Gialopotama Beach
cove · Spili · Crete
Gialopotama Beach is a cove on the coast of Crete.
The nearest town is Spili.
The bay opens towards the south-south-west (205°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north (meltemi) and north-east wind.
Partial shelter in east and north-west wind.
No shelter in south-east (sirocco), south, south-west and west wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the south.
Swell can come in from south-east to west (140°–276°).
- 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 4.9 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.1 NM from the anchoring spot.
Ashore and services
Beach within 300 m.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
A few houses ashore (13 buildings 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 east wind: Ligres Beach, 1.6 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Melissa Sandhills, 3.6 NM by sea.
- In south wind: New Harbour Plakias, 6.3 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: New Harbour Plakias, 6.3 NM by sea.
- In west wind: Finikidia Beach, 4.4 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Dynonissos beach, 1 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Anatolika Beach cove · 0.3 NM by sea
- Kefala Beach cove · 0.6 NM by sea
- Podare Beach cove · 0.8 NM by sea
- Dynonissos beach cove · 1 NM by sea
- Katsouni nudist beach cove · 1.1 NM by sea
- Preveli Beach cove · 1.3 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Crete by wind
More places – Spili
- Anatolika Beach cove
- Dynonissos beach cove
- Katsouni nudist beach cove
- Kefala Beach cove
Questions
Is Gialopotama Beach sheltered from the meltemi?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in north wind.
Is Gialopotama Beach sheltered from the sirocco?
No. It is exposed in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Melissa Sandhills, 3.6 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Gialopotama Beach?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 4.9 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Gialopotama Beach?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Good holding.
Can you spend the night at Gialopotama Beach?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.