Sikinos is a small islet just west of Ios, from which it is separated by little more than an arm of sea, and like Ios it does not offer much in the way of tourist attractions. In fact, let’s say almost nothing–but that’s good, considering that Sikinos is one of the few places in the Cyclades where you can really relax and unwind. There is no hustle and bustle on the island, no late-night parties or noisy motor vehicles. If you can find a berth to spend the night, you will have a chance to really relax.
And perhaps you will choose to stay a few more days: in Sikinos you will experience the charm of the “wild,” so rare now, unfortunately, to find in Greece.
Only two paved roads, many well-maintained dirt roads, places literally to be discovered, ruins and archaeological remains popping up here and there, many unmarked. Only two villages totaling less than 300 residents, only two beaches with sand, in short, big-ticket tourism has definitely taken other paths (there is no airport here, of course).
In Sikinos you will find a car and scooter rental, the opportunity is great to conjure up a few days of adventure and relaxation and discover the island and its landscapes aboard a motorized vehicle.
Sikinos offers a port, small and narrow, but at least it is there. It is located in Allopronia, one of the island’s two settlements; it is on the island’s south coast and is carved out within a small natural inlet. The offered shelter, modest, has been increased by a small breakwater; now in ports you are fairly sheltered, but not from the southerly winds, and anyway with the meltemi you always suffer a little.
The small port is treacherous both because of the maneuvering space offered (not much really), the depths bordering on dangerous (2.5 m at the entrance, but 1 meter between the west dock and the small pier), but especially because of the amount of rocks and outcropping rocks it “offers.” Be careful and keep in mind that it is not a place for large boats.
You moor at the inner part of the small pier(only sideways here, lacking space to do anything else) or at the west end of the pier. As services, nothing: maybe retrieve some water…the small village offers instead a couple of good taverns and a small grocery store.
Should you not feel like embarking on the cumbersome operations of mooring at the piers – cumbersome because of the limited space available – you can opt to drop anchor inside the small bay on the opposite side of the ports.
Depths are always limited, from 1 to 3 meters, but the sandy bottom is excellent tenant.
Alternatively, but only in very good weather, you can anchor outside the breakwater, or better immediately south of it: depth of 10-12 meters, sandy bottom and good hold as inside the bay.
In case you don’t find a place in ports in Sikinos, not far along the same coast, to the northeast, is Agios Georgios Bay: it offers shelter practically only from the northwest but with favorable weather conditions is a nice little place to stop.
The seabed consists of sand and seaweed and holds up well.
Finally, we point out, for the sake of the record, another anchorage at the eastern end of the island: opposite Malta Beach, the bay of the same name offers place but is completely open to the east.
Meltemi and southerly winds get you all of them.
The beach is definitely worth a swim and a visit; the sandy bottom holds up well; it may be an idea for a refreshing stop.