Ionian quiet

[nimbusgb]

The Ionian appears to be very quiet. The season got started late this year with unsettled weather right up to about a week ago when I was last there. Friends in Frikes, Sami, Spartachori and others are posting pics of all but deserted harbours and anchorages.

Are people holding back because of the weather, the cruising tax or is it just a slow year?

 

[duncan99210]

We're in Monemvasia just now and would love to be in the Ionian. The winds have been all over the place..... We look like being stuck here for a bit yet. It's busy here just now, marina and port full with boats waiting the chance to round Cape Maleas or those having arrived here today grabbing a chance to move west to east.

 

[grafozz]

I agree this is the quietest I have seen it in years , we were out and about 2 weeks ago , and tied up side -to on the quay in Kastos on an empty quay ,
then side -to on the short quay in Kuoni , which is very rare , and side-to again in Kalamos then stern to on the town quay in Vathy , Meganissi , odd really ,
easy to think its the weather , which still has not settled yet , but it has to be lower charter bookings as these would have been confirmed long ago .
So it must be lack of confidence in the Greek "situation " that has kept the waters and harbours delightfully empty !

 

[Cardo]

We're moored up in Paxos. Reasonably full, people having to anchor and take a line ashore on the other side of the channel as the quay is, or was, full.

Don't know what this place was like in previous years, though.

 

[OldBawley]

Hi Duncan, how is the situation in Monemvasia now? Is it a marina now, with marina prices or just the old harbour?

Very unsettled weather here around Poros too. We had a South 45 knots here ( 30 knots predicted ) , lots and lots of charter boats in big trouble. I noticed that not one of the big charter catamarans was able to anchor, windage simply to much for an anchor with those winds we had. Seen two of those floating apartments drive the boat on to the ground on the windward side and tie a land line to the threes. Two supermobo´s turning circles for hours. Some moorings taken with the boat onto the quay side. Chaos.

 

[duncan99210]

Hi Duncan, how is the situation in Monemvasia now? Is it a marina now, with marina prices or just the old harbour?
.

We're in what they call the marina, south of the island. It's got water but that's it. No charge to moor here, PP not interested as it's not the port...... We were in the old ferry port to the north of the island but it was too unprotected with wind coming from the west and bending round the hills behind the town. Water and electricity there and the PP asked us to visit them to pay the usual port dues.
Busy today with the 'marina' full and a few charter boats anchored just off the marina and some high winds forecast over the next few days.

 

[OldBawley]

Thanks for the info.
Poros Saronic very busy, guess 90% charter boats.

 

[vyv_cox]

We remarked yesterday how busy the Dodecanese were compared with previous years. Leros marina was full last week, turning boats away, and probably will be by tomorrow with forecast poor weather. And that's before a rally of 50 Russian boats arrives!