Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages

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Aegean Sea to Gibraltar Passage

Aegean to Gibraltar Passage
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MORE notes about the 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:

Route/Suggested Stopovers

  • Southern Route Via Malta to 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:
    • Via 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.
    • Via 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.
    • Via 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
  • Via Strait of Messina (2 possibilities)
    • Via the Corinth Canal - This route is desirable for yachts that start from northern Aegean as it is shorter. However, thecanal 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 Zante is about 115 nM. From Zante you can sail directly to Reggio di Calabria a port of entry into Italy a distance of 270 nM. There are no stopping possibilities.
    • Via S of Peloponnese - describe
    • Via Cagliari

Possible Arrival Ports

Distance & Duration

Approximate Distances in nM (±5 )
Approximate Duration (assumes an average speed of 6 knots)
Iraklio Chania Kapsáli Pylos Valletta Corinth
Canal
Dardanelles 285nM
2d 		290
2d 		285
2d 		350
2d + 10h 		710
5d 		225
1d + 14h
Kusadasi 200 210 230 305 650 190
Pythagorio 175 195 215 290 640 185
Kos 145 180 220 290 640 225
Bodrum 150 190 220 300 650 235
Rhodes 170 225 260 350 675 275
Marmaris 180 240 275 365 700 285
Syros 125 125 125 195 530 105
Athens Region 160 137 107 175 530 32
Iraklio 62 525
Chania 62 460
Kapsáli 420
Pylos 352
Valletta 525 460 420 352
Corinth Canal
Approximate Duration (assumes an average speed of 6 knots)
Iraklio Chania Kapsáli Pylos Valletta Corinth
Canal
Dardanelles 2d 2d 2d 2d + 10h 5d 1d + 14h
Kusadasi 1d + 9h 1d + 11h 1d + 14h 2d + 3h 4d + 12h 1d + 8h
Pythagorio 1d + 5h 1d + 9h 1d +12h 2d 4d + 11 h 1d +7h
Kos 1d 1d + 6h 1d +13h 2d 4d + 11h 1d + 14h
Bodrum 1d + 1h 1d + 8h 1d + 13h 2d + 2h 4d + 12h 1d + 15h
Rhodes 1d + 4h 1d + 14h 1d + 19h 2d + 10h 4d + 17h 1d + 22h
Marmaris 1d + 6h 1d + 16 h 1d + 22h 2d + 13h 4d + 21h 2d
Syros 21h 21h 21h 1d + 9h 3d + 16h 18h
Athens Region 1d + 3h 23h 18h 1d + 5h 3d + 16 h 5h
Iraklio 10h 3d + 15h
Chania 10h 3d + 5h
Kapsáli 3d
Pylos 2d + 10h
Valletta 3d + 15h 3d + 5h 3d 2d + 10h
Corinth Canal

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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