Gocek to Ionian

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brian48

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Good Evening,
I have decided to bring my boat back to UK from Gocek area in Turkey. I don't have have the time or crew to bring it all the way but would like to spend May gently crossing the Aegean with my wife. The idea is generally to only sail by day, say max 60 miles, nice anchorage or harbour for a night or two, then perhaps shorter passages for a day or two. I know the Turkish coast fairy well but not the Dodecs (except Rhodes and Simi) and not the Cyclades. Any suggestions for routes, unmissable islands, towns, anchorages would be very welcome I also need somewhere, perhaps Monemvasia or Methoni with good connection with an airport and safe anchorage/harbour to meet the delivery crew. Again any suggestions very welcome.
 
That a big question! I haven't sailed a lot in the med, Gocek on a charter was one trip, but in the Sporades there is a natural harbour called Panormou bay on Skopelos. IIRC Heikell said it was probably the best natural harbour in the med
 
brian48 said:
Good Evening,
I have decided to bring my boat back to UK from Gocek area in Turkey. I don't have have the time or crew to bring it all the way but would like to spend May gently crossing the Aegean with my wife. The idea is generally to only sail by day, say max 60 miles, nice anchorage or harbour for a night or two, then perhaps shorter passages for a day or two. I know the Turkish coast fairy well but not the Dodecs (except Rhodes and Simi) and not the Cyclades. Any suggestions for routes, unmissable islands, towns, anchorages would be very welcome I also need somewhere, perhaps Monemvasia or Methoni with good connection with an airport and safe anchorage/harbour to meet the delivery crew. Again any suggestions very welcome.
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Perhaps the most comprehensive description online of sailing destinations and routes in Greece is this one: www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Greece.

It is also worth to read this blog: www.sy-thetis.org.
 
brian48 said:
Good Evening,
I have decided to bring my boat back to UK from Gocek area in Turkey. I don't have have the time or crew to bring it all the way but would like to spend May gently crossing the Aegean with my wife. The idea is generally to only sail by day, say max 60 miles, nice anchorage or harbour for a night or two, then perhaps shorter passages for a day or two. I know the Turkish coast fairy well but not the Dodecs (except Rhodes and Simi) and not the Cyclades. Any suggestions for routes, unmissable islands, towns, anchorages would be very welcome I also need somewhere, perhaps Monemvasia or Methoni with good connection with an airport and safe anchorage/harbour to meet the delivery crew. Again any suggestions very welcome.
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Monemvasia is probally the last place to call a safe anchorage /harbour and why go to the Sporades on the way to the Ionian?
 
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In the Argolic you have two superb anchorages that are safe in just about any weather, Porto Heli and Kiladha. three hours from Athens by bus.

Very difficult to name the 'best' islands but I would be thinking Leros, Arki, Patmos, Paros, Rinia, Kithnos, Aegina, then across to the Argolic, maybe Poros or Ermioni. Plenty of other options on the way but you may be looking for totally different experiences from ours.
 
Many thanks to everyone for their responses. The two websites mentioned seem to have loads of information and some of it quite recent (which is the problem with Rod Heikell's books - interesting though they usually are). Thanks also for the warnings on Monemvasia, not a place to linger obviously and thank you Vyv for your favourite islands. We will certainly visit some, if not all, of them. All we need now are fair winds.
 
