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Visiting the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades

09/05/2022
Visiting the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades
Visiting the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades
Visiting the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades
Visiting the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades

As of 2022 it is now compulsory to purchase a ticket if you wish to enter the waters of Zone A of the marine park.

Prices:

  • Vessel, with stay, with or without anchoring: €33.50 per day / night
  • Visitor: €5.50 per day / night

Purchase tickets

The National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades was the first marine park established in Greece and is currently the largest marine protected area in Europe (2.265km2). Besides the sea area, the Park includes the island of Alonissos, six smaller islands (Peristera, Kyra Panagia, Psathoura, Piperi, Skantzoura and Gioura), as well as 22 uninhabited islets and rocky outcrops.

In the areas where public access is permitted, visitors can engage in swimming, diving, wildlife watching, taking pictures, recording video, visiting cultural monuments, hiking etc. There are specific restrictions on sport fishing. Hunting is allowed only on the island of Gioura, subject to a special permission.

The N.M.P.A.N.S. forms a unique combination of terrestrial and aquatic areas that create an important ecosystem with high biodiversity and archaeological/historical significance.  The legislation of the establishment and operation of the Park aims to protect and preserve rare species and their habitats, cultural heritage as well as the development of the region through the sustainable management of natural resources.

The legislation governing the Park, which includes the regulatory measures and the general management framework of the area, is the joint Ministerial Decision No. 621/23537/2003.

The basic philosophy of organizing of the Park consists of its division into two main protected zones (A and B).

The ticket to be issued on this portal is mandatory (Gov`t Ministerial Decision ΥΠΕΝ/ΥΠΡΓ/84580/8195 and its amendment) for your entry in the most environmentally sensitive, Zone A of the National Park.

All ticket proceeds constitute resources of the concerned Management Body and include a 30% duty for the Green Fund. With the ticket, you are contributing to the protection and conservation of the National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades and its precious ecosystems.

 

Zone A

Zone A is generally strictly protected and in some areas, based on the urgency of conservation, uniqueness and wildness of plant and animal life, specific measures are in force. In order to enter Zone A, it is necessary to obtain a special permission from the Management Body of N.M.P.A.N.S. Hunting is forbidden and there are special restrictions on professional fishing (coastal and middle fishing). There are also regulations for sport fishing, and in the entire area of the Marine Park is prohibited free camping, use of fire, even on the beach, as well as scuba diving by using spear gun. In the areas, where the access of yachts and professional tourist vessels is allowed, anchoring, swimming, observation of fauna and flora, photography, video recording and visit to cultural monuments are permitted. Additionally, in some areas spending the night on boat is allowed.

Zone B

Zone B includes inhabited areas with a lower protection level.

In Zone B, there are no special regulations for the visitor, except for the banning of free camping, use of fire and, in some areas, the limit of the speed of the boats. There are also specific measures for sport and professional middle fishing, others than those according to the National Legislation.

The plan of the Management Body will initially focus on:

  • The protection of the Mediterranean monk seal and the habitats of other rare and threatened species.
  • The protection, conservation and management of wildlife, natural landscapes, cultural heritage and fisheries resources.
  • Providing a wide range of opportunities within the Marine Park, not only for the residents of Alonissos but also for the global community, always in line with the effective management and protection of the natural environment and cultural heritage.
  • The effective management of the impact of human activities with the aim of preserving and restoring the natural ecosystem and cultural heritage.
  • The surveillance and guarding of the area.
  • The environmental education, information and public awareness, providing easily accessible information and educational material in a comprehensible form.
  • The promotion of volunteering.
  • The environmental education and training through the dissemination of research results on marine biodiversity.
  • The preparation and implementation of an integrated and scientifically documented Management Plan.

