Kavala and Thassos by boat: a north Aegean sailing week
Kavala and Thassos are a green corner of the north Aegean: a mainland port with an Ottoman old town, one round, forested island and a protected river delta in between. A week under sail from Kavala crosses to Limenas on Thassos, visits the ancient marble peninsula of Aliki and the west coast from Skala Prinos, comes back via Keramoti, and ends on the sandy Nea Peramos coast. Most legs are 8 to 26 nautical miles.
Where to charter a yacht for Kavala and Thassos?
Yachts for this area start from Kavala itself. You can compare sailing yachts and catamarans on our Kavala yacht charter page, or look wider on the Greece yacht charter page. Charter weeks usually run Saturday to Saturday. For a bareboat charter the skipper needs a licence the charter company accepts, see boat licence in Greece and the ICC certificate; otherwise book the yacht with a hired skipper.
A 7-day sailing itinerary from Kavala
The loop below uses Limenas and Skala Prinos as overnight harbours on Thassos and reaches the south coast as day trips, so every night is spent in an established port. Distances are approximate; plan every leg with up-to-date charts and a pilot book.
Day 1: Kavala old town before you cast off
Take-over day is usually spent in Kavala. The marina lies inside the central port, Apostolos Pavlos, on floating pontoons with water and electricity; berths can be booked through the port authority. Walk up into Panagia, the old quarter on the rocky peninsula east of the harbour, with the castle, the Imaret (built by Mohammed Ali in the 19th century as a seminary, orphanage and soup kitchen) and the lighthouse at the tip, from where Thassos and, on clear days, Mount Athos are visible. The Kamares aqueduct, 270 m long and up to 25 m high, was built in 1520 to 1530, when the town was rebuilt after its destruction in 1391.
Tip: provision here. Kavala is the largest town on the loop by far.
Day 2: Kavala to Limenas, Thassos (approx. 16 nm)
The first crossing runs southeast across the bay to Limenas, the island's capital. The modern harbour sits on the ancient one: the "enclosed" military harbour of ancient Thasos, fortified in the early 5th century BC, lies at the east side of the ancient city and was excavated by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities. Ashore, the ancient agora and the city walls are a short walk from the quay. Overnight on the town quay in Limenas, which has fresh water.
Tip: this is the busiest ferry corner of the trip. Car ferries shuttle between Keramoti and Limenas all day, so keep a sharp lookout and stay clear of the harbour entrance when a ferry is manoeuvring.
Day 3: Limenas to Aliki and back (approx. 26 nm)
Head down the east coast to Aliki, 32 km by road from Limenas on the southeast side of the island. The small peninsula is an archaeological site of the Ministry of Culture, and its white marble was quarried in antiquity right at the water's edge, so part of the old quarry now lies under the sea. In settled weather a lunch stop off Aliki beach lets you walk the peninsula. Sail back up the coast in the afternoon and spend a second night on the town quay in Limenas.
Tip: Aliki is open to the south and east; only stop in calm conditions and anchor on clear sand.
Day 4: Limenas to Skala Prinos (approx. 8 nm)
A short hop round the north tip of Thassos to Skala Prinos on the west coast, facing Kavala across the channel. It is the island's second ferry port, served by the Kavala–Prinos line, with two piers and up to 8 m of water. Moor where the port staff direct you and keep the ferry berths free. With the short leg you have the afternoon for a swim or a taxi ride inland.
Tip: round the north tip early, before the afternoon northeasterly builds in the channel.
Day 5: Skala Prinos to Limenaria and back (approx. 24 nm)
Sail down the west coast to Limenaria, the second town of Thassos, as a day stop. It has a small harbour, but we could not confirm official information on berths for visiting yachts, so check a pilot book before relying on it and be ready to anchor off or move on. Potos, a couple of miles further on, has an organised sandy beach. Giola, the natural rock pool near Astris that locals call the "Tear of Aphrodite", is reached on foot: a 300 m path from the road leads to the pool carved into an 8 m high rock, so take a taxi rather than trying to land from the boat. Return to Skala Prinos for the night.
Tip: the southwest coast is the most sheltered side of Thassos in a northerly, but the way back north is then a beat; leave Limenaria in good time.
Day 6: Skala Prinos to Keramoti (approx. 8 nm)
Cross the narrow channel between Thassos and the mainland to Keramoti, the ferry port for Limenas and a small resort with a pine-backed beach and a sandspit. Keramoti lies at the edge of the Nestos delta. The Nestos Delta Information Centre is in the village and explains the lagoons, flamingos and the riverside forest. Overnight in Keramoti port, which is run by the Kavala port authority.
Tip: the ferry runs from early morning to late evening; enter slowly, keep clear of its berth and watch the depth sounder.
