Gouvia Marina for winter?

[Cardo]

Good afternoon

In planning our trip, I'm wondering where we could spend our first winter in the Med. Prettier half's parents live in Corfu, so I was thinking we could spend the harshest months in a marina there so we can move between the boat and the comfort of the parents' house.

Obviously, the most commonly mentioned marina is Gouvia. Is this a good place to spend the winter? I notice the prices on their website aren't amazing, but they could be worse. Parents' house is north west Corfu, so wondering whether there are any other places that are recommended?

Or is Gouvia the place to be?

 

[Cariadco]

Gouvia Fan.

Depends on the size of your boat. An approx' 10m boat can get into Benitse's, Kassiopi or Ipsos, for next to nothing (if there's any space).
However, IMO you can't beat Gouvia.
There's a really good, friendly expat crowd in and around the marina, we all drink in the same bars and between us all, you can get any work done on your boat (as you would be fairly new, it takes a while to find out who does what and who you wouldn't be wanting to do what!!, we've all gone through that so plenty of advice available....usually costs a couple of Alphas..!)
From the Marina, you can get upto the North West of the island in about 30 - 45 mins.

Ok, it's not the cheepest marina around but it's safe, easy to get to, and pleanty of ways to get back to the uk.

I've had boats, here for over 15 years.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

 

[Cardo]

Depends on the size of your boat. An approx' 10m boat can get into Benitse's, Kassiopi or Ipsos, for next to nothing (if there's any space).
However, IMO you can't beat Gouvia.
There's a really good, friendly expat crowd in and around the marina, we all drink in the same bars and between us all, you can get any work done on your boat (as you would be fairly new, it takes a while to find out who does what and who you wouldn't be wanting to do what!!, we've all gone through that so plenty of advice available....usually costs a couple of Alphas..!)
From the Marina, you can get upto the North West of the island in about 30 - 45 mins.

Ok, it's not the cheepest marina around but it's safe, easy to get to, and pleanty of ways to get back to the uk.

I've had boats, here for over 15 years.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Thanks for the advice. The parents are up in Afionas, which is around 45 mins as you said. I've popped into Gouvia a couple of times to admire the boats whilst out there on holiday, and it certainly looks nice enough. Though of course, that was in the middle of summer when the sun is shining and it all looks lovely!
Glad to hear there's a good community there, that always makes a difference.

 

[jordanbasset]

I would go with Gouvia if long term over the winter. Kassiopi is lovely and we spent a pleasant few days there but we did have our anchor lifted by departing boats on a couple of occasions. As we were on our boat not a problem but would not like to leave it there for any length of time.
That said there were two yachts tucked up in the corner that did not appear to go anywhere and seemed to be out of the way or they may have had their own mooring. Still would be nervous as the wind can and did blow very strongly through there.

 

[Tranona]

Gouvia is really the only safe in the water place and does have life through the winter. Assume you will have your own transport as little public transport except the bus into Corfu town and the odd bus to Kassiopi. There are alternatives out of the water, but not if you want to live on board.

 

[ccscott49]

+1, for Gouvia, not the cheapest, but a bloody sight cheaper than western meddy! Good community and very safe harbour. Plenty to do and see and good shopping all over the place. I'm sure your SWMBO's parents will know a lot of places.

 

[little_roundtop]

Never again

We spent our first ever winter in Gouvia in 2005, also based on recommendations. It's a good bus ride from Corfu town but Lidl is within easy walking distance and there's a good supermarket even closer. Boatman's World chandlery (just outside the marina) is as good as you'll find anywhere and Peter (who owns it) is a mine of very useful info.

But, when we were there there were only 3 other boats with people on board all winter. The small town outside (Kontokali) is a dump with I think 4 English-style pubs and not much else. The Sailing Holidays charter company used Gouvia as their maintenance base and shipped in a bunch of Aussies to work on them. It wasn't wise to be in the same bar as they were - ever.

The worst part of winter there was that it rained from December to March. And not your standard English drizzle, this was monsoon style torrential rain. Constantly. It was cold too, we needed two oil filled electric radiators to stay warm and there was ice on the pontoons for a few days.

Having family there will make a huge difference though. We were fortunate that we were taken in by a group of wonderful ex-pats there, otherwise we'd have gone mad with boredom. Never again.

BTW. We now spend every winter on Crete (Agios Nikolaos). It's warmer, there's a LOT less rain, the town is right outside the marina, and there are about 20 boats here each winter with people on board.

 

[rivonia]

We spent our first ever winter in Gouvia in 2005, also based on recommendations. It's a good bus ride from Corfu town but Lidl is within easy walking distance and there's a good supermarket even closer. Boatman's World chandlery (just outside the marina) is as good as you'll find anywhere and Peter (who owns it) is a mine of very useful info.

But, when we were there there were only 3 other boats with people on board all winter. The small town outside (Kontokali) is a dump with I think 4 English-style pubs and not much else. The Sailing Holidays charter company used Gouvia as their maintenance base and shipped in a bunch of Aussies to work on them. It wasn't wise to be in the same bar as they were - ever.

The worst part of winter there was that it rained from December to March. And not your standard English drizzle, this was monsoon style torrential rain. Constantly. It was cold too, we needed two oil filled electric radiators to stay warm and there was ice on the pontoons for a few days.

Having family there will make a huge difference though. We were fortunate that we were taken in by a group of wonderful ex-pats there, otherwise we'd have gone mad with boredom. Never again.

