Ionian Greece Anchorages 2014

Ionian Greece Anchorages 2014

This last summer we decided do a third visit to Greece, as we wanted to explore the many anchorages of Ionian Greece as the last time we only visited Ithaca and Cephalonia for checking out of Greece. After spending a glorious month in many anchorages around Malta we left on the 8^th of June 2014 with a decent weather window thanks to www.predictwind.com. After 3 days we anchored in Katakola, this was our second visit here. Our plan was to head up the Greek coast and island chains leaving early in the morning and trying to arrive at our destination before the Maltemi picked up very strong from the north at around 13:00 and sometimes lasting into the late evening ours. We arrive in Katakola on the 11^th of June2014, in 2days 22hrs. All coordinates are actual anchorages.

Katakola mainland Greece: N 37 39.031

                                             E 021 19.369

THE MALTESE ARCHIPELEGO 

I am writing this article from the deepest part of my heart as this is my beloved homeland which I love very much but I will try not to be biased with my opinions, as this might misinform my readers. So I will tell you the facts as they are.

Nadur Festa in Gozo

This is a land with a long history that dates back to prehistoric times as indicated by the many fossilized remains at Ghar Dalam which dates back to when the archipelago was connected to North Africa and the Europe, the islands have more historical sites per square kilometer than any other place on earth. Its geographical position in the center of the Mediterranean Sea makes it a very convenient and attractive place for many nations that have since invaded or tried to invade it.

The archipelago is comprised of three inhabited islands, Malta the largest; Gozo second largest and Comino the third largest, Filfla is to the south west of Malta but is uninhabited except for the legendary two headed lizard which I have never encountered, anyway this small island the size of two football fields is strictly off limits  to visitors.

The native language is derived from the times of the Phoenicians but written in the Latin alphabet. Most of the population speaks fluent English and a large part also speaks Italian due to the proximity of Italy only 50 miles to the north. The people are very friendly and hospitable and ready to go out of their way to help. The islands are 8th in the list cars per capita therefore it can be quite hectic driving about the islands at certain times of the day.  But don’t let that keep you away. During the summer months it becomes a tourist haven with many cruise ships and fly in passengers arriving every day. There is so much to see and do that the cruise ship passengers only get a taste of what is available during the short time they visit, after getting a taste most of them come back later on their own for a longer visit.

Valletta while Entering Marsamxett Harbour

The main attractions are the Capital City, Valletta, a fortified city overlooking the Grand Harbour to the south and Marsamxett harbour to the north. Within the city, which was built after the Knights of Malta and the Maltese citizens repelled the mighty Ottoman Empire during the Great Siege of 1565 one finds himself surrounded by baroque architecture designed by European architects commissioned by the Knights of Malta. There is also the famous St John’s Cathedral with a museum inside where one finds many masterpieces of art namely the beheading of John the Baptist by the infamous Caravaggio, and tapestry brought here from many parts of Europe dating back to the sixteenth century. The History museum, the Art Gallery, the Armoury where one can see authentic suits of armour and other war items dating back the times of The Knights of Malta, they are all a must see attractions. Not to be missed is the spectacular view from Upper Barracca Gardens of the three fortified cities across the Grand Harbour.

Valletta Gladiola

Away from the city is plethora of historical sites special mention would be Mdina known locally as the silent city, the Neolithic temples of Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, Tarxien and Ggantia over on Gozo. When visiting Gozo make sure visit the citadel on a hill in the middle of Gozo, with still in existence the small farms within the citadel. While visiting the citadel of Mdina you can walk a short distance to the Roman Villa, with mosaic floors from the time the Romans where on the island.

Try the Maltese cuisine, most famous of all and also the most affordable are the pastizzi which is a phylio pastry  filled with cheese or beans both delicious but not very healthy worth a try and don’t worry it will not kill you at least not right away, just enjoy it, Then there is the Maltese ftira a flat type bread similar to the Maltese bread but drawn a little flatter, comes with olive oil tuna salad and tomato paste, just the right thing for a midday break, the rabbit dish this is the Typical Maltese Dish comes either with spaghetti or French fries, served in most Maltese oriented restaurants with a cost average of €14.00 per person worth every cent.

The rugged shores of Ghajn Tuffieha

If you visit Malta by boat during the summer months you are treated to a number of very nice and safe anchorages with crystal clear water, one can choose to be at the heart of the night life or secluded in a bay with nothing around except clear waters and beautiful scenery.  Most are safe anchorages as the weather during the summer months is stable but one should always keep an eye on the weather forecasts as some NW can be very strong even during the summer months. The safest harbour to be is Marsxlokk at south of the island, where only a very stron southerly may make the place uncomfortable but still tenable. Check this very informative website for detailed information: http://www.maritimedirectory.com.mt/cruising.asp

Hanging Around Malta

Hanging Around Malta

After last Tuesday'S our failed attempt to head to Cap Monastir  we are now enjoying cruising around Malta.

The plan to go to Tunisia for haul-out and bottom work has been scrapped for this year, like many previous plans in our long cruising life, maybe next year we shall see, but that is way too far in the future. 

