The National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades

The National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades (N.M.P.A.N.S.), which is an open, extensive marine area of over 2,300 km², was established by the Presidential Decree 519/92. The same legislative text defined the Zones and Special Conditions applicable to the boundaries of the marine park, in order to create a special protection regime for its rare and fragile ecosystem. In addition, as the whole of the N.M.P.A.N.S. has been designated as an Archaeological Site, medium-scale fishing and shell fishing by mechanical means is prohibited, while diving and spear-gun fishing are only allowed in selected parts of zone B’.

A first basic division of the N.M.P.A.N.S. is that of zones A’ and B’. Zone B’ includes the entire land part of Alonissos and the nearby islands (Peristera, Adelphia, Lehousa, Gaidouronisia, Manola, Moules and other smaller islets), while Zone A΄ includes the remaining, environmentally more vulnerable part of the marine park. Thus, the restrictive regulations in Zone B΄ are more lenient, while as we move away from the residential Alonissos and towards the core of the N.M.P.A.N.S., the regulations become more stringent. Zone A’ includes the islands of Psathoura, Psathonisi, Piperi, Yura, Pappous, Kyra Panagia, Strongylo, Fagru, Myiga, Melissa, Wasp, Grameza, Skantzoura, Korcas, Skandili, Polemika, Prasso, Lachanou, Kasidis, and other smaller islets.

In preparation of the 2022 summer season, Thalassa Foundation produced information signs in Greek and English which were installed in key spots of the island so that tourists can learn about the treasures of the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades and about allowed/disallowed activities within the park. To couple the effort of raising awareness, in the Summer of 2022, the Foundation also produced informational leaflets, both in Greek and English which were destributed to skippers of boats visiting the island.

Zone A'

Zone A’ is divided into 9 sub-zones

In A1 (the core of the N.M.P.A.N.S.), which includes the island of Piperi and the marine area extending within a 3-nm radius around its shores, where any passage and/or approach is prohibited.
In A2, which includes the island of Psathoura, scientific research, as well as swimming, free diving, approach and stay from sunrise to sunset are allowed (i.e. no overnight stay is allowed). The approach and anchoring are allowed only at Psathoura Bay, except for coastal fishing boats which are allowed to approach and anchor in any coast. Disembarking of visitors is only allowed at Mandraki Beach, where the use of fire and the distancing from the shore farther than a 50 m. radius is prohibited.
In A3, which includes the island of Yura and the sea area extending to a radius of 0.5 nm around its shores, scientific research and inshore fishing are permitted.
In A4, which includes the island of Kyra Panagia and the sea area northwest of it, scientific research is permitted, as well as the approach of boats and the disembarkingof visitors to the island, only for the purpose of visiting the Monastery, from sunrise to sunset and only from Monastiri Bay. The approach and anchoring of tourist and pleasure boats is permitted only in the bays of Planitis, Monastiri and Aghios Petros, as well as swimming and free diving. Anchoring at night is permitted only in the bays of Aghios Petros and Planitis and disembarkation only in the bay of Monastiri.
In A5, which includes the island of Skatzoura, scientific research, the approach and anchoring of tourist boats in the bay of Limani from sunrise to sunset, swimming and free diving are allowed on this beach, and the use of fire is prohibited. The passage and anchoring of coastal fishing vessels are also permitted.
Scientific research, passage and anchoring of coastal fishing vessels are permitted in sub-zone A6, which includes the islets of Korakas, Skandili and Polemika.
In A7, which includes the remaining islands and islets of the marine park, scientific research, the approach and anchoring of tourist and recreational vessels from sunrise to sunset, the use of the coast for swimming and free diving, the passage and anchoring of coastal fishing vessels are permitted.
In A8, which includes the reef around and within 1 n.m. northeast of Yura, scientific research and coastal commercial fishing are permitted.
In A9, which includes the remainder of Area A, scientific research, inshore commercial fishing and recreational trolling and line fishing are permitted, except for the area within 1.5 nautical miles around the island of Psathoura.

Zone B'

Zone B’ is divided into 4 sub-zones:

In B1, which includes the sea area extending within 200 meters from the northwest coast of Alonissos, from Cape Kalamos to Cape Ammoni, scientific research and the passage, stay and anchoring of vessels for scientific research, coastal commercial or recreational fishing are allowed.
In B2 & B3, which includes the terrestrial area of the Gerakas Research Centre, scientific research, the operation of the fishing shelter and the maintenance or extension works of the Research Centre are permitted.
All activities are permitted in the area B4 which includes the land part of Alonissos, Peristera and all the islets located in area B, as well as the rest of the marine area of area B.

Permitted activities at a glance:

Swimming and free diving: from sunrise to sunset, on the islands of Psathoura, Kyra Panagia (in the bays of Planitis, Monastiri & Ag. Petros), Skantzoura (in the bay of Limani), in the A7 sub-zone and in the B4 zone.
Anchoring: on the islands of Psathoura (on the coast of Mandraki), Kyra Panagia(in the bays of Planitis & Ag. Petros and only in daylight in the bay Monastiri), Skantzoura (in the bay of Limani), in the A7 sub-zone from sunrise to sunset and in the entire B sub-zone. Overnight stay on a boat is allowed in the A΄zone only in Planitis & Ag. Petros bays of Kyra Panagia Island and in the sub-area B4 sub-zone.
Fishing>recreational: In the A9 sub-zone, except in the area 1.5 nm around the coast of Psathoura, with trolling and line. In sub-zones B1 & B4 with trolling and lines. Spear-gun fishing is allowed only in specific points - for information please contact the Management Unit of the Sporades National Park and the Port Authority of Alonissos

Ticket

Ticket

Due to the huge ecological importance of the A' zone of the National Marine Park of Alonissos - Northern Sporades and the need to protect its ecosystems, a ticket was established within its boundaries, with the Joint Ministerial Decision of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources /YPGR/84580/8195 "Establishment of the entrance ticket for visiting the A' zone of the National Marine Park of Alonissos - Northern Sporades" (O.G.G. 3832/B'/2020), which was amended by the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources/ΔΔΦΠB/79100/2510 (E.C. 4359/B'/2021).

Issue your tickets and find out everything you need to know about them at: https://tickets.alonissos-park.gr/checkout

Dos & Don’ts in case you meet a Monk Seal

Try to avoid panic or, on the contrary, excitement, sudden movements and by all means, any contact with the animal.
If you are close to a cave, avoid its inner part and leave the entrance free so that the seal does not feel trapped. Like any wild animal, seals need quiet, distance and respect. Therefore, do not try to attract its attention, especially by making noises or throwing stones, sand or other objects at it.
A seal is not a pet, nor a stray. So do not feed it.
Keep children and pets away from the seal. Okay... now you get away from it too!