South Peloponnese
From CruisersWiki
South Peloponnese
Background
The coast of southern Peloponnese is not usually visited by cruising yachts unless they are in transit either moving east to the Aegean or west on their way back. Yet, it is a beautiful coast with many interesting anchorages.
The coast is dominated by the three peninsulas: Messinia dominated by Mount Taygetos, Mani ending into the capes Cavo Grosso and Tainaron, and finally the easternmost Cape Maleas.
Messinia was occupied by theVenetians who built two famous castles: Methoni and Koroni while within its gulf there is the city and harbor of Kalamata.
Mani has a history of being a nest of pirates and during the 400 years of Ottoman occupation was never really subjugated. It played a pivotal role during the Greek War of Independence in 1821. On the west side of the peninsula there is one of the largest caves in Greece the Cave of Dyros.
Inland of the Gulf of Laconia between Mani Mani and Cape Maleas is the city of Sparta and the nearby ghost Byzantine town of Mystras.
Charts
BA 189 Nisos Sapiénza to Nisos Paxoi
BA 682 Gulf of Kalamata
BA 1030 South-west entrance channels to the Aegean sea
BA 1685 Nisís Venetico to Nísos Spétsai including the channels between Akra Malléas and Kríti Yerakas
Imray-Tetra G15 Southern Peloponnisos
NIMA 54301 Kalamai and Approaches
NIMA 54303 Lakonikos Kolpos
Greek 22 Ionio Sea - Southern Part Zakynthos I. to C. Tainaro
Greek 43 Kriti I. - Wastern Part Cape Tainaro to Milos I.
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
- Olympia Radio - VHF channels 27, 83, 84, or 86
Weather
The winds here during the May - October period tend to be from the NE seldom exceeding force 4. During the November -April period they are from the SE often at gale force. But, because of the high mountains, there can be ferocious gusts especially near Capes Tainaron and Maleas. There is a popular Greek proverb among sailors: "Από τον Κάβο Μαλιά σαράντα μιλια μακρυά, κι’ από τον Κάβο Γκροσσο σαράντα κι’ άλλα τόσο." (Stay forty miles off Cape Malea, and from Cape Grosso forty time two).
Another problem here is that the weather, because of moving depressions between Maleas and Crete, can deteriorate very quickly especially during the spring and fall months. During the summer months there can be thunderstorms and squalls near the shore.
Approaches in general are straightforward. Details are given for each port.
Check-in facilities
Other than Pylos to the west, the only port of entry in this region is Kalamata.
Ports and Popular Stops
Methoni
Methoni (Μεθώνη) [36° 48.7' N 21° 42.2' E] is the site of a large Venetian castle and has a large natural harbor surrounded by the castle on one side and large sandy beaches on the other. The bay is only exposed to the SE winds. It is a spectacular site. It is believed that Cervantes was imprisoned by the Ottomans in the castle. The town is some distance from the castle and it is spread out.
Anchor to the N of of the old quay in 2-5 m depths. The bottom sand and mud, good holding.
Danger: Stay clear of the neighborhood of the old quay and its many submerged rocks.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001 --Istioploos 09:22, 12 June 2008 (MDT)
Kalamata (Port of Entry)
Kalamata (Καλαμάτα) [37° 02' N 22° 07' E] is the capital of the Messinia province. It is bustling modern city. It is a commercial harbor and it is always very busy. In the last few years a new modern marina started operations. The marina provides all the usual conveniences and has a reputation of being very well ran.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001 --Istioploos 09:22, 12 June 2008 (MDT)
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
Koroni
Koroni (Κορώνη) [36° 48' N 21° 57.6' E] is an attractive town with an imposing Venetian castle. The shelter here from the prevailing NW-W winds is fairly good.
It is best to anchor off in 2-5 m depths in the bay W of the castle. The bottom is mostly mud and weed, it provides good holding. There is a small quay but the bottom there is fouled by old moorings and it is best to avoid it.
Warning: Near the shore there are large boulders where an anchor may be fouled. Watch out for them.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 1995 --Istioploos 09:22, 12 June 2008 (MDT)
Petalidhi
Petalidhi (Πεταλίδι) [36° 57.6' N 21° 56.2' E] is a few miles SW of Kalamata. It is a quiet and pleasant anchorage in an attractive provincial town. Anchor off in 2-4 m on a sandy bottom which provides good holding.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
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Limeni
Limeni (Λιμένι) [36° 40.6' N 22° 22' E] is large deep cove half way down the W side of the Mani Peninsula. It is very attractive, physically, and it is reputed to provide a good shelter. Anchor in 10-12 m, the bottom is sand and weed with some rocks.
There is a small museum in Limeni housed in the Mavromichalis Mansion. Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
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Diros
Diros or Dyros (Δυρός) [36° 38.4' N 22° 22.8' E] is just a few miles N of Mezapo. It is not a secure anchorage but in reasonable weather it is a "must stop" so that you can visit the famous Cave of Diros and the important neolithic site.
Anchor in front and to the E of the cave entrance (NE of the cove) in 8-10 m. The holding is reasonable.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001 --Istioploos 09:22, 12 June 2008 (MDT)
Offshore Islands
Sapienza
The island of Sapienza (Σαπιέντζα) is uninhabited save for one of the last remaining light-keepers in Greece. At the top of the island is the 1885 lighthouse, 100 m tall. It well worth a stop.
Unfortunately its lovely little cove of Port Longos [36° 45.5' N 21° 42' E] has been despoiled by a fish-farm. Anchor in 5-6 m depths clear of the fish-farm. The bottom is sand, good holding. The cove is well protected from the prevailing winds but there is some swell with E winds.
The lighthouse is about a 15 minute walk along a trail.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 1995 --Istioploos 09:22, 12 June 2008 (MDT)
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Tourism & things to do ashore
In Methoni
A visit and a long walks along the ramparts of the castle is must.
Diros Cave
From the Cove of Diros you must, of course visit the cave and the neolithic site. Make sure you arrive early in the morning and beat the crowd disgorged by the buses arriving in the late morning. The ticket booth is some walk uphill. Get tickets and wait your turn in from of the cave entrance. It more than worth it.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel
- In Methoni there is gas station at the end of the town, more than 500 m from the quay
Water
- In Methoni there is a faucet root of the old quay
Electricity
Laundry
Grocery & Supply Stores
Eateries
Internet/WiFi
Available?
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
Publications, Guides, etc.
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
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
See individual ports in this page.
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