Rounding Cape Malea

Cape Malea

 Finally, finally, finally we were able to round the first Cape of the Peloponnese.  After five days of meltemi winds (gusting to 30 and 40 knots for 5 nights) we were ready for a change of pace.  There is a Swedish couple here that we met in Milos.  They have also been waiting for a weather window to go around the Cape.  At 0700 both we and the Swedish couple departed with maybe 2 knots of wind.  So we just motored around the Cape without any problem.  There were quite a few sailboats going around and a lot of commercial traffic but no big wind gusts to contend with.

"Baby" Church on Cape Malea

According to an anchorage guide the anchorage on the southern side of Elafonisos is very rolly due to passing cargo ships.  We decided to avoid that and anchor on the east side.  The wind was due to shift to the east but it would be so light that we did not foresee any problems.  The bay was big enough and we were the only boat there!  Perfect so far.  We did have a bit of a problem with the anchor setting as there are some flat white rocks on the bottom that throw you off.  We felt like we were on rock at first but then the anchor seemed to catch.  All good!  We enjoyed the sunset and the fact that we had the anchorage to ourselves.  Around 2200 the wind shifted to the east but instead of the 2 - 3 knots forecast it was blowing 12 to 14 knots!!!  What the heck.  And then the anchor alarm went off - we were dragging the anchor with a dangerous lee shore nearby.  We went out and re-set the anchor and this time we were confident it had set well.  But around 2300 the anchor alarm went off again!  That was too much so this time we decided to pull the anchor and go to the anchorage on the other side (the south side).  At midnight we were motoring around the corner to the other anchorage. 

 

Elafonisos Anchorage (first anchorage)

 There were several sailboats anchored there already but we managed to find a spot although we had to anchor in 34 feet of water.  Thank goodness, the anchor bit quickly but with the wind and the passing shipping traffic Talaria was rolling violently from side to side (the other boats were as well).  Another sleepless night :(.  Hoping for a better anchorages moving forward.