Alonissos is the most remote of the commonly visited Sporades islands, and it serves as the gateway to the Alonissos Marine Park — a 2,260 km² protected area encompassing six uninhabited islands and over twenty islets. This is the core habitat of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal, one of the world's rarest marine mammals.
The island itself is less developed than Skiathos or Skopelos, which is precisely its appeal. The old village (Chora), perched on a hilltop and largely rebuilt after a 1965 earthquake, offers sweeping views across the Aegean to the marine park islands. Patitiri, the main port, is a functional but pleasant harbour town with good provisioning.
For yacht charters, Alonissos is special because of what lies beyond it. Kyra Panagia, the largest uninhabited island in the park, has a Byzantine monastery and pristine bays. Peristera has ancient shipwreck sites visible in the clear water. Piperi, the innermost island, is closed to visitors but can be observed from a distance — monk seals haul out on its beaches. Your captain will arrange the necessary marine park permits.
Europe's largest marine protected area (2,260 km²)
Mediterranean monk seal habitat
Kyra Panagia — uninhabited island with Byzantine monastery
Peristera — ancient shipwreck snorkelling
Dolphin encounters in marine park waters
Restored hilltop Chora with panoramic Aegean views