Special discounts or exemptions

  • People with disabilities: Full exemption*
  • Coastal fishers: Full exemption from visitor entry ticket*
  • Youth under 12 yrs and elderly people over 65 yrs: Eligible for a 50% discount*
  • Vessels of length up to 6 metres/19.68 feet: Eligible for a 50% discount
  • Professional coastal fishing vessels: exemption from entry ticket only if owner is a permanent resident of Alonissos**
  • Permanent residents of Alonissos and their self-owned vessels are exempt from all relevant tickets, provided that the purpose of entry is private -not professional – recreation**
  • Monks and employees of the Monastery of Megisti Lavra

The monks of The Monastery of Megisti Lavra who reside in the islets belonging to the Monastery or visit them for management purposes, as well as all groups of employees of the Monastery are exempt from ticket payment, provided they present the relevant document issued by the Monastery.

Free pass days of the year for all:

  • May 21: European Natura 2000 day
  • June 5: World Environment Day
  • September 7 & 8: Τhe day before and on the day of the Birth of Virgin of Mary, to visit the Monastery of Kyra Panagia

ZONE A

Permitted activities:

  • Scientific Research with permission and under specific conditions.
  • Surveillance, guard, monitoring, research and management actions implemented by the Management Body.
  • Traditional agriculture farming activities, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions per region.
  • Traditional livestock farming activities, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions per region.
  • Professional fishing (coastal and middle) under special restrictions listed below.
  • Sport fishing (only fishing lines and trolling) under special conditions and restrictions as described below.
  • Landings during the mooring process, in areas where vessels may be approached and anchored.
  • Yachts entry, passengers transport and recreational activities (swimming, diving, underwater observation of fauna and flora, photography and video shooting, hiking, landings, overnight on boat and wildlife observation) subject to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions as described below.

Prohibited activities:

  • Hunting, except on the island of Gioura and only with a special permission.
  • Free camping and use of fire within the entire terrestrial area of the Marine Park.
  • Diving with respirators.
  • Shellfish and sponge fishing.
  • The collection of animals and plants.
  • The speargun fishing.
  • Speed boats to surpass the 10 n.m./hour limit within 0.5 nautical miles from the coasts of the islands of Zone A (where access is permitted).
  • The passage of tankers carrying more than 500 tonnes of oil and any vessel carrying dangerous toxicants.

PARTICULARLY

Piperi Island (Zone A1)

Permitted:

  1. Scientific Research.
  2. Maintenance of the existing church and related buildings.
  3. Traditional livestock farming, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions applicable to the island.

Prohibited:

  1. Approach of any vessel less than 3 nautical miles from the coast of the island with the exception of the vessels used in permitted activities.

Psathoura Island (Zone A2)

Permitted:

  1. Scientific Research.
  2. Yachts can be reached and moored between sunrise and sunset only on the beach of Mandraki. Visitors are allowed to disembark and use the beach within 50m of the coast. Swimming, diving, underwater observation, photography and video shooting, hiking and wildlife observation are allowed.
  3. The maintenance of the existing lighthouse and related buildings.
  4. Approach and anchor of professional fishing boats (middle and coastal) and overnight (onboard) around the island.
  5. Coastal professional fishing in accordance with the national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (terms on fishing gear used and time spent at sea).

Prohibited:

  1. Middle professional fishing less than 1.5 nautical miles from the coast for the purse seines and less than 2 nautical miles from the coast for the fishing trawlers.
  2. Sport fishing less than 1.5 nautical miles from the coast of the island.
  3. Free camping, use of fire and speargun.

Gioura Island (Zone A3)

Permitted:

  1. Scientific Research.
  2. Maintenance of existing buildings and related infrastructure owned by the Forestry Office.
  3. Activities of the Ministry of Agriculture for the conservation of the island’s livestock.
  4. Coastal professional fishing in accordance with the national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (terms on fishing gear used and time spent at sea) on all coasts of the island except of Pnigmenos Bay.
  5. Approach, anchor and overnight (onboard) for professional fishing vessels (coastal fishing only) anywhere around the island, except for the bay of Pnigmenos.
  6. When a visit to the “Cyclops” Cave is allowed, access and anchor of professional tourist vessels and yachts will be between sunrise and sunset at the Megali Vala and Sykies points. Passengers will only be able to visit the “Cyclops” Cave.

