Charter in Amorgos: What to Expect
Amorgos does not reveal itself quickly, which is the appeal. A charter here trades the western Cyclades for something more elemental — a 33-kilometre island of steep ridgelines, Byzantine chapels on white rock faces, and water that reads a different shade of blue at depth. Expect strong meltemi from mid-July through August: it demands seamanship and keeps the island clear of the flotilla crowds of the central Cyclades. The return on that passage is solitary anchorages, a pace unchanged by mass tourism, and the scenery Luc Besson filmed for The Big Blue here in 1988.
Anchorages & Highlights
Amorgos has two cruising environments, split by the island's spine. On the north coast, the bay of Aegiali — the island's second port — gives reliable shelter, a working fishing harbour, and access to the village of Tholaria above. The south coast, wilder and more exposed, holds some of the most dramatic anchorages in the Cyclades. Kalotaritissa Bay, at the western tip, is a natural harbour where yachts anchor in solitude beneath sheer cliffs. Nikouria islet, across the water from Aegiali, is a protected sandy anchorage with shallow turquoise water for swimming and snorkelling. The main port of Katapola, in a wide sheltered bay divided into three coves, is the base for provisioning and for the Chora above — and for the cliff-face monastery of Hozoviotissa, one of the most dramatic sights in the Cyclades. Further south, Mouros Bay has deep-water holding in a steep-sided inlet.
Best Time to Charter in Amorgos
The most settled window for an Amorgos charter runs from late May through June and again from September into early October. In these shoulder months the meltemi has either not set in or has eased, conditions suit a broader range of vessel sizes, and the anchorages stay uncrowded. July and August bring reliable strong winds — consistently Force 5 to 6 — that experienced sailors and larger yachts handle, but which call for careful routing and flexible itinerary planning. Aris Drivas Yachting, with over five decades of Cyclades charter experience, advises guests considering Amorgos in high summer to choose vessels of at least 45 feet and to build contingency days into the itinerary.
Getting There
Amorgos has a ferry from Piraeus — roughly seven to ten hours overnight, useful for a delivery skipper positioning a yacht. For guests flying in, Athens International Airport is the primary gateway, with Naxos and Santorini also viable joining ports for an itinerary taking in Amorgos on a wider eastern Cyclades circuit. The island has two ports, Katapola and Aegiali, both able to receive sailing yachts and motor sailors of standard LOA. Contact our charter team to discuss vessels and dates for an Amorgos itinerary.
- Kalotaritissa Bay: a cliff-framed anchorage of rare solitude at Amorgos's western tip
- Nikouria islet anchorage with shallow turquoise water perfect for swimming and snorkelling
- Katapola port: the island's main provisioning hub set within a wide, triple-coved bay
- Aegiali Bay: a sheltered northern harbour with direct access to the village of Tholaria above
- Filming location of Luc Besson's *The Big Blue* — the Aegean at its most cinematic
- Strong meltemi winds from mid-July to August suit experienced sailors seeking uncrowded waters
The optimal window for an Amorgos yacht charter is late May to June and September to early October, when winds are moderate, seas are settled, and anchorages offer genuine privacy. July and August bring persistent meltemi conditions of force 5 to 6 — ideal for accomplished sailors and larger yachts, but requiring experienced routing and flexible scheduling. Amorgos remains noticeably less crowded than the central Cyclades throughout the entire season, making it one of the Aegean's most rewarding destinations even at the height of summer.
Amorgos is the easternmost island of the Cyclades, and it feels like the end of the line — in the best possible way. This long, narrow island of sheer cliffs and deep water was the filming location for Luc Besson's The Big Blue, and it retains that sense of wild, untamed beauty.
The Monastery of Hozoviotissa is Amorgos's icon: a whitewashed structure seemingly glued to a 300-metre cliff face above the sea, founded in the 11th century. The main towns — Chora and Katapola — are small, genuine, and refreshingly uncommercialized.
Sailing to Amorgos requires a longer passage from the central Cyclades (about 25 nm from Naxos), which keeps casual visitors away. The reward is pristine water, dramatic anchorages, and an island that feels like a discovery. The bay of Katapola is well-sheltered, and the small port of Aegiali in the north provides an alternative base for exploring.
Monastery of Hozoviotissa — 11th century, built into a cliff face
The Big Blue filming location
Dramatic underwater cliffs and pristine diving
Unspoiled Chora with genuine Cycladic character
Katapola bay — well-sheltered natural harbour
Eastern Cyclades remoteness — few tourists, deep authenticity
