Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages

	Aegean to Gibraltar Passage
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Aegean Sea to Gibraltar Passage

Introduction

Depending on the time you will like to complete the passage, your departure point, and personal preference you must decide whether to take a southern route along via Malta (south of Sicily) or a northern route along the Mesina Stait in Italy (north of Sicily).

In general the southern route is shorter and faster while the northern route has shorter legs and more places to stop.

Climate & Weather Information

See Mediterranean.

Weather Windows

The months to be avoided for the passage are from November to April when violent storms are possible.

The best time of the year for this passage is either in May - June or in September - October when various ports and marinas are less crowded and the weather is usually benign. In October, however, there is a possibility of thunderstorms so one has to be cautious.

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

List radio Nets covering this passage.

Navigation Charts Required

See Mediterranean.

Also see the charts for individual countries or islands.

Possible Departure Points

Some of the possible departure points from the Aegean Sea are:

Dardanelles in Turkey
Kusadasi in Turkey
Pythagorio, Samos in Greece
Kos in Greece
Bodrum in Turkey
Rhodes in Greece
Marmaris in Turkey
From any of the Cyclades islands in Greece
Athens Region in Greece

Route/Suggested Stopovers

Southern Route Via Malta and S of Sicily

This is NOT the shortest and fastest route for traversing the Mediterranean from points along the Aegean Sea with the exception from points in Crete.

This route goes through the Strait Sicily and offers the opportunity for a stopover in Malta. Depending on your point of origin and whether you need to formally exit Greece (see Arrival/Departure procedures for Greece) you have several choices:

Crete to Malta

In Crete you can clear customs in either Iraklio (about 525 nM) or in Chania and sail to Marsamxett(Valletta), Malta (about 460 nM). The passage is straightforward with an almost westerly heading. There are no stopping possibilities. Both of these departure ports are good places for obtaining provisions.

Cythera to Malta

The main harbor of Cythera, Kapsáli is NOT a port of entry. So, this route is not suitable for yachts that need to clear customs. The distance to Marsamxett(Valletta), Malta is about 420 nM and the passage is straightforward with a westerly heading. There are no stopping possibilities. Kapsáli is a good place for obtaining provisions.

Pylos to Malta

Pylos in the SW of the Peloponnese is a laid-back place to clear customs and a good place for provisioning. The distance from Pylos to Marsamxett(Valletta), Malta is about 338 nM and it is straightforward with a westerly heading. There are no stopping possibilities.

Malta to Cagliari

From Marsamxett(Valletta), Malta you can sail 325 nM NW to Cagliari, Sardinia in Italy and there join the Northern Route. Along the way, with a diversion of about 25 nM from the rhumb line you can stop and visit the lovely Italian island of Pantelleria.

Warning: There is very heavy shipping traffic as well as many fishing boats (not always well lit) in Strait of Sicily. You need to keep a good lookout especially during the night.

Malta to Tunisia

From Marsamxett(Valletta), Malta you can easily sail to Tunisia.

Monastir - 180 nM. On the way, you can stop at the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Sidi Bou Said (Tunis) - 220 nM. On the way, you can stop at the Italian island of Pantelleria.

Both destinations are ports of entry to Tunisia.

Warning: As you approach Tunisia be aware of the many tuna fishing nets that float at the surface and cover large areas.

Tunisia to Cagliari

From Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia you can sail 220 nM NW to Cagliari, Sardinia in Italy and there join the Northern Route.

Tunisia to Gibraltar via N African Coast

You can sail W from Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia along the N African Coast with stopovers in Algeria and Moroco. The distance along this route is about 775 nM.

Northern Route Via Strait of Messina and N of Sicily

This IS the shortest and faster route for traversing the Mediterranean from most points along the Aegean Sea except when you originate from Crete in which case you should take the Southern Route.

There are two ways to reach the Strait of Messina from the Aegean Sea:

Via the Corinth Canal to Cagliari

This route, that utilizes the Corinth Canal ,is desirable for yachts that start from anywhere in Aegean as it is the shortest. However, the canal fee is appreciable. Yachts usually arrive early at the canal entrance because there can be considerable delays before the transit (almost all other vessels have a higher priority).

After transiting the canal a yacht may stop at the Port of Corinth, or at the delightful island of Trizonia. Once you cross the Gulf of Corinth and the Gulf of Patras a natural stopover before crossing the Ionian Sea is Zakinthos (Zante).

There you can clear customs and provision. The distance from the canal to Zakinthos is about 115 nM. From Zakinthos you can sail directly W to Reggio di Calabria a port of entry into Italy a distance of 270 nM. There are no stopping possibilities.

Warning: Also be aware that south of Reggio local fishermen deploy lines with floats that are particularly hard to see during a night passage.

From Reggio di Calabria, after passing the Strait of Messina, you head W to Cagliari, Sardinia a distance of 320 nM. A nice stopover is the Aeolian Island of Ustica.

Warning: There are strong currents, which build heavy seas, in the Strait of Messina believed to be the location of the mythological Scylla and Charybdis. Consult the tide tables before the passage through the Strait.

