Compass rose, magnetic variation
4° 15' W 2009 (8' E) on the Magnetic North arrow means:
Magnetic Variation 4° 15' W in 2009
annual change 8' E
Hence, in 2011 this variation is estimated to be 3° 59' (almost 4° West), and for 2020 the estimate is 2° 47' W.
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Back to the compass navigation chaptercompass navigation chapter.
Best ports in Turkey
The Hisarönü Gulf south of Bodrum – around the Knidos cape that is – is home to quite a few very spectacular harbours, but also quite a few ports to the north are exceptional:- Orhaniye
Didyma - Didyma
- Bozburun
- Transparant Orhaniye
- Sögüt
- Selimiye
- Sögüt
- Selimiye
- Palamut
Cetaceans
– the biological order to which whales, dolphins and porpoises belong – appear on many ancient wall paintings, pottery, coins, jewellery etc.
In fact,
The symbols within the text these marine mammals have been a part of Greek civilisation for over three and a half thousand years these marine mammals have been a part of Greek civilisation for over three and a half thousand years these marine mammals have been a part of Greek civilisation for over three and a half thousand years these marine mammals have been a part of Greek civilisation for over three and a half thousand years.
these marine mammals have been a part of Greek civilisation for over three and a half thousand years and the science of cetology was indeed founded by the ancient Greeks. The first scientific report on dolphins and whales is Historia Animalium written by Aristotle, and dates back to 350 BCE.
To correctly identify the four most commonly sighted dolphins, as well as the four most commonly sighted whales in these waters, their characteristics are outlined below.
A handy Identification Guide, as well as a Test Your Knowledge Quiz can be found towards the end of this page.
Secular and religious
Islam means “submission” or “one that submits himself” in Arabic, whereas Moslim means the same but is a Persian word.Despite the myriad minarets these coasts are surprisingly secular: LGBT-friendly; the Turkish baths are often mixed; alcohol is consumed.
There are several flights each day from Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara to Milas-Bodrum airport, which is 40 minutes from Bodrum harbour. Full list of airlines and (domestic) destinations Milas-Bodrum airport. Alternatively, fly on Kos airport and take the short ferry trip to Bodrum port. Likewise, there are frequent flights from Ankara, Istanbul, etc. to Dalaman airport, which is 30 minutes from Göcek, 60+ minutes from Fethiye and 90 minutes from Marmaris. Full list of airlines and (domestic) destinations Dalaman airport. Alternatively, fly on Rhodes airport and take the ferry to Marmaris port. There are several flights each day from Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara to Milas-Bodrum airport, which is 40 minutes from Bodrum harbour. Full list of airlines and (domestic) destinations Milas-Bodrum airport. Alternatively, fly on Kos airport and take the short ferry trip to Bodrum port. Likewise, there are frequent flights from Ankara, Istanbul, etc. to Dalaman airport, which is 30 minutes from Göcek, 60+ minutes from Fethiye and 90 minutes from Marmaris. Full list of airlines and (domestic) destinations Dalaman airport. Alternatively, fly on Rhodes airport and take the ferry to Marmaris port.
Hlso, for (charter) yachts it will be more difficult and expensive here to maintain full water tank levels. Propitiously, the Northern Sporades and the Ionian islands will stay green and fertile all year round, but are even more beautiful in springtime when covered in colourful flowers.
| Abbr. | English | Abbr. | Croatian | Abbr. | English | Abbr. | Croatian | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | White | B | Bijelo | F | Fixed | S | Stalno | ||
| G | Green | Z | Zeleno | Q Fl | Quick Flash | B Bl | Brzi Bljeskovi |
Panormos bay on the right (West) is mostly out of sight.
Pacheia Ammos + Katafou
Pacheia Ammos - Παχειά Άμμος + Katafou - Κατάφου is the small inlet directly East of Panormos and equally off the beaten track. Officially, the East cove is called Katafou, whereas the whole inlet is called Pacheia Ammos.
The Katafou cove is only susceptible to NW winds, and has greater depths, which allowed German naval vessels to hide here in the second World War.
The beach anchorage in the South of Pacheia Ammos is open to NW – NE winds and is more shallow; anchor in 3 – 5 m. Lat Long
The English meaning of “Pacheia Ammos” is “dense sand”: fittingly promising a nice beach.
Striped dolphin
The Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba is named after its dark bluish-black stripe running across the entire length of the body.
The most striking differences between Sperm whale and Fin whale are:
- Blow: A blow that is projected forward-left indicates a Sperm whale. A vertical (narrow) blow indicates a Fin whale.
- Flukes: If the animal dives "“flukes up” then again it is a Sperm whale. Have a look at some animated photos of this behaviour.
- Visible contours of body: Fin whales display a curved section of their body above the surface, contrary to Sperm whales, which resemble floating objects like containers or timber, with the blowhole and hump higher up at both ends.
- Number of blowholes: The Mysticeti (Fin whales) have two blowholes or nostrils, whereas the Odontoceti (Suborder of Toothed whales, such as Sperm whales, dolphins, Pilot whales etc.) have just one.
Test your knowledge
Now that you have studied these eight beautiful cetaceans in the Aegean / Ionian seas, be sure to test your knowledge on by answering the 12 questions of my
You'll be asked to identify these dolphins and whales, precisely under the conditions you're likely to encounter them yourself: during sailing cruises and yacht charters in the Greek water or the Turkish coasts (on gulets). Good luck!
and the adjacent Carian and Lycian coasts of Turkey.
A – Fin whale
B – Sperm whale
C – Risso's dolphin
D – Common dolphin
E – Striped dolphin
F – Bottlenose dolphin
G – Pilot whale
H – Cuvier's beaked whale
Hi-res image