East Mediterranean Passages

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Revision as of 22:01, 2 April 2009

East Mediterranean to Gibraltar Passage

Introduction

This page describes passage routes from the East Mediterranean to Crete. From Crete, the rest of the routes leading to Gibraltar are given by Aegean Sea to Gibraltar Passage.

All the routing instructions described in this page can be reversed and equally apply for passages from Gibraltar to the East Mediterranean.

Climate & Weather Information

See Mediterranean.

Weather Windows

he months to be avoided for this 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.

Possible Departure Points

Some of the possible departure points from the East Mediterranean are:

• Turkey
  • Kaş
  • Antalya
  • Alanya
  • Mersin
• North Cyprus
• South Cyprus
• Tartus, Syria
• Beirut, Lebanon
• Ashkelon Marina, Israel
• Egypt
  • Port Said
  • Alexandria

Turkey to Crete

Kaş to Iraklio

From Kaş it is a 222 nM SE sail to Iraklio. Both Kaş and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers in Greece are:

• Karpathos - About 120 nM
• Kasos - About 138 nM
• Sitia - 175 nM

Note, that non of these is a port of entry into Greece.

Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.

Antalya to Iraklio

From Antalya it is a 312 nM  SE sail to Iraklio. Both Antalya and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers are:

• Çeneviz Liman in Turkey - About 38 nM
• Karpathos in Greece  - About 205 nM
• Kasos in Greece - About 222 nM
• Sitia in Greece - 265 nM

Note, that non of these is a port of entry into either Turkey or Greece.

Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.

Alanya to Iraklio

From Alanya it is a 345 nM  SE sail to Iraklio. Both Alanya and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers are:

• Çeneviz Liman in Turkey - About 72 nM
• Karpathos in Greece - About 240 nM
• Kasos in Greece - About 258 nM
• Sitia in Greece - 300 nM

Note, that non of these is a port of entry into either Turkey or Greece.

Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.

Mersin to Iraklio

From Mersin it is a 500 nM SE sail to Iraklio. Both Mersin and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers are:

• Anamur in Turkey - About 240 nM. This is a port of entry
• Karpathos in Greece - About 380 nM
• Kasos in Greece - About 298 nM
• Sitia in Greece - 455 nM

Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.

Cyprus to Crete

Famagusta to Iraklio

This route takes you from Famagusta (GPS: 35°8.4′N, 33°57.2′E), North Cyprus along the S side of Cyprus to Cape Akrotiri (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E), then directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). It is a 463 nM, mostly WNW, sail over open sea.

The only possible stopover is Sitia in NE Crete.

Limassol to Iraklio

This route takes you from Limassol, South Cyprus (GPS: 34°38.5′N, 33°2′E) to Cape Akrotiri (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E), then WNW directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is a 395 nM WNW sail over open sea.

The only possible stopover is Sitia in NE Crete, about 415 nM.

Syria to Crete

You first sail NW from Tartus to Cape Akrotiri (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E) in South Cyprus, then WNW directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is a 530 nM mostly over open sea. Possible stopovers are:

• Limassol, South Cyprus - About 146 nM
• Sitia in NE Crete - About 485 nM

Lebanon to Crete

You first sail WNW from Beirut (GPS: 33°55′N, 35°32.2′E) directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is a 515 nM mostly over open sea. Possible stopovers are:

• Limassol, South Cyprus - About 127 nM
• Sitia in NE Crete - About 467 nM

Israel to Crete

Starting from Ashkelon Marina (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) you first sail NW over open water to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and than to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 522 nM. Possible stopovers are:

• Limassol, South Cyprus - About 192 nM
• Sitia in NE Crete - About 475 nM

Possible Arrival Ports

Passage Description

FULL description of this passage.

CruiserLog Forum discussions

Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References

Books, guides, etc.

Personal Notes

Personal experience?

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