Practical notes for sailing into Messolonghi, from people who keep their boat here. Messolonghi gives excellent shelter in all conditions, plenty of room and a calm, unhurried town. Prices and phone numbers change, so please check before you rely on them.
Approach
- The approach is a dredged channel about 3 nautical miles long. Buoys can be poorly marked, so follow Navionics or another electronic chart.
- Inside, the basin is wide and calm, with plenty of room to manoeuvre.
- Anchoring is easy on soft mud with excellent holding.
- In summer, expect a mild afternoon breeze on the east quay.
Where to berth
Town quay
The public quay along the inner basin, run by the municipal port fund. It is central and practical, ideal for a night or a few days. You moor alongside, without anchor stress, and even in high season there is usually room.
- Bollards, and water at two points (a flat fee of about €3, arranged with the port fund).
- No electricity, toilets or security on the quay itself.
- Zephyros restaurant on the quay offers free water and shore power to visiting sailors: just ask the staff.
- Rubbish and recycling bins about 60 m from the quay.
- Port fund: +30 26310 55010, demotikolimeniko@gmail.com
Messolonghi Marina
Just east of town, a private marina that has served sailors for more than a decade and is now growing: around 280 berths in the water and 150 places ashore are planned. It is guarded at night, with fuel, toilets, showers, a restaurant and a small chandlery, which makes it a good base for long stays, storage and maintenance.
- Marina office: +30 26310 50190, info@messolonghimarina.com, VHF 69
Fuel, water and repairs
- Fuel: an EKO tanker truck delivers to the quay. Call +30 694 790 4961.
- Diathermiki (Sakellaris): chandlery, parts, paints, fittings and help with electrical problems, a short walk from the port. +30 697 705 5509
- Ydatinos Kosmos: general chandlery, stainless bolts and fittings, fishing and diving gear. +30 697 822 0643
- Messolonghi Marina Store: ropes, fenders, oils and engine maintenance, inside the marina.
- Plexiglass and vinyl (Vassilis, AcquaCraft): curved acrylic, hatch repairs, boat names and vinyl graphics.
- Aluminium and stainless fabrication (Pericles): brackets, frames and custom marine work.
- There is no pump-out and no VHF watch at the town quay, and mechanics work privately: ask at the marina.
Getting around
- Bikes: Messolonghi is flat and made for cycling. Houtas Bikes, El. Poliorkimenon 31, +30 26310 25553; Escape Bikes, +30 26310 24770.
- Kayak: rent one and explore the shallow lagoon quietly, for about €20 a day.
- Taxi: the taxi rank is in the central square, about 14 minutes’ walk from the quay.
Getting to Athens airport
- It is 240 km, about 2 hours 40 minutes by car.
- Bus: the intercity bus runs to Athens (Kifisos terminal) for about €25. From there, take Metro line 3 or the X93 express bus to the airport. The bus station is about 24 minutes’ walk from the quay; for information, call +30 26310 22217.
- Taxi: a direct taxi costs around €300; agree the price first.
- Flying in: Messolonghi Airfield (LGMG), just outside town, takes light aircraft and occasional private flights.
Sailors already rate the town quay highly: in a poll among the members of PASIDI, the Greek Sailing Yacht Owners Association, it was voted the number one mooring in Western Greece.