Day 7: Keramoti to Eleftheres, then Kavala (approx. 20 nm + 8 nm)
On the last full day, sail back west past Kavala to the small port of Eleftheres near Nea Peramos, for a swim off the long sandy beaches of Nea Peramos and Ammolofoi. From there it is about 8 nm back to Kavala. Most bases want the yacht back on Friday afternoon, so either do Eleftheres as a lunch stop and return the same day, or sail Keramoti to Kavala directly (approx. 14 nm) and spend the evening in the old town.
Tip: Eleftheres is a small port; call ahead or arrive early, and have Kavala as the fallback.
| Leg | Distance | Overnight | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kavala | - | Kavala marina, central port | Panagia old town, Imaret, Kamares aqueduct |
| Kavala to Limenas | approx. 16 nm | Limenas town quay | Ancient harbour and agora of Thasos |
| Limenas to Aliki and back | approx. 26 nm | Limenas town quay | Marble peninsula of Aliki |
| Limenas to Skala Prinos | approx. 8 nm | Skala Prinos port | North tip and west coast of Thassos |
| Skala Prinos to Limenaria and back | approx. 24 nm | Skala Prinos port | Limenaria day stop, Potos, Giola rock pool |
| Skala Prinos to Keramoti | approx. 8 nm | Keramoti port | Nestos delta, lagoons, sandspit |
| Keramoti to Kavala (via Eleftheres) | approx. 14 to 28 nm | Kavala marina | Nea Peramos and Ammolofoi beaches |
Rules and safety in Kavala and Thassos
- Protected areas. Much of this sea is Natura 2000. The sites managed by the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA) include the marine area of Kavala–Thassos (GR1150014), the coast of Thassos (GR1150012), the Nestos delta with the Keramoti lagoons and the islet of Thasopoula (GR1150001) and the wider delta coastal zone (GR1150010). The Nestos delta is part of the National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, a Ramsar wetland and an EU Special Protection Area for birds. Keep well off the lagoon entrances and bird areas, anchor on sand rather than seagrass and ask the park's information centre in Keramoti about any current restrictions.
- Bathing areas and speed. Greek port rules keep boats away from swimmers: keep 200 m away from swimmers and go no faster than 5 knots within 200 m of the shore. Our licence guide above has the details.
- Ferries. Car ferries run frequently on two lines, Keramoti–Limenas and Kavala–Prinos, as the Municipality of Thassos lists. Treat the Thassos channel like a shipping lane and give way early.
- Coast Guard. Harbour dues and port rules are handled by the Hellenic Coast Guard (Λιμενικό Σώμα, hcg.gr); follow instructions from the local port police in Kavala and Thassos.
- Wind. In summer the Etesians, the meltemi, blow in the north Aegean from the northeast. The National Observatory of Athens' meteo.gr notes they are strongest from mid-June to early September, peak around midday and afternoon, ease at night and usually reach Beaufort 6 to 7. Kavala Bay and the east coast of Thassos catch it head-on; the southwest coast is the lee.
- Licence. Without a licence you may only drive small motorboats in Greece (outboard up to 30 hp on a conventional hull, 15 hp on a RIB, V-hull or multihull). A bareboat yacht needs a skipper with a recognised licence, the ICC being the safest choice, and the charter company checks it at take-over. With a hired skipper nobody on board needs one.
Best time to sail Kavala and Thassos
The charter season in Greece runs roughly from May to October. Thassos is the northernmost Greek island, so ask your base which weeks it runs. June and September are the easy months: warm, fewer boats and a meltemi that is not yet or no longer at full strength. July and August bring the most reliable wind and the busiest ferries and beaches, and the afternoon northeasterly is the main thing to plan around. Check the forecast of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service every morning.
FAQ
How far is Thassos from Kavala by boat?
Limenas, the main town of Thassos, is about 16 nm from Kavala, a relaxed half-day sail. From Keramoti the island is only about 5 nm away, which is why the car ferry uses that crossing.
Can I anchor off Aliki?
In settled weather yes, off the beach and on sand. The bay is open to the south and east, and the peninsula is a protected archaeological site, so visit it on foot and do not take anything from the old quarry.
Is the Nestos delta accessible by yacht?
Not really. The delta and the Keramoti lagoons are shallow, protected wetlands. See them from Keramoti: the information centre is in the village, and the riverside forest can be visited by land.
Is a week enough to sail round Thassos?
Yes. The island is round and compact, and the loop above adds up to roughly 95 to 110 nm. Leave a spare day for a windy spell.
Can I combine Thassos with Halkidiki?
With more than a week, yes. Mount Athos is visible from Kavala on a clear day, but the crossing is long, and the Athos coast has its own restrictions. Most crews sail each area from its own base.
For other north Aegean routes, read our guides to sailing Halkidiki, Sithonia and Mount Athos and the Sporades from Volos. Before you go, check what to bring on a yacht charter.
