Greece

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Revision as of 07:48, 6 June 2011

Greece
Greecemap.gif
Country - click for larger view
Greeceflag.gif
Flag
Capital: Athens
World icon.png 38°0′N, 23°43′E
Language: Greek
Currency: Euro € (EUR)
Timezone: UTC+2 (DST observed)
More notes about the country

Greece Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around the Greece and the Greek islands in the Mediterranean.

Overview

The Greek Islands is one of the most popular cruising and sailing regions in the world - a yachting and general boating paradise.

The background and history of Greece is best observed on Wikipedia.

Cruising the region

Details here!

See also Ionian Sea and Aegean Sea.


Greece Climate & Weather

The summer weather in Greece is dominated by the meltemi which comes from the NE in the north and west Aegean and from the NW in the south and east. Usually it is a light breeze of force 4-5 in the early morning hours but as the day progresses it strengthens to 5-6 by the afternoon and subsides by sunset. However from middle June to mid Septembers you can count for the meltemi to become a gale of force 7-8 and occasionally 9. These gales usually last 3-4 days.

From October to mid May the probability is equal for either northerly or southerly winds. Winds of force 10 are not uncommon in the winter months. Violent thunderstorms are also probable by late October to early May. The southern winter winds are particularly treacherous and unpredictable.

  • Athens Observatory gives 3 day (every 6 hrs) detailed graphical forecasts for the Greek seas.
  • Poseidon System gives 3 day forecasts for Greek seas from the National Center for Marine Research. In 2009 the site has been completely revamped, particularly useful is its animated 3 day forecast.
  • Weather on Line provides detailed 7 day forecast charts for the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Atlantic.
  • Greek Meteorological Service (EMY) it includes the Navtex weather bulletins.
  • Wind Guru a surfer's site with worldwide wind forecasts.
  • Passage Weather - Eastern Med

Greece Navigation Charts

BA
180 Aegean Sea
189 Nísos Sapiénza to Nisos Paxoí
Imray-Tetra
G1 Mainland Greece and Peloponnisos
G2 Aegean Sea (North Part)
G11 North Ionian Islands
G16 Peloponnisos West Part
Greek
2 Ionio Pelagos
4 Aigaio Sea -Southern part
47 Aigaio Sea - Northern Part
Eagle Ray
N. D. Elias's Chart Book/cruising guide

Greek Navy charts are of high quality and cost a fraction of the cost of British Admiralty Charts. They can be found in most nautical stores in Greece.

Special Navigation Notes

Any navigation notes here.

Local Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

  • Greek Coast Guard - VHF 12
  • Olympia Radio. This is the Greek VHF network. Local channels are listed in each individual port.
  • Cellular Phone(GSM/GPRS). Despite the mountains and the numerous islands Greece has very good GSM/GPRS coverage. In ports where there is no coverage or the signal is weak, there is a notation.

Arrival/Departure procedures

A good quality Greek courtesy flag must be flown in Greek waters. Arriving yachts must call the Port Authority on VHF 12 from offshore, advising your ETA. Fly the "Q" flag and do not go ashore until the Port Authorities have been aboard.

Greece is a member of the EU. All yachts must immediately proceed to a Port of Entry and clear in with the Port Authority, Customs, Immigration (and currency control) and Health. The ship's papers must be presented to the Port Authority after which Customs will issue a Transit Log (renewable after 6 months and valid for 1 year. This Transit Log must be presented to the Port Authority at each subsequent port visited. Also have a fully detailed crew list to present to the Port Authorities on both arrival and departure from ports. Note that the Greek Coast Guard monitors and calls on VHF 12 so this channel should monitored when approaching ports and whilst in port.

Greece Immigration & Customs

Immigration
A visa is not required for a visit of up to three months for citizens of the EU, Andorra, Antigua, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, St Kitts and Nevis, South Korea, San Marino, Switzerland, Taiwan, the USA and Zimbabwe. For longer stays a visa must be applied for well in advance of the 3 month expiry date.

Visas are not required for citizens of Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay for a maximum stay of up to two months, Hong Kong and Peru up to one month and Singapore up to two weeks.

Visas must be issued in advance for all other nationalities and are valid for up to three months, depending on nationality. Visa extensions can be obtained from the nearest police station or the Greece Aliens Department in Athens.

For Non-EU passport holders - See the Schengen Visa Website for up-to-date information on this option.

Note: Entry may be refused if there are Turkish Cyprus stamps in your passport.

Customs
Firearms and ammunitions MUST be declared on arrival.

PETS: Cats and dogs require health and rabies inoculation certificates issued in the country of origin, not more than 12 months previously for dogs, six months for cats, and not less than six days before arrival. Greece accepts pets covered by the PETS Scheme (Pet Travel Scheme) with a current "Pet Passport".

Foreign registered yachts can buy fuel at duty-free prices. This must be arranged through Customs. Stations that sell fuel for foreign registered yachts are marked by blue and yellow diagonal stripes.

