Alonissos anchors the National Marine Park of Alonissos, the largest marine protected area in Europe and one of the most compelling reasons to point a motor yacht toward the Northern Sporades. The island itself is quiet and forested, its old hilltop village recently restored after a 1965 earthquake, and the surrounding waters shelter endangered Mediterranean monk seals and populations of Eleonora’s falcon. Motor yachts give guests the range to explore the park’s uninhabited outer islands and the speed to reach them before the day-trip boats depart.nnAround 45 motor yachts currently charter in the Greek fleet available to Alonissos visitors, spanning the full range from compact 30-metre cruisers to 80-metre flagship vessels. All carry tenders and water toys; the diving in the marine park is exceptional, and many charter yachts can arrange dive permits through their crew. The old town of Patitiri and the hilltop village of Chora provide the social anchors for each day, with dinner ashore common given the quality of the local tavernas.nnWeekly motor charter rates for Alonissos itineraries begin near 50,000 euros and rise to 900,000 euros for the largest vessels. Add an APA of approximately 30 percent. The Northern Sporades season runs June through September; July and August bring more visitors but also more consistent weather. September is particularly recommended: the sea remains warm, the crowds thin and the sailing conditions between the Sporades islands are often at their best.nnAlonissos pairs naturally with Skiathos, Skopelos and the Pelion Peninsula on a week-long Sporades circuit.