Prohibited:

  1. Middle professional fishing less than 1.5 nautical miles from the coast for the purse seines and less than 2 nautical miles from the coast for fishing trawlers.
  2. Free camping, use of fire and speargun.
  3. The approach and anchor of professional tourist vessels and yachts.
  4. Sport fishing less than 0.5 nautical miles from the coast of the island.

Kyra Panagia Island (Zone A4)

Permitted:

  1. Scientific Research.
  2. Traditional agriculture farming activities, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions applicable to the island.
  3. Traditional livestock farming activities, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions applicable to the island.
  4. The approach and anchor of professional tourist boats and yachts between sunrise and sunset on the beach of Monastiri. Visitors can visit the Monastery of Panagia using only the trail leading from the beach to the Monastery. Overnight in the Monastery is allowed after the agreement with the monks.
  5. Approaching, anchoring and overnighting (onboard) of professional tourist vessels and yachts in Agios Petros and Planitis bays. Visitors are not allowed to disembark (landings are allowed only during the mooring process). Swimming, free diving, underwater observation, photography and video shooting and wildlife observation are allowed.
  6. Maintenance of the existing Monastery and related buildings.
  7. Coastal professional fishing in accordance with the national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (terms on fishing gear used and time spent at sea) around the island with the exception of the area between Vromopigada Bay and the south end of the northwest coasts of the island Fargo.
  8. Approach, anchor and overnight (on board) of professional fishing boats (coastal fishing only) around of the island with the exception of the area between Vromopigada Bay and the south end of the northwest coasts of the island Fagro.
  9. Approach, anchor and overnight (on board) of middle professional fishing boats only in bays Agios Petros and Planitis.
  10. Sport fishing (only fishing lines and trolling) except of the northwest coasts of the island from Katergo to the south end of the northwestern coast of the island Fagro at a distance of 1/3 nautical mile.

Prohibited:

  1. Middle professional fishing less than 1.5 nautical miles from the coast for the purse seines and less than 2 nautical miles from the coast for fishing trawlers.
  2. Free camping, use of fire and speargun.

Skantzoura Island (Zone A5)

Permitted:

  1. Scientific Research.
  2. Traditional agriculture farming activities, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions applicable to the island.
  3. Traditional livestock farming activities, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions applicable to the island.
  4. The approach and anchor of professional tourist vessels and yachts in Limani Bay between sunrise and sunset. Visitors can disembark and use the beach. Swimming, free diving, underwater observation, photography and video shooting and wildlife observation are allowed.
  5. Maintenance of the existing Monastery and related buildings.
  6. Coastal professional fishing in accordance with the national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (terms on fishing gear used and time spent at sea).
  7. Approach, anchor and overnight (onboard) of professional fishing boats (coastal and middle) around the island.
  8. Sport fishing (only fishing lines and trolling).


Prohibited:

  1. Middle professional fishing less than 1.5 nautical miles from the coast for the purse seines and less than 2 nautical miles from the coast for fishing trawlers.
  2. Free camping, use of fire and speargun.

Korakas, Skantili, Polemika Islets (Zone A6)

Permitted:

  1. Scientific Research.
  2. Coastal professional fishing in accordance with the national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (terms on fishing gear used and time spent at sea).
  3. Approach, anchor and overnight (onboard) of professional fishing boats (coastal and middle) around the islets.
  4. Sport fishing (only fishing lines and trolling).

Prohibited:

  1. Middle professional fishing less than 1.5 nautical miles from the coast for the purse seines and less than 2 nautical miles from the coast for fishing trawlers.
  2. Free camping, use of fire and speargun.
  3. The approach and anchor of professional tourist vessels and yachts.

All the other islets and rocky outcrops of Zone A (Zone A7)

Permitted:

  1. Scientific Research.
  2. Traditional agriculture farming activities, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions applicable to the islets.
  3. Traditional livestock farming activities, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions applicable to the islets.
  4. The approach and anchor of professional tourist vessels and yachts between sunrise and sunset. Visitors can disembark. Visiting the church of Panagia on the islet of Pappous is allowed. Swimming, free diving, underwater observation, photography and video shooting, hiking and wildlife observation are permitted.
  5. Coastal professional fishing in accordance with the national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (terms on fishing gear used and time spent at sea).
  6. Approach, anchor and overnight (onboard) of professional fishing boats (coastal and middle) around all the islets.
  7. Sport fishing (only fishing lines and trolling).