Special Cruising Requirements/Documentation

(Also see Med Cruising Requirements)
(Please edit/update below as/when necessary)

  • Individual passports are not stamped on entry into Greece aboard a yacht, nor is this required for departure with the same yacht. However, if leaving by other means (by air), the stamps are required by Immigration at the point of exit.
  • When entering Greece all yachts must clear with the Port Authority, Customs, Health, Immigration and Currency Control. The ship's papers - including detailed crew list - will be inspected by the Port Authority before Customs will issue a Transit Log that is renewable after six months (valid for one year), that allows the yacht to sail in Greek waters.
  • The Transit Log will only be issued to non-EU vessels, or to EU vessels wishing to purchase duty-free fuel. At subsequent ports, this Transit Log may be inspected by the Port Authority. When leaving Greece, this Transit Log must be returned to Customs.
  • Yachts must carry their original registration documents and ship's radio station licence - one member of the crew must be in possession of a certificate to operate the radio/VHF.
  • For EU boats, proof of VAT status is required.
  • The original insurance certificate and a Greek translation showing Third Party insurance with the amounts in figures. These minimum amounts are:
    • 293,470 EURO liability for death or injury by sinking, collision or other cause for crew and third parties,
    • 146,753 EURO for damage,
    • 88,041 EURO for pollution.
  • The skipper must have an International Certificate of Competence.
  • Nights should be spent on board (not in hotels ashore, etc) - if not, the Harbour Master and the Immigration officer should be notified.
  • Fishing is only allowed with a snorkel in certain areas. Fishing with scuba gear is prohibited.
  • To protect archaeological sites, scuba diving is restricted - permission should be sought locally.
  • The registered yacht owner/skipper should be on board. If handing the boat's command to someone else, ensure that the proper documentation is obtained from the Port Police.
  • Chartering by foreign yachts is now allowed, but the vessel must be inspected and certificated according to Greek law, a proces that involves a huge amount of red tape.
  • Hauling out a vessel requires authorisation of the Port Police.
  • When entering Greece, cats and dogs require health and rabies inoculation certificates issued in the country of origin, not more than 1 year previously for dogs, 6 months for cats, and not less than 6 days before arrival.
  • Foreign yachts can purchase fuel duty-free, with customs approval, at stations that are marked by yellow & blue diagonal stripes.
  • The Greek courtesy flag and the Q flag must be flown in the correct manner.

Fees

  • For all Non-Greek Boats (over 7 metres): There is a charge of 5.80 EURO per metre, payable at the first Port of Entry. This is called a Circulation Fee.
  • If planning to stay in Greek waters for longer than 12 months, the same fee (above) is levied for a permit named Private Pleasure Yacht Permission for Stay and Maritime Traffic Document. This is valid for 3 years and is a one-page A4 document. A 15 EURO charge (Port Police Charge) is levied for issuing these permits. If re-entering Greek waters within 30 days, the "Circulation Fee" will apply.

All Boats:

  • A further requirement is a DEKPA (Private Pleasure Maritime Traffic Document) which costs 30 Euro. This is a 6-page booklet that must be presented to, and stamped by, the Port Authority on entry to, and exit from each port visited (As of 2004 it needs only to be stamped once a month for non-charter boats --Istioploos 15:44, 4 June 2008 (MDT)). It is valid until all 50 "panes" are stamped. This charge is applied to all yachts including Greek-flagged vessels.

Non-EU Boats:

  • For non-EU registered boats after 90 days, there is a charge of 14.67 EURO per metre and they must obtain a formal "Transit Log". This charge is levied at the end of each 90 day period, and it appears that if the yacht leaves Greece before the end of 90 days the charge will not be made.

Other charges:

  • All public harbours now charge a mooring or anchoring fee based on the tonnage and length of the yacht that is usually about 6 EURO for 11m. Boats from EU countries pay lower fees than those from non-EU countries while Greek flagged boats pay even less. There is a basic fee charged at each port for completing the paperwork. A lower fee is charged for anchoring. In most ports these fees are charged even if only stopping for provisions, or to purchase fuel. A fee is charged by Customs for each fuel delivery.

Health & Security

Prefer bottled water when not in big cities.

Greece Ports & Popular Stops

Also see:

TopWiki.png = Featured Cruising Guides, Poe.jpg = Port of Entry, Icon marina.png = Marina, Icon anchor.png = Anchorage, Question icon.png = Needs data.

