South Peloponnese
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South Peloponnese
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Background
The coast of southern Peloponnese is not usually visited by cruising yachts unless they are in transit either moving east to the Aegean or west on their way back. Yet, it is a beautiful coast with many interesting anchorages.
The coast is dominated by the three peninsulas: Messinia dominated by Mount Taygetos, Mani ending into the capes Cavo Grosso and Tainaron, and finally the easternmost Cape Maleas.
Messinia was occupied by theVenetians who built two famous castles: Methoni and Koroni while within its gulf there is the city and harbor of Kalamata.
Mani has a history of being a nest of pirates and during the 400 years of Ottoman occupation was never really subjugated. It played a pivotal role during the Greek War of Independence in 1821. On the west side of the peninsula there is one of the largest caves in Greece the Cave of Dyros.
Inland of the Gulf of Laconia between Mani Mani and Cape Maleas is the city of Sparta and the nearby ghost Byzantine town of Mystras.
Charts
- BA
- 189 Nisos Sapiénza to Nisos Paxoi
- 682 Gulf of Kalamata
- 1030 South-west entrance channels to the Aegean sea
- 1685 Nisís Venetico to Nísos Spétsai including the channels between Akra Malléas and Kríti Yerakas
- Imray-Tetra
- G15 Southern Peloponnisos
- NIMA
- 54301 Kalamai and Approaches
- 54303 Lakonikos Kolpos
- Greek
- 22 Ionio Sea - Southern Part Zakynthos I. to C. Tainaro
- 43 Kriti I. - Wastern Part Cape Tainaro to Milos I.
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
- Olympia Radio - VHF channels 27, 83, 84, or 86
Weather
The winds here during the May - October period tend to be from the NE seldom exceeding force 4. During the November -April period they are from the SE often at gale force. But, because of the high mountains, there can be ferocious gusts especially near Capes Tainaron and Maleas. There is a popular Greek proverb among sailors: "Από τον Κάβο Μαλιά δέκα μιλια μακρυά, κι’ από τον Κάβο Γκροσσο δέκα κι’ άλλα τόσο" ("Stay ten miles off Cape Malea, and from Cape Grosso ten and then ten more").
Another problem here is that the weather, because of moving depressions between Maleas and Crete, can deteriorate very quickly especially during the spring and fall months. During the summer months there can be thunderstorms and squalls near the shore.
Approaches in general are straightforward. Details are given for each port.
Check-in facilities
Other than Pylos to the west, the only port of entry in this region is Kalamata.
Ports and Popular Stops
Methoni
36°48.89′N, 21°42.47′E
Methoni (Μεθώνη) is the site of a large Venetian castle and has a large natural harbor surrounded by the castle on one side and large sandy beaches on the other. The bay is only exposed to the SE winds. It is a spectacular site. It is believed that Cervantes was imprisoned by the Ottomans in the castle. The town is some distance from the castle and it is spread out.
Anchor to the N of of the old quay in 2-5 m depths. The bottom sand and mud, good holding.
Danger: Stay clear of the neighborhood of the old quay and its many submerged rocks.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001 --Istioploos
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Kalamata (Port of Entry)
37°1.13′N, 22°07.27′E
Kalamata (Καλαμάτα) is the capital of the Messinia province. It is bustling modern city. It is a commercial harbor and it is always very busy. In the last few years a new modern marina started operations. The marina provides all the usual conveniences and has a reputation of being very well ran.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001 --Istioploos
Yithio
36°45.58′N, 22°34.1′E
Yíthio (Γύθιο) or Gythio is a very pleasant harbor and the main city of the Mani region. It was the harbor of Ancient Sparta.
Yíthio is a good place to leave your yacht in order to visit Sparta and Mystras.
The harbor of Yíthio provides good protection from the NW prevailing winds. If those winds are strong there are also strong gusts here. Go bow or stern-to the mole, with strong NW winds, try the W quay. The bottom is mud and gives good holding.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- 1995 --Istioploos
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
Koroni
36°48′N, 21°57.6′E
Koroni (Κορώνη) is an attractive town with an imposing Venetian castle. The shelter here from the prevailing NW-W winds is fairly good.
It is best to anchor off in 2-5 m depths in the bay W of the castle. The bottom is mostly mud and weed, it provides good holding. There is a small quay but the bottom there is fouled by old moorings and it is best to avoid it. Warning: Near the shore there are large boulders where an anchor may be fouled. Watch out for them.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 1995 --Istioploos
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Petalidhi
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36°57.56′N, 21°55.84′E
Petalidhi (Πεταλίδι) [36° 57.6' N 21° 56.2' E] is a few miles SW of Kalamata. It is a quiet and pleasant anchorage in an attractive provincial town. Anchor off in 2-4 m on a sandy bottom which provides good holding.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 1995 --Istioploos
Limeni
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36°41.37′N, 22°22.63′E
Limeni (Λιμένι) is large deep cove half way down the W side of the Mani Peninsula. It is very attractive, physically, and it is reputed to provide a good shelter. Anchor in 10-12 m, the bottom is sand and weed with some rocks.
