Peoloponnese round trip

[Caladh]

The time has now come, to plan this years trip from Messolongi and back to the Ionian via the Peloponnese. I have read a somewhat (now) out of date Rod Heikel, looked at Jim B's site + others, and viewed posts on here. However I'm after up to date info. from anyone who has done the trip recently. I am aware of the more challenging conditions and plan to go south from M and back via the Canal. Thanks in anticipation.

 

[macd]

There was a thread on Corinth Canal about a week ago.

However you spell it, Pelepopolonolese is lovely and, for Greece, relatively away from the herd.

 

[tri39]

Peloponnese

You can read my trips in 96 and 2000 on my sailblog. Anticlockwise is definitely the way to go!! Gythion is worth a day, you can bus to Sparta and then taxi to Mystras and walk down through the Byzantine town. Linger in Elafonisos or Neapoli before rounding Cape Maleas (early in the day). After beating round we then had to motor to Monemvasia! Lots to see, I may be following you this year.

 

[vyv_cox]

Anticlockwise is definitely the way to go!!

We did it clockwise in 2008. Left Preveza at beginning of July and returned towards the end of September. We enjoyed more downwind sailing than we have for years. Spinnaker for most of the Patras Gulf, although fortunately bottled out of flying it under the Rion bridge as we suffered some fierce gusts from ahead around there. Then fresh winds astern to Trizonia and from there to Corinth via Itea and Galaxidi. Light winds mostly astern right down to Cape Malea. where we had a really big blow just aft of the beam. Coming back up the west side we mostly motored but managed some upwind sailing in light northwesterlies. Kiparissia is now an excellent place to leave the boat and take a hire car to Olympus.

A very enjoyable cruise, plenty to see and do with very few other boats around. Came across one flotilla in the Navplion gulf but no others.

 

[BobnLesley]

Anti-clockwise

We've lapped the Peloponesse in both directions and despite havinghad the better run when we went clockwise, I think that was an anomally and overall I'd still recommend anti-clockwise. You've a good chance of some headwinds in the Corinth/Patras Gulfs, but against that, you should have wind abaft the beam all along the west and south coasts.

 

[sailinglegend420]

We are also in Messolonghi and there may be an informal Cruising Association trip heading south.

PM if interested.

 

[jaba]

Done il last year anti-clockwise (direction which I suggest as well: on an average year you will probably find "maistro" (nw) all the way to Methoni).
If you are not in a hurry, there are plenty of nice stops. Just to mention a few:
Zakinthos, Strophades islands, Methoni, Koroni, Porto Kayo, Elafonissos isl., Kapsali (Kythera), Monemvassia, Gerakas, Nauplio, and then, in Korinthos Gulf, I liked Antikyra. nice sail, no stress... enjoy;-)

 

[KellysEye]

We did it many years ago, it'sa fantastic place. Don't just sail round it go up between the 'fingers'. Bear in mind that three depression tracks meet there - we got pasted until we got into shelter.

 

[affinite]

I'm halfway round

We did half of it anticlockwise from Messy last year Boat now ashore in Kilada. We had planned to complete the circle this year but have decided on Cyclades instead. We loved the trip, mostly downwind, but found a long lazy swell working into many of the anchorages which meant some sleepless nights. Maybe the Ionian spolit us in terms of easy town quays. We got holed up in Monemvasia for 4 days because of (Very) strong head winds. Tip - dont drop anchor too far out from quay as it is poor holding and if its going to blow hard, consider moving into inner harbour. When the wind got very strong for us (pushing boat onto the quay) I moved into the inner harbour, dropped a kedge anchor and squeezed inbetween local fishing boats. Locals were a little miffed but as the wind increased, I watched 3 boats drag anchor and bash onto the quay in front.

Katakolon
Great little train journey to Olympia which we enjoyed. Tip - the "harbour master" gave us a bit of a hard time because we anchored in the bay behind the harbour and dinghied in rather than tie up in "his" yacht harbour and pay the dues. Just avoid him.

Great trip - enjoy

 

[vyv_cox]

We got holed up in Monevasia for 4 days because of (Very) strong head winds.

Steve,
Was the big turtle in residence when you were there? By far the biggest we have seen to date, it frequently swam under the boat and the resulting motion could be felt even when below. We were there for a couple of nights, during which it didn't seem to leave.
Vyv

 

[jaba]

Last June the turtle was merrily swimming under my boat. I was moored along the pier inside the inner harbour. Confortable & safe. Imho better than the ferry pier.
best
j

 

[Moodyjim]

We are looking at a similat trip from Messy starting in May but stopping somewhere halfway round to go earn beer tokens before completing the circumnav.