Epirus & Western Greece Gulfs of Corinth & Patras West Peloponnese South Peloponnese East Peloponnese
(Gulf of Argolis)
Igoumenitsa Poe.jpg Question icon.png
Platarias
Mourtos & Sivota Islands Icon anchor.png
Oxia Icon anchor.png
Preveza Icon marina.png Question icon.png
Alkonides Icon anchor.png
Anemokámbi Icon anchor.png
Araxos Icon anchor.png
Ayioi Saranda Icon anchor.png
Corinth
Corinth Canal TopWiki.png
Galaxidhi
Korinthiakos Kolpos
Itea Poe.jpg
Loutráki Icon anchor.png
Mesolongi Question icon.png
Nafpaktos
Patras Poe.jpg Question icon.png
Patraikos Kolpos TopWiki.png
Trizónia Icon marina.png TopWiki.png
Katakolo Poe.jpg TopWiki.png
Pylos Poe.jpg Icon marina.png TopWiki.png
Diros Icon anchor.png
Elafonisos Icon anchor.png
Kalamata Poe.jpg Icon marina.png
Koroni Icon anchor.png
Limeni Icon anchor.png
Methoni Icon anchor.png
Mezapo Icon anchor.png
Neapolis
Petalidhi
Porto Kayo Icon anchor.png
Sapienza Icon anchor.png
Yerolimenas Icon anchor.png
Yíthio
Nafplio
Astros
Dokos Icon anchor.png
Epidhavros
Ermioni TopWiki.png
Hydra TopWiki.png
Kyparisi or Kyparissia
Leonidio TopWiki.png
Monemvasía Icon marina.png
Ports of NE Peloponnese
Porto Heli TopWiki.png
Spetses TopWiki.png
Yerakas Icon anchor.png TopWiki.png
Saronikos Gulf Gulf of Evia TopWiki.png Pagasitikos Gulf TopWiki.png Thermaikos &
Halkidiki Peninsulas
Thrace
Aigina & Angistri TopWiki.png
Attika Coast
 (Coast of Athens) Icon marina.png TopWiki.png
Poros TopWiki.png
West Saronikos TopWiki.png
Atalantis; Ormos Icon anchor.png
Halkis
Karistos
Kastri Icon anchor.png
Voufalo
Lavrio Harbor
Olympic Marine Icon marina.png
Alatas Icon anchor.png
Amalioupolis Icon anchor.png
Andriami Bay Icon anchor.png
Avra
Ayia Kiriaki Icon anchor.png
Cape Artemision Icon anchor.png
Glyfa Icon anchor.png
Milina Icon anchor.png
Orei
Paleo Trikeri
Petraki
Pigadhi
Port Trikeri
Soupis Bay
Vathikelo Icon anchor.png
Vathudi Bay Icon anchor.png
Volos Poe.jpg
Ammouliani & Mt. Athos Icon anchor.png
Diaporos Icon anchor.png
Porto Carras Marina Icon marina.png
Porto Koufo
Sikias Icon anchor.png
Thessaloniki Poe.jpg Question icon.png
Alexandroupolis Poe.jpg Icon marina.png
Kavala Poe.jpg Question icon.png
Maronia
Porto Lago

Offshore Islands of Greece TopWiki.png

Greek Islands
Ionian TopWiki.png
North Aegean TopWiki.png
East Aegean TopWiki.png
Corfu Poe.jpgIcon marina.png
Cythera
Ithaca
Kefalonia Poe.jpg
Lefkas Poe.jpg Icon marina.png
Meganisi Icon anchor.png
Paxos Poe.jpg
Zakinthos (Zante) Poe.jpg
Thasos
Samothrace
Ayios Efstratios
Chios Poe.jpg Icon marina.png
Fourni
Ikaria
Lesvos Poe.jpg
Limnos Poe.jpg
Psara
Samos Poe.jpg Icon marina.png
Sporades TopWiki.png
Cyclades TopWiki.png
Dodecanese TopWiki.png
Alonisos
Pelagos or Kyra Panayia Icon anchor.png
Skantzoura Icon anchor.png
Skiathos
Skopelos
Skyros
Amorgos
Anafi
Andros
Donousa Icon anchor.png
Folegandros
Ios
Iraklia
Kea
Kimolos
Koufonisia Icon anchor.png
Kythnos
Milos
Mykonos Icon marina.png
Naxos
Paros
Rhinia Icon anchor.png
Santorini (Thera) Icon marina.png
Schinousa
Serifos
Sifnos
Sikinos
Syros Poe.jpg Icon marina.png
Tinos
Alimniá Icon anchor.png
Agathonisi
Arki and Marathi
Astypalea
Chálki
Kalymnos
Karpathos
Kasos
Kastelorizo
Kos Poe.jpg Icon marina.png
Leros Icon marina.png
Levitha & Kinaros Icon anchor.png
Lipsi
Niseros & Yiali Icon marina.png
Patmos
Pharmakonisi Icon anchor.png
Pserimos Icon anchor.png
Rhodes Poe.jpg
Syrna
Sými Poe.jpg
Tilos
Crete TopWiki.png
Crete Poe.jpg (X 3)

Cruiser's Friends

  • Travels with S/Y Thetis Vasilis Riginos has been cruising Greek and Turkish waters for over 25 years, as well as having crossed the Atlantic. He lives for 6-7 months of the year in Greece and is willing to help any fellow cruisers. Email: vasilis[AT]sy-thetis.org

Links to Forum Discussions

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

External Links

Submit useful website links for the region

Personal Notes

Personal experience?

References & Publications

TopWiki.png = Featured Cruising Guides.


Template:Guide2



SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page [add 3 tildes (~~~) on the name line]

Names: Istioploos, Lighthouse,


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