Gavdos News
Updated: 3 days ago
News, important announcements and interesting facts about Gavdos.
12.09.2024 No more distant learning: the Gavdos high school reopens!
This is news that means a lot to the locals and brings me great joy as a teacher: Secondary school is reopening on Gavdos! For many years this has been a painful issue and a never-ending problem for the families concerned. What to do when the children live on a distant island, far away from civilization, and still want and need to be educated? For many years, people talked and made announcements that were never implemented. The issue took on political dimensions and also found favor in the Greek media. There was always a lot of uncertainty: what would happen to schooling? Permanent distance learning or school in Paleochora after all? However, it is now clear that all of the island's 4 school-age children can be educated with face-to-face lessons. Permanently stationed teachers have been on site since the start of the new school year and can now also accompany the 2 secondary school children on their journey through school. Face-to-face instead of distance learning. A blessing for the children on the island.
04.09.2024 The new Gavdos Calendar 2025 is now available!
Last year, the Gavdos calendar was very popular and quickly sold out. As many lovers of the island of Gavdos were very pleased with the calendar, I decided to produce a calendar of the island of Gavdos for next year as well. The calendar shows a carefully selected series of my photographs of various known and unknown places on the island of Gavdos. Each picture tells its own story and invites you to dream. All the pictures are appropriate for the season and show the island from perspectives that you may not yet know. The quality of the calendar and the selection of images are clearly my priority. It is therefore not a cheap “Chinese product”, but a high-quality product manufactured and printed in Germany. The paper and color reproduction are of very good quality. I want this calendar to be a real joy and a great companion for the coming year. The calendar is of course also suitable as a gift. I hope you have lots of fun with it.
The calendar is again very limited!
Briefly about the data:
Size: DIN A3
Dimensions: 45x30cm
Premium paper
Price: 25 Eur
Shipping: 3.99 (within Germany), 7.99 (EU outside Germany)
04.09.2024 A man swam from Gavdos to Chora Sfakion on Crete!
I have to be honest. As a competitive swimmer and lifeguard for many years, I've stood on the beach on Gavdos a few times and looked longingly towards Crete and Gavdopoula, driven by the idea of simply swimming “across”. It got to the point where I asked locals if anyone had ever managed to do this before. The answer was always the same: “That's suicide. The current is so strong, you'll either end up in Italy or Libya”. Or something like that. Okay, so the idea was quickly dismissed. And lo and behold: suddenly the news comes in that a man has actually taken on this adventure. So: what happened?
Two days ago, before sunrise, the Greek extreme athlete Yiannis Leonidou jumped from Gavdos into the “cool” water and swam off. He was accompanied by an escort boat to ensure safety. The fact is that such an undertaking is not without danger, as the currents between Gavdos and Crete can be very strong at times and winds naturally also play a role. The athlete was not only interested in his ego and the task itself, but also wanted to send out a signal for the construction of a swimming pool for people with disabilities in Chania. Many sponsors were enthusiastic about this project and supported the initiative. The weather played along for a long time, until the currents picked up around midday and the swimmers had to fight against the elements. This took a lot of extra energy and extra miles. After a total of 15 hours in the water and 50 kilometers later, Yiannis Leinidou reached the beach from the taverna promenade in Chora Sfakion at around 9 pm to thunderous applause. The mayor greeted the new arrival personally. A great action!
01.09.2024 Earthquake off Gavdos caused the island to shake for a moment
Whether on the beach, hiking or drinking raki in a taverna: at 19:29 local time last Wednesday, most visitors to the island probably felt the earth shake. Just 15 kilometres north-east of the island, the centre of the earthquake could be located at a depth of 10 kilometres along an underground fault between Crete and Gavdos. Announced by a short foreshock, there was then a clearly perceptible jolt for a few seconds with a magnitude of 5.2. When looking at the Richter scale, this is already considered a medium-intensity quake. There was no damage or problems as a result of the quake on Gavdos. The movements were also clearly felt on Crete, especially in the western part of the island. Due to concerns about subsequent landslides, the Samaria Gorge was closed for a few days as a precautionary measure. Initially, researchers were concerned about the development of the earthquake, but it is now assumed that this was already the main quake and that no stronger shocks will occur.
