Ambrakikos Gulf
From CruisersWiki
Ambrakikos Gulf Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around Ambrakikos Gulf near Preveza, Greece.
| Map of Ambrakikos Gulf click for larger view |
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Overview
The Ambrakikos Gulf lies on the Ionian coast of Greece and extends inland for nearly 25 miles from the town of Preveza at its mouth to the small towns and harbours of Menidhion at its NE corner and Amfilokia at its SE corner. It also contains the popular yachting harbour of Vonitsa on its southern coast as well as numerous sheltered anchorages around its N and S coasts. At its widest, the gulf is little more than eight miles from N to S and in many places much less. The gulf is entered via the narrow channel leading up to Preveza (see Preveza page for details) and then via a dogleg leading N and E into the gulf proper.
Several rivers flow into the gulf on the N side, which is low and marshy, and consequently the water is less salty than the Ionian Sea itself and there is a steady current from the gulf past Preveza and out to sea. The area is also rich in bird and marine life and dolphins and turtles are regularly encountered, especially towards the eastern part.
The area has an important place in history, being the site where Mark Antony and Cleopatra marshalled their naval galleys before the battle of Actium in 31 BC, when their combined forces were defeated by those of Octavian (subsequently invested with the name Augustus as the first Roman Emperor). The Emperor Augustus subsequently founded a major city, Nikopolis, on the NW shores of the gulf, few traces of which remain.
Cruising the region
Cruising the gulf is mostly a trouble-free experience, particularly since the shelter is better than along the Ionian Sea coast and good anchorages or harbours can always be found in any adverse weather conditions. The two principal hazards are the shallow depths in many parts of the gulf, especially along the N coast, and the numerous fish farms dotted around. Actual depths are frequently less than shown on most charts in some parts of the gulf, especially along the N coast, where river sediment has built up since soundings were taken. Setting the shallow water alarm on your depth sounder is a useful practice when cruising here.
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- British Admiralty
- 203 Zakinthos to Paxoi
- Imray-Tetra
- G11 – North Ionian Islands
Weather and Winds
The gulf is subject to the same conditions as the Ionian Sea when fronts or depressions pass over, although generally the winds will be less than in the open sea. During normal settled conditions, however, the mornings are often windless until in early afternoon a westerly sea breeze sets in, which can sometimes rise to 15 knots or more but rarely blows for longer than an hour or two. The sea breeze is generally stronger in the western part of the gulf than the eastern.
Overnight, an easterly land breeze off the mountains at the E end of the gulf is common, which rarely rises above 10 knots. In some of the bays along the S coast this wind can come from SE or even due S, which needs to be considered when anchoring.
Sources for weather information:
- Weather online Preveza An accurate guide to local weather, the weather station is based at Aktio airport.
- See Ionian Sea Weather
- Also see Ionian Sea Currents & Tides
Currents & Tides
There is usually a slight westerly current out of the gulf (little more than 0.5 – 1.0 knot), but this can be stronger in the narrow channel opposite Preveza, where 3.0 – 3.5 knots is not unknown.
See Preveza. Once through the Preveza channel, there are two starboard hand buoys to be passed before entering the gulf itself. Note that the second of these buoys marks the N end of a large shoal patch extending nearly a mile E of Cape Akri (the northernmost point of the Aktio pensinula).
Ports
The gulf has small harbours at the towns of Vonitsa and Amfilokia on its southern coast and Koronisia and Menidhion on its northern coast. However, only the first two are suitable for yachts and a visiting yacht will need to anchor off the second two. There are also several attractive anchorages around the gulf, mainly on the S side, which offer good shelter in all but northerly winds.
Vonitsa
See separate Wiki entry for Vonitsa.
Amfilokia
See separate Wiki entry for Amfilokia.
Anchorages
Tracking anti-clockwise from the entrance to the gulf, the main anchorages are as follows.
Ormos Ag Markou
Ormos Koukouvitsa
Ormos Rougas
Ormos Paliomilou
Ormos Loutrakios
Ormos Karvasaras
Ormos Kopraina (Menidhion)
39°02.23′N, 21°06.70′E or 39°02.22′N, 21°05.11′E
Koronisia Bay
Nisos Vouvalos
Ormos Salaora
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
References & Publications
See Ionian Sea.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
- We spent five days in the gulf in September 2012 and saw fewer than twenty other yachts over the whole period. While the water is a little murky to enjoy swimming very much, we saw more dolphins than you could shake a stick at. --Athene of Lymington 12:25, 30 September 2012 (BST)
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Names: --Athene of Lymington |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Ionian Sea | Greece | Ambrakikos Gulf | |
