Igoumenitsa Harbour Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Anchor in 3–5m good holding mud in the shelter of the southern breakwater, away from the main ferry berths. This is the main transit stop for yachts arriving from or departing to Italy (Ancona, Brindisi, Bari) and Corfu. Facilities in the town are good. Not a destination anchorage — a functional stop for customs, fuel, and provisioning.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Igoumenitsa Harbour is primarily mud with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 3–5m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (35m chain at 5m depth).
2. Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back — do not allow chain to pile on the anchor.
3. Set firmly in reverse. Apply moderate throttle astern for 30–60 seconds. The chain should tighten without the boat moving backwards.
4. Take a GPS bearing. Note your position once set and compare to the scope calculator to confirm you have adequate chain for the depth.

Recommended anchor types for this bottom: CQR, Delta, Rocna. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Igoumenitsa Harbour are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 70m radius before going below for the night.70m radius for 3–5m mud in the shelter of the breakwater. Large ferry wash from the Brindisi/Ancona/Bari–Igoumenitsa–Corfu routes — set anchor firmly and ensure the boat is well secured before going ashore. Ferries operate at all hours. SW wind creates uncomfortable swell in the anchorage — relocate to Plataria (9nm S) or Sivota (15nm S) if southerly is forecast.

Open year-round as a working port. Sail through May–October. July–August sees intense ferry traffic. Not a place to linger — clear customs and head south to the beautiful anchorages.

Navigation Hazards

• Large ferry wash from Brindisi/Ancona/Bari routes at all hours — set anchor firmly
• Commercial shipping in the harbour approach channel — maintain watch
• Albanian border 10nm NW — do not approach Albanian waters without clearance
• SW wind makes anchorage uncomfortable — relocate to Plataria or Sivota in southerlies
• Very busy port atmosphere — not recommended as a leisure anchorage; transit stop only

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required beyond standard Greek DEKPA transit log
• Anchoring fee: Free for swinging at anchor
• Restrictions: DEKPA and TEPAI registration required here for all foreign yachts — report to Port Authority on arrival. Do not anchor in or near the main ferry berths or approach channels. Ferry traffic at all hours.

For a full overview of Greek anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Available
• Fuel: Available
• Restaurant: Multiple restaurants and tavernas in the town
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Report to the Port Authority (Limenachio) on arrival to obtain DEKPA transit log — without it you cannot legally anchor in Greek waters.
2. Spend one night here after arriving from Italy, then move immediately south to Sivota (Mourtos) — just 15nm and one of the most beautiful anchorages in Greece.
3. The large Lidl/supermarket just inland from the ferry port is one of the best provisioning stops on the Epirus coast — stock up here before heading south.