Cruising Guide for Cyclades

[MatthewOsborne]

Can anyone recommend a good cruising guide for the Cyclades. I have bought Rod Heikell's West Aegean but it only covers the western Cyclades along to about Sifnos and I would quite like to know about those west of this line. Cheers.

 

[Appleyard]

Jim Baerselman will be along in a moment and will introduce you to his excellent website. Full of useful and interesting info.
Print out the bits relevant to your plans and take it with you.
I can also recommend "Greek Sea Guide" by Nicholas Elias (Volume 2 if my memory serves correctly.)
A very comprehensive guide to the area,which includes the relevant charts. It is expensive though,and only readily available in Greece.

 

[jimbaerselman]

You beat me to it!

 

[Appleyard]

You were obviously having a siesta Jim!!!!

 

[jimbaerselman]

Anyway, a couple of interesting thoughts for the OP.

If you like the occasional longer passage, think Milos for your return journey, and after a couple of days pootling around the local anchorages, going up to the town on top, and visiting the mining museum, trip across to Monemvassia on the mainland. This is a beautifully preserved mediaeval village.

But the big deal is that from about 10nm north of Monemvassia, the regular afternoon winds are southerlies! Beat the meltemi!

But if you only like passages shorter than 40nm, don't even think about that option. Stick to the rabbit run. Clockwise out through Syros, Mykonos, then south, then turn right and right again and beat home in the lee of all the islands you can find.

And ignore horror stories about the meltemi. Yes, a few times a year it blows f5 - f7 for 2 to 4 days at a time. And on the west side of an island it'll be locally stronger. So watch the forecasts 2 days ahead, and plan your timing for northerly work; or accept the discomfort of a thumping ride and seasick crew.

 

[pollygonforty]

Basically agree with Baerselman but unless you are restricted time wise avoid the area during july / august period it's not worth it.If however if you are a really"huffy tuffy" type sailor go for it.Bare in mind tho it's not the high winds that are the real problem its the confused seas ,they can drive you mad

 

[LadyJessie]

The only up-to-date pilot is Heikell's 'Greek Waters Pilot'. The 'West Aegean' is an abstarct from this pilot, but if you stray outside that area you need to buy the real thing.

There is also a local Greek Pilot, that you can find in the local chandlers. It is a very different concept, but once you get used to it is very useful. I basically contains all your detail charts and the pilotage information in one package. I am not sure it has been updated recently though, so Heikell might be your safer choice.

But in summary; make sure you get a real pilot book onboard before you venture out into this area.

 

[jimbaerselman]

[ QUOTE ]
But in summary; make sure you get a real pilot book onboard before you venture out into this area.

[/ QUOTE ] Why do you say that? I would have thought that this is one area of the world where you can get away with a good chart, and no more. Broadly, if you can hit it, you can see it. And the harbours keep changing all the time, so you can't trust the pilot books since 10% of of the ports will be in error . . .

 

[LadyJessie]

True, you could get by with a very good chart. However, I am the 'belt and braces' person and I prefer the added information of having both. Secondly, if you are new to the area then Heikell's detailed comments on anchorages and services around are very helpful for an enjoyable voyage.

 

[Melody]

[ QUOTE ]

I can also recommend "Greek Sea Guide" by Nicholas Elias (Volume 2 if my memory serves correctly.)
A very comprehensive guide to the area,which includes the relevant charts. It is expensive though,and only readily available in Greece.


[/ QUOTE ]

He now produces 'pilot charts' of several areas, including the Cyclades I think. These are much cheaper and still contain most of his excellent information.

They will tell you about the bays Rod Heikell misses out...

email him ilias@eagleray.gr and website is http://www.eagleray.gr