Sandy Beach
cove · Paleochora · Crete
Sandy Beach is a cove on the coast of Crete.
The nearest town is Paleochora.
The bay opens towards the south-west (235°).
Cited by several guides.
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north (meltemi), north-east, east and south-east (sirocco) wind.
Partial shelter in north-west wind.
No shelter in south, south-west and west wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the south-west.
Swell can come in from south-south-west to west (204°–264°).
- 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 3.5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: large (about 78.5 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.1 NM from the anchoring spot.
Ashore and services
Pebble beach.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (2 within 600 m).
A remarkable site can be reached from here.
Within reach:
- Castle of Paleochora: 18 min by dinghy
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In south-west wind: Marina of Paleochora, 1.5 NM by sea.
- In west wind: Marina of Paleochora, 1.5 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Paralia Psilos Volakas, 0.6 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Paralia Psilos Volakas cove · 0.6 NM by sea
- Paralia Trochalou cove · 0.7 NM by sea
- Marina of Paleochora port · 1.5 NM by sea
- Gramméno Beach cove · 2.2 NM by sea
- Trahili Beach cove · 2.2 NM by sea
- Gianiskari sandy beach cove · 3.5 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Crete by wind
More places – Paleochora
- Marina of Paleochora port
- Anidri Beach cove
- Gianiskari sandy beach cove
Questions
Is Sandy Beach sheltered from the meltemi?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in north wind.
Is Sandy Beach sheltered from the sirocco?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in south-east wind.
How deep is the water at Sandy Beach?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Sandy Beach?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Good holding. Room to anchor: large (about 78.5 ha).
Can you spend the night at Sandy Beach?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.