Getting from Elafonisos to Porto Heli

If you are heading to Porto Heli from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to a sheltered harbour on the Argolic Gulf in the northeastern Peloponnese, relatively close in geographic terms given both sit on the eastern side of the Peloponnese. It has a marina, good beaches and Spetses visible across the water.

Take the ferry

Elafonisos has no ferry connection to the wider Greek ferry network. The only ferry from Elafonisos is the short 10 minute crossing to Pounta on the southern Peloponnese, which runs every 30 minutes in summer. Getting to Porto Heli means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving north through the Peloponnese to Porto Heli, which takes around 2.5 to 3 hours via Sparta and Leonidio. This avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural road connection between the two given their shared position on the eastern Peloponnese coast.

Getting there by air

Porto Heli has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Elafonisos has no airport. Taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and driving north through the Peloponnese to Porto Heli gives a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours and avoids Athens entirely. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and drive north through the Peloponnese to Porto Heli via Sparta and Leonidio. It avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural and direct approach. Having a car is essential for this route as the KTEL bus connection from Pounta is slow and infrequent. The drive up the eastern Peloponnese coast is a scenic one and Porto Heli is well placed as a base for exploring the Argolic Gulf.