East Mediterranean Passages
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East Mediterranean Passages
East Mediterranean to Crete Passages | |
MORE notes about the passage |
Introduction
This page describes passage routes from the East Mediterranean to Crete. From Crete, the rest of the routes leading to Gibraltar are given by Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.
All the routing instructions described in this page can be reversed and equally apply for passages from Gibraltar to the East Mediterranean.
See also Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.
Climate & Weather Information
See Mediterranean.
Weather Windows
The months to be avoided for this 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.
Possible Departure Points
Some of the possible departure points from the East Mediterranean are:
Route/Suggested Stopovers
Turkey to Crete
Kaş to Iraklio
From Kaş (GPS: 36°11.8′N, 29°38.6′E) you first sail SW to S of Karpathos (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E), then W directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 222 nM. Both Kaş and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers in Greece are:
- Karpathos (35°30.7′N, 27°12.8′E) - About 120 nM
- Kasos (35°25′N, 26°56′E) - About 138 nM
- Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) - 175 nM
Note, that none of these is a port of entry into Greece.
Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.
Antalya to Iraklio
From Antalya (GPS: 36°53′N, 30°42.1′E) you first sail SW to S of Karpathos (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E), then W directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 312 nM. Both Antalya and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers are:
- Çeneviz Liman in Turkey (36°22.2′N, 30°30′E) - About 38 nM
- Karpathos in Greece (35°30.7′N, 27°12.8′E) - About 205 nM
- Kasos in Greece (35°25′N, 26°56′E) - About 222 nM
- Sitia in Greece (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) - 265 nM
Note, that non of these is a port of entry into either Turkey or Greece.
Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.
Alanya to Iraklio
From Alanya (GPS: 36°32.1′N, 32°0.4′E) you first sail SW to S of Karpathos (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E), then W directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 345 nM. Both Alanya and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers are:
- Çeneviz Liman in Turkey (36°22.2′N, 30°30′E) - About 72 nM
- Karpathos in Greece (35°30.7′N, 27°12.8′E) - About 240 nM
- Kasos in Greece (35°25′N, 26°56′E) - About 258 nM
- Sitia in Greece (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) - 300 nM
Note, that non of these is a port of entry into either Turkey or Greece.
Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.
Mersin to Iraklio
From Mersin (GPS: 36°46.2′N, 34°34.8′E) you first sail SE to S of Incekum Burnu (GPS: 36°0.4′N, 34°05.9′E), WSW to S of Karpathos (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E), then W directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 500 nM. Both Mersin and Iraklio are ports of entry. Possible stopovers are:
- Anamur in Turkey - About 240 nM. This is a port of entry
- Karpathos in Greece (35°30.7′N, 27°12.8′E) - About 380 nM
- Kasos in Greece (35°25′N, 26°56′E) - About 298 nM
- Sitia in Greece (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) - 455 nM
Warning: This passage crosses the notorious Sea of Karpathos which is very susceptible to the meltemi and large seas, during the summer months, especially in July and August.
Cyprus to Crete
Famagusta to Iraklio
This route takes you from Famagusta (GPS: 35°8.4′N, 33°57.2′E), Northern Cyprus WSW along the S side of Cyprus to Cape Akrotiri (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E), then WNW directly to to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). It is a 463 nM, mostly WNW, sail over open sea.
The only possible stopover is Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete.
Limassol to Iraklio
This route takes you from Limassol (GPS: 34°38.5′N, 33°2′E), Southern Cyprus S to Cape Akrotiri (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E), then WNW directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is a 395 nM WNW sail over open sea.
The only possible stopover is Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete, about 415 nM.
