Golden Beach
cove · Chania · Crete
Golden Beach is a cove on the coast of Crete.
The nearest town is Chania.
It lies in Chania Gulf.
Also known as Aptera.
The bay opens towards the north-north-east (17°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in south-east (sirocco), south, south-west and west wind.
Partial shelter in east and north-west wind.
No shelter in north (meltemi) and north-east wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the north.
Swell can come in from north-north-west to north-east (344°–48°).
- sheltered
- partly
- exposed
Shelter is estimated from open water and swell, not from wind strength: a strong wind can still gust over the land.
Here, shelter depends on tonight's wind. Seadromy reads the forecast and tells you before you leave.
Seabed, depth and room
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot.
Good holding.
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 4.8 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: medium (about 7.4 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.1 NM from the anchoring spot.
Ashore and services
Sandy beach.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (1 within 600 m).
A good gateway to visit the island.
Within reach:
- Daratsos: 24 min by public transport (15)
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In north wind: Marina of Chania, 2 NM by sea.
- In north-east wind: Marina of Chania, 2 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Sunset Beach, 1.3 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Marina of Chania, 2 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Eastern Gulf cove · 0.8 NM by sea
- Paralia Agion Apostolon cove · 1.1 NM by sea
- Sunset Beach cove · 1.3 NM by sea
- Marina of Chania port · 2 NM by sea
- Kouloura cove · 2.7 NM by sea
- Agia Kyriaki marina · 3.1 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Crete by wind
More places – Chania
- Agia Kyriaki marina
- Eastern Gulf cove
- Kouloura cove
- Paralia Agion Apostolon cove
Questions
Is Golden Beach sheltered from the meltemi?
No. It is exposed in north wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Marina of Chania, 2 NM by sea.
Is Golden Beach sheltered from the sirocco?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in south-east wind.
How deep is the water at Golden Beach?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 4.8 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Golden Beach?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Good holding. Room to anchor: medium (about 7.4 ha).
Can you spend the night at Golden Beach?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.