22.08.2024 Many vacationers are affected by gastroenteritis on Gavdos. What has happened and what happens next?
A wave of gastroenteritis cases has been circulating on the island for over a week. Many holidaymakers are suffering from nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. As there are currently many holidaymakers on the island and events are taking place almost daily in Sarakiniko or Agios Ioannis, the disease is spreading rapidly. The situation went so far that visitors left the island for Crete again. Various rumors were circulating about the origin of the disease, which I deliberately did not want to take up and fuel, as the facts had not yet been verified. Following an examination of several stool samples, the results are now available. According to the analysis, these are noroviruses, which are typical for the occurrence of the symptoms described. Unfortunately, noroviruses are highly contagious. After infection, the illness occurs within 24 to 48 hours and lasts for one to three days. The majority of cases occur in Sarakiniko and Agios Ioannis. Information on how to deal with the disease is now posted at busy points on the island. Basic hygiene is particularly important for prevention. If the disease is severe, the island doctor in Kastri can be visited or contacted.
17.08.2024 "Pharos" will shine again for one night. Gavdos celebrates International World Lighthouse Day on Sunday, August 18 with dancer Pavlina Tsiatsiou
The International World Lighthouse Day will take place on 18.08.2024. The initiative, which was launched in 2003, takes place annually on the 3rd Sunday in August. The lighthouse on Gavdos, also known as "Pharos", is considered the most imposing structure on the island. Only the chair at the southernmost point of Europe could outrank Pharos. No matter how you look at it, one thing is clear: Pharos has a lot of history and Pharos is impressive. Not much time has passed since the tower appeared as it does today. It was only shortly after the turn of the millennium that an imposing structure was created from a bombed-out ruin. The restoration work, which began in 2002, was completed in 2004. Since then, the site has served as a museum and attraction for many visitors to the island.
Tomorrow, Sunday, 18.08.2024, there will be a small tribute to this special place on the occasion of International World Lighthouse Day. The local lighthouse keeper on Gavdos will light up the lighthouse tomorrow evening. A very rare sight! At the same time, Gavdos' resident dancer and artist Pavlina Tsiatsiou will present a special and impressive dance performance at sunset from 19:30. The performance shows a ritual dance paired with ancient Greek elements. Everyone is invited and admission is free!
11.08.2024 Highest forest fire risk level on Crete and Gavdos
Summer heat, little water, lots of wind. Typical for the summer months on Crete and Gavdos. Unfortunately, this goes hand in hand with a high risk of forest fires. The Ministry of Crisis and Civil Protection has declared the highest warning level 5 for forest fires for all regions of Crete, including the island of Gavdos. It is therefore all the more important to be particularly careful in nature, not to light open fires or throw cigarettes into the environment. There has been no rain on Gavdos for months. The many juniper and pine trees are very dry. So once again, this wonderful place must be enjoyed with special care and caution. The fire-fighting possibilities on Gavdos are very limited.
Incidentally, a fire truck is stationed on the island and there is a local fire officer. In an emergency, as was the case a few years ago with a building fire in Sarakiniko, local volunteers help out. However, water is very scarce and access to many points on the island is very limited. In the event of an emergency, help from Crete would be needed, for example from fire-fighting aircraft.
10.07.2o24 Info about the Gavdos Festival and cinema showings at the stone theatre in Sarakiniko
The Gavdos Festival will take place on 20 July. From 21:30 a concert will take place in the stone theatre of Sarakiniko. Under the stars and in the best surroundings, several artists will guide the audience through various genres of Greek music. Everyone on the island is cordially invited to attend. Among others, Erofili Leonida Maridaki and Yanni Giannakaki will be performing. In addition, this year there will be several cinema screenings in the stone theatre of Sarakiniko. Several events have been organised in collaboration with the Chania Film Festival.