I can see on the map that Gocek is relatively south and your final destination, the south of Peloponnese since you are not crossing the Corinthian canal is south too. Keeping in mind the general northerly winds of the Aegean (not necessarily the strong Meltemi), even if you will take it gently and you could stop and wait you still need to consider this weather. Sailing upwind in the central Aegean, the area of Astypalaia, Amorgos, etc, should be avoided. So, leaving Gocek you could first stop at Symi (you have seen this island but you mentioned small legs!) and then head up a little bit towards Kos town sailing the East part of the island, not around the west side that faces the central Aegean. Just be careful at the east corner of the island from the “katavates” (winds coming down from mountains). Nice marina over there, the town is only some minutes’ walk, lots of things to do, see etc. Since you have a month to do the crossing you could keep going north in the East Aegean area rather than crossing the Aegean from there, though the latest possible if the weather is fine and you prefer that. However, keep sailing north only up to Patmos, no need to go further up. On the way you could stop at many places (Vathi of Kalymnos, Leros, Lypsi… ). From Patmos sail to the Cyclades islands. Amorgos is a good choice especially if the wind is strong pushing you south, or you could sail to Paros. I must say though that I have never sailed there (only went with a Ferryboat), therefore cannot comment much on the sailing ground, but can say that Naousa is a super beautiful place!!!. From personal experience, avoid Naxos marina. The entrance is quite narrow, lots of rocks over there and if it’s busy can get dangerous. From these islands now crossing to Peloponnese is still far so you would first need to sail probably to one of the east Aegean islands like Kithnos, Serifos etc. I only have the experience of Loutra, Kithnos which is a fine place with fuel, electricity and water. Keep going to Argolic (eg Leonidion, Spetses islands etc) rather than Saronic (Aegina or Poros) which is away from your final destination. Avoid Ydra. Beautiful island, usually packed, best get a flying dolphin to visit it rather than sail there! From there it is coastal sailing but cannot suggest where to stop (no personal experience). Most of all ENJOY your trip across the beautiful Aegean.
 
cmedsailor said:
the area of Astypalaia, Amorgos, etc, should be avoided. ...........................From Patmos sail to the Cyclades islands. Amorgos is a good choice especially if the wind is strong pushing you south, or you could sail to Paros.
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Amorgos from Paros would be a strange decision, having sailed north along the Dodecanese to avoid stronger northerlies further west. You could even go further north still, up to Ikaria where the new marina is up and running. From there a longer leg to Paros but somewhat off the wind.
 
vyv_cox said:
Amorgos from Paros would be a strange decision, having sailed north along the Dodecanese to avoid stronger northerlies further west. You could even go further north still, up to Ikaria where the new marina is up and running. From there a longer leg to Paros but somewhat off the wind.
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OK, maybe I was not very clear in my description (sorry, English is not my official language). I wanted to say avoid sailing UPWIND from south (eg Nisyros or in general south of Kos) towards the central Aegean which is the area of Amorgos etc. Nevertheless, he can sail from Patmos which is quite north down to Cyclades islands, such as Paros or even (directly from Patmos) further south to Amorgos and continue towards his destination on the leeward side of the islands of Paros and Naxos. Definately Amorgos is a strange decision from Paros, no doubt!
I didn't mention Ikaria because I have only the experience of the horrible swell in Eudilos marina. I didn't know (or remember) that there's now a new marina.
 
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cmedsailor said:
.... I wanted to say avoid sailing UPWIND from south ....
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That is a good suggestion but OP said he would do the crossing in May and Meltemi in May is usually not (that) present which gives OP a lot more choices how to cross than the traditional route to sail north and then west or south-west.
 
cmedsailor said:
I only have the experience of Loutra, Kithnos which is a fine place with fuel, electricity and water. Keep going to Argolic (eg Leonidion, Spetses islands etc) rather than Saronic (Aegina or Poros) which is away from your final destination. Avoid Ydra. Beautiful island, usually packed, best get a flying dolphin to visit it rather than sail there! From there it is coastal sailing but cannot suggest where to stop (no personal experience). Most of all ENJOY your trip across the beautiful Aegean.
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And from our holiday last year I'd recommend Poros as a great place. Hydra (Ydra) was lovely too, we parked (anchor bow/stern) in Mandraki bay as Hydra town harbour resembles purgatory. There is a pathway along the cliffs between the two.

The place that really stands out is 'Chapel Cove' (Ekklisia Agios Georgios) next to Kyparissi. Lovely place, not bumpy, dead to the world and plenty of wildlife in the clear water. No facilities, no shops, just nothing.
 
The earlier you set off the more chance you have of southerly winds. Later they change to almost constant northerlies and can be very strong.
We were in Gocek last year for a while before returning to Crete. There are numerous places to go across and no islands are too far away.
If it helps there is a facebook group for the Med and many sail the area you are talking of.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/588408531341472/
I am sure we can help you out more on there.
If you can contact me with your e-mail address on the website below I can send you a map file with many anchorages marked and the holding/ shelter in each.
 
Many thanks again for the responses which all help to build up a picture. Nostradamus, Thanks in advance, I will send you an email.
 
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