BTW. We now spend every winter on Crete (Agios Nikolaos). It's warmer, there's a LOT less rain, the town is right outside the marina, and there are about 20 boats here each winter with people on board.

Hi have been following this thread with interest. Can you give any more info on Agios Nikolaos. Such as ; Is elec and Water inclusive, what would it cost for a CATAMARAN 11m x 4.8m are there lazy lines what is security like. Hope you can advise.

Peter

 

[nimbusgb]

Not cheap but Gouvia is as good as it gets.

 

[Cardo]

Thanks for all the replies. When I discussed this with the lady of the manor, she had suggested going somewhere further south for the winter. Something like Crete sounds like the kind of place she was thinking of.
However, I still think she'd be happier in Corfu as even though the weather won't be as pleasant, she will have her parents only a short drive away and we'll be able to stay at their lovely house if we desire. I'm sure her parents would appreciate the company, too.

Interesting points about the Sailing Holidays lot. We went on a flotilla holiday with them last summer and I ended up spending most of the evenings at the bar with the staff. I think we're slightly younger than your average live aboard, so this last point could actually be a +1

 

[Cariadco]

What a strange little corner of the World.

Interesting the diversity of views, Gouvia Marina generates.
It's always been like this.
Some hate it and others (including myself) love it and wouldn't be anywhere else.
Be it the weather, the Marina, the locals (both Greeks and expat), the local villages, the bars & Taverna's..........etc etc.
Type in Gouvia on the search facillity...you'll be there for hours.

Regards.

 

[little_roundtop]

Hi have been following this thread with interest. Can you give any more info on Agios Nikolaos. Such as ; Is elec and Water inclusive, what would it cost for a CATAMARAN 11m x 4.8m are there lazy lines what is security like. Hope you can advise.

Peter

Peter, the marina has it's own website at http://www.marinaofaghiosnikolaos.gr, there's a 2012 price list on there too. Water is charged at €2.35 per 1000ltr, electricity is €0.12 per kWh which is pretty much at cost. Every boat gets at least two lazy lines. There is a marinero on duty 24 hours and cctv cameras. We've been here for the last 6 winters and security has never been a problem.

If you fancy it here book early, the marina is full most winters now. A non-refundable deposit will be required.

PM me if you want any more details.

Tony C.

 

[Cardo]

Well, I've run this past the prettier half again. She also brought it up with her parents during their usual Skype conversation this evening. Future mother-in-law was _rather_ excited about the prospect and even suggested lending us one of their cars if we needed it.

Warm up a nice berth for us, looks like we'll be staying there winter 2013/2014!

 

[ccscott49]

Just had a word with an old friend who lives on Crete, he informs me that the town of agios, absolutely dies in the winter, very little open, the island is fine, but the tourist resorts of which agos is one, are dead, So I dont think I will be going there, thanks.

 

[rivonia]

Peter, the marina has it's own website at http://www.marinaofaghiosnikolaos.gr, there's a 2012 price list on there too. Water is charged at €2.35 per 1000ltr, electricity is €0.12 per kWh which is pretty much at cost. Every boat gets at least two lazy lines. There is a marinero on duty 24 hours and cctv cameras. We've been here for the last 6 winters and security has never been a problem.

If you fancy it here book early, the marina is full most winters now. A non-refundable deposit will be required.

PM me if you want any more details.

Tony C.

Thanks for ALL the info Tony.

Peter

 

[little_roundtop]

Just had a word with an old friend who lives on Crete, he informs me that the town of agios, absolutely dies in the winter, very little open, the island is fine, but the tourist resorts of which agos is one, are dead, So I dont think I will be going there, thanks.

I'm lost to find the right word to reply to this, so I'll be polite. Your friend is plain wrong. I have wintered in Agios Nikolaos Marina for the last 6 years. The town is very much alive. The tourist souvenir shops close of course and there are no tourists - they make it a very busy place in the summer - but 95% of the tavernas and bars stay open, all the shops are open and it's a lively provincial Greek town.

Your friend is right that the tourist towns (Malia, Hersonissos etc.) do shut down over winter but he is completely wrong to claim that Agios Nikolaos "absolutely dies in the winter". That's just nonsense.

Tony C.

 

[NornaBiron]

Just had a word with an old friend who lives on Crete, he informs me that the town of agios, absolutely dies in the winter, very little open, the island is fine, but the tourist resorts of which agos is one, are dead, So I dont think I will be going there, thanks.

So, so wrong - we anchor off the town of Elounda in the lagoon at Spinalonga for the winter and although the town is quieter than in the summer it is by no means shut down. The town has a large local population, local shops, weekly market, enough tavernas and bars open to keep us busy and a good bus service into Agios Nikolaos if we get bored here. There are enough spots around Crete that remain open to make it an interesting and fun place to be for the winter.

 

[ccscott49]

I'm lost to find the right word to reply to this, so I'll be polite. Your friend is plain wrong. I have wintered in Agios Nikolaos Marina for the last 6 years. The town is very much alive. The tourist souvenir shops close of course and there are no tourists - they make it a very busy place in the summer - but 95% of the tavernas and bars stay open, all the shops are open and it's a lively provincial Greek town.

Your friend is right that the tourist towns (Malia, Hersonissos etc.) do shut down over winter but he is completely wrong to claim that Agios Nikolaos "absolutely dies in the winter". That's just nonsense.

Tony C.

Thanks Tony, got your PM.