Sailing the Gulfs of Corinth and Patras in Greece

The prevailing winds in the summer months are fromtraffic during the day or the disco music coming from
the west. It will blow from midday well into thethe bars until the early hours of the morning.
evening. It may reach force 6 in July and August. InNisos Trizonia is a small island just of mainland Greece.
the spring and autumn winds will come from the eastYachts can anchor in the bay where there is good
or west dependent on conditions in the adjacentholding in mud and weed once through the weed.
Aegean or Ionian. The gulf of Patras is prone toAlternatively yachts can use the marina in the north
thunderstorms in spring and autumn with attendantof the bay. Water and most provisions can be found
waterspouts. There is little problem with gusts of highin the village and the local tavernas serve food of a
land, as the mountains tend to act like a funnel. Thegood quality. In addition Lizzie's offers showers, a
exception is in the vicinity of Corinth where there arelaundry service and a book swap library. The
some violent gusts and care is needed.surroundings are attractive with the cultivated land
Killini is on the Peloponnisos at the western end ofgiven over to olives and vines.
the gulf of Patras. Yacht can go bow or stern to theGalaxidhi is on mainland Greece. Care is need on the
western part of the mole avoiding the underwaterapproach of the reefs on the islands of Apsifia and
ballasting that extends out in places. The bottom isYeoryios and the one just to the east of the
mud and provides good holding. Water on the quayentrance to the harbour, a stone beacon marks the
and fuel and most provisions can be found in thelatter. Yachts can go bow or stern to taking care to
village. There are several waterfront tavernas. Inavoid the underwater ballasting that protrudes in
Venetian times the port sat on the trade routeplaces. There is water on the quay and fuel can be
around the Peloponnisos and was a busy place. Thedelivered. Most provisions can be obtained and there
restored fort, built in 1220, is worth a visit for theis a good choice of tavernas around the waterfront
superb views.and in the town. Another attractive setting opposite
Mesolongion is on mainland Greece. Yachts sailthe pine covered slopes. Galaxidhi has not been
through a dredged canal some 2 miles long to reachdeveloped to the extent of some other locations and
the harbour. Berth bow or stern or go alongside thestill has a tranquil feel. This is a good place to visit
northern quay. Alternatively anchor in the west ofancient Delphi from.
the harbour. The bottom is mud and provides goodItea is also on the mainland. Yachts can go bow or
holding. Mesolongion provides excellent shelter from allstern to where convenient with laid moorings. The
winds. Water is available on the quay and the hotel inharbour provides good all round shelter. Water and
the SE of the harbour has showers. This is whereelectricity are available on the pontoons. Fuel can be
Byron died but there is little to mark his passing savedelivered. All provisions can be obtained and there are
a single statue and a small museum.plenty of tavernas to be found both on the
Patras is on the Peloponnisos. Care is needed onwaterfront and in the surrounding back street. Whilst
entry with winds from the west creating a confusedthe waterfront is pleasant the village has little to
sea of the breakwater. Also watch out for largerecommend it. Although it is a good spot for a visit
ferries entering and leaving the harbour. Yachtsto Delphi.
should go bow or stern to or alongside the northernKiato is on the Peloponnisos. Yachts can go bow or
side of the central mole. There is good holding in mud.stern to the mole but the depths at the end are 15m
Water is available on the quay and fuel can beand it is better to go alongside. Water is available
delivered. Alternatively there is a small marina a littleclose to the quay and fuel can be delivered from the
further north that it is sometimes possible to find atown. All provisions can be obtained and there are
berth in. All provisions can be obtained and there areseveral tavernas on the waterfront. There are good
good tavernas, some of them offering fresh fish.beaches nearby and the surrounding countryside is
Patras is the largest city on the Peloponnisos and theattractive with citrus trees and vines.
third largest in Greece. It is a busy place with aCorinth lies at the entrance to the canal of the same
slightly grubby feel to it. This is partly offset by itsname. Care is needed with strong winds from the NE
vibrant atmosphere. The region provides thewhen severe gusts can be expected. Westerlies
excellent Demestica wine and a visit to theproduce a swell but once inside the mole things calm
Achaia-Klaus factory that produces it is worthwhile.down. Yachts should go to the yacht harbour and go
Navpaktos lies on mainland Greece and is the firstbow or stern to. The bottom is mud and provides
harbour in the Gulf of Corinth. It dates from medievalgood holding. There is good all round shelter within
times and is very well preserved. But it is tiny andthe yacht harbour. Water is available close by and
unsuitable for large yachts, once inside there is veryfuel can be delivered. All provisions can be obtained
little room for manoeuvre and the yacht should beand there is a good choice of tavernas in the town.
prepared prior to entry. Yachts should go bow orThe city is modern and busy and has little to
stern to the southern quay or the western quayrecommend it but a visit to the ruins of the old city
near to the fuel berth or anywhere there is room, inon the plain is recommended.
July and August yachts may not be able to get inFinally the canal itself: It is 3.2 miles long and is one of
here. Water and fuel are available on the quay. Allthe most expensive waterways in the world. The
provisions can be obtained and there are plenty ofconstruction was originally undertaken by a French
tavernas to choose from. The harbour is lined withcompany but completed by the Greeks in 1893. Using
plain trees and sits beneath a Venetian fort. Thisthe canal a yacht can cut over 100 miles of the
should be up near the top of the must visit lists. Thedistance between Athens, in the Aegean and the
only drawback is the noise levels whether from theIonian Sea to the west.