The following dates are still scheduled for this year:
08.09: Vendeta (Yiannis Krommydakis)
08.12.2024: Captain (Matteo Garrone)
Further events and screenings are expected and will be announced later.
15.07.2024 Once again fewer tourists on Gavdos than usual
When you visit Gavdos at the moment, you realise that things are much quieter than they were a few years ago. While even in the corona summers of July and August, the island was bustling with activity, a current visit to the southernmost island in Europe feels a little like the low season. Instead of the buzzing high season, the beaches are quieter and the tavernas are often cosy and empty. The locals also clearly notice this state of affairs. The decline in visitors relates in particular to Greek tourists - who generally make up the largest proportion on Gavdos. What could be the reason for the sharp decline in visitors? I spoke to the locals in various places on the island and the same topic came up again and again: The ferries to Gavdos. What happened? Two years ago, the situation regarding the boats to Gavdos was different from today. In addition to the ferry from Anendyk, a speedboat travelled daily from Chora Sfakion to the southernmost island in Europe. You could reach the island within an hour for a fair price. The offer was particularly popular with the younger visitors. In summer, the company "Gavdos Cruises" could hardly save itself from customers. Unfortunately, the company still went bankrupt, so that travellers to Gavdos have to rely exclusively on Anendyk. The second main reason relates to the Anendyk ferries themselves. The company's fleet includes two car ferries, the small "Samaria 1" and the much larger "Daskalogiannis". Both ships were originally designed for river navigation and require separate licences to set sail for Gavdos. This licence expired for the "Daskalogiannis". As a result, only the Samaria 1 is currently sailing to Gavdos. This development is problematic for the locals in several aspects. The ferry is the lifeline for the island. All goods have to be transported by ship. However, there is very limited space to transport goods and trucks to Gavdos. In addition, many visitors want to come to the island by car or campervan. However, this option is currently almost impossible, as the ferry is reserved for vehicle transport for several weeks and is completely full. It remains to be seen how developments will continue. Plans to commission a new large car ferry with an electric drive have already been cancelled. And there are certainly other reasons beyond the boat issue that play a role in the decline in visitor numbers.
08.07.2024 Number of refugees arriving off Gavdos and the south coast of Crete continues to rise
Currently, hardly a week goes by without a boat carrying migrants appearing in the waters off Gavdos or south of Crete. According to Neakriti.gr, over 1300 arrivals have already been counted in more than 30 rescue operations since January this year. 12 of the boats landed directly in Gavdos, the rest at destinations on the south-west coast of Crete. The authorities and coastguard are currently struggling to cope with the numbers. In some cases, the ferry "Daskalogiannis" from the ferry company Anendyk has already had to be used for rescue operations. All migrants, who mainly set off from Libya in order to deliberately head for the island of Gavdos, are forwarded to Chania, where they are finally accommodated in the reception centres of Malakasa and Amygdaleza. The situation is also a major challenge for the island of Gavdos and its inhabitants. Individual locals and the island's police officer are personally looking after the refugees, providing them with water and food. There is great concern about the current situation, as it is reported that thousands of migrants are already waiting in Libya for the crossing.
