One Week Cyclades from Lavrio

[mihpreda]

Hello fellow sailors !

Any advice for a one week itinerary from Lavrio marina in Cyclades starting August 13 ?

Nice spots, safe spots and places where we can refill with water ?

My plan is to visit Kea, Kithnos, Serifos, Siros.

Or, instead of Serifos and Siros, I should go east to Mykonos, Tiros, Andros so, at least, I have wind from abeam when I have to go back to Lavrio at the end of the week.

If wind gets really uncomfortable I plan to escape to Saronic Gulf.
There seems to be a 7 hour sail from Kithnos to Hydra.

Thank you !
Mihai

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by mihpreda

Hello fellow sailors !

Any advice for a one week itinerary from Lavrio marina in Cyclades starting August 13 ?

Nice spots, safe spots and places where we can refill with water ?

My plan is to visit Kea, Kithnos, Serifos, Siros.

Or, instead of Serifos and Siros, I should go east to Mykonos, Tiros, Andros so, at least, I have wind from abeam when I have to go back to Lavrio at the end of the week.

If wind gets really uncomfortable I plan to escape to Saronic Gulf.
There seems to be a 7 hour sail from Kithnos to Hydra.

Thank you !
Mihai

Hi Mihai
The itinery depends entirely on crew experience and comfort in rougher conditions.

On Saturday a moderate meltemi (a northerly) is due to kick in for 4 days. In the more eastern islands you mention, even Siros, 30+ knots will be reached for a couple of days, then 20-25 for another couple. It could well be higher than predicted and last longer. The forecast is not that accurate.

If all the crew enjoy sailing, you would have a fun reach/ shy reach to Mykonos etc, but it won't be all that nice while there. If some of the crew are not experienced sailors, they may be pretty uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, when you are coming back, light north westerlies are forecast, almost right on the nose.

If all your crew is not experienced, I would suggest sticking to Kea, Kithnos, Seriphos and the Saronic, rather than venturing further out with this forecast.

Regarding good spots, it would take pages to cover all the places you have mentioned. The area is just superb. We are currently cruising in this region.

SWL

[mihpreda]

Thank you for taking time to reply !

Forecast is looking bad indeed.

Poseidon says Beaufort 6-7 in the eastern islands.

What are some safe spots on eastern Cyclades islands ?

Thank you !

[mihpreda]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Hi Mihai

On Saturday a moderate meltemi (a northerly) is due to kick in for 4 days.

Unfortunately, when you are coming back, light north westerlies are forecast, almost right on the nose.

SWL

Where do you see a forecast for so many days ?
Poseidon only shows until Monday.

Regards
Mihai

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by mihpreda

Where do you see a forecast for so many days ?
Poseidon only shows until Monday.

Regards
Mihai

Hi Mihai

I am using PocketGrib on iPad. The forecast is for 10 days 7 days (edited).

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by mihpreda

Thank you for taking time to reply !

Forecast is looking bad indeed.

Poseidon says Beaufort 6-7 in the eastern islands.

What are some safe spots on eastern Cyclades islands ?

Thank you !

I can only give you advice about anchorages, as we hate tying up to town quays or in marinas. Here are a few spots we have found good in a meltemi:

Paros:
Naoussa bay. If there is a W component go in Ormos Agiou Ioannou (the locals call it Monastiri). We have sheltered there in one storm (50+ knot winds). Take care to avoid the reef on the west.
If there is an E component, go the other side in Ormos Lageri. Mostly very nice soft sand.

Channel between Paros and Antiparos:
The sea will be a bit rougher, but the wind much steadier without a chunk of land in the way. It can actually be more pleasant than dealing with odd gusts.

SIFNOS:
Ormos Vathi on the SW side.

I would avoid Mykonos. It just seems to blow more ferociously there than anywhere else, maybe because of a katabatic effect. High hills from the direction of the wind can actually make the wind in some anchorages worse than further off shore.

Hope that helps.

There are some very pleasant spots in the Saronic. Again, I would pick your locations according to crew experience.

SWL

[Seaworthy Lass]

The other site weather site that is very useful here is Windfinder.

This gives the 10 day forecast for Mykonos:

https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/mykonos