 

[affinite]

Good news and bad News

Vyv, there were two very big turtles in residence in Monemvasia in August but we noticed that one of them was flapping around for a couple of days and clearly couldnt dive. An American cruiser, who was also holed up in the harbour with us took the local Port policeman out in his dinghy to check it out. The two of them managed to haul it into the dinghy, which it filled, and then took it to shore. Apparantly it had been shot and was in a pretty bad way, but the plan was to take it to a turtle refuge in Athens. Reassuringly, Turtle soup didnt appear on the Taverna menu boards before we moved on so perhaps it did get to Athens in the end.

BTW - Look forward to an update to your YM article to cover chain regalvanising facilities in Leros ?

 

[TRUNDLETRUC]

Peloponnese

We travelled round the Peloponnese in September 2009 from the Ionian in a clockwise direction. We had stern/on the beam winds all the way. We had to spend an extra day in Poros because of excess wind (watch the ferry wash if on the town quay, better to use the pontoon) and also had a lot of wind going round Ak Maleas. Don't miss Leraka, nice quiet place. In fact everytime we rounded one of the three capes the wind got up. Bit hairy (6/8) between the islands going towards Methoni as it was a dead run. There is not a lot of shelter at the southern most part.

Unfortunately, we only allowed ourselves 3 weeks and the part from Ak Maleas home to the Ionian had to be rushed. You need at least a month to do it any justice. Made the long trip up to Kalamata but was not impressed. We would probably have been better going over to Koroni.

Would like to go back and have a really good look at this bit again.

 

[vyv_cox]

BTW - Look forward to an update to your YM article to cover chain regalvanising facilities in Leros ?

The photo of the chain hanging off the cradle was taken very close by you - in Kilada. We brought it back by road and took it back next season (2010). Not much hope of any such treatment in Leros, but the island does have the best chandlery we have seen anywhere east of S of France.

 

[Caladh]

Thanks to all who have replied. I guess we'll catch up with those in Messolonghi when we go out in early May. However it'll be back up to Nidri to have an electric anchor winch fitted before we head south again.

 

[krismatski]

Hi, how long such a round trip may take at LEAST? I'm berthing my boat in Kerkyra, Corfu and planing a 3 week cruising in early July.
PS. How it is in Messolongi? In terms conditions, company, cost and connection with the rest of EU?

 

[charles_reed]

The time has now come, to plan this years trip from Messolongi and back to the Ionian via the Peloponnese. I have read a somewhat (now) out of date Rod Heikel, looked at Jim B's site + others, and viewed posts on here. However I'm after up to date info. from anyone who has done the trip recently. I am aware of the more challenging conditions and plan to go south from M and back via the Canal. Thanks in anticipation.

Did it a couple of times - started Kalamata on one occasion, not a good idea as you have a long haul down to Ak Tainaron.

Suggest - Messolonghi to Kiparissa (Rod isn't up to date) to Pilos to Finikounta or Koroni (I prefer the latter), Koroni to Elafononissos to Monemvasia to Spetses.

It's an easy week cruise or, if you want to dally 10 days. I stopped en route and bussed to various places like Olympia, Mystras etc.

The canal is expensive but the small boat harbour in Corinth is OK and there's lots to see around there apart from Akrokorinthos, Mykinis, Nemea and Sibari. One car-hire in Korinthos €25/day.

 

[tennisgirl1]

In May 2009 we came across a Dutch flotilla (Sunny boats) near Killini which had started from Levkas and was sailing in an anticlockwise direction round the Peloponnese and back to Levkas via the Corinth canal in two weeks.

We were sailing in tandem with them for a few days but saw the last of them in Methoni when they set off at 4 a.m. to head east as quickly as possible. They had little time for exploring the places they visited and were obviously concerned about getting round Cape Maleas whilst the weather was suitable.

We didn't see them again although we were not exactly dawdling, so I assume they made it back to the Levkas base as planned.
I should think it best to allow a minimum of three weeks for a round trip from Corfu.

http://yachtvigdis.wordpress.com

 

[TRUNDLETRUC]

Peloponnese

To answer Krismatski. As I pointed out above, we went round in a 36ft yacht and really had to get a move on to complete the circumnavigation in 3 weeks. Motor on, if speed was less than 5 knots. and no stays longer than a day anywhere other than for weather.

So unless you own a motor cruiser, a fast yacht, or want a sailing challenge just to get round, I would seriously suggest allowing at least 4 weeks. We started in Preveza and ended at Nidri. Allow extra from Corfu.