The Alonissos Marine National Park is with its 2,200 km², the largest marine park in Europe and the Mediterranean, in fact it boasts numerous species of aquatic plants and marine fauna, including the monk seal. It is a true paradise for nature lovers and snorkelers.
It is located north of the island and is made up of the island of Alonnisos and four islets: Pelagos, Gioúra, Psathoura and Pipéri.
The history of the Alonissos Marine Park
Environmental protection activities in the Alonissos area start in the early 1970s and the first resolution to safeguard the Mediterranean monk seal comes in 1986. Subsequently, other Ministerial Decisions were issued and finally in 1992, the area was officially proclaimed. Marine National Park.
The management of the Alonissos Marine Park
The Board of Directors of the Park management is made up of ten members, belonging to national, regional and local bodies, local professional associations and non-governmental bodies for the protection of the environment. The President, since June 2010, is dr. Stefanos Paraskevopoulos, Professor of Ecology and Education for Environmental Protection at the Faculty of Education Sciences of the University of Thessaly.
The first results of the activity linked to the Alonissos Marine Park are already visible thanks to the scientific and technical staff who have worked there since 2007 and who have implemented programs to safeguard, research and raise awareness among the population.
A Five Year Management Plan for the Alonissos Marine National Park and the Northern Sporades has been launched, to continue to protect and promote the park's important activities.
What can I find in the Alonissos Marine Park?
In the Alonissos Marine Park there is an extraordinary variety of terrestrial and marine Mediterranean ecosystems with hundreds of species of plants and animals, but also with important historical and archaeological monuments.
Inside the park many species of fish live and nest (about 300), over 80 species of birds, reptiles and mammals. The Mediterranean monk seal, red coral, the Queen's hawk,
You can admire some of the birds that live in the Park, such as the banded eagle, the cormorant, the Caspian gulls, the Audouin gulls and the swifts. If you are lucky, you can see dolphins and some whale species in the region.
Dolphins and some cetacean species are present in the region. The most common species of dolphins and whales are the common dolphin, the dolphin, the bottlenose dolphin or bottlenose dolphin, the sperm whale and the zifio or goose beak whale.
An authorization is required to disembark, but you can enjoy a nice boat ride, perhaps accompanied by some dolphin .. There are obviously limitations regarding amateur fishing, but all this is necessary for the protection of protected species.
In some areas it is possible to swim, snorkel and admire nature in its wildest and most unspoiled form. The Alonissos Marine National Park also enjoys numerous archaeological resources, such as finds from the prehistoric, classical and Byzantine periods (shipwrecks, churches and ancient monasteries). You can then visit ancient monuments, go trekking, or simply relax in the open air.
At Stenì Vala, on the island of Alonissos, there is the only Assistance Center for the Mediterranean monk seal in the Mediterranean. The Center specializes in the reception and care of orphaned newborn seals.
At MOM, the Information Center of the Company for the study and protection of the Mediterranean monk seal, you can transform your holiday on the island of Alonissos into a unique experience!
The Center, which has been operating since 1990 and is located in one of the buildings of the port of Alonissos, in Patitiri, contributes to the dissemination of interesting photographic and informative material on the Mediterranean monk seal and on the activity of the Center itself.
In addition, images of the marine ecosystem and actions aimed at its protection are projected. The Center is open to the public from May to September, but groups of visitors can also visit the Center in the remaining months of the year, making arrangements with the center staff first.
How to reach the Alonissos Marine Park
Getting to the park is very simple as the island of Alonnisos is well connected by sea with the ports of Volos, Agios Konstantinos, Skiathos and Skopelos.
You just have to leave to discover the Alonissos Marine National Park and don't forget to take photos and take pictures of the incredible nature that surrounds you, to bring with you the most beautiful memories of your holiday in Alonissos.
Contacts of the Alonissos Marine Park
Tel .: +30 24243-50201
Fax: +30 24240-65207
Email: info@alonissos.gr