Passages between Athens Region and Samos - Kusadasi

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Passages between Athens Region and Samos - Kusadasi

Introduction

These are mostly west to east or east to west passages. The general strategy is to minimize the time spent in areas of strong or contrary winds and rough seas. The two areas where strong winds and seas are prevalent are: the Kafireas Strait (between the islands of Andros and Evia) and the Ikario or Sea of Ikaria (between the islands of Mykonos and Ikaria).

The more direct route with the shortest distance is the least desirable because it spends more time in these two regions.

The Northern route has the fewer stopovers and larger distances in between, it also crosses the Kafireas Strait. However, it is a fairly efficient route, not much longer than the direct route. It is a better route if you are going from east to west.

The Southern Route has the more stopover possibilities as it crosses the Cyclades and avoids stronger northerly winds. It is the longest of the three. It is a better route if you are going from west to east.

Most cruisers in the Aegean prefer day sails with many stopovers, so the suggested passages assume this. But a cruiser with a more tight time allowance can easily adopt them. However, do keep in mind that during the July to mid September period when meltemi gales are possible, you may have to stay put for several days in a safe anchorage until the gale subsides.

Climate & Weather Information

See Aegean Weather.

Weather Windows

In general, the best sailing in the Aegean Sea is during the period from late May to mid October. But this does not preclude earlier in the Spring or later in the Autumn. Sailing in the winter months can be problematic due to stronger, more volatile, and less predictable weather.

Radio Nets

See Aegean Sea.

Navigation Charts Required

BA 1038 Stenó Sífnou to Stenó Kafiréa
BA 1040 Nísos Íos to Vrakhonisídha Kandhelioússa
BA 1446 Samos Strait to Güllük Körfezi
BA 1537 Nisides Fournoi with the straits between Nisos Samos and Nisos Ikaria
BA 1645 Nísos Khíos and Izmir Körfezi
BA 1662 Nisos Milos to Nisos Paros
BA 2682 Kolpos Petalion to Nisos Nisiros
BA 3926 Lero island and approaches
BA 3927 Patmos, Arki and Lipso

Imray-Tetra G28 Nísos Khíos & the Coast of Turkey
Imray-Tetra G31 North Cyclades
Imray-Tetra G32 Eastern Sporades, Dodecanese & the Coast of Turkey
Imray-Tetra G34 Southern Cyclades (West)

NIMA 54320 Kiklades Nisoi to Kriti
NIMA 54332 Nisoi Paros & Naxos
NIMA 54340 Nisos Spetsai to Nisos Vorioi Sporadhes
NIMA 54355 Nisos Andros & Dhiekplous Kafireos
NIMA 54380 Tuzla Burnu to Samos
NIMA 54386 Khios Strait Greece and Turkey
NIMA 54389 Fener Adasi to Samos Strait
NIMA 54400 Samos to Rodhos
NIMA 54402 Island of the Aegean - Fournoi
NIMA 54403 Samos Strait to N. Kalolimnos
NIMA 54412 Nisos Amorgos & Plans in Astipalaia

Greek 42 Andros to Chalki Island
Greek 334 Chios Island & Opposite Coast of Asia Minor
Greek 421 Karystos to Naxos
Greek 422 Naxos to Samos & Opposite Coast of Asia Minor
Greek 423 Paros to Astypalia
Greek 451 Leros to Rhodos

See also Aegean Sea.

Distance & Duration

See Aegean Distances Tables

Possible Departure Points

• Marinas in the Attika Coast (Athens Region)
• Corinth Canal (37°54.91′N, 23°0.61′E)
• Pythagorio, Samos (37°41.2′N, 26°57′E)
• Kuşadasi, Turkey (37°52′N, 27°15′E)
• Vathi, Samos (37°45.3′N, 26°58.3′E)

Route/Suggested Stopovers

Northern Route East Going

This route does not avoid the Kafireas Strait indeed it transits it against the prevailing meltemi. However after the Strait the sail becomes a close reach and after Chios a broad reach. One drawback of this route is that the distances between stopovers are greater than on the other routes described below.

1. The first convenient stopover after leaving the Attika Coast (Athens Region) is Vourkari in Kea (37°40′N, 24°19.5′E), 34 nM from Kalamaki Marina (GPS: 37°54.7′N, 23°42.0′E) or 66 nM from the Corinth Canal (GPS: 37°54.91′N, 23°0.61′E).
   
