Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages

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Revision as of 14:50, 29 March 2009

Aegean Sea to Gibraltar Passage

Introduction

Depending on the time you will like to complete the passage, your departure point, and personal preference you must decide whether to take a southern route along via Malta (south of Sicily) or a northern route along the Mesina Stait in Italy (north of Sicily).

In general the southern route is shorter and faster while the northern route has shorter legs and more places to stop.

Climate & Weather Information

See Mediterranean.

Weather Windows

The months to be avoided for the passage are from November to April when violent storms are possible.

The best time of the year for this passage is either in May - June or in September - October when various ports and marinas are less crowded and the weather is usually benign. In October, however, there is a possibility of thunderstorms so one has to be cautious.

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

List radio Nets covering this passage.

Navigation Charts Required

See Mediterranean.

Also see the charts for individual countries or islands.

Possible Departure Points

Some of the possible departure points from the Aegean Sea are:

• Dardanelles in Turkey
• Kusadasi in Turkey
• Pythagorio, Samos in Greece
• Kos in Greece
• Bodrum in Turkey
• Rhodes in Greece
• Marmaris in Turkey
• From any of the Cyclades islands in Greece
• Athens Region in Greece

Route/Suggested Stopovers

Southern Route Via Malta and S of Sicily

This is the shortest and faster route for traversing the Mediterranean. Depending on your point of origin and whether you need to formally exit Greece (see Arrival/Departure procedures for Greece) you have several choices:

Crete to Malta

In Crete you can clear customs in either Iraklio (about 525 nM) or in Chania (about 460 nM). The passage is straightforward with an almost westerly heading. There are no stopping possibilities. Both of these departure ports are good places for obtaining provisions.

Cythera to Malta

The main harbor of Cythera, Kapsáli is NOT a port of entry. So, this route is not suitable for yachts that need to clear customs. The distance is about 420 nM and the passage is straightforward with a westerly heading. There are no stopping possibilities. Kapsáli is a good place for obtaining provisions.

Pylos to Malta

Pylos is a laid-back place to clear customs and a good place for provisioning. The distance for this passage is about 352 nM and it is straightforward with a westerly heading. There are no stopping possibilities.

After Malta possibilities:

• • Malta to Tunisia - describe
  • Malta to Cagliari then Balearics - describe
  • Malta to Balearics - describe

Northern Route Via Strait of Messina and N of Sicily

There are two ways to reach the Strait of Messina from the Aegean Sea:

Via the Corinth Canal to Cagliari

This route is desirable for yachts that start from northern Aegean as it is shorter. However, the canal fee is appreciable. Yachts usually arrive early at the canal entrance because there can be considerable delays before the transit (almost all other vessels have a higher priority).

After transiting the canal a yacht may stop at the Port of Corinth, or at the delightful island of Trizonia. Once you cross the Culf of Corinth and the Gulf of Patras a natural stopover before crossing the Ionian Sea is Zakinthos (Zante).

There you can clear customs and provision. The distance from the canal to Zakinthos is about 115 nM. From Zakinthos you can sail directly W to Reggio di Calabria a port of entry into Italy a distance of 270 nM. There are no stopping possibilities.

Warning: Also be aware that south of Reggio local fishermen deploy lines with floats that are particularly hard to see during a night passage.

From Reggio di Calabria, after passing the Strait of Messina, you head W to Cagliari, Sardinia a distance of 320 nM. A nice stopover is the Aeolian Island of Ustica.

Warning: There are strong currents, which build heavy seas, in the Strait of Messina believed to be the location of the mythological Scylla and Charybdis. Consult the tide tables before the passage through the Strait.

Pylos (S Peloponnese) to Cagliari

In this route you sail NW 335 nM to Reggio di Calabria. There are no stopping possibilities.

Warning: Also be aware that south of Reggio local fishermen deploy lines with floats that are particularly hard to see during a night passage.

From Reggio di Calabria, after passing the Strait of Messina, you head W to Cagliari, Sardinia a distance of 320 nM. A nice stopover is the Aeolian Island of Ustica.

Warning: There are strong currents, which build heavy seas, in the Strait of Messina believed to be the location of the mythological Scylla and Charybdis. Consult the tide tables before the passage through the Strait.

Possible Arrival Ports

Distance & Duration

Passage Description

FULL description of this passage.

CruiserLog Forum discussions

Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References

Books, guides, etc.

Personal Notes

Personal experience?

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