St. Nicholas Beach
cove · Zakynthos · Ionian Sea
St. Nicholas Beach is a cove on the island of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Sea cruising area.
The nearest town is Ano Vasilikos.
Zakynthos is part of the Ionian Islands.
The bay opens towards the east-south-east (102°).
One of the busiest anchorages of the area, in clear water.
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in south-west, west and north-west wind.
Partial shelter in north (tramontana) wind.
No shelter in north-east, east, south-east (sirocco) and south wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the south-east.
Swell can come in from north-east to south-south-east (44°–164°).
- sheltered
- partly
- exposed
Shelter is estimated from open water and swell, not from wind strength: a strong wind can still gust over the land.
Here, shelter depends on tonight's wind. Seadromy reads the forecast and tells you before you leave.
Seabed, depth and room
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot.
Good holding.
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: medium (about 3.9 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.2 NM from the anchoring spot.
Protected area and seagrass
St. Nicholas Beach lies in the protected area Zakynthos National Marine Park: check its rules (anchoring, speed, buoys) before you arrive.
Ashore and services
Beach within 300 m.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
A few houses ashore (15 buildings within 600 m).
Nothing ashore: a wild anchorage.
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In north wind: Gerakas Nesting Beach, 3.3 NM by sea.
- In north-east wind: Gerakas Nesting Beach, 3.3 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Gerakas Nesting Beach, 3.3 NM by sea.
- In south wind: Porto Roma, 0.4 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Mavratzis cove · 0.3 NM by sea
- Porto Roma cove · 0.4 NM by sea
- Perivolakia cove · 0.9 NM by sea
- Banana Beach cove · 1.4 NM by sea
- Porto Zoro cove · 2.1 NM by sea
- Porto Kaminia cove · 2.5 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Ionian Sea by wind
More places – Zakynthos
- Mizithres Beach cove
- Perivolakia cove
- A.N.O.Z marina
- Akrotiri cove
Questions
Is St. Nicholas Beach sheltered from the tramontana?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in north wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Gerakas Nesting Beach, 3.3 NM by sea.
Is St. Nicholas Beach sheltered from the sirocco?
No. It is exposed in south-east wind.
How deep is the water at St. Nicholas Beach?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at St. Nicholas Beach?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Good holding. Room to anchor: medium (about 3.9 ha).
Can you spend the night at St. Nicholas Beach?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.