2. The second leg is in the NW direction and has two possible stopovers from Vourkari where you can wait for good weather window for crossing the dreaded Kafireas Strait:
   • Karistos in Evia (GPS: 38°0.7′N, 24°25′E) - 22 nM
   • Batsi in Andros (GPS: 37°51.5′N, 24°47′E) - 26 nM
     
3. The third leg is an ENE long sail to Salagonas in Chios (GPS: 38°13.2′N, 25°54.8′E). The distance is:
   • From Karistos in Evia - 76 nM
   • From Batsi - 72 nM
     
4. Finally from Salagonas you sail to ESE (GPS: 38°08.5′N, 26°0.4′E) and from there SE to your destination:
   • Vathi, Samos (37°45.3′N, 26°58.3′E) - 59 nM
   • Kuşadasi, Turkey (37°52′N, 27°15′E) - 69 nM
   • Pythagorio, Samos (37°41.2′N, 26°57′E) via via the Mycale channel - 74 nM

The total distance from Kalamaki Marina along the route outlined above is:

• Vathi, Samos (37°45.3′N, 26°58.3′E) - 193 nM
• Pythagorio, Samos (37°41.2′N, 26°57′E) - 237 nM
• Kuşadasi, Turkey (37°52′N, 27°15′E) - 232 nM

See also Samos & Kuşadasi to Athens Direct Route Table

Northern Route West Going

This route exactly the same as the route described above, but in the opposite direction. This is a preferred route because while heading NW you are in the relatively shelter waters of the Kuşadasi Körfezi, when crossing the Kafireas Strait you wil be heading SW with the wind on your stern.

Direct Route West Going

The main goal of this route is to travel fairly efficiently and at the same minimize exposure to northerly head winds. Because this route crosses both the Sea of Ikaria and the Kafireas Strait it is best undertaken while the meltemi is not very strong (May-June, September-October) and with a favorable forecast.

1. The first leg of this passage depends on your starting point and the weather.
   1. If you start from Kuşadasi, Turkey (GPS: 37°52′N, 27°15′E) and the weather is benign you can sail 19 nM SW to Vathi, Samos (GPS: 37°45.3′N, 26°58.3′E), but if there are strong winds it is better to take the longer route and sail to sail S via the Mycale channel Pythagorio, Samos (GPS: 37°41.2′N, 26°57′E), 20 nM. The reason for this is to avoid the Samos - Fourni channel, see below.
   2. If you are starting or continuing from Vathi, Samos (GPS: 37°45.3′N, 26°58.3′E) you have two weather dependent choices:
      1. With low wind conditions and a good forecast sail 36 nM W, along the N shore of Samos to Perokopió in Fourni (GPS: 37°33.6′N, 26°29.2′E).
         Warning: The channel between Fourni and Samos is subject to very strong gusts. Usually the wind in the channel is on force point stronger than elsewhere in the neighborhood. When you transit this channel stay as far as possible from Samos with its very strong katabatic winds down Mt. Kerkis.
      2. With strong winds, it is prudent to take the longer route and sail to sail S via the Mycale channel Pythagorio, Samos (GPS: 37°41.2′N, 26°57′E), 19 nM.
   3. If you are starting or continuing from Pythagorio, Samos (GPS: 37°41.2′N, 26°57′E), sail WSW for 26 nM to lovely secluded anchorage of Vitsiliá in Fourni (GPS: 37°32.6′N, 26°30.5′E).
      
2. In the second leg you continue sailing WSW to South Bay in Rhinia (GPS: 37°23′N, 25°14.3′E) of the uninhabited little island of Rhinia. If you start this leg from Perokopió (GPS: 37°33.6′N, 26°29.2′E) the distance is 61 nM. If you start from Vitsiliá (GPS: 37°32.6′N, 26°30.5′E) the distance is 64 nM.
   Warning: fierce gusts are very common on the S side of Ikaria. If you are just transiting in the area it is best to sail at least 3 miles south of the island.
   
3. The third leg 43 nM. First you sail NW from South Bay (GPS: 37°23′N, 25°14.3′E) to the northernmost tip of Syros (GPS: 37°31′N, 24°52.8′E) and then to Loutra in Kythnos (GPS: 37°26.6′N, 24°25.9′E).
   
4. The final leg starts from Loutra (GPS: 37°26.6′N, 24°25.9′E) and ends in either Kalamaki Marina (GPS: 37°54.7′N, 23°42.0′E), 47 nM or in the Corinth Canal (GPS: 37°54.91′N, 23°0.61′E), 81 nM. In either case, the sailing direction is NW.

The total distance from Kuşadasi, Turkey along the route outlined above is:

• Kalamaki Marina (37°54.7′N, 23°42.0′E) - 193 nM
• Corinth Canal (37°54.91′N, 23°0.61′E) - 240 nM

See also Samos & Kuşadasi to Athens Direct Route Table

Direct Route East Going

This route exactly the same as the route described above, but in the opposite direction.

Southern Route East Going

The main goal of this route is to take advantage of the prevailing northerly winds in the Kafireas and Cyclades region by moving south. Then to sail west keeping well south of the Sea of Ikaria, and finally to sail north in the more sedate Samos Sea.

