Chania
From CruisersWiki
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===Approach and Navigation=== | ===Approach and Navigation=== | ||
See [[Crete#Approach_and_Navigation|Crete]]. | See [[Crete#Approach_and_Navigation|Crete]]. | ||
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| + | If approaching Chania from the east (e.g. Rethymno or Iraklio), is is important to check whether live firing is scheduled at the NATO missile firing range on the Akrotiri peninsula. The harbour authority in Chania can advise (telephone: 0030 2821 098888). | ||
===Check-in facilities=== | ===Check-in facilities=== | ||
Revision as of 07:22, 11 June 2009
Chania (Port of Entry)
| Coords: 35°31.2′N, 24°01.0′E Chartlet: Chartlet Gallery: Photos |
Click for larger view
Background
Chania or Hania or Khania (Χανιά) is in my opinion the most beautiful city in Crete if not the whole Aegean. It is a delightful town. The old city is very picturesque and has the inevitable souvenir stores, rooms for rent, restaurants, and jewelry stores. A whole street is devoted to leather goods. The marketplace (food) is amazing; it is crowded with small and a large stores selling anything from meat, wines, dried fruits, to herbs, chocolates, fruits, breads, pastries, fish, flowers, etc.
Chania is the site of the Minoan settlement the Greeks called Cydonia, Greek for quince (κυδώνι - kydoni). It also flourished after the Dorian Greeks settled on Crete.
Charts
See Crete
Radio Nets
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 (Chania) & 09 (Souda), Tel. +30 2810 98 888
- Navy operated Souda Control - VHF channel 16
See also Crete
Weather
For details see Chania Weather.
See Crete.
If approaching Chania from the east (e.g. Rethymno or Iraklio), is is important to check whether live firing is scheduled at the NATO missile firing range on the Akrotiri peninsula. The harbour authority in Chania can advise (telephone: 0030 2821 098888).
Check-in facilities
There are only two harbors: Chania Harbor and Souda.
Ports and Popular Stops
Chania Harbor
| GPS: 35°31.2′N, 24°01.0′E
The harbor of Chania is a beautiful harbor and well protected from the meltemi. The harbor consists of two sections: the West which is exposed to the North and is surrounded by a promenade with restaurants and cafes - no boats are allowed to dock there - and the East which consists of a small marina full of local boats (where you are unlikely to find a berth) and a visitors quay to the right of the entrance which has space for around 15 boats moored stern or bows to. At the time of visiting (June 2009) there were ten pickup lines for yachts. Once these are all taken, another 4/5 yachts should be able to moor using their anchors, being sure to avoid the mooring chain which is some 30m out from the quay. Water and electricity are available at a fixed charge of €3 for the first cubic metre/kilowatt, with a small additional charge for further consumption. A free wifi network is available from CAM hotspot. If laying out your anchor, note that the bottom is soft mud interspersed with rocks and the holding is not always secure. Many boats use two anchors. If you do find a berth on the visitors quay, you will be in heart of the picturesque old town. If the harbour is full, you may be able to find a berth in Souda. Warning: When a strong northerly gale is blowing, take a line to the other side of the harbor if you are anchored. |  Click for larger view |
Click for larger view
Souda
GPS: 35°29.5′N, 24°04.5′E
Souda (Σούδα), about 7 km E of Chania, is the best harbor in Crete situated in the large Souda Bay. However, Souda is also a main Greek and NATO naval base. All non-Greek registered boats are prohibited from entering the bay. Greek boats, with Greek nationals are allowed but they must first obtain clearance before you enter the bay by calling the Limenarchio (Coast Guard) at +30 2810 98 888.
As soon as you enter the bay you should contact the Limenarchio (Coast Guard) in VHF channel 09. You will then be instructed to contact the Navy operated Souda Control on VHF channel 16. They will ask for your Greek ID or passport number and will then instruct you on your approach.
Once in the harbor you can moor side-to.
Warning: If you leave the boat for any length of time, make sure that all the hatches are well sealed. Freighters load wheat and the wind can bring lots of wheat germ into your cabin.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Tourism & things to do ashore
In Chania
In town visit the Archaeological Museum. It is housed in a large Venetian building and it is very well appointed. It has exhibits from the Minoan to the Hellenistic times, all well-lit and labeled. There are some very nice floor mosaics.
Also there is a Maritime Museum worth visiting.
Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge is a "must see" place in Crete. The gorge is a 17 km walk (about 6 hours) and the visit will take a day. The best way is to take the earliest bus from Chania to Omalos where the gorge begins. From Xyloscala in Omalos you walk downhill into the gorge and eventually to the town of Ayia Roumeli on the south side of Crete. From Ayia Roumeli, where you can have lunch, you take a local boat to Chora Sfakion and from there a bus back to Chania. It is good to have water and something to eat with you during the hike.
The way down is very, very, steep and slippery. Having good shoes is very useful. It is very green with pine and cedar trees. The path starts at an altitude of 1,235 m and descends in switch backs, with a crude wooden rail at the most slippery spots, down to 600 m in less than 3 km. At that point, the going becomes easier and the scenery is magnificent with the high peaks towering over the gorge. There is water flowing in the gorge, even in October, not a lot but it is crystal clear. There are many fountains of icy cold pure water along the path. There are also plenty of tourists, way too many. The path is rough but less difficult to walk on than the one in the Hohlakies gorge.
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Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel - In Chania Harbor a mini-tank delivers, in Souda you will have to carry jerry-cans from a local filing station
- Water -Available in the quay of Chania Harbor but not in Souda
- Electricity - Available on the quay at Chania
Laundry
Grocery & Supply Stores
- There good supermarkets in both Souda and Chania
- The food market in Chania is amazing; it is crowded with small and a large stores selling anything from meat, wines, dried fruits, to herbs, chocolates, fruits, breads, pastries, fish, flowers, etc.
Eateries
- Many good tavernas
- The Grill (Οβελιστήριο) across from Souda Harbor is worth trying
Internet/WiFi
Free wifi available from CAM hotspot or in cafés.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
- Many agencies in Chania.
Marine Stores & Facilities
- A very basic chandlery in Chania
- A larger chandlery in Souda
Repairs
- There several machinists in Chania
Transportation
There are daily, and in the summer several per day, flights and ferries to Athens.
References & Publications
See Greece.
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 the Cruiser Log Forum
External Links
- Chania (Wikipedia)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- October 1997 --Istioploos 13:40, 23 July 2008 (MDT)
- June 2009 -- Athene of Lymington
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Aegean Sea | Greece | Crete | Chania | |
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