Vathi (Love Bay) Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Beautiful rounded bay with excellent clean sand throughout in 4–7m. Holding is outstanding — the clean sand provides immediate grip for any anchor type. Pine trees line the shore. The bay faces broadly S but is reasonably sheltered by the topography and low hills. Very popular overnight stop for Poros visitors. Mooring buoys laid in the bay by local operator in July–August.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Vathi (Love Bay) is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:

1. Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 4–9m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (63m chain at 9m 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: Rocna, Mantus, Spade, Bruce, Delta. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Vathi (Love Bay) are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SE and SW winds.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below for the night.65m on the clean sand bottom in 4–7m. Excellent holding means drag is very rare, but the bay opens broadly to the S — any southerly swell reduces to 50m and verify position. The bay is popular enough in summer that alarm radius should be set conservatively to avoid swinging into neighbours. Mooring buoy use (July–August) reduces alarm to ~40m per buoy position.

At its best in May–June and September–October when the bay has fewer boats and the pine trees are at their most scented. July–August is viable but crowded — use a mooring buoy to ensure a confirmed spot. The NE sea breeze provides perfect afternoon sailing from Poros Town to Love Bay (reaching point of sail). Avoid in any S wind forecast.

Navigation Hazards

• Open to the S and SE: any southerly swell penetrates directly into the bay and makes it uncomfortable; monitor forecasts and be ready to move to Poros Town
• Very popular in July–August: bay fills completely; swinging room becomes tight; maintain conservative alarm radius and keep an anchor watch
• Shoaling near the beach head — keep 2m+ clearance; do not anchor within 30m of the beach in less than 3m
• Mooring buoy lines can be worn — always inspect before accepting and confirm the buoy ground tackle is solid
• Light SW thermal in the afternoon can bring short-period chop into the bay — brief but can make dinghy handling challenging

Rules & Regulations

• Permit: Not required beyond standard Greek DEKPA transit log
• Anchoring fee: Free (free-swinging anchor; buoys optional)
• Mooring buoys: Available — ~€10–15/night for mooring buoys (July–August, operator-run)
• Restrictions: DEKPA and TEPAI required. Mooring buoys available in peak season — check line quality and cleanliness before using. Free swinging also permitted. Anchor on sand — no posidonia in the main bay. Avoid anchoring too close to the beach head (shoals to under 2m near shore).

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: Poros Town (3nm)
• Restaurant: Small seasonal beach taverna (Love Bay Taverna) directly on the beach; excellent fresh food in a beautiful setting; open June–September
• Provisions: None on site — Poros Town (3nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Love Bay earns its reputation — the combination of clean sand, pine trees, turquoise water, and a beach taverna is hard to beat in the Saronic; worth booking a mooring buoy in advance in July–August
2. In the morning before other boats arrive, the bay is magical — swim in clear water, walk the pine forest trail, and have breakfast in complete peace
3. The sand is clean and clear enough to snorkel the anchor visually from above the surface on a calm day — ideal for checking set without suiting up
4. Poros Town is 3nm away by boat — dinghy across for evening provisioning and return to the peace of Love Bay for the night