Spinaloga

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Revision as of 16:59, 10 December 2011

Spinaloga

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	35°17.7′N, 25°44.3′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

The island of Spinalonga
Click for larger view

The Spinaloga or Spinalonga (Σπιναλόγκα) lagoon is formed by a long peninsula, almost an island, connected with Crete with a very narrow sandbar, near the very developed region of Elounda. At the western tip of the peninsula there is a small island, the Spinalonga Island. On the Cretan side of the lagoon are high mountains. As described by Heikell, the Spinalonga lagoon is very calm but experiences fierce gusts from the mountains, although it is somewhat sheltered on the lee side of the Spinalonga Island. The island is surrounded by most imposing Venetian fortifications.

The island was used as Greece's main leper colony as late as 1957. It is now a very popular tourist attraction, the tourists being brought by an endless string of day-trip boats with their loud speakers blaring the spiel in all languages, but predominately in German. They come and go disgorging the tourists at a small landing and taking them back. This seems to go on relentlessly all day until the late afternoon. Surprising enough, the island is not crowded, and walking on it, one gets a very strong sense of isolation. It is very definitely a haunted place. There are on-going efforts to restore the old buildings and fortifications. There are extensive and large Venetian fortifications almost enclosing the island, Venetian houses, a Venetian castle at the island's peak, and many small Venetian and more recent Ottoman houses. In addition, there are a few large 1930 fascist-style institutional buildings, mostly used as hospitals. The lepers, who at any given time did not exceed 200 to 300 people, lived mostly in the old houses, and there are over 1,500 buried here. They lived all by themselves with minimum contact with the outside world until the 30s when the state built "modern" hospital buildings and other facilities for them. These are the most run down and ugly structures in the island. Other than these, the place has an amazing beauty and attraction as the lagoon is really very beautiful and so are the little houses and churches. But one cannot help but feel the weight of all the miserable souls that perished here after years of neglect and isolation.

Charts

Chart of Spinaloga Region - Chartlet
Click for larger view

See Crete

Radio Nets

See also Crete

• Olympia Radio - VHF no signal

Local Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

Approaching Spinaloga is straightforward but Warning: be aware that very strong gusts can suddenly develop.

Check-in facilities

None.

Offshore Islands and Groups

Spinaloga Island

35°17.7′N, 25°44.3′E
It is possible to anchor temporarily on the NE side of the island while visiting the island. Anchor as close to the island as the depth allow, the lagoon being very shallow with hardly any depths deeper than 5 m.

Caution: Before going ashore make sure that the anchor has settled and it is holding.

Spinaloga

The anchorage Click for larger view

Entrance to old town Click for larger view

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Spinaloga Lagoon

35°16.8′N, 25°44.4′E
Here a boat is very well protected despite the gusts. There is a good anchorage in 5-7 meters in the bight to the west of Spinalonga peninsula. Anchor in the center of the cove, if possible, to allow for swinging as the wind can come from many directions during the gusts. I have stayed here with some comfort during a force 7 gale (--Istioploos).

With fresh northerlies or northwesterlies, conditions are gusty and quite choppy around Spinalonga island itself, but become much less so towards the southern part of the lagoon off Elounda. In addition to the anchorage above, there is also a good anchorage off the beach to the north of Elounda village, with some protection from northerly winds.

Elounda fishing harbour Click for larger view

The Spinaloga Lagoon Click for larger view

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

None.

Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

N/A (Not Available)

Water

N/A

Electricity

N/A

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The Ramparts of the Castle

The Castle's Gate

The main attraction is, of course, the island of Spinalonga.

Grocery & Supply Stores

N/A.

Eateries

N/A.

Internet/WiFi

N/A.

Laundry

N/A.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

N/A.

Garbage Disposal

N/A.

Transportation

Only day-trip boats.

Routes/Passages To/From

See Crete.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Spinalonga Island (Wikipedia)

References & Publications

See Greece.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• September 1997 --Istioploos
• July 2009 --Atheneoflymington 11:25, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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