Syria to Crete
You first sail NW from Tartus (GPS: 34°55.3′N, 35°51.6′E) to Cape Akrotiri (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E) in Southern Cyprus, then WNW directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is a 530 nM mostly over open sea. Possible stopovers are:
- Limassol (34°38.5′N, 33°2′E), Southern Cyprus - About 146 nM
- Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete - About 485 nM
Lebanon to Crete
You first sail WNW from Beirut (GPS: 33°55′N, 35°32.2′E) directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and then W to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is a 515 nM mostly over open sea. Possible stopovers are:
- Limassol (34°38.5′N, 33°2′E), Southern Cyprus - About 127 nM
- Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete - About 467 nM
Israel to Crete
Starting from Ashkelon Marina (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) you first sail NW over open water to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and than to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 522 nM. Possible stopovers are:
- Limassol (34°38.5′N, 33°2′E), Southern Cyprus - About 192 nM
- Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete - About 475 nM
Egypt to Crete
Port Said to Iraklio
Starting from Port Said (GPS: 31°17.3′N, 32°20.7′E) you sail NW directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and than to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 452 nM.
There is only one possible stopover: Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete, about 400 nM.
Alexandria to Iraklio
Starting from Alexandria (GPS: 31°12.3′N, 29°49.7′E) you sail NW directly to Cape Sidero (GPS: 31°41.2′N, 34°33.3′E) in Crete, and than to to Iraklio (GPS: 35°21′N, 25°09.2′E). The total distance is 361 nM.
There is only one possible stopover: Sitia (35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E) in NE Crete, about 314 nM.
Egypt to Cyprus
Port Said to Limassol
Starting from Port Said (GPS: 31°17.3′N, 32°20.7′E) you sail NNE for 205 nM to Limassol, Southern Cyprus (GPS: 34°38.5′N, 33°2′E).
There are no stopovers along the way.
Port Said to Famagusta
Starting from Port Said (GPS: 31°17.3′N, 32°20.7′E) you sail NE to Cape Greco in Cyprus (GPS: 34°56.8′N, 34°07.4′E) and then directly to Famagusta (GPS: 35°8.4′N, 33°57.2′E). The total distance is 255 nM.
There are no stopovers along the way.
Alexandria to Limassol
Starting from Alexandria (GPS: 31°12.3′N, 29°49.7′E) you sail NE to Cape Akrotiri Cyprus (GPS: 34°32.3′N, 33°3.7′E) and then directly to Limassol, Southern Cyprus (GPS: 34°38.5′N, 33°2′E). The total distance is 265 nM.
There are no stopovers along the way.
Alexandria to Famagusta
Starting from Alexandria (GPS: 31°12.3′N, 29°49.7′E) you sail NE directly to to Cape Greco in Cyprus (GPS: 34°56.8′N, 34°07.4′E) and then directly to Famagusta (GPS: 35°8.4′N, 33°57.2′E). The total distance is 328 nM.
There are no stopovers along the way.
Crete to Gibraltar
For the routes from Crete to Gibraltar follow: Crete to Malta.
Possible Arrival Ports
- Iraklio (35°21′N, 25°09.2′E), Crete
- Gibraltar (36°08.9′N, 05°21.29′W) (description of routes from Crete in Aegean Sea to Gibraltar Passage)
Distance & Duration
See Mediterranean Distances Table.
Passage Description
Because of the relative weak currents in the Mediterranean and the lack of trade winds these routes can be followed at either eastward or westward direction. But, unlike larger bodies of water such as oceans the Mediterranean is subject to more volatile weather. When the wind blows, especially in the months of November to April, it can often reach force 9 and at times force 12. During these times the seas, although not as large as in the oceans, are very steep with short wave lengths. These are at best extremely uncomfortable and at worst very dangerous.
It is best to do as Mediterranean sailors have been doing since antiquity, restrict sailing to short trips in the winter months and plan long passages during May to October.
Forum Discussion Topics
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Mediterranean (Wikipedia)
References
- Jimmy Cornell, World Cruising Routes: Companion to World Cruising Handbook, Adlard Coles Nautical, ISBN 0713687770
See also Mediterranean.
Personal Notes
Personal experience?
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