Proti
Proti is a small uninhabited island off the west coast of the Peloponnese, just off Marathopoli in Messenia, about 3 square kilometres. Rocky, covered in low maquis and wild olive trees, with steep cliffs on its west side and small sandy coves like Vourlia and Voli on its east, it lies only a short boat ride from the mainland.
Its main landmark is the 19th-century lighthouse on the north and the small church of the Virgin, and it was historically used as a hideout by pirates and later as a place of exile. Today it is protected by Natura 2000, has no permanent residents, and is known for extremely clear water, snorkelling over rocky seabeds, and as a quick day-trip from Pylos or Finikounda.
The first island off Messenia — crocodile-shaped and archaeological
Proti Island of Messenia, Greek Πρώτη Μεσσηνίας, also known as Nisida Proti, Prodano, Proti, is an island in the Ionian Sea on the west coast of the Peloponnese, one nautical mile from shores of Marathopoli outside Gargalianoi. It is counted as one of the Ionian Islands though administratively part of municipality Gargalianoi in regional unit Messenia, latitude 37.05N 21.55E, coordinates 37°3’3.60N 21°33’14.22E.
It is a long but thin island stretching north to south, length 3.67 km, width 1.97 km, with approximate area 3.33 km2, also listed as 3.107 km2 or 1.2 square miles, and three square kilometres in local guide. Area of Messenia prefecture is 2991 sq km for context. In view that proti means first, there are grounds believing island owes name to being first piece of land visible from open sea on Messenian coastline. It resembles a crocodile in shape.
The 2001 census reported population four inhabitants, density 0. This is a beautiful small island opposite Gargaliani only one mile from shore. This island is of great archaeological importance — southern extremity rocky steep difficult access, eastern shore easier. Monastery is habited most of time and they also have sheep on island to ensure independence.
FYI — why it matters, who it’s for, and what people get wrong
This is for you if you want history plus clear water diving — said to resemble crocodile, haven for history buffs, great for diving due to clear visibility, 15 dive sites and mix of reef, cave, wall, wreck, canyon and drift diving. There are boat excursions from port of Marathopolis. It is not for large resorts or staying overnight — monastery and sheep only, no permanent village. People confuse Messenian Proti with Princes Island Proti Kinaliada near Istanbul which is also called Proti meaning First being closest island to Istanbul area 1.3 km2 — that is different island. Messenian Proti is Ionian, uninhabited, protected.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proti_Island | Area 3.107 km2 1.2 sq mi Pop density 0
- https://www.cvf.gr/images/Proti_Island.pdf | island Proti located just off west coast Messinia outside town Marathopoli 37°3’3.60N 21°33’14.22E long thin stretching north south length 3.67 km width 1.97 km approximate area 3.33 km2 monastery habited most time sheep ensure independence
- https://www.agrikies.gr/en/island-messinia/agritourism/proti-island | island Ionian Sea situated approximately one nautical mile shores Marathopoli covers area three square kilometres proti means first reasonable grounds island owes name first piece land visible open sea Messenian coastline
- https://www.gtp.gr/LocPage.asp?id=6060 | beautiful small island opposite Gargaliani only one mile from shore sea God Poseidon island great archaeological importance
- https://www.afar.com/magazine/costa-navarino-messenia-greece-things-to-do | Just mile off Messinia coast beautiful Proti Island said resemble crocodile shape haven history buffs great diving due clear visibility 15 dive sits mix reef cave wall wreck canyon drift diving
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Last Updated on August 31, 2026 by admin