Pylos (S Peloponnese) to Cagliari

In this route you sail NW 335 nM from Pylos to Reggio di Calabria. There are no stopping possibilities.

Warning: Also be aware that south of Reggio local fishermen deploy lines with floats that are particularly hard to see during a night passage.

From Reggio di Calabria, after passing the Strait of Messina, you head W to Cagliari, Sardinia a distance of 320 nM. A nice stopover is the delightful Aeolian Island of Ustica.

Warning: There are strong currents, which build heavy seas, in the Strait of Messina believed to be the location of the mythological Scylla and Charybdis. Consult the tide tables before the passage through the Strait.

Cagliari to the Balearics

From Cagliari you can sail WNW to the Balearic Islands in Spain. You can sail to either:

Mahon in Menorca - 245 nM
Palma in Majorca - 322 nM
Ibiza - 380 nM

All of these harbors are ports of entry into Spain. None of these passages have any stopping possibilities. If you are not in any great hurry you can sail first to Mahon and then work your way S to Ibiza enjoying the islands.

Balearics to Gibraltar

From the Balearic Islands you can go along the Costa Del Sol and the Costa Del Sol of mainland Spain. Assuming departure from Ibiza, a natural stopover is Almeria, 237 nM SW. Alternatively, a closer stopover is the lovely port of Alicante 100 nM WSW of Ibiza.

From Almeria, Gibraltar is only 150 nM due W.

Warning: Be aware that near the capes of the coast of Spain confused seas and gusty winds are prevalent. Also, along the spanish coast there is a good W setting current that normally will be helpful but with a strong E wind, the notorious Levante, very steep seas can be experienced. This current gets very strong, reaching 6 knots, near Europa Point of Gibraltar.

