Ionian Sea

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The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionian_Sea Ionian Sea] (Greek Ιόνιο Πέλαγος) is a very popular cruising area because its weather conditions in the summer months are less extreme than in the [[Aegean_Sea|Aegean]]. As a result, it is more crowded. Many charter flotillas operate here and many Italians during their summer vacation move with fast inflatables between the Italian and Greek coasts.

The Ionian Sea cruising region has an area of 2,510,000 km<sup>2</sup>. The  distance from Catania, in Sicily, to [[Zakinthos_(Zante)|Zakinthos]] Island is 166 nM, and from the southern tip of the Salento Peninsula in Italy to [[Corfu]] is 70 nM. It is a deep sea with a maximum depth of 4,900 m (16,000 ft).

The Ionian Sea region has been inhabited at least from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic_Age Neolithic] times. The Ionian islands were settled during the late [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Age Bronze Ages] by the  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycenian Myceneans] around  1500-1100 B.C. Their main settlements were in [[Pylos]], in the Peloponnese, [[Ithaca]] & [[Kefalonia]], and [[Corfu]]. It is these people who are celebrated by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer Homer] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliad Iliad] and even more in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odyssey Odyssey].

The west coast of the Ionian, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calabria Calabria] region of [[Italy]] was settled by Italic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscan_language Oscan]-speaking tribes. Two of these tribes included the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oenotrians Oenotri] (roughly translated into the "vine-cultivators") and the ''Itali''. Greek contact with the latter resulted in the entire peninsula (modern Italy) taking the name of the tribe.

The Eastern islands and coast of Greek [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epirus_(periphery) Epirus], were colonized from mainland [[Greece]], first on the 8th century BC by Eritreans from [[Gulf of Evia|Euboea]] who settled in [[Corfu]] and Epirus and in the  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_times classical times] from  a group of refugees from [[Korinthiakos_Kolpos#Corinth|Corinth]] came on the island and founded a colony in [[Corfu]]. Corinthians also colonized [[Ithaca]]. Then, colonists from Corfu colonized the Calabrian coast founding the cities of Rhegion ([[Reggio di Calabria]]), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sybaris Sybaris], Kroton ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotone Crotone]), and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locri Locri].

During [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_times classical times] Corfu had strained relations with her mother city [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Corinth Corinth] leading to armed conflict. During an important battle, Corfu asked for help to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_Athens Athenians]. The Athenian support to Corfu was one more reason for the rise of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloponnesian_War Peloponnesian Wars]. The alliance between the two towns lasted for almost a century when the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Macedonians Macedonians], under [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_of_Macedon Philip II], won a decisive battle in 338 B.C.

The Macedonians conquered the Ionian and put it under their protection. [[Corfu]], in 300 B.C., was attacked and conquered by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparta Spartans]. They were followed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrians Illyrians] and then by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic Romans].The Romans ruled on the the Ionian from 229 B.C. until 337 A.D. In 330 the Roman emperor [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_I Constantine I] moved the capital of the empire from Rome to [[Istanbul|Constantinople]]. This was the beginning of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire Byzantine Empire] that dominated the Ionian until the 10th century AD. At that time the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normans Normans], under the leadership of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Guiscard Robert Guiscard's] brother [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_II_of_Sicily Roger], established a presence in this borderland, and organized a government along Byzantine lines that was run by the local Greek magnates of Calabria. In 1098, Pope Urban II named Roger the equivalence of an apostolic legate later formed what became the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Sicily Kingdom of Sicily]. The Ionian islands and Epirus remained under the Byzantines until the the destruction of Constantinople during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Crusade Fourth Crusade] on 13 April 1204.

After that momentous event the fate of the Ionian Region splits. Calabria on the west falls under the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Naples Kingdom of Naples] until the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unification_of_Italy#Risorgimento_in_the_Modern_era unification with Italy] in 1861, the islands are controled by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Venice Republic of Venice], and Epirus becomes the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Despotate_of_Epirus Despotate of Epirus] which lasted until 1318. In 1430 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epirus_(region) Epirus] became part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire Ottoman Empire].

After the rise of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon Napoleon] the Ionian islands were annexed to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_French_Empire French Empire] in 1807 until the English defeated the French fleet in [[Zakinthos_(Zante)|Zakinthos]] in October 2 1809 and established the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_the_Ionian_Islands United States of the Ionian Islands] under their protection. Following the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_War_of_Independence Greek War of Independence] Britain in 1864 ceded the islands to the new Greek state.

In the 18th century, as the power of the Ottomans declined, Epirus became a virtually independent region under the despotic rule of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Pasha Ali Pasha] Tepelena, an Albanian brigand who became the provincial governor of Ioannina in 1788 . At the height of his power, he controlled much of western Greece, the [Peloponnese] and (southern) [[Albania]]. In 1881 parts of southern Epirus, under the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Berlin Treaty of Berlin] were ceded to [[Greece]], in 1913, after the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkan_Wars Wars] the rest of southern Epirus joined Greece, and northern Epirus joined [Albania].

