Rhodes to Athens in November

[djs]

I'm taking a charter boat from Rhodes to Athens in early November. I am looking through the pilot book and travel guides to the islands for thoughts on good places to call in at on the way. I only have 8 days sailing time and expect to have to go North through the dodecanese then west to athens because of prevailing north westerlies.

Any suggestions of good anchorages / ports of call to include on the way would be gratefully recieved to help me choose from the myriad possibilities on the way.

On a related note, met' data for the area suggests that there is a fair chance (40%)of SE winds during November but folk i have personally spoken to about this suggest it is highly unlikely that i will encounter anything but NW. any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

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[steve_cronin]

South is more likely in ....

...my experience. Although we have only sailed in those waters for the last two Novembers the prevailing has been in the south on both occassions

If it does blow from the north (& the Meltemi was late this year - but that can mean something or nothing) eight days is a bit of a bash against it especially if you want to do it in daylight. It's 236nm making roughly 30 miles a day.

You will however notice that the spray in your face is warmer that the air!

Steve Cronin

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[Rob_Webb]

Based on recent events weather with be the least of your concerns - watch out for drunken British yobs or worse still being mistaken for one and getting arrested - and be careful of using the phrase 'bareboat charter' in the wrong company - unless you are looking for TCM-style crew (i.e. 8 bare wimmin) it could lead to a grave misunderstanding!

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[HenryB]

I made the trip from Crete to Athens in November 3 years ago. There was no wind at all for the first leg to Santorini but thick fog around Santorini. We then spent 3 days in IOS while a strong northerly came and went, then light northerlies for the rest of the trip. Apart from the brief period of fog the sun shone all the way.

This year I will be making the same trip as you but will be setting off in early October. I plan on sailing from Rhodes to Astipalaia (possibly resting on the west coast of Tilos if necessary), then on to Ios. I've more time for the trip than you so will then spend some time exploring Paros before calling at Seriphos before heading to Poros and Athens.

I think that Astipalaia is a gem and shouldn't be missed. Livadi on Seriphos likewise. It has a good anchorage in the bay, an energetic walk up to the chora, and wonderful views when you arrive, plus cold beer. Take a torch if you go at sunset because the path isn't lit.

At that time of the year Ios is quiet (the hordes have left) and pleasant.

You may need to be prepared to make some longer trips on days when the wind is kind.

Enjoy the trip.

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[Twister_Ken]

I trust the charter company is paying you as a delivery crew!

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[Neraida]

In my experience the wind can go either way but you can probably count on a lot of it. Rain/storms too are not uncommon at that time of the year. I'd keep an eys on the weather if you do decide to go, it can get really nasty in the Aegean from Autumn onwards, you'll never be stuck for somewhere to run and hide if it does blow up though!! Karpathos, Folegandros, Astipalaia, Milos come to mind for really beautiful islands... wherever you choose to stop it will be very quiet in November.

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[djs]

unfortunately not, Ken. the price of gaining experience! I am not complacent about it though, delivery trip i was involved in on the Med in April, the brief was be prepared as if it's the North Sea - it wasn't as bad as that but I know not to assume it's guarenteed to be benign.

I'll be watching the weather very carefully and as Henry B suggests, taking advantage of any good conditions we get.

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