Kamares: The small harbour, town and beach
Sifnos is another Cycladic island that seems to have slipped under the average tourist’s radar. Locals will tell you that once you have experienced the delights of the place you will just keep coming back.
Unlike Mykonos and Santorini, you won’t find the crowds here but there is still enough to keep you entertained. Friendly and welcoming, add beautiful Sifnos to your bareboat charter itinerary and enjoy a slice of Greece off the beaten track.
Kamares is the main port on Sifnos. Surrounded by high hills and with its long sandy beach backed by a fertile river valley, it has a picturesque and tranquil setting. That is, unless the ferry comes in! In which case chaos reigns for about half an hour until the passengers dissipate and peace returns. Kamares was one of the first places in Greece to sort out its effluent problems which, as a seagoing visitor, you will be the first to appreciate as the water is wonderfully clear here.
In Kamares yachts tend to congregate between the ferry terminal and the fishing boat quay. Drop your anchor and go in stern or bows-to. Holding can be poor in parts so put out plenty of scope and check carefully to make sure your anchor is well in. Power and water are available on the quay; 4€ for 500 litres and 5€ per night including power (2015).
The bay of Kamares is also great for anchoring with a lot of sand to aim at but be aware that the shallows, which make this such a fabulous beach for young children, extend some distance off shore.
The resort village spreads around the bay in clusters and meanders its way up the valley behind the beach. There are plenty of tavernas, bars and at night the place can get quite lively. Supermarket and shops are also dotted about if you need to resupply.
From Kamares you can visit the main town of Sifnos; Apollonia. Apollonia is a pretty town with typically whitewashed cubic houses squeezed into a maze of narrow streets. Sifnos is renowned for its high quality pottery and restaurants and you can find an excellent selection of both here.