Prohibited:

  1. Middle professional fishing less than 1.5 nautical miles from the coast for the purse seines and less than 2 nautical miles from the coast for fishing trawlers.
  2. Free camping, use of fire and speargun.


Pagos Reef (Zone A8)

Permitted:

  1. Scientific Research.
  2. Coastal professional fishing in accordance with the national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (terms on fishing gear used and time spent at sea).

Prohibited:

  1. Middle professional and sport fishing within a radius of less than one (1) nautical mile from the highest point of the reef.


The rest of the marine area of Zone A (Zone A9)

Permitted:

  1. Scientific Research.
  2. Coastal professional fishing in accordance with the national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (terms on fishing gear used and time spent at sea).
  3. Sport fishing (only fishing lines and trolling).
  4. Passage of all professional tourist vessels and yachts. Vessels may exceed the speed limit of 10 n.m./hour only when they are more than 0,5 nautical miles from the shores of all the islands of Zone A.

Prohibited:

  1. Middle professional fishing less than 1.5 nautical miles from the coast for the purse seines and less than 2 nautical miles from the coast for fishing trawlers.

ZONE B

Permitted activities:

  • Scientific Research with permission and under specific conditions.
  • Surveillance, guard, monitoring, research and management actions implemented by the Management Body.
  • Traditional agriculture farming activities, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions per region.
  • Traditional livestock farming activities, provided that the interested parties have obtained the necessary permits and according to certain requirements, special conditions and restrictions per region.
  • Coastal professional fishing in accordance with the national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (terms on fishing gear used and time spent at sea). Also fishing with traps in accordance with the legislation in force and up to 100 traps per professional fishing vessel.
  • Middle professional fishing in accordance with the present national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (distance from the coast of the islands).
  • Sport fishing (only fishing lines and trolling) and according to the rules of sport fishing applicable to the Greek seas.
  • All recreational activities are governed by the national law, and not by additional specific regulations of the NMPANS.
  • All other human activities in accordance with national law with the exception of activities in Zones B2, B3 and B4 listed below.

Prohibited activities:

  • Free camping and use of fire within the entire terrestrial area of the Marine Park.
  • The passage of tankers carrying more than 500 tonnes of oil and any vessel carrying dangerous toxicants.


The marine zone between Cape Kalamos and Cape Amoni at 200 m from the coast (Zone B1)

Permitted:

  1. Coastal professional fishing in accordance with the national legislation about the fishing and the special regulations of the NMPANS (terms on fishing gear used and time spent at sea).
  2. Sport fishing (only fishing lines and trolling) and according to the rules of sport fishing applicable to the Greek seas.
  3. Approach, passage, and anchor of coastal professional fishing vessels, tourist professional boats and yachts.

Prohibited:

  1. The approach and passage of middle professional fishing vessels.
  2. Overnight of all boats.
  3. The passage of vessels at speeds exceeding 10 n.m./hour less than 200 m from the coast of the island.

Bay of Gerakas (Zone B2)

Permitted:

  1. The mild forms of non-intensive agriculture and livestock farming activities.
  2. The maintenance of existing infrastructure, the operation of the Research Station and the Fishing Harbor of Gerakas.

The wider terrestrial area of Gerakas Bay (Zone B3)

Permitted:

  1. The mild forms of non-intensive agriculture and livestock farming activities. Changing the methods and conditions for carrying out these activities requires the approval of environmental terms.
  2. The construction of buildings and related facilities with special restrictions.

The rest of marine and terrestrial area of Zone B (Zone B4)

Permitted:

  1. All activities in accordance with the national law and which are not governed by specific regulations of the NMPANS. The only exception is the construction of large projects and infrastructures, which require special authorization and approval.
  2. Professional trap fishing in accordance with the present legislation and up to 100 traps per professional fishing vessel.