Lavrakas
cove · Gavdos · Crete
Lavrakas is a cove on the island of Gavdos, in the Crete cruising area.
Also known as Lavrakas nudist beach.
The bay opens towards the north (9°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in south wind.
Partial shelter in south-east (sirocco) and south-west wind.
No shelter in north (meltemi), north-east, east, west and north-west wind.
In the most open sector, up to 25.6 NM of open water towards the north-west.
Swell can come in from east-north-east to east (76°–100°).
Swell can come in from west-north-west to west-north-west (284°–300°).
- 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 3.8 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.2 NM from the anchoring spot.
Ashore and services
Beach within 300 m.
No road nearby.
Almost no buildings ashore (0 within 600 m).
Nothing ashore: a wild anchorage.
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: Limani Gavdou, 4.3 NM by sea.
- In north-east wind: Limani Gavdou, 4.3 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Pyrgos, 1.4 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Pyrgos, 1.4 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: Agios Ioannis Naturist Beach, 0.8 NM by sea.
- In west wind: Sarakiniko, 2.3 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Limani Gavdou, 4.3 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Agios Ioannis Naturist Beach cove · 0.8 NM by sea
- Livas cove · 1.1 NM by sea
- Pyrgos cove · 1.4 NM by sea
- Ormos Potamos cove · 1.9 NM by sea
- Sarakiniko cove · 2.3 NM by sea
- Limani Gavdou port · 4.3 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Crete by wind
More places – Gavdos
- Agios Ioannis Naturist Beach cove
- Lakkoudi cove
- Livas cove
Questions
Is Lavrakas sheltered from the meltemi?
No. It is exposed in north wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Limani Gavdou, 4.3 NM by sea.
Is Lavrakas sheltered from the sirocco?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Pyrgos, 1.4 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Lavrakas?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.8 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Lavrakas?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Good holding.
Can you spend the night at Lavrakas?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.