30.06.2024 The bus timetables for the summer season have been published!
The start of the summer season on Gavdos is just around the corner! All the tavernas are open, the shelves in the mini-markets are full to bursting and the beaches are gradually filling up with tents. From mid-July, the number of visitors is at its absolute peak. The bus timetables have just been published. From 1 June to 30 September, there will be regular bus services on Gavdos to all destinations on the island! Further information about the buses and all timetables can be found on my website under the following link:
15.06.2024 Major water shortage on Gavdos: Island administration calls for water saving!
The heatwave did not stop at Gavdos either. At times, the thermometer rose to well over 40 degrees. As the island is not connected to the water network of the neighboring Cretan island, it has to concentrate on its own supply. Groundwater is tapped via wells, cisterns and boreholes. Rainwater can be collected and treated during the winter months. However, last winter was characterized by severe drought. While large amounts of rain fall on Crete over the winter months, especially in the mountains, Gavdos was largely spared the wet blessing. Too often, the rain bands get caught in the Lefka Ori on Crete and do not reach Gavdos. The result can currently be seen when looking at the island's water reserves. Consumption is currently far too high to look forward to the season in July and August with optimism. All visitors to the island are urged to reduce their own water consumption to a minimum. Further water wastage could lead to interruptions and water supply cuts on the island.
10.06.2024 The third Gavdos Sports Festival on June 23: Registration and schedule!
Sweat will soon be pouring on Gavdos! On June 23, the third sports festival will take place on the southernmost island in Europe. The highlight of the event will be the 8km run, which will literally run over hill and dale. The "Flame of Hope" will be lit on Friday, June 21, with a torch relay from Karave to the stone theater in Sarakiniko. On Saturday, June 22nd between 18:30 and 20:30 registrations for participation can be made. The registration point will be at the lighthouse. Shortly before the start of the event, further registrations can be made between 16:30 to 17:30 at the stone theater in Sarakiniko.
Further dates for the event:
June 23, 17:30: Event starts at the stone theater in Sarakiniko.
18:00: Start of the 8km run
20:15: After the last runner crosses the finish line, the children's run takes place
20:30: Presentation of medals and awards to the participants
The event will end with a big celebration!
26.05.2024 Every day a boat to Gavdos in summer!
The new timetables of Anendyk have been published and now provide information for the ferry service to Gavdos until the end of September. During this period, a crossing to Gavdos can be made on a total of 6 days a week. During June, a crossing to Gavdos is even possible on all 7 days of the week - weather permitting. The entire timetable can be viewed on my website under the following link. Have a good trip to Gavdos!
To the timetables: https://www.gavdos-travelling.com/post/gavdos-ferry
13.05.2024 There is now a taxi service on Gavdos
Typical methods of getting around Gavdos included renting a car, hitchhiking, walking or taking the bus. From now on you can also order a taxi on the island. The taxi is on the island during the summer months until late summer. It is a minivan that can also take larger groups of people. The driver is a local who lives in Kastri. The service can be booked by calling: +306977858943. Further information can be found on the taxi company's website: https://gavdostaxi.wixsite.com/gavdostaxi
29.04.2024 Easter and the "big week" on Gavdos
Orthodox Easter is the biggest religious festival in Greece. This festival is heralded by the "holy week". All pupils in the country are off school and the festival is largely dedicated to the family. On Gavdos, too, you can tell that this week and the time around Orthodox Easter is something very special. Easter on Gavdos means that for the first time in the year a large number of people are on the island. The ferry is usually full, especially before the Easter weekend. Local families who have their roots on Gavdos return to their island. But this week is also usually the start of the season for the tavernas and guesthouses. You can see how the island is gradually waking up. The highlight of the Orthodox Easter celebrations is Easter Sunday. Many families come together to enjoy a traditional meal of lamb. In Gavdos, too, the barbecue is in full swing.
18.04.2024 Third sports festival weekend will take place on June 23, 2024.
Today, the island administration announced that the sports festival will be held on the island again this year. The last two events of this kind have already been very popular and proved to be a great success. With the joint cooperation of many helpers and participants, as well as the ferry company Anendyk, a large number of athletes will be able to compete against each other at the southernmost point of Europe. Running competitions are held over 8 kilometers and over one kilometer. The competition route leads over roads, country lanes and narrow, difficult-to-walk paths. A real challenge for anyone who wants to compete!
