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