Cruising the Cyclades Islands

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Cruising the Cyclades Islands

The Cyclades

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MORE notes about the passage

Introduction

Cyclades (Κυκλάδες) is the quintessential group of Aegean islands. Their name comes from the the greek word κύκλος (circle) because they form a rough circle centered around the small island Delos.

In the early Bronze Age, Cyclades was the center of a brilliant civilization, the Cycladic civilization which gave us surprisingly modern looking paintings and statuettes. Today, the Cyclades with its many islands is the most popular cruising area in the Aegean. The islands are arid and rocky which gives them a austere beauty. Their traditional architecture with its white-washed houses and arches blend harmoniously with the terrain. Yet, each island has an individual character and diversity from the volcanic Santorini to the remote Donousa.

For the cruiser, there are many interesting sight-seeing sites as well as many anchorages. From the trendy Mykonos and the cosmopolitan Syros to the uninhabited Rhinia.

Climate & Weather Information

In the summer months the weather is dominated by the meltemi which in the west Cyclades comes in the north from the NE and on the east Cyclades from the N.

For details see Aegean Weather.

Weather Windows

The best times to tour the Cyclades are in the Spring, May to June, and in the autumn, September to October. You are less likely to encounter strong meltemi winds and also all the anchorages are less crowded. Other than the weather-wise unpredictable winter months, the worse time to be cruising the Cyclades is during the month of August. In August not only will you encounter a number of "meltemi" gales but all harbors and anchorages, even the most remote, will be crowded as this is the prime vacation time in Greece and the rest of the EU.

Radio Nets

See Aegean Sea.

Navigation Charts Required

BA 1037 Nisís Falkonera to Nísos Ios
BA 1038 Stenó Sífnou to Stenó Kafiréa
BA 1444 Nisos Milos to Nisos Paros
BA 2682 Kólpos Patalion to Nísos Nísiros

Imray-Tetra G31 North Cyclades
Imray-Tetra G34 Southern Cyclades

NIMA 54320 Kiklades Nisoi to Kriti

Greek 41 Cavos Maleas to Cavos Kimis
Greek 415 Ydra to Sikinos
Greek 421 Karystos to Naxos

See also Aegean Sea.

Passage Description

It is assumed that you start your cruise from the convenient and relative close to the marinas near Athens harbor of Vourkari in the island of Kea. Kea is the closest to Athens Cycladic island. You can, of course, start your cruise at any other island. Also, you may skip or add islands to the overall cruise.

You start the cruise by sailing in the easy southern direction and then proceed east and finally NW to close the circle. Although distances are short given the many interesting islands it advisable to allow at least a month for the cruise. Should you be presses for time it best to visit fewer islands and spend a couple of days exploring each island that you do visit. You can either rent a motor-scooter or a car for your land explorations. In many places you may also hire a taxi. Most young drivers will speak some english and the older ones some french.

Distance & Duration

See also Aegean Distances Tables.

Possible Departure Points

• Vourkari, Kea (37°40′N, 24°19.5′E)

Route/Suggested Stopovers

1. Start from Vourkari in the island of Kea (GPS: 37°40′N, 24°19.5′E) and
   1. sail SSE to the southern tip of the island (GPS : 37°40′N, 24°19.5′E) keeping well clear of the submerged reef (GPS: 37°34.7′N, 24°15.8′E), then turn SE and sail
   2. to the northern tip of Kythnos (GPS : 37°40′N, 24°19.5′E) at which point you turn S and head for
   3. the pleasant small harbor of Loutra (GPS: 37°26.6′N, 24°25.9′E) on the NE side of Kythnos. The distance from Vourkari is 22 NM.
      
      This is a good place from which to explore the island.
      
      
2. From Loutra sail 23 nM S to Livadhi (GPS: 37°08.6′N, 24°31.2′E) the main harbor of Serifos island.
   
   Do not fail to visit the main village of Chora, a wonderful example of Cycladic architecture.
   
   
3. After departing from Livadhi head SE and sail for 20 nM to Platis Yialos (GPS: 36°55.8′N, 24°43.7′E) in the island of Sifnos famous for its cuisine, its pottery, and architecture.
   
   Here you can watch the pottery being made in several workshops. It ranges from the strictly utilitarian cookware to decorative. A visit to the capital of the island Apollonia is highly recommended.
   
   
4. From Platis Yialos head SW and sail to Adamas (GPS: 36°43.5′N, 24°27′E) the main harbor in the island of Milos where the famous Venus de Milo statue was found. The distance is 25 nM.
   
   In Milos, an island not often visited by cruisers, you should visit Phylakopi, the Bronze Age Cycladic settlement, and the lovely town of Plaka. There also many beaches with interesting and colorful volcanic rock formations.
   
   
5. After you depart from Adamas and exit the deep bay steer ESE and head for
   1. (GPS: 36°46.6′N, 24°31.2′E), then turn to SE and transit the Milos-Kimolos channel,
   2. when you reach (GPS: 36°45.2′N, 24°33.4′E) turn ESE again and sail to Karavostasi (GPS: 36°36.8′N, 24°57.1′E) in the island of Folegandros maybe the most picturesque of Cyclades. The total distance from Adamas is 34.5 nM.
      
      The thing to do here is to either walk (about 3/4 of hr) or take the bus to Chora. Wander its narrow streets and take memorable photographs.
      
      

Possible Arrival Ports

You can stop your cruise in any of the islands but if you complete it you will end back in

• Vourkari, Kea (37°40′N, 24°19.5′E)

CruiserLog Forum discussions

Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum

External Links

See Aegean Sea.

References

See Aegean Sea.

Personal Notes

I have sailed all of the above passages. --Istioploos

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