Patraikos Kolpos

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Contents 1 Patraikos Kolpos 1.1 Background 1.2 Charts 1.3 Radio Nets 1.4 Approach and Navigation 1.5 Ports and Popular Stops 1.6 Marinas & Yacht Clubs 1.7 Anchorages 1.7.1 Nafpaktos 1.7.2 Araxos 1.8 Offshore Islands 1.8.1 Oxia 1.9 Routes/Passages To/From 1.9.1 Rio-Antirio Bridge 1.10 Tourism & things to do ashore 1.11 Fuel, Water, & Electricity 1.12 Laundry 1.13 Grocery Stores 1.14 Eateries 1.15 Motorbike & Car Rentals 1.16 Marine Stores & Facilities 1.17 Repairs 1.18 Transportation 1.19 References & Publications 1.20 Cruiser's Friends 1.21 Forum Discussions 1.22 External Links 1.23 Personal Notes Patraikos Kolpos Background Patraikos Kolpos (Πατραϊκός Κόλπος) or Gulf of Patras is dominated by the large commercial harbor of Patras (Πάτρα) the third largest city in Greece. It is bounded on the west by the Ionian Sea, to the north by mainland Greece, to the east by the Rio-Antirio strait leading to the Gulf of Corinth, and to the south by northern Peloponnese. The gulf is not a favored cruising ground but passage route of yachts coming or going from the Ionian Sea to the Aegean. Nevertheless there are here several pleasant ports and anchorages. Charts BA 1676 Prokopos Patron and entrance to Korintiakós Kólpos Imray-Tetra G13 Gulfs of Patras and Corinth NIMA 54287 PatraikosKolpos & Approaches Greek 40 PatraikosKolpos Radio Nets Also see Cruiser's Nets Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 Olympia Radio - VHF channel 85

Approach and Navigation

The prevailing wind in Patraikos Kolpos in the summer is from the west and it rarely exceeds force 6. Like the meltemi it reaches it peak in the middle of the day and subsides in the evening. In the autumn and spring the wind can be either from the east or from the west.

Danger: From the late autumn to the early spring the weather can be very volatile with violent thunderstorms and waterspouts.

Warning: The northwestern shores of the gulf, near Messolongi, are a shallow marshland difficult to navigate as charts can be unreliable due to shifting conditions.

Ports and Popular Stops

• Patras (Port of entry)
• Mesolongi

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Nafpaktos

Nafpaktos or Navpaktos (Ναύπακτος) or Lepanto [38 23.5' N 21° 49.7' E] is a jewel of a tiny mediaeval harbor well protected from from the the prevailing winds although SW and SE winds can cause some uncomfortable swell. The waterfront of the town is delightful. Unfortunately there are two problems that make this idyllic harbor less so: It is small and it is hard to find room (arrive early), and it is very noisy. The nose comes from the heavy truck traffic and from the music at night. I mean real objectionable blearing music form a night club at the E entrance, just a few meters away from your yacht.

Anchor in about 3 m depth and back up to the SE mole.

Warning: Be prepared to be squeezed by boats arriving after you.

Araxos

Araxos (Άραξος) is a large sandy beach just E of Cape Papas in NW Peloponnesos near the entrance to the Gulf of Patras. It is pleasant place to anchor for a lunch stop.

Offshore Islands

Oxia

Oxía (Οξεία) is a small island NW ofφ the Gulf of Patras. There three possible anchorages none of which is very good. I have only anchored on the N cove. The physical beauty of the place is despoiled by a fish farm which pollutes the water. There are many goats.

Anchor in about 10 m and take a line ashore.

Routes/Passages To/From

Rio-Antirio Bridge

The Rio-Antirio bridge was completed in the summer of 2004.

Warning: There is no problem passing under the bridge, but be aware that the west going traffic keeps to the left rather than to the right. Follow the Green IALA A symbol.

Tourism & things to do ashore

In Nafpaktos walk around the ramparts of the harbor. Also, if you have time walk up to the castle with its distinct bell-tower.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

• Fuel: In Nafpaktos the local gas station on the W side of the harbor runs a long hose to the quay
• Water: In Nafpaktos there is an outlet is on the S mole
• Electricity: N/A

Laundry

?

Grocery Stores

There are several stores in Nafpaktos.

Eateries

• The taverna under the large plane tree in Nafpaktos has a wonderful assortment of mezedes (appetizers) to accompany your ouzo

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Marine Stores & Facilities

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs

Transportation

Transportation to mainland or other countries, etc.

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

• Gulf of Patras (Wikipedia)
• Nafpaktos (Wikipedia)

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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