The Oinousses have always been considered the islands of ship owners. The first commercial Greek steamboats were owned by Oinoussians, and wrote the first chapter of the history of modern Greek shipping.
Oinousses is a cluster of nine small islands and islets, namely Oinoussa, Panagia, Vatos, Gaidouronissi, Pontikonisso, Archontonisso, Pontikoudiko, Laimoudiko and Prassonisia. They are situated some 1mile off the north-east coast of the Greek island of Chios and 5 miles west of Turkey. The Oinousses with their small coves and pristine beach are a protected Natura 2000 area.
The principal town of the islands and seat of the municipality is also called Oinousses. The only other populated settlements are Kástron and Aspalathrókampos. Oinousses has a small resident population, living primarily in the island's town of Oinoússes, and a recently built monastery. The town is centred on a square and a small port; it includes a school, several churches, a Naval high school and a maritime museum.
The Maritime Museum exhibits the blueprints of sailing ships and steamboats launched in the early 20th century on the Oinousses and became part of the international shipping world.
The centre of the traditional settlement with its brick-roofed houses is dominated by the magnificent Church of St. Nicholas, the patron of seafarers.
There is an asphalt road, total length 18 km, along the perimeter of the island, providing easy access to most beaches.