We arrived in Malta last Wednesday morning at 01:00 am and anchored in 20ft of water at Mellieha Bay, a very good anchorage with spectacular scenery all around, crystal clear water and excellent protection from the NW, which kept blowing nonstop since we arrived till Saturday evening. While at anchor in Mallieha Bay I didn't even go to shore but caught up on my reading, fixed the outboard motor steering, re-commissioned the water maker and a few other chores. 

The weather grib files showed a massive low pressure system passing over us that would bring gale force winds from the East to North East by this morning and last till tomorrow evening. With this info in hand we left Mellieha Bay on Sunday morning and headed south east towards Marsaxlok fishing harbour. On the way down we entered The Grand Harbour to check out Dock # 1 creek but on inspection there we found that no improvement has been done since our stay there in 2010, if anything it is in worst shape than ever. So we carried on towards our intended destination arrived around 10:00 am and grabbed one of the large mooring just before the big boat yard. We drove the dingy to shore and tied up between two local boats. It is very crowded in town, every Sunday the hawkers are selling their goods and tourists line up the seashore restaurants, the whole place is a buzz and very enjoyable sitting down at one of the cafes and watch the people go about. This is a very picturesque fishing village with many colorful Maltese fishing boats to take picture with or of. We will be here for a while likely till the end of the week.

Malta update 2014

Malta update 2014: Msida Creek Marina

www.marinamalta.com

I just received some updated information from the largest marina in Malta, Creek Developments PLC.

All the pontoons have been replaced, washroom and toilets are complete, a laundry service is available but a coin laundry should be in place by the fall of this year. The washroom are yet not shown on the marina map but they are available near the break wall at the entrance the administrative office will also be moved there.

They will welcome foreign yachts that want to winter in Malta with some incentives 5% discount for a 3 month booking and further discounts for longer stays. Electricity is metered at 0.35/KwH and water is at 4.50/ton (1000L)

My wife and I love the location of this marina close to all amenities and a short walk to all the major chandeliers in Malta. Contact them for tariffs or to book a slip. The rates are very reasonable compared to most marinas in the Mediterranean. 

Contact info:

Sarah Gauci Carlton

Commercial Manager

Creek Developments plc

53/1, Ta’Xbiex Seafront,

Msida, MSD 1515, Malta

T: +356 2133 7049

M: +356 7933 7149

www.marinamalta.com

Mario Borg

www.maltesefalcon.ca

Italy Anchorages and Marinas: 2013 Part 3 of 3

Italian West Coast and the Islands

In our last report we terminated at the picturesque island of Ventotene, from there we moved east towards the mainland coast of Italy stopping at the beautiful islands of Iscia, and Procida then down the mainland coast of Italy and then eventually to our winter spot at Marina the Ragusa in Sicily. We are now into September and the weather has been very nice but some lows offshore were creating swells at the very open anchorages that we stopped at so we had to spend a few night in marinas and or harbours. We still did a lot of motoring as the wind close to shore where light most of the time.

Il Castello North, Isola d'Iscia:            N 40 43.996

Italian Anchorages and Marinas 2013 Part 1 of 3

Italian Anchorages and Marinas

 2013 Part 1 of 3

Anchoring is our preference when we are cruising, we like the evening breeze, the lack of mosquitoes and the free space around the boat but not all countries offer ideal locations for anchoring like those found in the Eastern Caribbean where the wind blows from the East 95% of the time, so leaving your boat in a busy anchorage is not too stressful.

We started our 2013 summer cruising  season in May of 2013 from Cap Monastir Tunisia where the Maltese Falcon spent the past ten months tied up to the pontoon. From Cap Monastir we headed to Malta to get all the gear, new upholstery we had in the apartment where we stayed for the past ten months and loaded back on the boat and replaced all the standing rigging.  Due to the topography of Italy it will be very hard to find comfortable anchorages at all the stops so be prepared to have options for your stays at some marinas especially along the west coast of Italy.

Our aim was to head north from Malta and anchor near Marina DI Ragusa, so on July first we left Malta and head north for a 52 nm leg to

Marina the Ragusa, Sicily:             N 36 46.753

Italian Anchorages and Marinas 2013 Part 2 of 3

Italy Anchorages and Marinas: 2013 Part 2 of 3

Corsica and Italian coast

Started out early in the morning out of Budelli island, with a slight land breeze from the SSW, we picked up a mooring at Lavezzi, at Cala di U Crecu but then we found out that the tour boats go in there with 500 tourists on board and it gets crazy, so we scouted the area by dingy and could not find a nice place to anchor as it is all very deep with big boulders and a few sand patches in this part of the island, there is a couple of very nice anchorage to the south of the island but you will need to anchor outside the bay as it is reported to be shallow in close.  So we decided to head to the island of Corsica. 

Corsica as most of you know is part of France but since it was on our route we decided to include it in this report. Corsica’s east coast does not offer many anchorages or marinas especially north of Porto Vecchio, the west coast does offer more anchorages but weather watching becomes a major priority because of the strong and frequent mistrals putting your boat on a lee shore. We decided on travelling up the east coast and it worked very well. Lavezzi and Cavallo Islands are also part of Corsica, at Cavallo’s south tip there is a marina with very good protection from the Northwesterly. Keep a good lookout at the weather forecasts before crossing the Strait of Bonifacio, as this area can get very nasty during a strong mistral.

Punta de Sperone, Corsica:         N 41 22.198