Imray Almanac: Mediterranean Navigation and Cruising Almanac

Introduction

The Imray Almanac is a key reference in nautical documentation for sailors undertaking cruising and coastal navigation, particularly in the Mediterranean. Designed to complement nautical charts and cruising guides, the Imray Mediterranean Almanac brings together a wide range of practical information useful for planning a stopover, a passage or a Mediterranean cruise.

The current edition of the Imray Mediterranean Almanac covers the Mediterranean Sea as a whole, as well as several Atlantic islands and areas. It includes information on ports and marinas, waypoints, contacts, lights and buoys, maritime regulations, marine reserves, traffic schemes, coast radio stations, safety communications and weather information. The almanac also contains numerous harbour plans using Imray cartography.

Published in English and intended for international use, the Imray Almanac is suitable both for experienced sailors and for crews preparing a Mediterranean cruise who want structured, technical and practical documentation that can be used on board.

What is the Imray Almanac Used For?

A nautical chart shows the geographical and hydrographic configuration of a navigation area. An almanac provides another category of information: it helps sailors understand the nautical environment of a port, coastline or navigation area and prepare the different stages of an itinerary.

The Imray Mediterranean Almanac can be used to:

• prepare a stopover in a port or marina;

• find port coordinates and contacts;

• identify major waypoints;

• prepare a harbour approach;

• check information about lights and buoys;

• find coast radio stations and frequencies;

• identify weather information sources;

• check local maritime regulations;

• identify marine reserves and regulated areas;

• prepare safety and distress communications;

• complement the information provided by nautical charts.

It does not replace an official or appropriate nautical chart. Rather, it provides complementary documentation, particularly useful when planning a route and its stopovers.

Coverage of the Mediterranean Sea

One of the main advantages of the Imray Almanac is its extensive geographical coverage.

The Mediterranean Sea encompasses very different sailing environments. Navigation conditions are not the same in the Gulf of Lion, the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Adriatic Sea, the Ionian Sea, the Aegean Sea or around the Greek islands.

The almanac can be used for a wide variety of routes, for example:

• from the French Riviera to Corsica;

• from Marseille to Sardinia;

• from Sardinia to Sicily;

• from Sicily to Greece;

• around the Ionian Islands;

• through the Cyclades and the Aegean Islands;

• along the Italian coast;

• around the Balearic Islands;

• along the Spanish coast;

• along the French Mediterranean coast;

• towards Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean.

This broad geographical coverage makes it particularly useful for sailors who regularly move between different cruising areas.

Mediterranean Ports and Marinas

Planning a Mediterranean cruise relies heavily on knowledge of ports and available stopovers.

The Imray Almanac provides data, coordinates and contacts for major Mediterranean ports and marinas. Harbour plans also help complement the information required to prepare an approach.

Depending on the itinerary, the documentation can be used to prepare stopovers in ports such as Marseille, Toulon, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Ajaccio, Bastia, Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio, Cagliari, Olbia, Palermo, Naples, Rome, Venice, Split, Dubrovnik, Corfu, Athens or Rhodes.

This information is particularly useful when planning a cruise involving numerous stopovers and when several anchorage, harbour or marina options need to be considered.

Harbour Plans and Approach Planning

Harbour plans are an important part of the Imray Almanac.

Approaching a Mediterranean port can involve very different characteristics depending on the local configuration: narrow channels, shallow areas, commercial traffic, regulated zones, breakwaters, reefs, anchorages or large concentrations of pleasure craft.

The plans provide a concise representation of the harbour and its main features.

They are particularly useful before arrival, when the navigator wants to prepare:

• the approach area;

• the harbour entrance;

• main navigation marks;

• anchorage areas;

• harbour facilities;

• berthing options;

• useful contacts.

The cartography presented in the Imray Almanac is designed to make this information easier to read and complement the written descriptions.

Waypoints and Navigation Planning

Waypoints are also an important part of modern navigation.

They can be used to prepare an electronic route, identify passage points or compare different stages of an itinerary.

In practice, sailors can combine the information provided by the almanac with electronic charts, chartplotters or navigation software, while retaining the nautical chart as the appropriate cartographic reference for their type of navigation.

This complementarity is particularly useful for long Mediterranean cruises, where routes may cross several countries and different regulatory systems.

Lights, Buoys and Navigation Aids

The Imray Almanac also provides information about lights and buoys.

This information is useful for coastal and harbour approaches, particularly when navigation continues after sunset.

The Mediterranean contains many areas with a high concentration of ports, islands, headlands, reefs and navigation aids. Understanding lights and navigation marks helps complement the information shown on nautical charts.

This documentation is particularly useful when preparing a night-time arrival or coastal navigation in an unfamiliar area.

Weather and Meteorological Information

The Mediterranean is often associated with favourable weather conditions, but it also has local phenomena that sailors need to consider.

The Mistral in the Gulf of Lion, the Tramontane, local thermal winds, wind acceleration between islands and the effects of mountainous terrain can significantly change sailing conditions.

The Imray Almanac lists various sources for obtaining weather information by radio, internet or applications, helping sailors complement their meteorological planning.

The almanac is not, of course, a real-time weather forecast. Rather, it identifies resources that can provide the information required for navigation decisions.

Maritime Regulations and Marine Reserves

Mediterranean navigation requires sailors to take account of regulations that may vary from one country to another.

Navigation areas can include marine reserves, regulated zones, traffic separation schemes and specific rules applying to certain coastal areas.

The Imray Almanac brings together information on these regulatory aspects to help sailors plan their routes and identify areas requiring particular attention.

This is particularly important for international cruises crossing several maritime jurisdictions.

Radio, Communications and Safety

Communication is another important aspect of nautical documentation.

