Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages
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Aegean Sea to Gibraltar Passage
Aegean to Gibraltar Passage | |
MORE notes about the passage |
Introduction
Depending on the time you will like to complete the passage, your departure point, and personal preference you must decide whether to take a southern route along via Malta (south of Sicily) or a northern route along the Mesina Stait in Italy (north of Sicily).
In general the southern route is shorter and faster while the northern route has shorter legs and more places to stop.
Climate & Weather Information
See Mediterranean.
Weather Windows
The months to be avoided for the passage are from November to April when violent storms are possible.
The best time of the year for this passage is either in May - June or in September - October when various ports and marinas are less crowded and the weather is usually benign. In October, however, there is a possibility of thunderstorms so one has to be cautious.
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
List radio Nets covering this passage.
See Mediterranean.
Also see the charts for individual countries or islands.
Possible Departure Points
Some of the possible departure points from the Aegean Sea are:
- Dardanelles in Turkey
- Kusadasi in Turkey
- Pythagorio, Samos in Greece
- Kos in Greece
- Bodrum in Turkey
- Rhodes in Greece
- Marmaris in Turkey
- From any of the Cyclades islands in Greece
- Athens Region in Greece
Route/Suggested Stopovers
Southern Route Via Malta and S of Sicily
This is the shortest and faster route for traversing the Mediterranean. Depending on your point of origin and whether you need to formally exit Greece (see Arrival/Departure procedures for Greece) you have several choices:
Crete to Malta
In Crete you can clear customs in either Iraklio (about 525 nM) or in Chania (about 460 nM). The passage is straightforward with an almost westerly heading. There are no stopping possibilities. Both of these departure ports are good places for obtaining provisions.
Cythera to Malta
The main harbor of Cythera, Kapsáli is NOT a port of entry. So, this route is not suitable for yachts that need to clear customs. The distance is about 420 nM and the passage is straightforward with a westerly heading. There are no stopping possibilities. Kapsáli is a good place for obtaining provisions.
Pylos to Malta
Pylos is a laid-back place to clear customs and a good place for provisioning. The distance for this passage is about 352 nM and it is straightforward with a westerly heading. There are no stopping possibilities.
After Malta possibilities:
- Malta to Tunisia - describe
- Malta to Cagliari then Balearics - describe
- Malta to Balearics - describe
Northern Route Via Strait of Messina and N of Sicily
There are two ways to reach the Strait of Messina from the Aegean Sea:
Via the Corinth Canal to Cagliari
This route is desirable for yachts that start from northern Aegean as it is shorter. However, the canal fee is appreciable. Yachts usually arrive early at the canal entrance because there can be considerable delays before the transit (almost all other vessels have a higher priority).
After transiting the canal a yacht may stop at the Port of Corinth, or at the delightful island of Trizonia. Once you cross the Culf of Corinth and the Gulf of Patras a natural stopover before crossing the Ionian Sea is Zakinthos (Zante).
There you can clear customs and provision. The distance from the canal to Zakinthos is about 115 nM. From Zakinthos you can sail directly W to Reggio di Calabria a port of entry into Italy a distance of 270 nM. There are no stopping possibilities.
Warning: Also be aware that south of Reggio local fishermen deploy lines with floats that are particularly hard to see during a night passage.
From Reggio di Calabria, after passing the Strait of Messina, you head W to Cagliari, Sardinia a distance of 320 nM. A nice stopover is the Aeolian Island of Ustica.
Warning: There are strong currents, which build heavy seas, in the Strait of Messina believed to be the location of the mythological Scylla and Charybdis. Consult the tide tables before the passage through the Strait.
Pylos (S Peloponnese) to Cagliari
In this route you sail NW 335 nM to Reggio di Calabria. There are no stopping possibilities.
Warning: Also be aware that south of Reggio local fishermen deploy lines with floats that are particularly hard to see during a night passage.
From Reggio di Calabria, after passing the Strait of Messina, you head W to Cagliari, Sardinia a distance of 320 nM. A nice stopover is the Aeolian Island of Ustica.
Warning: There are strong currents, which build heavy seas, in the Strait of Messina believed to be the location of the mythological Scylla and Charybdis. Consult the tide tables before the passage through the Strait.
Possible Arrival Ports
Distance & Duration
Iraklio | Chania | Kapsáli | Pylos | Valletta | Corinth Canal | Zakinthos | Reggio | Cagliari | |
Dardanelles | 285 2d | 290 2d | 285 2d | 350 2d + 10h | 710 5d | 225 1d + 14h | 340 2d + 9h | 610 4d + 6h | 930 6d + 11h |
Kusadasi | 200 1d + 9h | 210 1d + 11h | 230 1d + 14h | 305 2d + 3h | 650 4d + 12h | 190 1d + 8h | 305 2d + 3h | 575 4d | 895 6d + 5h |
Pythagorio | 175 1d + 5h | 195 1d + 9h | 215 1d +12h | 290 2d | 640 4d + 11 h | 185 1d +7h | 300 1d + 2h | 570 4d | 890 6d + 4h |
Kos | 145 1d | 180 1d + 6h | 220 1d +13h | 290 2d | 640 4d + 11h | 225 1d + 14h | 340 2d + 9h | 610 4d + 6h | 930 6d + 11h |
Bodrum | 150 1d + 1h | 190 1d + 8h | 220 1d + 13h | 300 2d + 2h | 650 4d + 12h | 235 1d + 15h | 350 2d + 10h | 620 4d + 7h | 940 6d + 13h |
Rhodes | 170 1d + 4h | 225 1d + 14h | 260 1d + 19h | 350 2d + 10h | 675 4d + 17h | 275 1d + 22h | 390 2d + 17h | 660 4d + 14h | 980 6d + 19h |
Marmaris | 180 1d + 6h | 240 1d + 16 h | 275 1d + 22h | 365 2d + 13h | 700 4d + 21h | 285 2d | 400 2d + 19h | 670 4d + 16h | 990 6d + 21h |
Syros | 125 21h | 125 21h | 125 21h | 195 1d + 9h | 530 3d + 16h | 105 18h | 220 1d + 13h | 490 3d + 10h | 810 5d + 15h |
Athens Region | 160 1d + 3h | 137 23h | 107 18h | 175 1d + 5h | 530 3d + 16h | 32 5h | 147 1d | 417 2d + 22h | 735 5d + 3h |
Iraklio | 62 10h | 525 3d + 15h | |||||||
Chania | 62 10h | 460 3d + 5h | |||||||
Kapsáli | 420 3d | ||||||||
Pylos | 352 2d + 10h | 63 11h | 335 2d + 8h | 655 4d + 13h | |||||
Valletta | 525 3d + 15h | 460 3d + 5h | 420 3d | 352 2d + 10h | |||||
Corinth Canal | 115 19h | 385 2d + 16h | 705 4d + 21h | ||||||
Zakinthos | 63 11h | 115 19h | 270 1d + 21h | 590 4d + 2h | |||||
Reggio | 335 2d + 8h | 270 1d + 21h | 320 2d + 5h | ||||||
Cagliari | 320 2d + 5h |
Passage Description
FULL description of this passage.
CruiserLog Forum discussions
Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
References
Books, guides, etc.
Personal Notes
Personal experience?
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