South Peloponnese

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Contents 1 South Peloponnese 1.1 Background 1.2 Charts 1.3 Radio Nets 1.4 Weather 1.5 Approach and Navigation 1.6 Check-in facilities 1.7 Ports and Popular Stops 1.7.1 Methoni 1.7.1.1 Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) 1.8 Marinas & Yacht Clubs 1.9 Anchorages 1.10 Offshore Islands 1.11 Routes/Passages To/From 1.12 Tourism & things to do ashore 1.12.1 In Methoni 1.13 Fuel, Water, & Electricity 1.13.1 Fuel 1.13.2 Water 1.13.3 Electricity 1.14 Laundry 1.15 Grocery & Supply Stores 1.16 Eateries 1.17 Internet/WiFi 1.18 Motorbike & Car Rentals 1.19 Marine Stores & Facilities 1.20 Repairs 1.21 Transportation 1.22 References & Publications 1.23 Cruiser's Friends 1.24 Forum Discussions 1.25 External Links 1.26 Personal Notes 1.27 Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

South Peloponnese

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: Magnesia dominated by Mount Taygetos, Mani ending into the capes Cavo Grosso and Tainaron, and finally the easternmost Cape Maleas.

Magnesia was occupied by theVenetians who built two famous castles: Methoni and Koroni while within its gulf there is the city 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
BA 682 Gulf of Kalamata
BA 1030 South-west entrance channels to the Aegean sea
BA 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
NIMA 54303 Lakonikos Kolpos

Greek 22 Ionio Sea - Southern Part Zakynthos I. to C. Tainaro
Greek 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, 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 σαράντα μιλια μακρυά, κι’ από τον Κάβο Γκροσσο σαράντα κι’ άλλα τόσο." (Stay forty miles off Cape Malea, and from Cape Grosso forty time two).

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.

Approach and Navigation

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

Click for larger view]]

Methoni (Μεθώνη) [36° 48.7' N 21° 42.2' E] 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 09:22, 12 June 2008 (MDT)

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Submit Marina details.

Anchorages

List details of all safe anchorages in the area.

Offshore Islands

List Islands

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Tourism & things to do ashore

In Methoni

A visit and a long walks along the ramparts of the castle is must.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

• In Methoni there is gas station at the end of the town, more than 500 m from the quay

Water

• In Methoni there is a faucet root of the old quay

Electricity

Laundry

Grocery & Supply Stores

Eateries

Internet/WiFi

Available?

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Marine Stores & Facilities

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs

Transportation

Transportation to mainland or other countries, etc.

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, 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 the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

• Magnesia
• Mani
• Laconia

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

See individual ports in this page.

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