Seasonal· Ios· Greece — Cyclades

Ios Meltemi Downbursts (Ormos Iou)

36° 43.2′ N · 25° 16.0′ E · approximate

In July and August the meltemi pours off Ios's high ground. The harbour bay and the south-coast anchorages get violent gusts, even where the sea stays flat.

Western CycladesCentral Cyclades

Practical

Position approx: the middle of Ormos Iou (Gulf of Ios), from OSM. Sailing Issues: strong meltemi gusts from the NE at the port, mainly N-NE gusts at Mylopotas, and strong N gusts even close in at Manganari. my-sea: expect downbursts in the harbour when the meltemi blows. The area file covers the meltemi as a whole (June-September, peaking July-August, often Force 5-7). Tactics: lay out plenty of chain, set the anchor hard, keep an anchor watch at night, and make the Ios–Sikinos–Folegandros legs early in the morning before the wind fills in.

Best for

Planning around the meltemi

Season

Jun-Sep, peaking Jul-Aug

Nearby