During [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II] Epirus was the scene of fierce battles between the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_powers_of_World_War_II Axis]and Greek forces which ended in the occupation of the Ionian region. During this occupation  and after the collapse of the Mussolini fascist regime the Italians surrendered to the allies and the Germans landed on the island of [[Kefalonia]]. They rounded up the Italian division which until that time was occupying the island. They executed the lot, about 3,000 men with only very few escaping, helped by the locals.

Following [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enver_Hoxha Enver Hoxha], who was active in the resistance againts  the Nazisestablished himself as the dictator of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania Albania]. His regime, that lasted 40 years followed an extreme form of communism and totally isolated the coutry from the outside world. Travel to and from Albania, let alone cruising, was next to impossible. After Hoxha's death in 1985 many of these restrictions were slowly eased. Today it is possible to visit Albania with a private yacht but stopping is restricted to only 6 designated ports.

On August 12, 1953 an earthquake of 7.1 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_magnitude_scale magnitude] devastated the Ionian islands especially [[Kefalonia]] and [[Zakinthos_(Zante)|Zakinthos]].

==Charts==
; BA
: 1339 Sicily to Kriti
: 188 Entrance to the Adriatic Sea including Nísos Kérkira
: 189 Nísos Sapiénza to Nisos Paxoí
; Imray-Tetra
: G11 North Ionian Islands
; NIMA
: 54010 Malta to Kriti including The Ionian Sea
; Greek
: 2 Ionio Pelagos

==Weather==
The summer weather in the Ionian sea is dominated by a NW to WNW wind, the ''maistro''. In general this wind is less strong, force 2 to 5, and more steady then the corresponding ''meltemi'' in the [[Aegean_Sea|Aegean]]. Nevertheless an sailor must take watch out for gusts when sailing along lee side of tall islands and be aware that in the evenings there may be [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katabatic_wind katabatic] winds from the tall mountains, of force 5 to 6 and from the NE.

From the October until mid May the wind can be either from the north of from the south with several gales, usually from the S to SE. At this time, waterspouts are also possible. These usually can be detected on the radar and avoided but the sailor must keep a good watch.

In the spring and the autumn there can be frequent thunderstorms with accompanied squalls. [[Corfu]] has the highest rain fall in Greece.

Sources for weather information:
* [http://www.meteo.gr/SailingMapF.asp Athens Observatory] gives 3 day (every 6 hrs) detailed graphical forecasts for the Greek seas.
* [http://www.poseidon.ncmr.gr/weather_forecast.html Poseidon System] gives 3 day forecasts for Greek seas from the ''National Center for Marine Research'' (Not very reliable).
* [http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-bin/windframe?03&CONT=euro&WIND=g025&LANG=en Weather on Line] provides detailed 7 day forecast charts for the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Atlantic.
* [http://www.hnms.gr/hnms/english/navigation/navigation_html Greek Meteorological Service] (EMY) it includes the Navtex weather bulletins.
* [http://www.windguru.com/int/ Wind Guru] a surfer's site with worldwide wind forecasts.
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====Currents & Tides====
{{Image right|MedCurrents.png |Typical Surface Currents in the Mediterranean Sea }}
The surface currents in the Ionian Sea are roughly counter-clockwise: they flow towards the north up the Greek coast  and then turn west and south along the Italian coast. In general this current is not very strong and it rarely exceeds 1.2 knots. You can get up to date maps of surface current, temperature, and water elevation (tides) from the [http://www.poseidon.hcmr.gr/ocean_forecast.php?area_id=med Hellenic Centre for Marine Research].

In general the tides in the Ionian Sea are weak - about 10-50 cm

==Passages==
[[Image:Log_2007.jpg|frame|right|Cruise]]Popular passages & best timing, etc.

* [[Circumnavigating the Peloponnese]]
* [[Cruising the Greek Ionian Sea]]
* [http://www.hibernia.ie/sailing/Ionian%20Martin.pdf Log of Beowulf] early summer 2008  - [http://www.irishcruisingclub.com/ Irish Crusiing Club] --[[User:Summercruise|Summercruise]] 11:55, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

==Communication==
''Also see [[World MM Nets|World Cruiser's Nets]]''

* Greek Coast Guard - VHF 12
* Olympia Radio, This is the Greek VHF network. Local channels are listed in each individual port.
* Cellular Phone(GSM/GPRS). Despite the mountains and the numerous islands Greece and Italy have very good GSM/GPRS coverage.
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==Navigation==
{{Green|Add any navigation notes such approaches, dangers etc here. If this section does not apply remove it.}}