07.04.2024 Leave nothing but footprints! Volunteers collect bags of garbage
As every winter and spring, volunteers on the island come together to collect garbage and waste from the previous year. This year, kilos of garbage were collected between Agios Ioannis and Lavrakas alone. Many helpers sacrificed time and effort to transport the garbage away from the beach by boat with the help of locals. Unfortunately, this campaign also shows that far too much garbage is left behind in the dunes and on the beach every year. Bags, cans, crockery, sanitary items and entire tents are left behind by visitors to the island. Everyone who visits this island is responsible for preserving the beauty of this wonderful place, this gift of nature! All visitors who come to Gavdos have a responsibility. In paradise they say: Leave nothing but footprints!
20.03.2024 Kedros Gavdos closes: "The 4 Brothers" opens rooms for rent on the beach of Sarakiniko
Events, drinks and dancing in the sand. Kedros was one of the most active and popular places for people looking for company on Gavdos. Especially in the summer months, electronic beats were often played there late into the night. From this year onwards, Sarakiniko beach will be much quieter as Kedros will no longer open its doors. A great disappointment for some visitors, a blessing for others. The owners of the building in which the Kedros was located are redesigning the premises and will be offering rooms directly on Sarakiniko beach from this summer. This means that the family-run tavern "The 4 Brothers" will now also offer rooms right next to the tavern. The rooms offer a direct view of the sea and you fall asleep to the sound of the sea. The rooms cannot be booked via an online platform, but only directly on site or via the following telephone number: +30 20823042181
12.03.2024 Anendyk remains the only ferry company this year, with the destination Gavdos
Last year, the news that the company "Gavdos Cruises" would not be sailing to Gavdos over the summer came as a surprise. Gavdos Cruises offered a fast one-hour crossing service from Chora Sfakio to Gavdos. With the small ferry boat "Christa" you could reach the southernmost island of Europe very quickly. The company will not be offering any trips this year either, meaning that Anendyk will be the only company sailing to the island of Gavdos this year. Current timetables, schedules and information can be found via the following link: https://www.gavdos-travelling.com/post/gavdos-ferry
09.03.2024 Number of refugees reaching Gavdos and Crete rises sharply
Several refugee boats have reached Europe's southernmost island in recent weeks. Several of them were boats with more than 100 people on board. Due to the lack of infrastructure, this poses a major problem for Gavdos. The boats are increasingly coming from Egypt and are actively heading for Gavdos and Crete. Last year (2023), just over 600 people reached Crete and Gavdos. This year, that number has already been reached.
01.02.2024 New Ferry Timetable
A new schedule for the Anendyk ferry to Gavdos has been published. The winter timetable is valid until 31 March. The timetable for the pre-season from 1 April to 31 May has also been published. From Crete there are now again 6 connections per week to the island of Gavdos. Three times from Paleochora and three times from Chora Sfakion.
For more information: https://www.gavdos-travelling.com/post/gavdos-ferry
30.12.2023 New Ferry Timetable
A new schedule for the Anendyk ferry to Gavdos has been published. There is currently only one connection per week to Chora Sfakion.
For more information: https://www.gavdos-travelling.com/post/gavdos-ferry
Sunday, 24.12.2023: The Gavdos Bird Observatory starts its work and is looking for volunteers
The Gavdos Bird Observatory is starting on Gavdos and is looking for volunteers. The ornithological research group is studying bird migration on the island of Gavdos using the process of bird ringing. Birds on Gavdos are marked with small rings in order to observe and analyze their behavior over a longer period of time. Gavdos is a very important stopover for birds traveling between the European and African continents. Beyond the coast of Libya, Gavdos represents the first piece of land after a long journey. Birds use the island as a stopover to take in fluids and food.
The Gavdos Bird Observatory organization is looking for volunteers to take part in the ringing process. There will be lessons on all steps of the process. All participants will receive free accommodation and meals.
More information at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554560296552.
To register: gavdosringing@gmail.com
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