Monday 28^th June – Khania, Crete – Kissamos, Crete

35:31.035N 23:38.296E

Last night four yachts had decided to leave this morning as the weather was due to quieten down.  We were up around 6.30am just as two of the others were leaving; we headed off around 7am with no wind in the harbour.

The other yachts were heading for Kíthira (and beyond) but we aren’t finished with Crete yet; we wanted to visit Kissamos so we motored across the bay to the headland of Ák Spáthi.  As we approached the point, we came out of the shelter of the bay and into the swell; we had a very uncomfortable passage around the point with steep 2m+ swell on the bow.  As we rounded the corner the swell came onto the beam (yuk) but then eased as we headed down towards Kissamos in the SW corner of Kólpos Kissamos and back into the shelter of the land. 

Kissamos has a large if somewhat isolated harbour; the town, formerly known as Kastelli, is 3km away.  It is pretty much empty except for a few fishing boats and the tripper boats for Gramvousa and Balos, so we found a nice place to come alongside.  It is surrounded by the mountains and very quiet after the bustle of Khania.  The Port Police gave us half an hour or so before popping over to say ‘hello’ and ask us to take up our papers. 

Whilst we have had to pay port dues, the good news is that the electricity and water is free, and we have a wi-fi signal.  Though not very strong, we have been able to download the weather forecast which is currently telling us that we will be here a couple of days - nice.  Tonight we are the only visiting yacht.

Kissamos

© Pyxis 2010