Acts 27:12
Phoenix is mentioned in the account of Paul's journey to Rome. Having come to Fair Havens, as it was getting late in the safe travelling season, the ships's pilot and owner wanted to make for the safer wintering harbour of Phoenix. Against Paul's advice, the centurion in charge of the journey, decided to make the attempt for Phoenix.
Of course, they did not make it. A violent storm drove them off course and they were eventually shipwrecked on the island of Malta.
I visited Phoenix in 2016 on a journey covering various sites in Crete. To make this visit I had based myself in Chora Sfakion, a significant place for the allied forces in WWII, including many New Zealanders.
Phoenix can be visited by road (see location map below) but I chose to make the visit by day ferry from Chora Sfakion. The ferry ran from Chora Sfakion to Loutro and then Agia Roumeli, further west, before returning late in the day. (For some reason Google Maps does not show a ferry route from Chora Sfakion to Loutro.)
The ferry stop in Loutro was long enough to be able to walk around the coastal track to Phoenix, and then back over the hill to Loutro in time for the departure for Agia Roumeli. East of Agia Roumeli, a coastal track leads to a small chapel dedicated to St Paul right on the beach. If you're not planning to stay, make sure you get back to Agia Roumeli in time to catch the return ferry!
Click here for a Google Earth view of the archaeological site of Phoenix.
It is possible to drive to the location marked at left.
I visited on foot, from Loutro, after taking a day ferry from Chroa Sfakion.
The day ferry from Chroa Sfakion to Loutro, continues to Agia Roumeli, further west.
From Agia Roumeli there is a track back towards the east back to a small chapel, on the beach, dedicated to St Paul. If you are making a day trip, make sure you get back to Agia Roumeli in time for the return ferry!
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