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