Rethymno 

General Data

Features

Dock Services

Description

Crete: a popular tourist destination, an island rich of charm, history and culture, a vital intersection in the Mediterranean and a real link between Europe, Africa and Asia. A place to visit? Absolutely yes. But it's also a place rich of hardships for the average yachtsman (but even for the expert one in some conditions).

First of all, Crete is a windy island. For its elongated shape and the physiognomy of its coasts, it doesn't offer many natural shelters where to drop the anchor safely. Weather in Crete is not merciful both in summer and winter.

Crete is generally exposed to Meltemi wind in summer, practically every day, which blows in three different directions according to the area of the island: in the western side, it comes from North-East; in the central one, it blows from North, while in the eastern side of the island it comes from North-West. In July and August, it reaches 8 degrees in Beaufort scale and, in the two narrow channels which divide Crete from the islets, it creates a dangerous rough sea, with waves which can reach even 3-4 metres.

It's a seasonal juncture, since in May, June, September and October the situation is quieter and the island is easily accessible by boat. So, we suggest to avoid high season. Maybe, spring is the best season to visit the island; April is moderately rainy but sunny days also occur and winds are not so strong as in summer.

Rethymno is a harbour located on the northern coast of Crete Island, at the foot of a nice city rich of tourist attractions (as anywhere in Crete). Needless to say, in summer it is very crowded by tourists, especially in the area of the small and old Venetian port, a picturesque small harbour, unfortunately inaccessible by recreational boats.

Rethymno offers a good shelter from almost all winds, except for the north-eastern ones which can be really annoying, especially at the entrance of the structure. Getting the harbour is not particularly difficult if weather is good.

Rethymno is an artificial harbour obtained thanks to two long breakwaters. The marina is located south-east of the basin and it is made up of five floating piers, sheltered by a small breakwater which extends from the coast to South-North.

Piers are equipped with mooring ropes, water, electricity (sometimes, a fee is required). Transiting boats usually moor at pier C, the northernmost one.

Services are essential: water and electric charging columns, toilets, free Wi-Fi connection, dumpsters. A gas station is available in the city centre.

On YouTube, you can find many videos showing drag-racing competitions along the quays of the harbour. This happened some years ago because, since 2010, the problem has been solved and, now, the marina is protected by safety barriers.

The town offers some cafés, taverns, supermarkets, scooter, car and bike rental services, an archaelogical museum and local culture one. The Venetian fortress is located just west of the harbour and it deserves a visit, like the small pictureque Venetian port

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