Crete anchorage guide · Crete
Crete Yacht Anchorages: The 2026 Guide
Where to anchor a yacht around Crete: documented depth, holding and shelter for the island's main anchorages, drawn from published cruising sources.
Last updated May 2026
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.
The anchorages
4 anchorages around Crete
Use this guide to understand your captain's routing, request specific anchorages on your preference sheet, judge whether Crete fits your charter style, and pair it sensibly with nearby islands.
Loutro (south coast)
Depth
6-7m
Holding
Sand (avoid the central weed patch)
Shelter
The only natural harbour on the south coast; shelters from the prevailing northerlies.
A rare south-coast hole.
Best for: South-coast shelter
Spinalonga / Elounda lagoon (NE)
Depth
5-7m
Holding
Held comfortably through a Force 7 gale per a cruising report; fierce gusts off the mountains.
Shelter
Good anchorage in the bight west of the Spinalonga peninsula.
Near the Spinalonga island fortress.
Best for: Sheltered NE anchorage
Chania (Old Venetian Harbour, NW coast)
Holding
Soft mud with rocks, not always secure, many use two anchors
Shelter
Well protected from the Meltemi.
Depth not documented; confirm on chart.
Best for: Town, scenery
Agios Nikolaos marina (Gulf of Mirabello)
Depth
4-6m
Shelter
Modern marina, well-sheltered basin, protection from northerlies.
Full services.
When to visit
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.
Captain's note
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.
Continue exploring
Charter Crete
Speak with George P. Biniaris directly. MYBA-standard contracts, full Greek charter fleet.