We live aboard our 10 metre sailing boat for about 4 months each year and far prefer to spend our nights at anchor rather than being tied up in a harbour or marina. Regardless of where or when we are sailing there is always a possibility of encountering bad weather so we make it a priority to establish local safe havens where we know we can shelter. Here are some of the best that we have used during our travels in Greece, Turkey, Sicily, Sardinia, Spain, Portugal, France and England.
Grib Weather File Viewer  Our program to view Grib files containing weather forecasts, specifically for use by yachtsmen. Grib forecasts are readily and freely available over the Internet and give forecasts for up to 14 days, with worldwide coverage. We now find them invaluable for planning passages and cruising trips.
Country Area Location (click to view) Holding Open to winds from
Greece Argolic 37-25.1N 23-07.9E Koiladhia Excellent All round protection from seas, somewhere in vicinity
Greece Aegean 37-08.6N 24-30.9E Serifos Mostly very good S but good shelter at quay
Greece Saronic 37-22.0N 23-13.9E Ormos Kapari, Ermioni Excellent N-NE
Greece Saronic 37-31N 23-26E Russian Bay, Poros Excellent S-SW but limited fetch
Greece Peloponese 36-58.5N 22-59.6E Kiparissi Very Good Protection from any direction somewhere in the bay but swell can be a problem
Greece Aegean 36-32.5N 26-20.7E Livadia, Astipalaia Very Good SW-S-E
Greece Saronic 37-16.6N 23-06.3E Ormos Zoyioryia, Spetses Good NW-N-NNE
Greece Saronic 37-18.3N 23-08.6E Nun's Bay, Porto Heli Excellent SW-W but still some protection
Greece SE Aegean 36-36.9N 27-51.4E Pethi, Simi Mostly Good E
Greece Argolic Gulf 37-32.1N 22-55.1E Vivari Good in places SE but short fetch
Greece Argolic Gulf 37-24.8N 22-46E Astrous Good None, but swell with very strong southerlies
Greece E. Peloponese 36-47.1N 23-05.2E Yerakas Poor to Fair Good shelter from swell but wind can get accelerated if from the west
Greece E. Peloponese 35-51.5N 23-02.4E Vathi Avlaki Very Good Open to E
Greece Ionian 38-41.2N 20-42E Vlikho Excellent Good shelter from all winds and swell
Greece Gulf of Corinth 38-22N 22-04.5E Trizonia Very Good Open to East, shelter in marina
Sicily South East 36-40.27N 15-07E Porto Palo Very Good South, but shelter behind breakwaters
Turkey Southern 36-51N 26-16.2E Marmaris Very Good E-S-SW but limited fetch
Turkey Southern Lycian Coast 36-10.5N 29-38.9E South Bay, Kas Good NNW-N-NNE but limited fetch


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