Chiona Beach
cove · Palaikastro · Crete
Chiona Beach is a cove on the coast of Crete.
The nearest town is Palaikastro.
Also known as Χιώνα.
The bay opens towards the north-east (44°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in south, south-west and west wind.
Partial shelter in east, south-east (sirocco) and north-west wind.
No shelter in north (meltemi) and north-east wind.
In the most open sector, up to 5.4 NM of open water towards the north-east.
Swell can come in from north to north-east (8°–56°).
Swell can come in from east to east (84°–92°).
- 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 6.3 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: large (about 8.8 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.1 NM from the anchoring spot.
Protected area and seagrass
Posidonia seagrass is present: drop the anchor on sand only.
Ashore and services
Beach within 300 m.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (8 within 600 m).
A remarkable site can be reached from here.
Within reach:
- Roussolakkos excavation: 10 min on foot
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: Itanos Beach, 4.3 NM by sea.
- In north-east wind: Kyriamadi, 11.5 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Kyriamadi, 11.5 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Kyriamadi, 11.5 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Kouremenos, 1.1 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Kouremenos Beach cove · 0.9 NM by sea
- Kouremenos cove · 1.1 NM by sea
- Maridati Beach cove · 1.3 NM by sea
- Palm Beach Vai cove · 3.7 NM by sea
- Itanos Beach cove · 4.3 NM by sea
- Skinias Beach cove · 6.6 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Crete by wind
More places – Palaikastro
- Kouremenos cove
- Kouremenos Beach cove
Questions
Is Chiona Beach sheltered from the meltemi?
No. It is exposed in north wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Itanos Beach, 4.3 NM by sea.
Is Chiona Beach sheltered from the sirocco?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Kyriamadi, 11.5 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Chiona Beach?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 6.3 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Chiona Beach?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Good holding. Room to anchor: large (about 8.8 ha).
Can you spend the night at Chiona Beach?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.