Kalamos is a remote and beautiful island with Port Kalamos being the isle╠вcувs primary settlement. In the tiny village a harbor of Episkopi, located on the north side, is home to a ruined monastery. The walk from the harbor up to the monastery offers picturesque views over the water towards mainland Greece. Also on the Kalamos╠вcув north end, there are several protected anchorages with deep-water coves. Dolphins love this area, so be sure to look for them playfully swimming about! The coves are overhung with rocks and cliffs eroded into majestic and fantastical shapes and surrounded by thick pine forests providing welcome shade from the sun. there is good shelter from the northwest, but winds can gust off the mountain.
"Kálamos (Greek: Κάλαμος, known in antiquity as Καρνος – Karnos), is a mountainous island and a former community in the Ionian Islands, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Lefkada, of which it is a municipal unit. It lies east of Lefkada, near the Greek mainland. It has an wintering population of around 500 people, which is swelled substantially in the summer by tourists. The name Kalamos means reed in Greek and the presence of this plant along its coastline in the past may have given its name. Another version is that the island had several beaches with good sand (Kali Ammos in Greek) hence the name given. Its population was 496 at the 2011 census. The land area is 24.964 km2 (9.639 sq mi), and its highest point is 754 m (2,474 ft) above sea level.
The main settlement on the island is the port town of Kálamos (pop. 454) on the east coast of the island. A regular ferry service connects the island to Mytikas on the mainland. Episkopi (pop. 42) is the only other inhabited village on the island along with Kastro. The village of Kefali, also known by its Venetian name Porto Leone, was abandoned following the 1953 Ionian earthquake. The main church is still in use and still houses the sacred image of the virgin Mary that is also considered a miracle worker. The church and the image celebrate twice a year (one on 30 June and the other on 15 August). A religious celebration on that day is preceded and followed by traditional celebrations with folk music. People from the island and all the surrounding area come to attend.
In the early 1990s, the water system was rebuilt and now every household has running water. As well, in recent years, all the footpaths that were once dirt have been upgraded to stone or pavement. Kalamos, once a remote island without electricity or a proper water system, now has all the conveniences of the mainland. The nearest lyceum (middle school) and gymnasium (secondary school) are in Aetolia-Acarnania where all of the students from the latter categories attend. There is a public kindergarten, elementary and primary school in the main village of Kalamos where all of the children permanently resident on the island attend.
The island is easily reached from the mainland by a regular ferry service from the nearby port of Mytikas in Aetoloakarnania, year round.
The island is geographically situated in the core of the inner Ionian marine protected area, the largest marine protected area in Greece." Wikipedia
Latest Reviews
Gerolimnionas Cove
5.0
We didn't actually stop but we did go into the little harbour and it was magical. The deserted old village was haunting and the well looked after chapel in all the wrecks made it even more special. Next time we are back we will definitely drop anchor for the night and explore this stunning little place ðŸ‘
Kalamos
5.0
a pretty harbour run by George in a beautiful setting. Not many mooring spaces and boats rafter three abreast at the inner pier end. Pleasent welcome at George's restaurant (also offers showers). Further up the village has a small supermarket.
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Nearby Marinas, Harbours and Anchorages
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![]() 1 . Kalamos Harbour2.5A long and sturdy breakwater provides good shelter inside the harbour for the ferry, local and visiting boats. |
![]() 2 . Provation Cove2.5This cove on Kalamos overlooks the tiny islet at the top of Kastos. The cove is home to many local boats and has a small breakwater to the western side. |
![]() 3 . Kastos Northern Cove2.5The eastern coast of Kastos offers many small coves, this north most cove may offer a good anchorage in suitable conditions. |
![]() 4 . Episkopi Harbour2.5The sturdy outer breakwater provides good shelter for the small harbour. The inside of the outer wall may provide shoreside mooring and access to the local shops and taverna's. |
![]() 5 . Kastron Cove2.5Two small jetties lead to buildings hidden by the trees. The blue watered cove may offer some anchorage in the right conditions. |
![]() 6 . Gerolimnionas Cove3.8The east facing cove on the southern end of Kalamos island around the abandoned Kefali village may provide some good anchorage in suitable conditions. |
![]() 7 . Mangelaria Cove2.5A small beachy cove north of Kastos Harbour overlooks the tiny Mangelaria islet and may provide suitable shelter for anchoring. |
![]() 8 . Mytikas Marina2.5A small marina just north of Kalamos island in between two large bays (Mytikas and Vourkos). |
![]() 9 . Kastos Harbour2.5The tiny inner harbour for local boats is further protected by two small breakwaters sheltering the cove. Shore-side mooring may be possible in the inside of the southern breakwater. |
![]() 10 . Vathy Vali Cove2.5A cove on the eastern coast of the southern tip of Kastos island may provide some shelter for visiting yachts. |
![]() 11 . Elia Cove2.5This cove on the west of Meganisi island is a popular anchorage and a short walk up to the village of Katomerion. |
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![]() 13 . Atheni Quay2.5Atheni bay has a long quay on the south western shore offering laid mooring and access to the single taverna. |
![]() 14 . Atherinos Cove2.5This popular cove and bay offer a picturesque location for anchorage with shore-lines. |
![]() 15 . Dichali Cove2.5This cove on the southern coast of Meganisi island has a beach head and may offer shelter for anchoring. |
![]() 16 . Abelike Bay3.8This pretty bay offers some natural shelter and a taverna on the southern head. Most yachts drop anchor and secure sterns to shore. |
![]() 17 . Ampelakia Cove2.5This cove approach to Abelike Bay offers some natural shelter for visiting yachts. |
![]() 18 . Vathy Quay3.8The village of Vathi offers some mooring for visiting yachts and easy access to local taverna's and shops. |
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![]() 20 . Kalopoulou Cove2.5This set of coves on the southern side of Meganisi island may offer some shelter for anchorage in the right conditions. |
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Nearby Towns
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2 . Mytikas
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3 . Kastos
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4 . Vathi
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5 . Spartokhorion
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7 . Palairos
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8 . Desimi
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9 . Mikros Gialos
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10 . Yenion
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11 . Pogonia
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12 . Perigialion
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13 . Nydri
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15 . Steno
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16 . Kallithea
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17 . Syvota
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18 . Nikiana
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