Greece · Sporades
Yacht Charter Skiathos
Pine forest down to the water, sixty-odd beaches, and one of them reachable only by boat.
Skiathos is the westernmost of the Sporades and the greenest island of its size in Greece — Aleppo pine growing right down to the sand, on a coastline with more than sixty beaches folded into it. The best of them, Lalaria, is a bank of white pebbles under a natural rock arch at the northern tip, and there has never been a road to it.
The beaches
Koukounaries backs onto Strofilia, a lagoon and pine wood that is a protected wetland, and it is the beach everyone names. Lalaria is the one worth planning around: white marble pebbles, cliffs behind, a hole worn through the rock at one end, and access from the water only.
The south coast is the sheltered side and holds most of the sand. The north is where the cliffs and the caves are — Skotini, Galazia and Chalkini are all entered by tender.
Kastro and the town
Kastro on the northern headland was the island's town from the fourteenth century to 1829, built on a rock reached by a drawbridge because pirates made the coast impossible. It was abandoned when they stopped, and three churches remain standing among the ruins.
Skiathos town wraps round the Bourtzi, a wooded peninsula in the middle of the harbour with a Venetian fort on it. Skopelos is an hour east and Alonissos, inside Europe's largest marine park, is an hour beyond that.
Practical notes
- More than sixty beaches; Lalaria at the northern tip has no road and is reached from the water
- Koukounaries backs onto the Strofilia lagoon and pine wood, a protected wetland
- Kastro was the island's town until 1829, on a rock once reached by drawbridge
- Skopelos is an hour east; Alonissos and the marine park an hour beyond
Reached from: Volos, Skopelos and the Sporades
Where to dine
A table by the water
Marmita
Skiathos TownIn a garden under a mulberry tree in the old town, with a menu built on the island's own produce.
The Windmill
Skiathos TownIn a restored windmill on the hill above the harbour, and the whole town is below the terrace.
Infinity Blue
Megali AmmosOn the water south of the town, doing fish simply with the sunset in front of it.
What to do
Anchorages & excursions
Lalaria
White marble pebbles under cliffs at the northern tip, with a natural arch, reached from the water only.
Kastro
The island's town from the fourteenth century to 1829, on a rock once reached by drawbridge.
Koukounaries
Sand backed by the Strofilia lagoon and pine wood, a protected wetland.
The sea caves
Skotini, Galazia and Chalkini on the north coast, all entered by tender.
The fleet
Yachts available for Skiathos
Vessels that operate here, from flagship motor yachts to smaller crewed boats. Every rate is quoted on enquiry.
Good to know
Questions we are asked about Skiathos
- What is Lalaria?
- A bank of white marble pebbles under cliffs at the northern tip, with a natural arch worn through the rock at one end. There is no road: it is reached from the water.
- Why is Skiathos so green?
- Aleppo pine grows down to the sand here in a way it does not on most Greek islands, and the Strofilia wetland behind Koukounaries is protected.
- What does a yacht charter in Skiathos cost?
- It depends on the yacht, the season and the crew, so we quote on enquiry rather than publish a figure that would be wrong for most weeks.
Destinations
Nearby destinations
Charter here
Enquire about a charter on Skiathos
Tell us your dates and how many of you there are, and we will come back with the right yacht and a full quotation.