There is a small museum in Limeni housed in the Mavromichalis Mansion.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001--Istioploos
Diros
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36°38.4′N, 22°22.8′E
Diros or Dyros (Δυρός) is just a few miles N of Mezapo. It is not a secure anchorage but in reasonable weather it is a "must stop" so that you can visit the famous Cave of Diros and the important neolithic site.
Anchor in front and to the E of the cave entrance (NE of the cove) in 8-10 m. The holding is reasonable.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001 --Istioploos
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Mezapo
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36°32.5′N, 22°23.2′E
Mezapo (Μέζαπο) is a large bay about a mile N of Cavo Grosso. It provides some reasonable shelter but there can be strong gusts, especially during the night.
Mezapo is the the largest anchorage of the famed Mani region of the Peloponnesos. Mani, before roads were built, was one of the most remote regions in Greece. During the Ottoman occupation, it was never subdued and kept a semi-autonomous existence. One of its main sources of wealth was piracy, the boats hiding in its many coves and pouncing at unsuspecting ships, heading for the Kythera channel.
Warning: The bottom here is uneven.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001 --Istioploos
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Yerolimenas
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36°28.7′N, 22°24′E
Yerolimenas or Gerolimenas (Γερολιμένας) is an inlet to the SW of Cape Tainaron and just NE of Cavo Grosso. It has a small quay used by fishing boats. The inlet is exposed to the prevailing W winds and is not very secure.
It is believed that a large Cave in Yerolimenas was the entrance to Hades, the Ancient Greek underworld.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001 --Istioploos
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Porto Kayo
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36°25.8′N, 22°29.1′E
Porto Kayo (Πόρτο Κάγιο) is an attractive anchorage just SE of Cape Tainaron. It offers fairly good shelter from the prevailing W-SW winds and from the NE winds. The little village used to be very appealing but lately has been "developed" with ugly buildings to the point that a Greek travel guide calls it "Porto Halio" (Port Shame).
With W-SW wind anchor on the S of the cove but be aware that the holding in the hard sand is not always good. With N winds, you want to be in N side but the bottom slope is very steep and you have to go very close to the shore. The bottom here is sand and weed, better holding.
Warning: There are many large rocks near the N side. Make sure you do not drift to them. During the night there can be strong gusts.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2001 --Istioploos
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Offshore Islands
Sapienza
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36°45.25′N, 21°42.21′E
The island of Sapienza (Σαπιέντζα) is uninhabited save for one of the last remaining light-keepers in Greece. At the top of the island is the 1885 lighthouse, 100 m tall. It well worth a stop.
Unfortunately its lovely little cove of Port Longos 36°45.25′N, 21°42.21′E has been despoiled by a fish-farm. Anchor in 5-6 m depths clear of the fish-farm. The bottom is sand, good holding. The cove is well protected from the prevailing winds but there is some swell with E winds.
The lighthouse is about a 15 minute walk along a trail.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 1995--Istioploos
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Routes/Passages To/From
Tourism & things to do ashore
In Methoni
A visit and a long walks along the ramparts of the castle is must.
In Sapienza
Visit the lighthouse, 15 walk from the anchorage.
Diros Cave
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From the Cove of Diros you must, of course visit the cave and the neolithic site. Make sure you arrive early in the morning and beat the crowd disgorged by the buses arriving in the late morning. The ticket booth is some walk uphill. Get tickets and wait your turn in from of the cave entrance. It more than worth it.
In Porto Kayo
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Take a long walk up the steep hill to see some good examples of the characteristic towers of Mani.
In Yithio
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In the town of Yithio you can visit archaeological excavation, the Museum, the castle, and the Kranea Lighthouse.
Sparta & Mystras
From Yithio you can take a taxi to Sparta and Mystras (Μυστράς) (65 km).
In Sparta you can visit the Archaeological Museum and the Olive-Oil Museum.
Mystras is one of the most interesting sites in Greece. It is late Byzantine ghost town. You can wander along its buildings and then visit its Museum. It is an experience that you will never forget.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- In Methoni there is gas station at the end of the town, more than 500 m from the quay
- In Yithio a mini tanker usually delivers fuel, ask at the Limenarchio (Coast Guard)
- Water
- In Methoni there is a faucet root of the old quay
- In Yithio on the quay
- Electricity
- N/A (Not Available)
Laundry
- In the Kalamata Marina
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Many stores in Kalamata
- A mini-market in Porto Kayo
- A supermarket in Yithio
Eateries
- Many tavernas in Kalamata
- There is a good restaurant in Porto Kayo
- There are several restaurants in Yithio
Internet/WiFi
Available?
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Marine Stores & Facilities
- In the Kalamata Marina
Repairs
- In the Kalamata Marina
Transportation
Flights to Athens from the airport in [[#Kalamata|Kalamata].
References & Publications
See Greece.
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
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
See individual ports in this page.
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Names: Istioploos, Lighthouse, Haiqu |
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