Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages
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Aegean Sea to Gibraltar Passage
| Aegean to Gibraltar Passage | |
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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.
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 NOT the shortest and fastest route for traversing the Mediterranean from points along the Aegean Sea with the exception from points in Crete.
This route goes through the Strait Sicily and offers the opportunity for a stopover in Malta. 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 and sail to Marsamxett(Valletta), Malta (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 to [Malta#Marsamxett Harbour|Marsamxett(Valletta)]], Malta 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 in the SW of the Peloponnese is a laid-back place to clear customs and a good place for provisioning. The distance from Pylos to Marsamxett(Valletta), Malta is about 352 nM and it is straightforward with a westerly heading. There are no stopping possibilities.
Malta to Cagliari
From Marsamxett(Valletta), Malta you can sail 325 nM NW to Cagliari, Sardinia in Italy and there join the Northern Route. Along the way, with a diversion of about 25 nM from the rhumb line you can stop and visit the lovely Italian island of Pantelleria.
Warning: There is very heavy shipping traffic as well as many fishing boats (not always well lit) in Strait of Sicily. You need to keep a good lookout especially during the night.
After Malta possibilities:
- Malta to Tunisia - describe
Northern Route Via Strait of Messina and N of Sicily
This IS the shortest and faster route for traversing the Mediterranean from most points along the Aegean Sea except when you originate from Crete in which case you should take the Southern Route.
There are two ways to reach the Strait of Messina from the Aegean Sea:
Via the Corinth Canal to Cagliari
This route, that utilizes the Corinth Canal ,is desirable for yachts that start from anywhere in Aegean as it is the shortest. 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 Gulf 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 from Pylos 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 delightful 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.
Cagliari to the Balearics
From Cagliari you can sail WNW to the Balearic Islands in Spain. You can sail to either:
None of these passages have any stopping possibilities. If you are not in any great hurry you can sail first to Mahon and then work your way S to Ibiza enjoying the islands.
Possible Arrival Ports
Distance & Duration
| Iraklio | Chania | Kapsáli | Pylos | Valletta | Corinth Canal | Zakinthos | Reggio | Cagliari | Mahon | Palma | Ibiza | |
| Dardanelles | 285 2d | 290 2d | 285 2d | 350 2d + 10h | 710 5d | 225 1d + 14h | 340 2d + 9h | 610 4d + 6h | 930 6d + 11h | 1175 8d + 4h | 1250 8d + 17h | 1310 9d + 2h |
| Kusadasi | 200 1d + 9h | 210 1d + 11h | 230 1d + 14h | 305 2d + 3h | 650 4d + 12h | 190 1d + 8h | 305 2d + 3h | 575 4d | 895 6d + 5h | 1140 7d + 22h | 1210 8d + 10h | 1275 8d + 21h |
| Pythagorio | 175 1d + 5h | 195 1d + 9h | 215 1d +12h | 290 2d | 640 4d + 11 h | 185 1d +7h | 300 1d + 2h | 570 4d | 890 6d + 4h | 1135 7d + 21h | 1210 8d + 10h | 1270 8d + 20h |
| Kos | 145 1d | 180 1d + 6h | 220 1d +13h | 290 2d | 640 4d + 11h | 225 1d + 14h | 340 2d + 9h | 610 4d + 6h | 930 6d + 11h | 1175 8d + 4h | 1250 8d + 17h | 1310 9d + 2h |
| Bodrum | 150 1d + 1h | 190 1d + 8h | 220 1d + 13h | 300 2d + 2h | 650 4d + 12h | 235 1d + 15h | 350 2d + 10h | 620 4d + 7h | 940 6d + 13h | 1185 8d + 6h | 1260 8d + 18h | 1320 9d + 4h |
| Rhodes | 170 1d + 4h | 225 1d + 14h | 260 1d + 19h | 350 2d + 10h | 675 4d + 17h | 275 1d + 22h | 390 2d + 17h | 660 4d + 14h | 980 6d + 19h | 1225 8d + 12h | 1300 9d + 1h | 1360 9d + 11h |
| Marmaris | 180 1d + 6h | 240 1d + 16 h | 275 1d + 22h | 365 2d + 13h | 700 4d + 21h | 285 2d | 400 2d + 19h | 670 4d + 16h | 990 6d + 21h | 1235 8d + 14h | 1310 9d + 3h | 1370 9d + 12h |
| Syros | 125 21h | 125 21h | 125 21h | 195 1d + 9h | 530 3d + 16h | 105 18h | 220 1d + 13h | 490 3d + 10h | 810 5d + 15h | 1055 7d + 8h | 1130 7d + 21h | 1190 8d + 6h |
| Athens Region | 160 1d + 3h | 137 23h | 107 18h | 175 1d + 5h | 530 3d + 16h | 32 5h | 147 1d | 417 2d + 22h | 735 5d + 3h | 980 6d + 19h | 1050 7d + 8h | 1115 7d + 18h |
| Iraklio | 62 10h | 525 3d + 15h | 850 5d + 22h | 1095 7d + 15h | 1170 8d + 3h | 1230 8d + 13h | ||||||
| Chania | 62 10h | 460 3d + 5h | 785 5d + 11h | 1030 7d + 14h | 1105 7d + 17h | 1165 8d + 2h | ||||||
| Kapsáli | 420 3d | 745 5d + 4h | 990 6d + 21h | 1065 7d + 10h | 1125 7d + 20h | |||||||
| Pylos | 352 2d + 10h | 63 11h | 335 2d + 8h | 655 4d + 13h | 900 6d + 6h | 975 6d + 19h | 1035 7d + 5h | |||||
| Valletta | 525 3d + 15h | 460 3d + 5h | 420 3d | 352 2d + 10h | 325 2d + 10h | 570 3d + 23h | 645 4d + 12h | 705 4d + 22h | ||||
| Corinth Canal | 115 19h | 385 2d + 16h | 705 4d + 21h | 950 6d + 14h | 1025 7d + 3h | 1085 7d + 13h | ||||||
| Zakinthos | 63 11h | 115 19h | 270 1d + 21h | 590 4d + 2h | 835 5d + 19h | 910 6d + 8h | 970 6d + 18h | |||||
| Reggio | 335 2d + 8h | 270 1d + 21h | 320 2d + 5h | 565 3d + 22h | 640 4d + 11h | 700 4d + 21h | ||||||
| Cagliari | 325 2d + 10h | 320 2d + 5h | 245 1d + 17h | 322 2d + 6h | 380 2d + 15h | |||||||
| Mahon | 245 1d + 17h | 105 17h | 165 1d 3h | |||||||||
| Palma | 322 2d + 6h | 105 17h | 80 13h | |||||||||
| Ibiza | 380 2d + 15h | 165 1d 3h | 80 13h |
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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