| Crete was home to one of world's most | | | | inside the N jetty or bow or stern to the E jetty. |
| important civilisations, the Minoans who ruled the | | | | There is good shelter even from the Meltemi |
| eastern Mediterranean from 2800 - 1150 BC. The | | | | tucked under the E jetty. There is water on the |
| art that has survived shows a refined and peace | | | | quay and fuel can be delivered. All provisions can |
| loving culture. There is a good collection in the | | | | be obtained and there are some good tavernas |
| Museum at Iraklion. Through commerce, shipping | | | | including several fish restaurants in the Venetian |
| and trade with other peoples, the Egyptians, | | | | harbour. This should be one of the highlights of |
| Phoenicians and Syrians they built a powerful | | | | the charter. The Venetian harbour and town are |
| civilisation. The Achaians and the Dorians followed. | | | | attractive and the buildings with wooden balconies |
| The Romans occupied Crete 69 - 330 AD making | | | | are a reminder of Turkish occupation. |
| Gortyn their major town. Crete fell into the | | | | Iraklion is the capital of Crete. Proceed to the |
| Arabic hands in 824 and was not liberated until | | | | Venetian harbour at the W end of the main |
| 961). Then in 1204, the island passed to the | | | | harbour. Go bow or stern to at the "marina" in |
| Venetians. They fortified the island with several | | | | the S or on the N quay. There is water on the |
| new castles and broke the ground for new cities | | | | quay and fuel can be delivered. There is excellent |
| of Hania and Rethimno. Inside the walls the cities | | | | shopping and fresh fish is sold in the harbour. |
| developed with narrow alleys and houses, | | | | There are good tavernas many of which serve |
| interspersed with decorative churches, fountains, | | | | fresh fish. Try those around the market in town. |
| piazzas and palaces the remains of which can still | | | | The city itself has little to recommend it but visits |
| be seen today. In 1645 the Turks set foot on the | | | | to Knossus, an archaeological site, go early in the |
| island for the first time and in 1669 the whole of | | | | morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the |
| Crete fell to them. Not until 1913 was the island | | | | tourists. And the museum containing a collection |
| reunited with the rest of Greece. | | | | from the Minoan times is worthwhile. |
| In the summer the prevailing wind is the infamous | | | | Khersonisos is a small harbour. Go bow to the |
| Meltemi from the NW - WNW. July and August | | | | mole or anchor off. Care is needed because |
| sees the winds at their strongest, force 5 - 6 on | | | | depths vary throughout the harbour and the |
| the northern coast but more often a more gentle | | | | holding is poor on sand and rock. There is good |
| force 3 - 4. The spring and autumn sees winds | | | | shelter from the N as the harbour is open only to |
| form the south, force 2 - 4. The southern coast | | | | the SE. Water, fuel and provisions can all be found |
| is notorious for strong squalls the blow down | | | | in the town. The town is a modern tourist |
| from the mountains. There is little in the way of | | | | development, full of bad architecture and |
| warning and they can be violent close inshore. It | | | | obnoxious holidaymakers. |
| gets very hot on the island during the summer | | | | Spinalonga Lagoon is situated in the N of the |
| months with the average daily temperature | | | | larger bay Kolpos Merembellou. Yachts can anchor |
| reaching 35 deg C in July and August and | | | | anywhere in the lagoon. Most provisions can be |
| temperatures as high as 40 deg C are not | | | | obtained at Elounda. Take a look at Nisis |
| uncommon. | | | | Spinalongas. The setting for the Venetian fort and |
| Kissamoss lies in the NW corner of Crete. Yachts | | | | deserted settlement are most attractive. |
| can berth alongside or anchor of in the harbour. | | | | Further to the south is Ay Nikolaos. There is a |
| There is good shelter from the W and NW but it | | | | marina on the S side of the headland. Yachts |
| is open to the E and SE. In a strong northerly | | | | should bow or stern to where directed and use a |
| getting away can be difficult, as the yacht will | | | | laid mooring. There is water and electric on the |
| have to beat for 14 miles to escape the bay. | | | | pontoons. Fuel can be delivered to the yacht. |
| Water is available and the re is a taverna close | | | | There are numerous tavernas and most |
| by. The nearest provisions are at Kastelli, which is | | | | provisions can be obtained. This fishing village is |
| a one mile bus journey away. | | | | now a large tourist development although the |
| Khania is to the E. Entrance can be difficult in a | | | | marina is sited some way from the noisy area. |
| strong northerly as the sea heaps up around the | | | | Pahia Ammos is situated at the S end of Kolpos |
| entrance. The marina is in the E basin. You will be | | | | Merembellou. There are depths of up to 3m at |
| directed to a berth where a laid mooring awaits. | | | | the extremity of the mole. The harbour is |
| There is good shelter in all but northerly gales. | | | | exposed to the Meltemi. Limited provisions can be |
| There is water and electricity on the pontoons. A | | | | obtained in the village and there are several |
| mini tanker can deliver fuel. All provisions can be | | | | tavernas |
| obtained and there are good tavernas in the | | | | Further W lies Sitia. Go bow or stern to the inner |
| town. This Venetian city was for centuries the | | | | N mole. The bottom is sand and weed with some |
| capital of Crete and much of the charming | | | | rocks. There is good shelter from the Meltemi. |
| architecture remains. | | | | There are both fuel and water in the harbour. All |
| Soudhas is further to the E. It is the Greek navy's | | | | provisions can be obtained in the town and there |
| southern base and yachts have been refused | | | | are several good fish restaurants. The inner |
| entry at times. If allowed in go bow or stern to | | | | harbour with its tree lined esplanade is pleasant |
| on the S quay. Shelter is extremely good. There | | | | and watching dusk fall over the harbour while |
| is water on the ferry mole and fuel can be | | | | tucking in to a nice sea bass is the perfect end to |
| delivered. All provisions can be obtained and there | | | | a day's charter. |
| is a good choice of tavernas. The military | | | | Ak Sidhero is the NE tip of Crete and to the S |
| presence tends to put a bit of a dampener on | | | | there are several anchorages in small inlets. There |
| things and this is not a must visit. | | | | are no facilities but the scenery is imposing with a |
| Yioryiopolis is a small harbour at the mouth of the | | | | desolate feel. |
| river Almiros. Go alongside the quay or anchor in | | | | Crete's cuisine is similar to that found throughout |
| the bay to the north. There is good shelter | | | | the Aegean. Fish plays a large part in the form of |
| except with winds from the N - NE. There is | | | | tuna, swordfish, sea bass, urchins, octopus, squid |
| water in the village and most provisions can be | | | | and cuttlefish. You will find beef, pork, lamb and |
| obtained and there are several tavernas. The | | | | goat. A rabbit stew is a speciality. As is cheese |
| village is both attractive the locals are friendly | | | | pie and fried cheese (staka). For those with a |
| making a visit well worthwhile. | | | | sweet tooth try yogurt and honey tarts |
| Rethimon is an old Venetian harbour. Go alongside | | | | (kaltzounia). Cretan wine is fairly good. |