sailing the cyclades mid summer, too windy or not?

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Artic Warrior

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Hi all,

We start our livaboard life and will be leaving Marmaris end of march, heading up the Turkish coast about 200 miles then into
the Cyclades for some summer sailing before heading down to crete for the winter,
Do people generally try to escape the Meltemi in the Cyclades area mid summer , or just put up with it as these islands are lovely I think.
,,,we do like sailing thou, and are geared up for strong winds.


Colin
 
It depends on what you mean by 'too windy'. I suggest that you see for yourself.
My wife and I used to spend all our vacations (one month) in the Cyclades.All in all, it's a matter of luck :)
 
In one of Rod Heikell's books he relates how, in his early sailing career he earned a useful living by bringing back from places like Kos to Athens many abandoned or otherwise pre-arranged one-way charter boats. I think that really sums it up. You CAN have a pleasant time there and there are plenty of places and delightfully empty islands and bays where you can get in from the wind. However you need a lot of planning, time and flexibility of schedule to do it in any comfort. We gave up after two years!
 
The northern Aegean is wonderful and out of the Meltemi. Last year we sailed through the Dodecanese and Eastern Sporades to Limnos before the Meltemi kicked in and then spent the summer months visiting Samothraki, Thassos, Halkidiki and the Northern Sporades. Then it was a downwind sail through the Cyclades and Dodecanese back to Crete for the winter. Great trip.
 
One of rare occasions where all responses so far are to the point and helpful.
My view is about your style of staying there. If you or your guests require frequent changes in order to get the most out of your stay or due to lack of provisions or necessity to meet boat schedules or flights, then August is definitely against your chances. But if you are prepared in all sense to stay in a place you like for a week or even two before the next window which could be a F2 or F6 before F7 and above settles again then it is for you.
If against all odds peaceful days drop in, rush to see very windy islands like Andros, Tinos or Mykonos. Besides, the local wind patterns are known and you can read about them, distances are relatively short, and if you can, always allow a downwind way out to the next nice place.
 
Artic Warrior said:
Hi all,

will be leaving Marmaris end of march, heading up the Turkish coast about 200 miles then into
the Cyclades for some summer sailing before heading down to crete for the winter,


Colin
Click to expand...

So basically you will be heading north through eastern aegean until Samos and Ikaria (or even Chios of you go further up). That is not too bad besides probably a few places (such as north of Rhodes, or SE of Kos). Stay south of the islands and be careful of katavatic winds and any narrow passages (Samos - Turkey from my experience is I think in general calm).
Then depending which islands you will go it's relatively downhill. Andros and Tinos not so downhill, especially from Ikaria, but Paros, Naxos etc are. Of course if you are caught by Meltemi prepare for some exciting steering. But it's definately better than heading into it.
 
This may help:
http://www.jimbsail.info/mediterranean/greece/cyclades

It's very rare to have to hole up for more than 3 days due to the meltemi. It's also nicer to be in a boat over 10 ton displacement, or over 12m, if you're going to have to beat to windward in a 6 or 7! Otherwise, to work north, either beat up the flatter waters of the Dodecanese, taking plenty of stops en route; or go to the Peloponnese coast north of Ieraka, where daily sea breeze southerlies develop to blow you into the Argolic Gulf
 
pelissima said:
One of rare occasions where all responses so far are to the point and helpful.
My view is about your style of staying there. If you or your guests require frequent changes in order to get the most out of your stay or due to lack of provisions or necessity to meet boat schedules or flights, then August is definitely against your chances. But if you are prepared in all sense to stay in a place you like for a week or even two before the next window which could be a F2 or F6 before F7 and above settles again then it is for you.
If against all odds peaceful days drop in, rush to see very windy islands like Andros, Tinos or Mykonos. Besides, the local wind patterns are known and you can read about them, distances are relatively short, and if you can, always allow a downwind way out to the next nice place.
Click to expand...

Well time is in our favour, we have all the time in the world and no where to rush too, which to me is the best scenario regarding safety at sea.
I don't have any friends any way Hee hee..... so no worries about bods coming to see us under a schedule where they have to be here there and every where,,,,bless the RAT race,
 
Artic Warrior said:
I was assuming something like that regarding going north again next year from crete,,, zig zag zig zag all the way up,,,,:eek:
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This is our fourth winter in Crete and each time we have left in Spring we have had a good sail to either Milos or Rhodes and then hopped up through the islands. Just don't leave it too late to go.
 
NornaBiron said:
This is our fourth winter in Crete and each time we have left in Spring we have had a good sail to either Milos or Rhodes and then hopped up through the islands. Just don't leave it too late to go.
Click to expand...

I think its good that Rhodes and milos is where they are as it enables a nice big zig zag when heading north from Crete,,,

im thinking of next year all ready and haven't started this one yet,,,,woo woo !!

Happy Days Ahead
 
Meltemis can occur May to October but normally peak in August. The wind and seas are so bad that the ferries stop running. The islands are close enough together that if one is forecast you can seek shelter on the south side. The warning signs of a Meltemi are it is heralded by scattered altocumulus and sometimes orographic clouds on the lee side of islands during the previous day. Typically a Meltemi is accompanied by a sudden drop in humidity, improved visibility and a raise in atmospheric pressure.
 
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