Atokos of Ithaca, the Unspoiled Island of the Ionian

Greece Ionian Sea Islands 10 June 2020 5 min read

Άτοκος Ιθάκης, το παρθένο νησί του Ιονίου

Ο Atokos is a small island (4 km²), rocky, with wild beauty and untouched vegetation. It lies in the Ionian Sea, NE of Ithaca, to which it also belongs administratively (it is 10 nautical miles from the capital of Ithaca, Vathy).

It belongs to the network NATURA 2000 under the name «Inner Archipelago of the Ionian, Meganisi, Arkoudi, Atokos, Vromonas, (Code GR 2220003) with notable seabed seagrass meadows (Posidonia) and rare flora species. In the marine area, one often sees the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). The seals monachus monachus find refuge in the caves along the coastline, such as at Fokospilia.

The island is uninhabited and privately owned (it belongs to the Tsakos shipowning family) and is up for sale. To the south there are small coves, while to the west and north there are steep, sharp rocks and sea caves. To the east lies the most popular bay for boats, as it is sheltered from the NW winds. It is a beautiful bay, also known as «One House Bay», with the island's only building, evidently the owners' house.

It has a large beach with white pebbles, deep turquoise waters and the chapel of Agios Ioannis (open) with a well (brackish water). There are a few goats on the island that make their appearance here, on the large beach.

On the south side of the island lies another bay, known as «Cliff Bay», with a small beach, deep waters and an impressive rock. The bay is sheltered from the local NW winds, which is why it is approached by many private boats as well as by the vessels running organized cruises. There is also a smaller cove to the south where boats drop anchor.

Ο Atokos, with its striking rocky coastline, is an ideal destination for exploring the seabed with a snorkel or for fishing.

GETTING TO ATOKOS – SEA EXCURSIONS – CRUISES -BOAT RENTAL

If you do not have your own boat, there are several ways to reach Atokos.

Here are a few examples:

Vathy Ithaca : the capital and port of Ithaca (it is 10 nautical miles from the island of Atokos).

It is a very enclosed bay surrounded by Mount Neritos, the highest on the island. This harbour provides the connection to Ithaca with the Patras and the Kyllini in Ilia. The main port of Ithaca is that of Piso Aetos (Pisaetos), which lies across from Sami, Kefalonia. It connects Ithaca with the Astakos in Aetolia-Acarnania, the Kyllini in Ilia, the Poros Kefalonia etc. It is about 5 km from Vathy, and for your convenience there is also the Sea Taxi «ODYSSEAS», Vathy, Ithaca, tel.: 6974 420950.

Kioni, Ithaca : a seaside village in the northeast of Ithaca (it is 24 km from Vathy).

It has a small harbour from where small boats leave for day cruises to the surrounding islands, such as to Atokos, a mini-market, restaurants, cafés, shops for shopping, etc.

For private or organized excursions from Vathy or Kioni towards Atokos :

Odyssey Boats– Rent a Boat in Ithaca, Vathy, Ithaca, tel. 6949 035670, boat rentals and sea excursions, e.g. Atokos-Kioni
IthacaBoats – Rent a boat in Ithaca, Geor. Drakouli Street, Vathy, Ithaca, tel.: 6977 280822, https://ithacaboats.com, boat rentals
Sea Taxi «ODYSSEAS», Vathy, Ithaca, tel.: 6974 420950, www.sea-taxi.eu, operates sea transfers such as: Vathy–Kioni, Ithaca–Kefalonia, to the small islets, as well as connections from the port of Piso Aetos, Ithaca.
Ithaca travel, 5 Papoulaki Street, Vathy harbour, Ithaca, tel.: 26740 33 267, https://ithacatravel.gr, travel agency.

Vasiliki or Nydri, Lefkada, to Frikes, Ithaca

Frikes Ithaca : a settlement, harbour and boat marina in the northeast of Ithaca (it is 13 km from Vathy and 5 km from Kioni).

The port of Frikes connects Ithaca with the Vasiliki and in Nydri Lefkada (Ithaca lies on the south side of Lefkada). It is well organized, with mooring and boat-service facilities. You can arrive from Lefkada in the Frikes, Ithaca by the scheduled ferry. The Frikes area is strongly affected by the local NW winds, mainly during the summer months, with gusts from the west.

If you do not have a boat, you can rent one.

Mare Nostrum Cruising, Lefkada Marina, 24 Golemi Street, Lefkada, boat rentals, organized cruises, etc., tel.: 6932 481200.

ATOKOS AS SEEN FROM MARMAKAS BEACH IN FRIKES

Sami, Kefalonia to Vathy or Kioni, Ithaca

There are several organized sea excursions, mainly from the port of Sami, Kefalonia towards Vathy or Kioni, Ithaca. To get to Atokos you will need to book a private cruise, after first arranging it with the captain.

By way of example, here are some companies from Kefalonia that organize cruises to Ithaca and possibly to Atokos.

Captain Makis – Glass Bottom Boat, port of Argostoli, Kefalonia, tel.: 694 495 1786, https://www.captainmakis.gr, sea taxis departing from Sami, Kefalonia to Kioni, Ithaca (duration 55’)
Blue Sea Travel & Shipping – CAVALIERATOS – FILIPPATOS Co., 16 Poseidonos & Salaminos Street, Sami, Kefalonia, tel.: 2674023007, 2674022813, an organized cruise with Sami Star Daily Cruises, https://www.samistar.com
Captain Vangelis Special Cruises, Skala, Kefalonia, tel.: 6972 693260, https://www.kefalonia-cruises.gr, for organized cruises from Skala, Kefalonia to Vathy or Kioni, Ithaca, as well as for private sea tours.