Advice: Sailing from Athens to Crete

[Liz sprague]

We are wanting to sail from Athens to Crete on a privately owned Dufor 45 in August. We are not sure of the most interesting and safest passage.

1. Should we travel down through the islands in the middle (island hop) or down the east coast?????? The east coast we feel may have less ports and appears more rugged/conditions. We like to stop in a safe harbour or port each night and travel in pleasant conditions if possible.

2. If we travel down the islands in the centre of the Aegean our last hop, which we think would be from Santaroni to Crete, appears to be an over night run approx 70nm????. Is this correct??? Our average speed is 6 knots depending on conditions.

3. Which is the best entry point in Crete from Santaroni????

We would appreciate any information

Liz and John

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Liz sprague

We are wanting to sail from Athens to Crete on a privately owned Dufor 45 in August. We are not sure of the most interesting and safest passage.

1. Should we travel down through the islands in the middle (island hop) or down the east coast?????? The east coast we feel may have less ports and appears more rugged/conditions. We like to stop in a safe harbour or port each night and travel in pleasant conditions if possible.

The meltemi can blow strongly in August (sometimes for a couple of weeks at a time), but you will have a reach to downwind run the entire way. It depends what kind of seas you are comfortable experiencing, whether or not you will enjoy the central run, which is likely to be windier. Generally northerlies are stronger in the Cyclades (apart from the very southern tip of the Peloponnese).

On the east coast you have several islands to hop between until the Argolic Gulf, then there is about a 30nm trip to Monemvasia. After Monemvasia though, you have a long passage - either straight to the NW side of Crete (I have not done this, but have heard it can be a rough passage) or to Milos.
If you take the central route there are many more choices to anchor overnight.

Originally Posted by Liz sprague

2. If we travel down the islands in the centre of the Aegean our last hop, which we think would be from Santaroni to Crete, appears to be an over night run approx 70nm????. Is this correct??? Our average speed is 6 knots depending on conditions.

Yes, it is just under 70 nm.

Originally Posted by Liz sprague

3. Which is the best entry point in Crete from Santaroni????

Either Iraklion or Agios Nikolaos if you need a port.
Spinalonga Lagoon just north of Ag Nik is a fantastic anchorage, but the very northern end can be gusty in northerlies.

SWL