Astipalea, the island with the curious “butterfly” shape, is the westernmost island of the Dodecanese archipelago. It lies somewhat at a crossroads of routes: easily reached from Rhodes, Amorgo, Kardamena and Crete, it can also present a kind of “pleasure stop” in transfers from one to another of these busy islands.
It can also be a valuable refuge: thanks to its particular shape, in fact, the island is able to offer excellent shelter from northern and southern winds, depending on the coastline one chooses. Two wide bays, to the north and south, are in fact formed by the isthmus of land that connects the two “wings” of the island, the coasts are quite high and jagged, and the coves and bays where to seek shelter are several.
There are not many ports on the island; the main one is Skala, at the foot of the main town Chora, in the southwest of the island; the only other port, which we are now discussing, is Agios Andreas, which is actually a ferry port and does not offer typical recreational facilities or services, but it is very important as, being on the northwest side of the island, it really is an exceptional shelter in case of strong southerly winds.
Agios Andreas is located practically opposite Skala, the port at the foot of Chora, at the western end of St. Andrew Bay of the same name. It is not close to a built-up area, indeed, it is almost a “cathedral in the desert”; the small fishing village offers nothing; the nearest landmark town is Chora, which, however, is only 7 km to the southeast.
The port of Agios Andreas is entirely artificial and offers excellent shelter from all wind directions; boats can moor inside the structure, along the pier, in a depth of 1 to 2 meters.
If no berth can be found, one can anchor just outside the port, in St. Andrew’s Bay; the bottom holds well and the shelter is good for westerly and southerly winds, while dancing a bit in easterly and northerly winds.
Water and electricity can be found along the pier.
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