Hydra

Small and picturesque: this can be summed up, in a nutshell, as the marina ofHydra Island, a natural paradise in the Peloponnese characterized by the peculiarity of being devoid of roads and cars, except for those of the fire brigade and garbage collectors.

It goes without saying that Hydra, partly by virtue of its central location in a busy sea area-Athens is very close, islands and islets around are all destinations for tourist itineraries made by boats of varying tonnage-is a very but very busy landing place. It would be best avoided in the warm season, period. If you really cannot help but stop there for a night, it is highly recommended to go there Monday through Thursday and arrive strictly before 4 p.m., otherwise failure is assured.

Getting to Hydra, on the other hand, is not a problem. Access to the small natural inlet at the bottom of which the ports are located is easy and presents no difficulties. The difficulties, we can say, come later, when one has to look for a place to moor.

There are no marinas or mooring managers in Hydra, the mooring is free, controlled by the harbor police, who collect a symbolic tourist tax; beware that the police willingly check and raise fines, so it is a practice to ask the police staff for confirmation that your mooring is correct, thus avoiding unpleasant surprises.

In mid-season (until late spring, that is), ornating is not a big problem, and you can find space either at the south dock or on the inside of the breakwater. The east pier is reserved for ferries.
But in high season it is not unusual to see boats moored even in the third row. Watch also, in summer, for spaces reserved for taxi-boats and moorings for fishermen.

Two other potential hazards to watch out for are the numerous rocks near the breakwater and the annoying long wave that can form in strong north and northwest winds: in the latter case it is recommended to anchor elsewhere (see below).

Free anchoring in the bay is not allowed, due to obvious lack of space. Outside the breakwater also the depth immediately drops to over twenty meters.

The “salvation” for those who really want to stop in Hdyra is the alternative anchorages, almost all of which are served by taxi-boats from the town’s port that ferry people to the town. The wide bay of Mandraki is the closest and most convenient, less than a mile east of the ports; anchoring in a 3- to 6-meter-deep seabed composed of sand, mud and seaweed, one is exposed to northerly winds, however. Virtually identical discourse for Vikhos, another anchorage point covered by cab service, which is located to the west, however.

Also west of Hydra but farther away is Molos Bay, with good tenor bottom and depths of 3 to 5 meters. No cab service is provided.

Returning to the ports of Hydra, there are unfortunately almost no services worth mentioning. Refueling is not possible, there is no electricity at the dock,water is found, however, but in small quantities and in low and mid season. Nautical materials for sale at the village stores there is some, but exclusively for fishermen.

On the other hand, there is no shortage of taverns, bars and restaurants, as well as small supermarkets where you can get some supplies. On the tourism front, too, there is nothing to be disappointed about: Hydra is certainly worth a visit, if only for its picturesque atmosphere, for the glimpse offered by the small harbor, and for its fame due to the fact that in the immediate postwar period it was chosen by many artists as a creative “buen retiro” and more. The island has about 3,000 inhabitants and for the most part it is uninhabited and still wild, goods are still often transported by mule.
It is worth going around it by boat for the fascinating views it offers.