Kalymnos
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Kalymnos
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Background
Kálymnos (Κάλυμνος) with an area of 109 km2 is the home of the most well known sponge divers in Greece. In years past, they had a large fleet of boats which left the island every year after Easter and went to the shore of N. Africa for several months. The hard life of the sponge divers is well described in the wonderful stories of the Modern Greek writer Yannis Maglis. As the sponge trade diminished, taken over by plastic sponges, the island went into a decline and many of its inhabitants migrated to Tarpon Springs in Florida, USA and later to Australia. Still, there several sponge boats based in Kalymnos and the Kalymniots are not only terrific divers but all around superb seamen of great daring. Not too long ago, a visitor to the island could not fail but notice the large number of crippled men. They were victims of the bends, the embolism caused by un-dissolved nitrogen bubbles in the blood, that is caused by inadequate decompression after a long dive.
According to the mythology, Kalymnos was a son of Ouranos (Sky) and Gaia (Earth). His father flung into the sea but he landed on his mother bosom and rose from sea to become a group of islands named Kalydnai. Kalydnai are mentioned by Homer as a participant to the Trojan War but it was not until the 4th century BC that the largest of the group became known as Kalymnos. A Neolithic settlement has been found near Vothíni and a Neolithic shrine to Zeus in the Kefalos Cave on the S. side of the island. The island was colonized first by Mycenaeans from Argos who were followed by the Dorians. During the Persian Wars it was conquered by the Persian ally Artemisia, the queen of Halicarnassus (modern Bodrum). Following the Persian defeat, Kalymnos joined the Delian League and allied with Athens.
During the Middle ages Kalymnos was part of the Byzantine Empire until the 11th century AD when it was invaded by the Seljuk Turks who killed almost all of its inhabitants. The few survivors retreated inland to the Pera Kástro (Far Castle) which became the island's medieval capital. After the Fourth Crusade, the Vinioli of Genoa took over the island but the sold it to the Knights of St. John who further fortified the old castle. They lasted until 1522 when the knights left to help their brothers in Rhodes who were under siege. After Rhodes fell, the knights moved to Malta and the Ottomans took over both Kalymnos and Rhodes. In 1912 the Italians took Kalymnos along with the rest of the Dodecanese form the Turks. During the fascist period, before the World War II, the Italian fascists tried to convert the islanders to Catholicism and closed down the Greek schools. They were met with fierce opposition. After the war, in 1947, Kalymnos was united with Greece.
Charts
BA 2682 Kolpos Patalion to Nisos Nisiros
Imray-Tetra G34 Southern Cyclades
NIMA 54407 Nisos Kalymnos to Kadriga Burnu
Greek 451 Leros to Rhodos
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
- Olympia Radio - No signal
The approaches to Kalymnos are straightforward.
Warning: There are strong gusts off the island and in the S. bay while approaching the harbor.
Check-in facilities
See Ports
Ports and Popular Stops
Port Kalymnos
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Port Kalymnos or Kalimnos or, as it is locally known, Póthia (Πóθια) [36° 56.9' N 26° 59' E] is the main harbor of the island. It affords excellent shelter from the meltemi but a strong swell enters the harbor when the S winds are blowing. Go stern-to the mole, near the town and away from the ferries. The bottom is mud and weed and the holding is not always good. It is a bustling and noisy place. Sometimes, despite the size of the harbor, it is hard to find a berth.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- October 2003 --Istioploos 14:45, 8 June 2008 (MDT)
Kalymnos3.jpg
Póthia the Harbor of Kalymnos |
Kalymnos4.jpg
Port Kalymnos is crowded |
Vathís
Vathís (Βαθύϛ - Deep) or Vathí [36° 58.4' N 27° 01.7' E] is a deep fjord on the E side of the island. It is possible to go stern-to the short mole (on the E side, the W side is too shallow). The bottom is sand and weed and not always good holding. Make sure your anchor has penetrated the weed and it is not caught at the roots giving you a false sense of security.
The shelter from the meltemi is excellent but there can be very strong gusts down the steep hills. The place is very attractive. Good food at Popis.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- September 2002 --Istioploos 14:45, 8 June 2008 (MDT)
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Myrtia
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Myrtia (Μυρτιά) [36° 59.4' N 26° 55.8' E] is a small harbor across from Telendos. There is room for two yachts to tie side-to inside the mole.
Reasonable protection. Pleasant place, several tavernas.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- May 2002 --Istioploos 14:45, 8 June 2008 (MDT)
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
There is a new marina under construction, inside the Port Kalymnos, but as of October 2003 it was not usable.
Anchorages
Vlichádia
This cove [36° 55.8' N 26° 57.9' E], on the S side of the island and a couple of miles W of Póthia is a very attractive and quiet anchorage. It provides good shelter from the meltemi but it is gusty and the wind changes at night from the northerly meltemi to southerly. The bottom is loose mud and does not always provide good holding. Anchor at 4-5 m and avoid the small landing used by day-trip boats.
There is a bus to town at 0800 (tickets at the town). There are three small and attractive tavernas and an interesting "Sea World Museum" run by the colorful Vaslamidis brothers. The people here are very friendly.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- July 2000 --Istioploos 14:45, 8 June 2008 (MDT)
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Port Akti
This cove is just S of Vathís. With strong meltemi there are swell in the cove. The cove has a large fish farm that dirties the water.
Anchor at the head of the bay.
Palionissos
This cove, also referred to as Baia Isolavecchia, is on the NE side of the island. It is not as good an anchorage as it appears because of the bad holding. There are several iron stakes ashore to tie a line but the bottom is mostly rock with a thin layer of sand. I have had serious problems here with the anchor dragging.
I have been told that now (2003) there is a taverna and a diving center run by Nikolas Makarounas (tel. +30 6932 998 963) who has provided places to tie shore lines.--Istioploos 15:24, 8 June 2008 (MDT)
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 1990 --Istioploos 14:45, 8 June 2008 (MDT)
Emboriós
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Emboriós (Εμποριός) [37° 02.7' N 26° 55.7' E] is a bay on the NW side of the island protected by the small island of Kalavros. While the village is attractive, the water is murky due to several fish-farms. The cove is well protected from the meltemi but the bottom is mud and sand with thick weed and provides uncertain holding.
Use one of the several layed moorings belonging to the restaurants. They do serve good fish.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- October 2006 --Istioploos 14:45, 8 June 2008 (MDT)
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Arginontas
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Arginontas (Αγρινόντας) [37° 00.9' N 26° 58' E] is a very attractive cove about 2 nM E of Emborió. Just a few houses. It is well protected from the meltemi but there is some swell.
Anchor on sand 5-4 m.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- September 2002 --Istioploos 14:45, 8 June 2008 (MDT)
Linaria Bay
This bay is very exposed and subject strong gusts. One can anchor only in calm weather for lunch.
Offshore Islands
Telendos
The E side of Telendos (Τέλενδος) island [36° 59.9' N 26° 55.4' E] is somewhat sheltered from the meltemi. It is a pleasant enough place with many tavernas. Anchor on a patch of sand in 5 m.
Caution:There are two places where underwater cables are run. Anchor a safe distance from these.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- September 2002 --Istioploos 14:45, 8 June 2008 (MDT)
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Tourism & things to do ashore
List places of interest, tours, eateries, etc.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Laundry
Grocery Stores
Eateries
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
- Kálymnos Wikipedia
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
See individual ports in this page.
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