East Mediterranean Passages

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East Mediterranean Passages

East Mediterranean to Crete Passages
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MORE notes about the passage

Introduction

This page describes passage routes from the East Mediterranean to Crete. From Crete, the rest of the routes leading to Gibraltar are given by Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.

All the routing instructions described in this page can be reversed and equally apply for passages from Gibraltar to the East Mediterranean.

See also Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.

Climate & Weather Information

See Mediterranean.

Weather Windows

The months to be avoided for this 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.

Possible Departure Points

Some of the possible departure points from the East Mediterranean are:

Route/Suggested Stopovers

Turkey to Crete

Kaş to Iraklio

From Kaş (GPS: 36°11.8′N, 29°38.6′E) you first sail SW to S of Karpathos (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E), then W directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 222 nM. Both Kaş and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers in Greece are:

Note, that none of these is a port of entry into Greece.

Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.

Antalya to Iraklio

From Antalya (GPS: 36°53′N, 30°42.1′E) you first sail SW to S of Karpathos (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E), then W directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 312 nM. Both Antalya and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers are:

Note, that non of these is a port of entry into either Turkey or Greece.

Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.

Alanya to Iraklio

From Alanya (GPS: 36°32.1′N, 32°0.4′E) you first sail SW to S of Karpathos (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E), then W directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 345 nM. Both Alanya and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers are:

Note, that non of these is a port of entry into either Turkey or Greece.

Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.

Mersin to Iraklio

From Mersin (GPS: 36°46.2′N, 34°34.8′E) you first sail SE to S of Incekum Burnu (GPS: 36°0.4′N, 34°05.9′E), WSW to S of Karpathos (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E), then W directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 500 nM. Both Mersin and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers are:

Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.

Cyprus to Crete

Famagusta to Iraklio

This route takes you from Famagusta (GPS: 35°8.4′N, 33°57.2′E), Northern Cyprus  WSW along the S side of Cyprus to Cape Akrotiri (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E), then WNW directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). It is a 463 nM, mostly WNW, sail over open sea.

The only possible stopover is Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete.

Limassol to Iraklio

This route takes you from Limassol (GPS: 34°38.5′N, 33°2′E), Southern Cyprus S to Cape Akrotiri (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E), then WNW directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is a 395 nM WNW sail over open sea.

The only possible stopover is Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete, about 415 nM.

Syria to Crete

You first sail NW from Tartus (GPS: 34°55.3′N, 35°51.6′E) to Cape Akrotiri (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E) in Southern Cyprus, then WNW directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is a 530 nM mostly over open sea. Possible stopovers are:

Lebanon to Crete

You first sail WNW from Beirut (GPS: 33°55′N, 35°32.2′E) directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is a 515 nM mostly over open sea. Possible stopovers are:

Israel to Crete

Starting from Ashkelon Marina (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) you first sail NW over open water to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and than to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 522 nM. Possible stopovers are:

Egypt to Crete

Port Said to Iraklio

Starting from Port Said (GPS: 31°17.3′N, 32°20.7′E) you sail NW directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and than to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 452 nM.

There is only one possible stopover: Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete, about 400 nM.

Alexandria to Iraklio

Starting from Alexandria (GPS: 31°12.3′N, 29°49.7′E) you sail NW directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and than to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 361 nM.

There is only one possible stopover: Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete, about 314 nM.

Egypt to Cyprus

Port Said to Limassol

Starting from Port Said (GPS: 31°17.3′N, 32°20.7′E) you sail NNE for 205 nM to Limassol, Southern Cyprus (GPS: 34°38.5′N, 33°2′E).

There are no stopovers along the way.

Port Said to Famagusta

Starting from Port Said (GPS: 31°17.3′N, 32°20.7′E) you sail NE to Cape Greco in Cyprus (GPS: 34°56.8′N, 34°07.4′E) and then directly to Famagusta (GPS: 35°8.4′N, 33°57.2′E). The total distance is 255 nM.

There are no stopovers along the way.

Alexandria to Limassol

Starting from Alexandria (GPS: 31°12.3′N, 29°49.7′E) you sail NE to Cape Akrotiri Cyprus (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E) and then directly to Limassol, Southern Cyprus (GPS: 34°38.5′N, 33°2′E). The total distance is 265 nM.

There are no stopovers along the way.

Alexandria to Famagusta

Starting from Alexandria (GPS: 31°12.3′N, 29°49.7′E) you sail NE directly to to Cape Greco in Cyprus (GPS: 34°56.8′N, 34°07.4′E) and then directly to Famagusta (GPS: 35°8.4′N, 33°57.2′E). The total distance is 328 nM.

There are no stopovers along the way.

Crete to Gibraltar

For the routes from Crete to Gibraltar follow: Crete to Malta.

Possible Arrival Ports

Distance & Duration

See Mediterranean Distances Table.

Passage Description

Because of the relative weak currents in the Mediterranean and the lack of trade winds these routes can be followed at either eastward or westward direction. But, unlike larger bodies of water such as oceans the Mediterranean is subject to more volatile weather. When the wind blows, especially in the months of November to April, it can often reach force 9 and at times force 12. During these times the seas, although not as large as in the oceans, are very steep with short wave lengths. These are at best extremely uncomfortable and at worst very dangerous.

It is best to do as Mediterranean sailors have been doing since antiquity, restrict sailing to short trips in the winter months and plan long passages during May to October.

Forum Discussion Topics

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

References

See also Mediterranean.

Personal Notes

Personal experience?


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