Possible Arrival Ports

Distance & Duration

Approximate Distances in nM (±5 )
Approximate Duration (non-stop, assumes an average speed of 6 knots)
	Iraklio	Chania	Kapsáli	Pylos	Valletta	Corinth Canal	Zakinthos	Reggio	Cagliari	Mahon	Palma	Ibiza	Tunis	Alicante	Almeria	Gibraltar
Dardanelles	285 2d	290 2d	285 2d	350 2d + 10h	710 5d	225 1d + 14h	340 2d + 9h	610 4d + 6h	930 6d + 11h	1175 8d + 4h	1250 8d + 17h	1310 9d + 2h	930 6d + 11h	1410 9d + 19h	1547 10d + 18h	1700 11d + 19h
Kusadasi	200 1d + 9h	210 1d + 11h	230 1d + 14h	305 2d + 3h	650 4d + 12h	190 1d + 8h	305 2d + 3h	575 4d	895 6d + 5h	1140 7d + 22h	1210 8d + 10h	1275 8d + 21h	870 6d + 1h	1375 9d + 13h	1512 10d + 12h	1660 11d + 13h
Pythagorio	175 1d + 5h	195 1d + 9h	215 1d +12h	290 2d	640 4d + 11 h	185 1d +7h	300 1d + 2h	570 4d	890 6d + 4h	1135 7d + 21h	1210 8d + 10h	1270 8d + 20h	860 6d	1370 9d + 12h	1507 10d + 11h	1650 11d + 12h
Kos	145 1d	180 1d + 6h	220 1d +13h	290 2d	640 4d + 11h	225 1d + 14h	340 2d + 9h	610 4d + 6h	930 6d + 11h	1175 8d + 4h	1250 8d + 17h	1310 9d + 2h	860 6d	1410 9d + 19h	1547 10d + 18h	1700 11d + 19h
Bodrum	150 1d + 1h	190 1d + 8h	220 1d + 13h	300 2d + 2h	650 4d + 12h	235 1d + 15h	350 2d + 10h	620 4d + 7h	940 6d + 13h	1185 8d + 6h	1260 8d + 18h	1320 9d + 4h	870 6d + 1h	1430 9d + 21h	1557 10d + 20h	1710 11d + 21h
Rhodes	170 1d + 4h	225 1d + 14h	260 1d + 19h	350 2d + 10h	675 4d + 17h	275 1d + 22h	390 2d + 17h	660 4d + 14h	980 6d + 19h	1225 8d + 12h	1300 9d + 1h	1360 9d + 11h	895 6d + 5h	1460 10d + 3h	1597 11d + 2h	1745 12d + 3h
Marmaris	180 1d + 6h	240 1d + 16 h	275 1d + 22h	365 2d + 13h	700 4d + 21h	285 2d	400 2d + 19h	670 4d + 16h	990 6d + 21h	1235 8d + 14h	1310 9d + 3h	1370 9d + 12h	920 6d + 9h	1470 10d + 5h	1607 11d + 4h	1760 12d + 5h
Syros	125 21h	125 21h	125 21h	195 1d + 9h	530 3d + 16h	105 18h	220 1d + 13h	490 3d + 10h	810 5d + 15h	1055 7d + 8h	1130 7d + 21h	1190 8d + 6h	750 5d + 5h	1290 8d + 23h	1427 9d + 22h	1575 10d + 23h
Athens Region	160 1d + 3h	137 23h	107 18h	175 1d + 5h	530 3d + 16h	32 5h	147 1d	417 2d + 22h	735 5d + 3h	980 6d + 19h	1050 7d + 8h	1115 7d + 18h	750 5d + 5h	1215 8d + 11h	1357 9d + 9h	1510 10d + 12h
Iraklio		62 10h			525 3d + 15h				850 5d + 22h	1095 7d + 15h	1170 8d + 3h	1230 8d + 13h	745 5d + 4h	1330 9d + 6h	1467 10d + 5h	1620 11d + 6h
Chania	62 10h				460 3d + 5h				785 5d + 11h	1030 7d + 14h	1105 7d + 17h	1165 8d + 2h	680 4d + 17h	1265 8d + 19h	1402 9d + 18h	1550 10d + 19h
Kapsáli					415 3d				740 5d + 3h	985 6d + 20h	1060 7d + 9h	1120 7d + 19h	635 4d + 10h	1220 8d + 11h	1357 9d + 10h	1510 10d + 12h
Pylos					385 2d + 16h		63 11h	335 2d + 8h	655 4d + 13h	900 6d + 6h	975 6d + 19h	1035 7d + 5h	605 4d + 5h	1135 7d + 21h	1272 8d + 20h	1420 9d + 21h
Valletta	525 3d + 15h	460 3d + 5h	415 3d	385 2d + 16h					325 2d + 10h	570 3d + 23h	645 4d + 12h	705 4d + 22h	220 1d + 13h	805 5d + 14h	942 6d + 13h	1095 7d + 15h
Corinth Canal							115 19h	385 2d + 16h	705 4d + 21h	950 6d + 14h	1025 7d + 3h	1085 7d + 13h		1185 8d + 6h	1322 9d + 4h	1475 10d + 6h
Zakinthos				63 11h		115 19h		270 1d + 21h	590 4d + 2h	835 5d + 19h	910 6d + 8h	970 6d + 18h		1070 7d + 10h	1207 8d + 9h	1555 9d + 10h
Reggio			740 5d + 3h	335 2d + 8h		385 2d + 16h	270 1d + 21h		320 2d + 5h	565 3d + 22h	640 4d + 11h	700 4d + 21h		800 5d + 13h	937 6d + 12h	1090 7d + 14h
Cagliari	850 5d + 22h	785 5d + 11h	740 5d + 3h	655 4d + 13h	325 2d + 10h	705 4d + 21h	590 4d + 2h	320 2d + 5h		245 1d + 17h	322 2d + 6h	380 2d + 15h	220 1d + 13h	480 3d + 8h	617 4d + 7h	765 5d + 8h
Mahon	1095 7d + 15h	1030 7d + 14h	985 6d + 20h	900 6d + 6h	570 3d + 23h	950 6d + 14h	835 5d + 19h	565 3d + 22h	245 1d + 17h		105 17h	165 1d 3h	465 3d + 6h	265 1d + 20h	402 2d + 19h	550 3d + 20h
Palma	1170 8d + 3h	1105 7d + 17h	1060 7d + 9h	975 6d + 19h	645 4d + 12h	1025 7d + 3h	910 6d + 8h	640 4d + 11h	322 2d + 6h	105 17h		80 13h	545 3d + 19h	180 1d + 6h	317 2d + 5h	470 3d + 6h
Ibiza	1230 8d + 13h	1165 8d + 2h	1120 7d + 19h	1035 7d + 5h	705 4d + 22h	1085 7d + 13h	970 6d + 18h	700 4d + 21h	380 2d + 15h	165 1d 3h	80 13h		600 4d + 4h	100 17h	237 1d + 16h	390 2d + 17h
Tunis	745 5d + 4h	680 4d + 17h	635 4d + 10h	605 4d + 5h	220 1d + 13h				220 1d + 13h	465 3d + 6h	545 3d + 19h	600 4d + 4h				775 5d + 9h
Alicante	1330 9d + 6h	1265 8d + 19h	1220 8d + 11h	1135 7d + 21h	805 5d + 14h	1185 8d + 6h	1070 7d + 10h	800 5d + 13h	480 3d + 8h	265 1d + 20h	180 1d + 6h	100 17h			146 1d	295 2d + 1h
Almeria	1467 10d + 5h	1402 9d + 18h	1357 9d + 10h	1272 8d + 20h	942 6d + 13h	1322 9d + 4h	1207 8d + 9h	937 6d + 12h	617 4d + 7h	402 2d + 19h	317 2d + 5h	237 1d + 16h		146 1d		150 1d + 1h
Gibraltar	1620 11d + 6h	1550 10d + 19h	1510 10d + 12h	1420 9d + 21h	1095 7d + 15h	1475 10d + 6h	1555 9d + 10h	1090 7d + 14h	765 5d + 8h	550 3d + 20h	470 3d + 6h	390 2d + 17h	775 5d + 9h	295 2d + 1h	150 1d + 1h

Passage Description

FULL description of this passage.

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Aegean to Gibraltar Passage
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