==Countries, Groups, Ports, and Islands==

{{Dest legend|a|m|h|e|d}}

{| class="nicetable" 
|- class="niceheader" 
| '''[[Greece]]''' || '''[[Italy]]''' || '''[[Albania]]''' 
|-
| id="Greece"|
 {{dest| Anticythera |i|d}}
 {{dest| Cythera |i|h|a}}
 {{dest| Pylos |h|e|m}}
 {{dest| Zakinthos (Zante) |i|h|e|a}}
 {{dest| Katakolo |h|e}}
 {{dest| Patraikos_Kolpos#Oxia |label= Oxia |i|a}}
 {{dest| Kefalonia |i|h|e|a}}
 {{dest| Ithaca |i|h|a}}
 {{dest| Atokos |i|a}}
 {{dest| Astakos |h|a}}
 {{dest| Meganisi |i|h|a|m}}
 {{dest| Palairos |h|a}}
 {{dest| Kastos |i|h|a}}
 {{dest| Kalamos |i|h|a}}
 {{dest| Lefkas |i|h|e|m|a}}
 {{dest| Preveza |m|a|h|e}}
 {{dest| Vonitsa |h|a}}
 {{dest| Amfilochia |h|a}}
 {{dest| Paxos |label= Paxos or Paxoi |i|h|e|a}}
 {{dest| Mourtos and Sivota Islands |label= Mourtos and Sivota Islands |i|h|m|a}}
 {{dest| Parga |a}}
 {{dest| Plataria |h|a}}
 {{dest| Igoumenitsa |h|e|d}}
 {{dest| Corfu |i|h|e|m|a}}

| id="Italy"|
 {{dest| Campomarino (Maruggio) |m}}
 {{dest| Catanzaro |h|a}}
 {{dest| Ciro_Marina |label= Ciro |h|m}}
 {{dest| Crotone |h|a|m}}
 {{dest| Gallipoli |h|a}}
 {{dest| Cariati Marina |h|m}}
 {{dest| Le Bocche di Gallipari, Badolato |m}}
 {{dest| Le Castella |h}}
 {{dest| Marina di Policoro |m}}
 {{dest| Marina Laghi di Sibari |m}}
 {{dest| Mola di Bari |h|m|a}}
 {{dest| Porto Cesareo |h}}
 {{dest| Porto degli Argonauti |m}}
 {{dest| Reggio di Calabria |e|h|m}}
 {{dest| Roccella Ionica |m|a}}
 {{dest| Scilla |h}}
 {{dest| Taranto |h|m|e}}
 {{dest| Vieste |h}}

| id="Albania"|
 {{dest| Ksamil |a}}
 {{dest| Sarande |h|e|a}}
 {{dest| Himare |h|a}}
 {{dest| Orikum |m}}
 {{dest| Vlore |h|e}}
 {{dest| Durres |label= Durrës |h|e}}
 {{dest| Shengjin |e|h|}}
|}

==Things to do Ashore==
''See individual port, anchorage, or island''.

==Friends==
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
* 

==Forums==
List links to discussion threads on [[Cruising Forums|partnering forums]]. (''see link for requirements'')
* 
* 

==Links==
* {{wikipedia}}
* [http://www.poseidon.hcmr.gr/ocean_forecast.php?area_id=med Hellenic Centre for Marine Research]
* 

==References==
* {{Reference|Rod Heikell|[http://www.amazon.com/Greek-Waters-Pilot-Rod-Heikell/dp/1846233348 Greek Waters Pilot]|Imray, Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire|9780852889718}}
* {{Reference|Rod Heikell|[http://www.amazon.com/Italian-Waters-Pilot-8th-Heikell/dp/1846233321 Italian Waters Pilot]|Laurie and Wilson|9781846233326}}
* {{Reference|Trevor and Dinah Thompson|[http://www.amazon.com/Adriatic-Pilot-Trevor-Thompson/dp/0852889704  Adriatic Pilot - Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, east coast of Italy, Albania]|Laurie and Wilson|9780852889701}}
* {{Reference|Gerald Durrell|[http://www.amazon.com/Animals-Other-Family-Clare-Balding/dp/1594205620 My Family and Other Animals]|Penguin|9781594205620}}
* {{Reference|Louis de Bernières|[http://www.amazon.com/Corellis-Mandolin-Novel-Louis-Bernieres/dp/067976397X Captain Corelli's Mandolin]|Vintage|9780679763970}}


{{Comments}}
* We found the Ionian a beautiful and easy place to sail. Lovely harbours, sheltered waters, pleasant afternoon breeze, and great tavernas. The temperatures climb quickly once into July and we found it overbearing by mid July. In contrast, the cooler waters in the North Adriatic make July and August pleasant. --[[User:Monterey|Monterey]] July 2011
* 


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{{Contributors|[[User:Istioploos|Istioploos]], [[User:Lighthouse|Lighthouse]], [[User:Summercruise|Summercruise]], [[User:Wayward|Wayward]], [[User:Haiqu|Haiqu]], [[User:Monterey|Monterey]]}}

[[Category:Regions]] [[Category:Regions - Greece]]