Cruising the Samos Sea Islands
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Cruising the Samos Sea Islands
Cruising the Samos Sea | |
MORE notes about the passage |
Introduction
Samos Sea or the Sea of Samos is the area bounded by Samos in the N, the coast of Asia Minor (Turkey) in the E, the island of Leros to the S, and the Fourni islands in the W. In general Samos Sea is less windy than the adjacent Sea of Ikaria to its W, with the exception of the Fourni-Samos channel.
Historical interest is centered in Samos and Patmos. The rest of the islands however provide a very pleasant cruising ground. In addition to ports there many coves which provide enchanted anchorages.
Climate & Weather Information
In the summer months the weather is dominated by the meltemi which comes from the NW, and from NE in the Mycale channel between Samos and Turkey.
For details see Aegean Weather.
Weather Windows
The best times to tour the Sea of Samos are in the Spring, May and June, and in the autumn, September and October. You are less likely to encounter strong meltemi winds and also all the anchorages are less crowded. Other than the weather-wise unpredictable winter months, the worse time to be cruising the Sea of Samos is during the month of August. In August not only will you encounter a number of meltemi gales but all harbors and anchorages, even the most remote, will be crowded as this is the prime vacation time in Greece and the rest of the EU.
In October, especially late in the month there can be southerly winds and occasionally thunderstorms, some of which can be severe. If you are cruising during that time you should always have two possible anchorages in mind: one protected from N winds and one from the S winds.
Radio Nets
See Aegean Sea
- BA
- 2682 Kolpos Petalion to Nisos Nisiros
- 1537 Nisides Fournoi with the straits between Nisos Samos and Nisos Ikaria
- 1568 Ports & anchorages in eastern Agean sea: Limin Karlovasi, Limin Pithagoriou
- 1446 Samos Strait to Güllük Körfezi
- 3926 Lero island and approaches
- 3927 Patmos, Arki and Lipso
- Imray-Tetra
- G34 Southern Cyclades
- G32 Eastern Sporades and Coast of Turkey
- NIMA
- 54400 Samos to Rodhos
- 54389 Fener Adasi to Samos Strait
- 54402 Island of the Aegean - Fournoi
- 54403 Samos Strait to N. Kalolimnos
- Greek
- 42 Andros to Chalki Island
- 422 Naxos to Samos & Opposite Coast of Asia Minor
- 423 Paros to Astypalia
- 451 Leros to Rhodos
Passage Description
It is assumed that you start your cruise in Samos and proceed in a counterclockwise direction, first sailing W to Fourni, then S to Leros, NE to Agathonisi, and finally N back to Samos. In general, it is easier to sail N near the Asia Minor (Turkey) coast.
Distance & Duration
Possible Departure Points
These two points of departure from the island of Samos are are suggested because it is the larger island in this region. You can, however, start from any of the stopovers listed below.
Route/Suggested Stopovers
- Start from either Pythagorio 37°41.2′N, 26°57′E or Samos Marina 37°41.4′N, 26°57.4′E at the SE side of Samos and
- sail E through the Mycale channel, then
- head N to Cape Praso, then
- turn W to Cape Kothsikas, and finally head S and
- enter the harbor of Vathi 37°45.3′N, 26°58.3′E, distance from Pythagorio is 20 nM. You may skip this port.
This is good stop, and you can visit, if you have not done so already, the Archaeological Museum.
- From Vathi you sail W along the northern coast of Samos, to the N side of Fourni, here you have two choices:
- stop at the harbor of Fourni, Korséi 37°34.7′N, 26°28.5′E (the distance from Vathi is 33 nM) or better yet
- continue for about 3 more miles to the lovely cove of Perokopió 37°33.6′N, 26°29.2′E. The total distance from Vathi is 36 nM.
This is a very good place to relax away from any tourist area.
- After departing Fourni, head S for 19 nM to Skala 37°19.4′N, 26°32.9′E the main harbor of Patmos. island.
From here you can visit the famous Monastery of Saint John, a World Heritage site.
- From Patmos it is an easy 10 nM sail to the lovely island of Marathi 37°22′N, 26°43.6′E.
Here you can relax on the tiny and crystal clear beech and have an unforgettable dinner at Pandelis.
- The next island to visit after Marathi is Lipsi, a distance of only 7 nM to the SSW. You can go either to the
- harbor 37°17.7′N, 26°45.5′E or
- anchor off in the two small coves just W of it, 37°17.8′N, 26°45.3′E and 37°17.9′N, 26°45.5′E
- in the case of south winds go E of the harbor, is a fairly large bay 37°17.5′N, 26°45.8′E
Lipsi is a quiet island very much favored by ecotourists.
- After Lipsi continue sailing S to Lakki 37°07.5′N, 26°51.1′E in the island of Leros, the distance is 15 nM.
From Lakki you can walk, about 2 km, to the rather unique War Museum in a tunnel dug by the Italians while fortifying the island in preparation for WWII.
- Continue S from Lakki for 6 nM to the southernmost anchorage in Leros Xerocambos 37°06.45′N, 26°52.3′E.
- After you depart Xerocambos you sail back N for 14 nM along the eastern side of Leros back to Lipsi stopping in Katsadiá 37°16.9′N, 26°46.3′E. On your way, if you want, you can stop in:
- either in the small harbor of Pandéli 37°08.98′N, 26°51.77′E or in Vromolithos, both in Leros, about 4.8 nM
- in the lovely bay of Alindas 37°10′N, 26°50.4′E also in Leros, about 7 nM from Xerocambos
- the secluded small island of Archangelos 37°11.9′N, 26°46.3′E just to the N of Leros, about 12 nM from Xerocambos
- Now you continue to sail N along the E side of Lipsi to island of Arki. You have several options:
- you can have a temporary stop in the favorite of day-trippers Aspronisi 37°18.4′N, 26°48.3′E, 3 nM,
- stop, and if you want overnight, in Platis Yialos 37°18.8′N, 26°44.5′E on the NE side of Lipsi, about 6 nM,
- end in the cove of Glipapas 37°22.32′N, 26°44.37′E in Arki, 8 nM,
- end in Port_Augusta 37°22.7′N, 26°44.1′E, the harbor of Arki, 9 nM
- From Arki you sail NE for 14 nM to Port San Giorgio 37°27.4′N, 26°58′E in Agathonisi. You also have a few options:
- on the way you can have a swimming stop in the lovely Tiganakia cove 37°21.6′N, 26°45.06′E in the S of Arki,
- instead of Port_Augusta you can anchor off in any of the nearby coves: Gaidourávlako 37°27.1′N, 26°57.7′E, Tsangaris 37°27′N, 26°58.2′E, or Spelia 37°27.3′N, 26°57.8′E
- Finally you sail 18 nM from Agathonisi back to Pythagorio, Samos 37°41.2′N, 26°57′E thus completing our tour of the the Samos Sea Islands.
Possible Arrival Ports
Forum Discussion Topics
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
See Aegean Sea.
References
See Aegean Sea.
Personal Notes
- I have sailed all of the above passages. --Istioploos
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