Kastos
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Kastos Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Kastos
 (Click links for more information)
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 | 38°34.13′N, 20°54.74′E |
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 | Local chartlet |
Description
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The small Greek island of Kastos lies 10 miles SE of the island of Lefkas in the so-called ‘Inland Sea’ enclosed by the islands of Levkas, Ithaca and Kefallinia (Cephalonia) on the west and the Greek mainland on the east. Together with these other islands and the smaller islands of Meganisi five miles to the NW and Kalamos just one mile to the N, Kastos is a popular overnight stop for yachts cruising the area between the Lefkas Canal and the Gulf of Patras. There is just one settlement, on the SE side of the island, which has a small harbour offering good shelter from most directions. The harbour has space for around 12-15 yachts only and is often full by mid-afternoon in high season. Apart from yachtsmen, the village has few other visitors, although there is a fair amount of new construction suggesting Kastos has a growing population of weekend and holiday tourists.
Charts
British Admiralty 203
Imray-Tetra G12, G121
Radio Nets
- Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Weather
See (link)
The harbour of Kastos offers good shelter in all except E and SE winds, which send in an uncomfortable swell. In summer, katabatic winds may be experienced from the high mountains of the neighbouring island of Kalamos.
Sources for Weather forecasts:
The island is relatively low and can be difficult to identify against the much higher island of Kalamos to the NW, especially if arriving from S. From N, the island will not be seen until rounding the SW or NE end of Kalamos. If arriving round the NE end of Kalamos, a yacht can either pass outside the small islet of Prasonisi or, in settled weather, through the passage between it and an isolated reef 50 metres offshore. Minimum depths in this passage are just under 5.0 metres. The harbour lies roughly in the centre of the SE coast of Kastos and, from all directions except E, is invisible behind a low headland with a prominent windmill (now a café) on the top. The harbour opens up once this headland is rounded. The entrance faces due E, between a long southern and shorter northern breakwater. There is a conspicuous red light structure on the southern breakwater. Depths in the entrance are 6.0 – 7.0 metres and up to 3.5 metres at the quay
Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)
A yacht cannot clear in at Kastos. Lefkas is the nearest port of entry.
Ports and Popular Stops
Ports
The town of Kastos is the only harbour on the island and fills up rapidly during high season, when the charter business is in full swing. A yacht has four mooring options, depending on time of arrival and draft:
1. Stern/bows-to the quay of the southern breakwater using the anchor. Depths at the quay range from only 1.5 metres at the root to 3.5 – 4.0 metres at the outer end. The quay is equipped with mooring staples but nothing else. There is space here for around 12 yachts. Note that the corner at the root of the breakwater is rocky and shallow. A small RIB with a line to an orange mooring buoy lies in the shallowest part, with depths of less than 1.5 metres on either side.
2. Alongside the northern breakwater. There is room for only one yacht here in depths of 3.5 metres. An anchor moor is inadvisable in view of rocks only 15 metres off the breakwater.
3. Stern-to the beach at the W end of the harbour, dropping the anchor in 3.0 – 4.0 metres and taking a long line ashore to the staples along the promenade. There is room for around 5-6 yachts to moor in this way.
4. Free anchored just inside the entrance in 3.5 – 4.5 metres, clear of the yachts on the quay. No more than 2-3 yachts can anchor in this way and it is usually not possible to use more than 35 metres of chain.
Holding in the harbour is only moderate in hard-packed sand and, if mooring on the quay or the beach, it is advisable to use a generous amount of chain and snub the anchor well before leaving the boat.
Anchorages
- Prasonisi islet
38°34.14′N, 20°54.77′E. In settled weather, anchor in the bay to the NW of the islet. Depths are 4.0 – 5.0 metres and the holding reasonable in sand. Shelter is good from the prevailing NW winds, but there may be a NE swell with the land breeze at night.
- Port Sarakiniko 38°34.05′N, 20°54.15′E. The deeply indented bay of Port Sarakiniko lies on the NW coast of the island. Anchor inside the small islet in 6.0 – 7.0 metres. The holding is good in sand. Shelter is poor with the prevailing NW winds and the anchorage is only suitable in settled weather or southerlies.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Yacht Services and Repairs
None.
Marine Stores
None.
Repairs/Yards
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
None.
Offshore Islands
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
There is little to do in Kastos except chill out. The Windmill Café on the headland is a wonderful place to do just that, with magnificent views over the Dhragonera Islands to the south. If you are lucky, you may see dolphins from the terrace.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Small minimarket with only limited provisions.
Eateries
- Windmill Taverna (next to Windmill Café on the headland S of the harbour.
- Chef John’s (up the hill at the top of the village) has a shaded terrace that overlooks a small vineyard.
- Taverna Porto on the S side of the harbour.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
None.
Garbage Disposal
None. Take it with you.
Transportation
Ferries to Kalamos and Astakos on mainland.
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, 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 partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- September 2011 --Athene of Lymington 16:56, 6 October 2011 (BST)
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Names: --Athene of Lymington 16:56, 6 October 2011 (BST) |
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