Crete Yacht Anchorages: The Complete Guide

Crete sits in the Crete.

Crete is dominated by the Meltemi in July and August (Force 5 to 6, occasionally 7 to 8, with 3 to 4 m seas in the straits) and is best sailed in the May-June or September-October shoulder seasons.

It has many harbours but very few natural anchorages.

This guide covers the island's main anchorages with the practical detail charterers and captains actually use: depth where a published cruising source documents it, holding, and shelter direction.

Where a figure was not documented we say so rather than guess.

Crete has many harbours but very few natural anchorages and a long exposed north-coast lee shore, and it lies far from the main charter bases.

It is best for experienced crews in the May-June or September-October shoulder seasons, not peak Meltemi: in July and August the Meltemi blows most days at Force 5 to 6, occasionally 7 to 8.

Ashore: The Minoan Palace of Knossos near Heraklion, the Venetian old towns of Chania and Rethymno, the Spinalonga island fortress, the Samaria Gorge, and the beaches of Elafonisi and Balos.

Where can a yacht anchor at Crete?

Crete has 4 anchorages in this guide: Loutro (south coast), Spinalonga / Elounda lagoon (NE), Chania (Old Venetian Harbour, NW coast), Agios Nikolaos marina (Gulf of Mirabello). Each entry below gives depth, holding, shelter direction and what is ashore.

Which Crete anchorages are sheltered from the meltemi, the summer north wind?

Chania (Old Venetian Harbour, NW coast): Well protected from the Meltemi. Agios Nikolaos marina (Gulf of Mirabello): Modern marina, well-sheltered basin, protection from northerlies.

How deep are the anchorages at Crete?

Loutro (south coast) 6-7m; Spinalonga / Elounda lagoon (NE) 5-7m; Agios Nikolaos marina (Gulf of Mirabello) 4-6m. Depths are typical sand-bottom anchoring depths; the captain drops on current chart data.

What is the holding like at Crete?

Loutro (south coast): Sand (avoid the central weed patch). Spinalonga / Elounda lagoon (NE): Held comfortably through a Force 7 gale per a cruising report; fierce gusts off the mountains. Chania (Old Venetian Harbour, NW coast): Soft mud with rocks, not always secure, many use two anchors.

When is the best time to anchor at Crete?

Crete is dominated by the Meltemi in July and August (Force 5 to 6, occasionally 7 to 8, with 3 to 4 m seas in the straits) and is best sailed in the May-June or September-October shoulder seasons. It has many harbours but very few natural anchorages.

What does the captain plan around at Crete?

Crete is dominated by the Meltemi in July and August (Force 5 to 6, occasionally 7 to 8, with 3 to 4 m seas in the straits) and is best sailed in the May-June or September-October shoulder seasons. It has many harbours but very few natural anchorages. Pick the anchorage to the wind: in the prevailing summer airflow, favour the lee and sheltered bays listed above, and keep a documented all-weather shelter or a layover day in reserve when the forecast climbs. Depths and holding here follow published cruising sources; your captain will confirm the exact anchor drop against current charts on arrival.

Cyclades

Saronic

Ionian

Sporades

Dodecanese