| In the summer the prevailing wind is the | | | | and there are good tavernas. Another recently |
| infamous Meltemi from the NW - WNW. July and | | | | developed tourist resort. |
| August sees the winds at their strongest, | | | | |
| force 5 - 6 on the northern coast but more | | | | Matala is a horseshoe shaped bay on the W |
| often a more gentle force 3 - 4. The spring | | | | side of Ak Latinos. Yachts should only use it |
| and autumn sees winds form the south, force 2 | | | | in calm weather. Most provisions can be |
| - 4. The southern coast is notorious for | | | | obtained and there are good tavernas ashore. |
| strong squalls the blow down from the | | | | Matala is mentioned in Homer's Odyssey. Here |
| mountains. There is little in the way of | | | | Menelau's ships were wrecked returning from |
| warning and they can be violent close | | | | the Trojan wars. It was an important port in |
| inshore. It gets very hot on the island | | | | Roman times. |
| during the summer months with the average | | | | |
| daily temperature reaching 35 deg C in July | | | | Kali Limenes is a small bay on the E side of |
| and August and temperatures as high as 40 deg | | | | Ak Litinos. Yachts can anchor in the bay in |
| C are not uncommon. | | | | depth of 3 - 6m. There is good shelter from |
| | | | the N and W but it is open to the E and S. |
| Nisis Gramvousa lies off Crete's S coast. | | | | Limited provisions can be found in the |
| There is a sheltered bay on the SE side of | | | | village and there are a few tavernas. |
| the island. Yachts can anchor in the bay or | | | | |
| go bows to the quay. There are no facilities | | | | Lerapetrais a medium sized harbour. Yachts |
| but water is available fro a well by the | | | | can go bow or stern to on the N or W sides. |
| chapel | | | | There is water on the quay and fuel from the |
| | | | town. All provisions may be obtained and |
| Palaiokhora is near the SW tip of Crete. Go | | | | there are good waterfront tavernas. The town |
| alongside or bow or stern to in the new | | | | and harbour date back to Minoan times but |
| harbour on the E side of the rocky headland. | | | | sadly little of the ancient architecture |
| Or anchor in either of the two bays to the E | | | | remains. |
| and W of the headland depending on the winds | | | | |
| direction. There is water and fuel in the | | | | Yachts can anchor in the large sandy bay of |
| village and all provisions can be obtained. | | | | Kato Zakros. There are a couple of tavernas |
| The tavernas here are good. | | | | ashore but the main attraction is the ruins |
| | | | of a Minoan palace at the foot of the |
| There are anchorages on either side of Ak | | | | dramatic gorge. |
| Mouros. Ormos Loutra to the E where a yacht | | | | |
| can anchor of the village and Ormos Foinikias | | | | Ormos Grandes is a large bay on the N side of |
| to the W. There are a few tavernas and | | | | Ak Plaka. Yachts can seek shelter from the |
| limited provisions can be obtained in the | | | | Meltemi at Kouremenos in the N of the bay. 2 |
| village. | | | | miles to the N of Kouremenos is Vai. Here |
| | | | yachts can anchor of the sandy beach and |
| Further to the W is Skafion. Yachts can | | | | there are tavernas ashore. |
| anchor of the village in calm weather. There | | | | |
| are tavernas ashore and all provisions can be | | | | Crete's cuisine is similar to that found |
| found. The once tiny village is now a booming | | | | throughout the Aegean. Fish plays a large |
| tourist resort | | | | part in the form of tuna, swordfish, sea |
| | | | bass, urchins, octopus, squid and cuttlefish. |
| At Ay Galini yachts can go bow or stern to or | | | | You will find beef, pork, lamb and goat. A |
| alongside the quay. There is good holding on | | | | rabbit stew is a speciality. As is cheese pie |
| the sandy bottom and shelter from the | | | | and fried cheese (staka). For those with a |
| Meltemi. There is water on the quay and fuel | | | | sweet tooth try yogurt and honey tarts |
| in the town. All provisions can be obtained | | | | (kaltzounia). Cretan wine is fairly good. |