1. The first convenient stopover is Fikiada in Kythnos (GPS: 37°24.7′N, 24°23′E) which is 44 nM WNW from Kalamaki Marina (GPS: 37°54.7′N, 23°42.0′E) or 78 nM from the Corinth Canal (GPS: 37°54.91′N, 23°0.61′E). Alternative stopovers are:
   • Loutra in Kythnos GPS: 37°26.6′N, 24°25.9′E - 44 nM from Kalamaki Marina, 100 nM from the Corinth Canal
   • Vourkari in Kea (37°40′N, 24°19.5′E) - 37 nM from Kalamaki Marina, 71 nM from the Corinth Canal
   • Koudouros in Kea (37°34.7′N, 24°16.6′E) - 35 nM from Kalamaki Marina, 69 nM from the Corinth Canal
     
2. The second attractive stop is Finikas in Syros (GPS: 37°23.5′N, 24°52.5′E) which is 33 nM SW from Fikiada. If you are is a hurry you can skip this stop and proceed directly to the next one.
3. From Finikas or if you had skipped it from Fikiada you have two options:
   1. You can stop in the delightful South Bay (GPS: 37°23′N, 25°14.3′E) of the uninhabited little island of Rhinia. It is 21 nM W sail from Finikas and 54 from [Kythnos#Fikiadha|Fikiada]]. Alternatively, if you like fashionable social life you can go to Mykonos (37°27.8′N, 25°19.6′E 25 nM from Finikas). If you have time you can visit Delos (37°23.8′N, 25°15.9′E) - which is about two miles NE of Rhinia.
      
      1. Then, sail SE to Dendro Donousa (GPS: 37°05.7′N, 25°48.2′E) which is 33 nM from Rhinia.
      2. And from Donousa sail SSE 15 nM to Aegiali in Amorgos (GPS: 36°54.2′N, 25°58.5′E).
   2. Alternatively, you can sail 27 nM SE from Finikas to Ayios Ioannis in Naoussa Bay, Paros (GPS: 37°08.6′N, 25°13.96′E).
      1. Then, sail 25 nM SSE through the Paros- Naxos channel to Mersini in Schinousa (GPS: 36°52.3′N, 25°30.6′E).
      2. And from Schinousa sail ENE 25 nM Aegiali in Amorgos (GPS: 36°54.2′N, 25°58.5′E).
         
4. From Aegiali a nice 28 nM E sail brings you to the delightful little island of Levitha (GPS: 37°0.14′N, 26°28.06′E), inhabited by a single family.
   
5. If the wind is not northerly or if it is not too strong you can sail 28 nM NE directly from Levitha to the beautiful little island of Marathi (GPS: 37°22′N, 26°43.6′E). Otherwise:
   1. Sail 23 nM ENE from Levitha to Xerocambos in Leros (GPS: 37°06.45′N, 26°52.3′E), an easy and pleasant anchorage.
   2. Then, sail from Xerocambos 20 nM NW to Marathi (GPS: 37°22′N, 26°43.6′E).
      
6. Finally, from Marathi it is a 24 nM NE sail to Pythagorio, Samos (GPS: 37°41.2′N, 26°57′E).
   1. If your final destination is Kuşadasi in Turkey (GPS: 37°52′N, 27°15′E) you continue for 19.5 nM further N via the Mycale channel.
   2. If your final destination is Vathi in Samos (GPS: 37°45.3′N, 26°58.3′E) you continue through and then turn back westward, all together 19.6 more nM from Pythagorio.

The total distance from Kalamaki Marina (37°54.7′N, 23°42.0′E) along the route outlined above is:

• to Pythagorio (37°41.2′N, 26°57′E) - 221 nM
• to Kuşadasi (37°52′N, 27°15′E) - 240 nM
• to Vathi (37°45.3′N, 26°58.3′E) - 240 nM

See also Athens to Samos & Kuşadas Southern Route Table

Southern Route West Going

This route exactly the same as the route described above, but in the opposite direction. There are, however some disadvantages in using this route in the west direction during the meltemi season because you sail S in the Samos Sea where the wind is less strong and then from the Cyclades you sail NW against the wind.

A good strategy avoiding the meltemi headwinds is instead of heading NW from Naoussa Bay (step 3.2 above) is to continue sailing W to Serifos and Hydra and then head N to the Attika Coast (Athens Region).

Possible Arrival Ports

• Pythagorio, Samos (37°41.2′N, 26°57′E)
• Kuşadasi, Turkey (37°52′N, 27°15′E)
• Vathi, Samos (37°45.3′N, 26°58.3′E)
• Marinas in the Attika Coast (Athens Region)
• Corinth Canal (37°54.91′N, 23°0.61′E)

CruiserLog Forum discussions

Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum

External Links

See Aegean Sea.

References

See Aegean Sea.

Personal Notes

• I have used these routes many times over the last 25 years. --Istioploos

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