Agistri is a well kept diamond. It is a very small island with a marvelous natural landscape, lush pine woods and definitely the most exotic waters in the Saronic Gulf. It is located at only 20 n.m. from Piraeus (Athens main port) and 4 n.m. from Aegina. However it is not well known to most people, not even to Athenians.
Until the 80's Agistri was a rather isolated destination without any touristic infrasructure. It was popular only among free campers. Tourism has only recently been developped and that helped locals to stay in their island. Today Agistri has more than 1.000 local residents in the winter and more than 5.000 residents in the summer.
A quite large number of descent hotels, rooms for rent, tavernas and bars are now available in Agistri. Most of them are located around Skala (main port) and the lovely Skliri area which is near by.
Agistri offers:
- The best sea of the Saronic Gulf. It has lovely unspoiled coves with exotic emerald waters and lush pine forests. Dragonera, Chalikiada, Aponissos and Dorousa islet and bay are among the best places to swim in the Saronic Gulf.
- Virgin landscapes and wonderfull paths and routes, passing through unspoiled pine woods and offering idyllic sea views.
- A relaxed atmosphere which reminds us of Greece as it was 20-30 years ago.
- Four settlements: Skala (main port) and the near by Skliri area, Milos (or Megalochori), Metohi and Limenaria. Skala has been developed recently as the tourist center of the island. It has an exotic beach but unfortunately the newly built buildings have spoiled its character. Milos is more traditional but has also been spoiled.
- Descent options for accomodation, food and drink. However it does not offer a cosmopolitan atmosphere or a wild nightlife, as other Greek islands.
YACHTING IN AGISTRI: Agistri offers only modest yachting facilities. It has a small, but not organised, marina in Milos (Megalochori). However, it is very popular among yachters who mainly visit it during the day in order to enjoy its exquisit waters. The northwestern coast, the bay opposite Dorousa, Aponissos and Dragonera are usually full of boats during peak days, but most of them do not stay in Agistri over the night.
There are various reasons why yachters do not prefer Agistri for an overnight stay. Either they cannot find a place to moor in Milos, or they prefer to moor in a more "cosmopolitan" place, such as Aegina Town, Perdika etc. Milos is a rather modest village which is not as attractive as other places in the Saronic Gulf. Skala and the lovely Skliri area are more developped as tourist resorts but still not very "cosmopolitan". In any case, Skala's harbour is suitable only for smaller boats because it has shoals and reefs all around and there is no place to anchor safely near by. Moreover, despite being extremely beautiful, Agistri's anchoarges do not always offer a comfortable overnight stay. The wind sometimes changes directions and causes unpleasant swell.
WEATHER - CLIMATE IN AGISTRI: Agistri, as the rest of the Saronic Islands, enjoys good weather conditions all year round. In the summer it is sunny, hot and dry with mostly soft winds and temperatures around 25-32 C. Autumns and Springs are quite warm, mostly sunny, with soft winds and temperatures up to 20-25 C.
"Boukadoura" Wind: During the summer, a local wind prevails in the Saronic Gulf which is called "Boukadoura". This wind appears in the midday, it gradually intensifies around 4-5 o' clock in the afternoon and it calms down as the sun sets. Usually "Boukadoura" is not very strong (rarely over 5 BF) but it makes the sea rough and anchoring uncomfortable.
AGISTRI's ADVANTAGES:
- Offers the most exotic waters and the most lush and unspoiled pine forests in the Saronic Gulf. It has picturesque coves that are ideal for swimming and anchoring and idyllic walking paths and routes. Walking accross the pine trees and admiring the sea views in the beautiful Skliri area is definitely one of the best things to do in the Saronic Gulf.
- It is located very close to Aegina (4 n.m), Athens (20 n.m. from Piraeus port), Peloponese (Epidavros, Methana etc) and Poros. It can be easily visited by a private or taxi-boat by those staying in Aegina or Epidavros. There is also a regular boat connection with Aegina and Piraeus.
- It is ideal for those who love nature and want to stay away from mass tourism destinations
- It is warm and sunny in the summer, spring and autumn and the prevailing winds in its area (Saronic Gulf) are usually softer than in other destinations, such as the Aegean.
AGISTRI's DISSADVANTAGES:
Agistri offers:
- A relaxed atmosphere but it would not be appreciated by those who seek a "sophisticated" or a "cosmopolitan" destination. Skala, which is the main tourist resort of the island offers a beautiful beach, many tavernas and bars but has lost its traditional character.
- Only a few options for night life (mainly in Skala) and therefore will not be appreciated by those who seek a "wild" nightlife.
- A small, not orgnanised, marina in Milos (Megalochori), where it is sometimes hard to find a place to moor. Moreover Milos is a modest place which will not be appreciated by those who seek some action. Skala and the beautiful Skliri are located at apx 2km from Milos and yachters will need a vehicle to visit them.
- Lovely bays where yachts can anchor like Doroussa, Aponissos etc. However, as already mentioned, they do not always provide a comfortable overnight stay.