Samos

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Samos

The town of Pythagorion, on the south-eastern side of the island.
Photograph taken by Jeremy Lee, July 20th 2004

Background

Samos (Σάμος) is a lush and sizable island with two tall mountains, Mt. Kerkis (1433 m, 4700 ft.) rising out of the sea on the West side of the island and Mt. Ambelos (1137 m, 3782 ft.) on the North East. Samos is the closest Greek island to Turkey. The Mycale channel, which is 1 nmi wide, separates the two counties, Poseidonio is at the Eastern side of the channel. On the slopes of Mt. Ambelos are large pine forests which produced the best wood for the building of caïques. Lower down there are vineyards which produced the famous since ancient time Samian wine praised by Byron in The isles of Greece.

Samos has a rich history. In antiquity it was a very wealthy island and it was sacred to the goddess Hera. It reached its peak at the 6th century BC under the tyrant Polycrates whose capital was the present day Pythagorion. During his brief reign a large temple to Hera, the Hereon, and one of the engineering marvels of antiquity, the aqueduct of Eupalinos, were constructed. Samos is also the birthplace of the most famous ancient mathematician, Pythagoras, as well as of Aristarchus who first proposed the heliocentric system. A type of war vessel the Samena, was developed in Samos and played a key role in the victory for the Greeks in the naval battle of Mycale against the Persians. The island was pillaged by Mark Anthony in 39 BC.

At the end of the Byzantine era, the island was invaded by the Ottomans in 1453, the population fled and Samos was abandoned. It was re-populated in the 17 century AD. The islanders were very active pirates and Samos was one of the first islands to join the Greek revolution in 1821. The rebels were so successful that after removing all the Ottomans from the island they exported the revolution to Chios. After the massacre of Chios and Psara it was Samos' turn to be invaded. The Samians, aided by the rest of the Greek fleet after many days of fighting defeated soundly the Ottomans on August 6, 1824 in almost the exact spot where the ancient battle of Mycale took place.

Today, Samos has about 45,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Samos. Other towns are Karlovasi, Pythagorion, Marathokampos, and Mytilinii.

Submit details about the sailing/cruising in the area, etc.

Charts

BA 2682 Kolpos Petalion to Nisos Nisiros
BA 1537 Nisides Fournoi with the straits between Nisos Samos and Nisos Ikaria
BA 1568 Ports & anchorages in eastern Agean sea: Limin Karlovasi, Limin Pithagoriou

Imray G32 Southern Sporades and Coast of Turkey

Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

Submit details of local radio Nets.

Weather & Climate

The summer weather in Samos is dominated by the meltemi which comes from the NW. 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 channel between Samos and Fourni is notorious for very violent gusts and katabatic winds you can be at least one force point stronger than elsewhere.

Sources for weather forecasts: These are the same for all the Greek waters.

  • Athens Observatory gives 3 day (every 6 hrs) detal graphical forecasts for the Greek.
  • Poseidon System gives 3 day forecasts for Greek seas from the National Center for Marine Research.
  • 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.

Approach and Navigation

The approaches to the N side of the island are straight forward.

The approach through the Samos-Fourni channel should be cautious because, as noted above, violent gusts and accelerated winds can prevail.

The narrow Mycale channel between Samos and mainland Turkey has a current that sets to the E usually at 1-2 knots but at times it can reach 3-4. This can result in overfalls which, combined with gusts, can make the approach quite uncomfortable. But it is very seldom dangerous.

When approaching either ports of entry, Samos (Vathy) or Pythagorio, incoming from Turkey it is advisable to hail the Greek Coast Guard (Limenarchio) at VHF channel 12 or call them at +30 2730 23 318 (Vathi), or +30 2730 61 225 (Pythagorio).

Check-in facilities

See each Port/Stop listed below.

Ports and Popular Stops

File:SamosMap.jpg
Annotated Google Earth View the island of Samos

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Also see each Port/Stop listed above.

Anchorages

List details of all safe anchorages in the area.

  • Poseidonio Cove
The Cove of Poseidonio, Samos
Sketch of Poseidonio Samos

The cove of Poseidonio (Ποσειδώνιο) [37°42.7' N 026°03.5' E] or Moulebraim is maybe the best protected cove in Samos. Unfortunately the bottom is weed and loose mud which does not provide good holding. While the predominant winds in the summer are from the NW to NE, in the afternoon there can be strong gusts from the SE. The anchor may appear to be caught but with a strong gust it may drag. Always use 2 anchors.

There is a private underwater mooring, belonging to Mr. Soutos that one might use temporarily. There are two restaurants ashore. The one to the W, Kerketzos, and to the E, Dionysos, usually have fresh fish. There, is also a small store with basic provisions. There is no transportation to town other than a taxi from Pythagorio (tel. +30 22730 61 450).

  • Klima

Klima (Κλήμα) [37° 42.5' N 27° 02,7' E] is a cove just W of Poseidonio. It offers slightly less protection from the meltemi than Poseidonio but it provides better holding and it is another alternative. Anchor in 5-6 m over sand.

There are two tavernas ashore, Kantounia is reputed to be good but the few times I ate there was disappointed.

  • Nisi

Nisi (Νησί) is not a good anchorage, but if you tuck the boat close to the W shore you will be sheltered from the meltemi. The bottom is rocky. It is good spot to stop for lunch and a swim.

  • Zoodochos Pigi

Zoodochos Pigi (Ζωοδόχος Πηγή) [37° 46.31' N 27° 03.3' E] is a tiny little cove, just big enough for one boat, located under the Zoodochos Pigi (life giving spring) Monastery. It is one of our favorite lunch stops. It is usually well protected form the meltemi until the middle of the afternoon when there may be a SE breeze. Anchor on a sandy spot.

  • Mourtia & Mikri Lakka

Mourtia (Μουρτιά) is a nice sandy bay is at the foot of the Zoodochos Pigi Peninsula. It is pleasant anchorage but open to the S and E, and it is not good place to overnight. There is a small taverna ashore.

Mikri Lakka (Μικρή Λάκκα) [37° 45.4' N 27° 01.6' E] is about 1 M W of Mourtia there is a nice deserted cove that affords fairly good protection from the meltemi. Anchor in 5 m over sand and some weed. Fairly good holding. The only distraction are wasps. This is an ideal place to watch the full moon rise over the mountains of Turkey.

  • Kerveli

Kerveli (Κέρβελη) [37° 43.8' N 27° 02.3' E] is a cove that offers better protection than Mourtia. Good holding. I have anchored here several times.

The kindest thing one can say about the restaurants here is that they are mediocre.

  • Psili Amos

This a shallow sandy cove whose name means fine sand, is at the narrowest of the Samos Strait, just W of Poseidonio. There is a taverna ashore. It is a very popular swimming area.

  • Kolona

Kolona (Κολώνα) or Tsópela (Τσόπελα) [37° 38.4' N 26° 49.9' E] is a lovely cove that takes its name from the cape just to its E. It provides reasonable shelter when the weather is settled. Good place for a swim. Sandy bottom, good holding. From here you can walk to Heraion.

  • Limnionas Bay

The bay offers some shelter from the N wind but it is subject to strong gusts and it is exposed to the S.

Offshore Islands

List Islands

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Tourism & things to do ashore

List places of interest, tours, eateries, etc.

Marine stores

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

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

  • Heikell, R. Greek Waters Pilot, Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire
  • Demetriades A. E. Πορτολάνος Σκαφών Αναψυχής (in Greek), Athens
  • Dana Facaros , Greek Islands, Codogan
  • Alpha Guide, Desmi Ekdotiki, Athens

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

Links to relevant websites.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?


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