply down to the sea. The inhabitants live by farming and fishing. In antiquity iron was mined on the island.