Guide for Mariners

The islet of Diplo, separated from the shores of Antiparos by a narrow passage just 150 metres wide and about half a metre deep at its shallowest part, extends directly opposite Vorino (the northernmost cape of Antiparos).

To the northeast of Diplo rises the monolithic mass of the islet Kavouras, which is also linked to Diplo via a sandy shallow. The northern and eastern shores of the islet are surrounded by sandy shallows and rocks that either jut out or remain hidden under the surface of the sea. In contrast, its southeastern shores, along with the northeastern shores of the islet Diplo, form a hospitable little cove, open towards the east, which can be used as a mooring by small vessels.    

The northern entrance to the straits of Antiparos unfolds between the northern tip of Antiparos and the western shores of Paros. Revmatonisi is located at about the midpoint of the straits proper, some 360 metres from the Antiparos coast. To the south of the islet, the sea conceals treacherous rocks and dangerous shallows. Thus, transit through the straits is especially dangerous for an inexperienced mariner.

The southern entrance to the straits of Antiparos is more hospitable to mariners. It is studded with a chain of three islets that is known by the name of Panteronisia, while, further north, the rocky reef Anavathi marks the midpoint of the distance between Paros and Antiparos.

The eastern shores of Antiparos possess their own distinct beauty. In some places the sea is embraced by the land, thus forming little coves, while in others it is the sea that does the embracing, creating small capes as a result. A picturesque little cove is found at the northeastern tip of Antiparos, with the lovely village of Antiparos [Kastro] spreading out along the southwestern shore of this cove, its beautiful Port Molos replete with little vessels. On the northern shore of this cove one finds Kaloudia, the shallowest sandy beach on the island.

At a distance of approximately 3.5 kilometres south of the northeastern edge of the island and some 250 metres from the coast lies the rocky islet of Ayios Antonios, home to a chapel of the same name, while almost directly opposite it one finds the chapel of Ayia Kyriaki. Further south one finds the cape of Glyfa, with its little cove of the same name and wonderful beach. This point marks the onset of barren highland masses, and the coast continues southwardly, as far as the cape Akakos. The wide bay Peramataki (Soros) forms southern border of this cape.

Apantima is situated along the northern section of this cape. The narrow headland that constitutes the southern tip of Antiparos extends to the south of the bay of Peramataki. With a length of nearly four kilometres and a width of about one kilometre, this highland winds up at cape Petalida, or Kavos Skylos. The bay of Sostis and the gulf of Faneromeni, with the chapel of the same name,are of especial interest.

The narrow channel known as the bay of Despotiko lies between the southwestern shores of Antiparos and the little island of Despotiko. It can be used as an anchorage, as it protects vessels from winds from all directions—excluding southerlies. Its northwestern ‘mouth’ is covered by the islet of Tsimintiri or Kimitiri, whose eastern edge is linked to the coast of Antiparos via shallow waters. The southern entrance to the bay of Despotiko is marked by a small cape on the Antipariot coast and by the steep cape Koutsouras on the easternmost edge of Despotiko, whose tip is crowned by a lighthouse.

The shores of Antiparos along the bay of Despotiko are ‘smooth’, and the small village of Ayios Georgios is situated in its northern section. Its superb beach is ideal for swimming and sunbathing, with a view to the rocky mass of Despotiko.

The islet of Despotiko (Episkopi), known as Prepesinthos to the ancients, covers an area of 6.6 square kilometres—its length approximately 5.4 kilometres, its maximum width some three kilometres. It is an archaeological site, an islet wholly unconstructed and uninhabited, elevated and barren, with clean beaches that rise abruptly above significant depths—‘hanging waters’, in sailor lingo. The beaches suitable for swimming are found on its northeastern shores, on the southern coast of the bay of Despotiko—near the chapel of Panayia—as well as along the little cove of Livadi, on the southern side of the island. To the southwest of Despotiko lies the islet of Stroggylo, with its high and steep shores, rough highland and barren terrain, its highest point being at 187 metres above sea level in its northern section. There is a lighthouse on its southern tip that marks the southernmost point of Antiparos and the group of islands that surround it.

The western shores of Antiparos, north of the bay of Despotiko, are formed by the narrow and long cape Trahilos—the westernmost point of the island—after which they continue northwardly, forming two bays that surround a wide and rocky cape. The more southerly of the two bays hides a wondrous beach, while two pretty chapels—the Monastiria—a located just a few metres inland. Cape Kalogeros forms the northern coast of the more northerly of the two bays, after which the coastline turns towards the east and continues, dotted with many little coves, until it reaches the biggest of these—Livadi, with its astounding little beach.       

Source:
Antiparos, The Community of Antiparos (undated publication)