Therma Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Therma on the NE coast is a hot springs village accessible by an open roadstead anchorage. This is a temporary anchorage only — NOT suitable for overnight in NE conditions. Anchor in 4–8m on sand and rock with fair holding (rock patches make holding variable). The NE exposure is severe — the coast faces directly into the North Aegean with no shelter from the dominant NE meltemi. Day visits only in settled weather when forecasts confirm no NE development. Kedge recommended as a backup.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Therma is primarily sand and rock with variable holding that requires extra attention. Use the following approach:

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 4–8m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m 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. Snorkel to verify. Given the fair holding here, it is strongly recommended to snorkel down and visually confirm the anchor is buried in sand, not resting on rock.

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

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Therma are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to N and NE and E winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 80m radius before going below for the night.80m for the roadstead in 4–8m on sand and rock with fair holding. This is a temporary day anchorage only — the NE exposure is extreme and overnight anchoring here in any NE wind is dangerous. Only anchor here in flat-calm, settled conditions with confirmed clear NE forecasts for the next 12 hours. Set alarm before going ashore even for a short trip.

July–August only in calm settled conditions. This is not a place to anchor speculatively — confirm forecast before departing Kamariotissa for Therma. If in doubt, skip it and visit by land taxi from Kamariotissa.

Navigation Hazards

• SEVERE NE EXPOSURE — this anchorage faces directly into the dominant meltemi direction; any NE wind makes it dangerous; do not anchor unless forecasts are completely clear for the next 12 hours
• Rocky bottom with fair holding only — use a kedge backup and check holding carefully; snorkel if possible to verify anchor placement
• Katabatic gusts off Fengari (1,611m, directly above this coast) can arrive suddenly even in apparently calm conditions — maintain constant anchor watch
• Remote — Kamariotissa (10nm) is the nearest assistance; open-water passage back to the main harbour in deteriorating conditions requires engine reliability

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required beyond standard Greek DEKPA transit log
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: DEKPA and TEPAI required. DAY VISIT ONLY in settled conditions. Do not anchor overnight in any NE forecast. Keep a kedge as backup due to rocky patches. Monitor VHF 16 and Poseidon weather service continuously.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Kamariotissa (10nm)
• Restaurant: Hot spring bathing facility with small cafe/kafeneion in Therma village (20-minute walk inland). Basic provisions possible in the village.
• Provisions: None on site — Kamariotissa (10nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Only attempt Therma in July–August with verified calm conditions — it is a rewarding stop but the risk/reward ratio demands perfect timing
2. Arrive early morning when the NE is typically calmest — set anchor, go ashore to the hot springs, and depart before 13:00 before any afternoon sea breeze develops
3. The hot springs pools at Therma are freely accessible and an extraordinary experience — natural hot (40°C) water in a forested mountain setting