Corinth Canal - Docking
ALERT: Following extensive repair work on the Canal since January 2021 when a number of serious landslides closed the Canal to all shipping, the Canal re-opened on 1 May, 2024 returning to normal and full 24 hour operation. However, it is scheduled to close again from 4 November, 2024 until March 2025 to continue restoration works. Read News here.
Corinth Canal (Western Entrance) – Poseidonia
At the western entrance of the canal, Corinth Yacht Harbor is to the SW of the Canal entrance. It’s difficult to find from a distance. This is the best berth for yachts under 20 meters, although facilities are poor and the floating wooden pontoons somewhat falling apart. Larger yachts must contact the Port Authorities on VHF Channel 12 or 16 to obtain permission to berth in the commercial harbor next door. Many yachts also anchor waiting for transit. In strong westerly winds there can be quite a swell here.
Tel: +30 (0) 741 37700, VHF Channel 11
Phone the yacht harbor to check opening hours and then call on VHF on approach.
Within the yacht harbor, DO NOT berth alongside the inner quay as there are unmarked rocks and there is a tidal range of about 0.8 meters at spring tides.
Payment for transit (if not done in advance online) is made at the eastern end, but mooring fees must be settled prior to transit.
At the eastern end there is no need to radio ahead, just pull up at the dock and complete the papework at the office once you have transited the Canal (located in the lower level of the control tower building).
Corinth Canal (Eastern Entrance) – Isthmia
Finding the entrance to the canal on this side can be difficult as it is located in the NW part of the bay of Kenkhreon Kolpos. Once a few miles off you will be able to spot the control tower and from there the yellow and black barrier that marks the canal entrance.
It is particularly difficult to berth here, especially if freeboard is low, as the concrete jetty is on tall stilt piles. Yachts must moor port-side-to on the south side of the dock, with plenty of fenders. Larger yachts over 25m must request a pilot boat to come out with the paperwork.
Complete paperwork in the port office in the lower level of the control tower building. Once done, you have to wait for your slot to transit (up to 3 hours). Stay tuned to VHF Channel 11 to hear your call.
Beware of the strain on the mooring ropes when a large ship passes – it may be advisable to wait away from the canal entrance. There is an anchorage in Ormos Kalamaki, just north of the entrance, although this is quite deep until close inshore.
Korfos, SE of Corinth at 37ºN45.856 023ºE07.514, is a nice enclosed bay, good to anchor with clean swimming water. The local government also run a little jetty here.
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Related to following destinations: Corinth Canal, Greece, Gulfs of Patras & Corinth
Port Navigation
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I called the Corinth Canal customer service number today and was told that the canal would open 1 June 2023. Happiness!
Thanks so much for reporting this information, it’s very helpful.
The cost to transit the canal is exuberant to say the least. There is nobody to take lines from boats docking at the pay station (East entrance) the dock is high more suitable for ships and the docking cleats are huge and far apart. It is really not good enough given the cost to use this facility that they don’t provide assistance with docking.
There are several street dogs hanging out on the dock, beware if you have pets to keep them on board, these dogs get aggressive with strange dogs.
One should complain to the pay master about the lack of help mooring, perhaps then they may do something about it.
It is a great experience! During 5 km you cross the canal between the huge mountains… First, you must call 11 VHF to ask for the permission and at the exit you will have to go to the office to pay. Our cata 420 200eur
We stayed 2 nights in the Corinth Yacht Harbour in Mid October 2014, on the Middle pier. Our draft of 1.7 metres was fine (although the depth gauge read 0.00!).
We were one of 2 yachts along side, both mid 30fters. Fresh water, no shore power, no fees (apparently ever). We were greeted by an elderly local chap called Jonathan (Stuart?), an Englishman (Cornish) ex-merchant navy man.
He helped us tie up and was a wealth of good information & advice. He appeared a bit down on his luck so we took him and his pet dog ‘Tico’ to dinner nearby and were treated to and evening of wonderful stories, fierce intelligence & good company.
Jonathan will look after your boat while you’re away, seems to know everyone in the area & speaks fluent Greek. I think he supplements is income (if any!) from helping visiting boaties to the harbour so if you’re greeted by a scruffy chap with a hat as you pull in.
Say hello, let him help you and thank him with a few euros. Its meeting colourful characters like Jonathan that makes sailing & travel so rewarding.
If you have any updates on our mate please let me know!
Posted on behalf of SY Funny Girl: Corinth Harbour
In the small harbour there is only place for 5 x 15m yachts.
Warning: at the middle pier there is only 1.60 meters of water depth, it can vary 80 cm under influence of wind.
Some concrete anchor blocks have less water above them and will hit your keel, so enter slowly to the pier.
ALternatively moor in the commercial harbour, there is a lot of space, but do not use the outer, huge breakwater as sometimes there arrives a 220-meter long ferry. Better ask the Port Police by VHF on channel 12 first.
The first 400 meters of the commercial quay, as seen from the small harbour, can be used either alongside or stern or bows to. I saw some alongside, space enough.
The city is modern, has several supermarkets, a pedestrian area and a lot of ATM machines.
Water for free with a hose at the middle pier.
Nobody came for money or registration.
Posted on behalf of SY Funny Girl:
We passed the canal yesterday the 11th of August, we did an overnight stay in Corinth city harbour. There is good quality drinking water with a hose at the middle pier, space for 3 x 15 m yachts.
Nobody asked for money, the Port Police passed, had a look at us, but said nothing else other than “Hello”. Next morning, from this harbour, we called on VHF channel 11 the canal control.
Told them that we were in the city harbor, and we were lucky, we could come directly to the entrance of the canal, which is only 1.25 mile away. They prepared the bridge at the western entrance and we could pass without waiting.
At the east side we moored without trouble and paid (11.95 X 3.95) 181,86 € with our credit card. All went smoothly and professional, within 10 minutes.
The canal passage itself is a must, it is spectacular. The canal is 25 meters wide and at the east side 52 meters high, but it looks and feels much narrower and higher. We had a 2 knot current against us.
Posted on behalf of Ignatios Souvatzis:
I passed the Corinth Canal from Saronikos to Gulf of Corinth last week. We overlooked VAT which increased our fee considerably (currently 23%). E.g. with our Lutra 52, we paid EUR 313.65 instead of the expected EUR 255.-
Btw, the online computation form adds the VAT explicitly.
http://www.aedik.gr/frontend/fee_calculator.php
Ignatios Souvatzis
Corinth Canal (Eastern Entrance)
We anchored overnight to the north side of this entrance in about 7 meters of water (37°55.1626 N 023°00.8364 E). Rather than take the boat alongside, in the morning we took the dinghy to make payment.
There is a great place to tie up a dinghy on the inside of the docking pontoon near the pedestrian bridge from the pontoon to land. I have not seen this mentioned anywhere.
Bill
BeBe Amel 53