The Imray Almanac lists coast radio stations and their frequencies, together with information concerning safety and distress communications within the GMDSS framework.

This information can be useful for identifying the appropriate services in a given region and preparing the communication resources required on board.

It becomes particularly important when sailing offshore, between islands or on international cruises.

Using the Imray Almanac with Nautical Charts

The Imray Almanac should be considered a complement to nautical charts and cruising publications.

In the Mediterranean, sailors may use charts from different publishers and hydrographic services, including Shom, Admiralty and NV Charts, as well as the national hydrographic services of the countries concerned.

Available chart coverage varies depending on the area: France, Spain, Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, the Adriatic, Greece, Turkey or the eastern Mediterranean.

Combining a nautical chart, an almanac and a cruising guide makes it possible to clearly distinguish the different functions of nautical documentation:

• the chart is used to analyse the geographical and hydrographic environment;

• the almanac provides practical information about ports and navigation;

• the cruising guide provides detailed information about coastlines, anchorages and local characteristics.

This complementary approach is particularly effective when preparing a cruise.

A Publication Designed for International Cruising

The Imray Almanac is published in English, reflecting its international positioning and the widespread use of English in nautical documentation.

This is particularly appropriate for sailors visiting several Mediterranean countries or using international nautical publications.

A crew sailing between France, Italy, Croatia and Greece can therefore use consistent terminology for port information, communications, navigation aids and safety procedures.

A Regularly Updated Publication

The Mediterranean Imray Almanac is published on a biennial cycle, with an update supplement available at the end of the first year. The 2025/2026 edition is the 14th edition and includes numerous revisions and new harbour plans.

This publication cycle is appropriate for a book containing large amounts of information that may change, including port details, harbour facilities, regulations, navigation aids, radio frequencies and information concerning ports.

For current navigation, it remains important to check available updates and cross-reference information with applicable nautical notices and publications.

Who Is the Imray Almanac For?

The Imray Almanac can be used by different types of sailors:

• leisure sailors preparing a Mediterranean cruise;

• yacht or motorboat owners;

• crews undertaking international navigation;

• coastal sailors;

• delivery crews;

• sailors preparing inter-island passages;

• navigators looking for documentation complementary to nautical charts;

• crews wishing to centralise port and regulatory information.

It is particularly relevant for itineraries involving numerous stopovers and several countries.

Conclusion

The Imray Mediterranean Almanac is comprehensive nautical documentation for preparing and conducting navigation in the Mediterranean Sea.

With its information on ports and marinas, waypoints, harbour plans, lights and buoys, weather, regulations, marine reserves, coast radio stations and GMDSS communications, it effectively complements nautical charts and cruising guides.

From the Western Mediterranean to the Adriatic Sea, from the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea, and from the French coast to Italian, Croatian, Greek and Turkish shores, the almanac supports the different stages of an international cruise.

For navigation planned methodically, it forms part of a documentation set combining nautical charts, almanacs, cruising guides and regulatory information, with particular attention to ports, approaches and local conditions.

FAQ – Imray Almanac

What is the Imray Mediterranean Almanac?

The Imray Mediterranean Almanac is a reference publication for leisure navigation in the Mediterranean. It brings together information on ports, marinas, waypoints, lights, buoys, regulations, weather, coast radio stations and safety communications.

What area does the Imray Mediterranean Almanac cover?

It covers the Mediterranean Sea as a whole and also includes information concerning Atlantic islands and areas associated with Mediterranean cruising.

Does the Imray Almanac cover the French Mediterranean coast?

Yes. It can be used to prepare navigation along the French Mediterranean coast, including the areas around Marseille, Toulon, the French Riviera and Corsica.

Does the Imray Almanac cover Corsica and Sardinia?

Yes. Its Mediterranean coverage includes major island cruising areas, including Corsica and Sardinia.

Is the Imray Almanac useful for sailing in Greece?

Yes. It can be used to prepare navigation in the Ionian and Aegean Seas, particularly around the numerous Greek islands and ports.

Does the Imray Almanac cover the Adriatic Sea?

Yes. The Mediterranean coverage includes information useful for navigation in the Adriatic.

Is the Imray Almanac available in French?

No. The Mediterranean Imray Almanac is published in English and is intended for international use.

Does the Imray Almanac replace a nautical chart?

No. It is a complement to a nautical chart. The chart remains essential for analysing the navigation area, positioning the vessel and planning the route.

Which nautical chart publishers can be used with the Imray Almanac?

Depending on the area, the almanac can be used with charts from different publishers and hydrographic services, including Shom, Admiralty and NV Charts, as well as official charts from national hydrographic services.

Does the Imray Almanac contain harbour plans?

Yes. Harbour plans are an important part of the publication and help prepare approaches and stopovers.

Does the Imray Almanac contain information about marinas?

Yes. The publication provides data, coordinates and contacts for major Mediterranean ports and marinas.

Does the Imray Almanac contain tide information?

The publication provides extensive nautical information, but sailors should use tide tables and hydrographic data appropriate to their navigation area and type of sailing for precise calculations of water levels and currents.

Does the Imray Almanac provide weather information?

Yes. It lists weather information sources available through radio, internet and applications.

Does the Imray Almanac contain radio frequencies?

Yes. Coast radio stations and their frequencies are included among the information provided.

Does the Imray Almanac contain safety information?

Yes. It includes information concerning safety and distress communications within the GMDSS system.

How often is the Imray Mediterranean Almanac published?

The Mediterranean Almanac is published every two years, with an update supplement available at the end of the first year.

What is the current edition of the Imray Mediterranean Almanac?

The current edition is the 2025/2026 edition, which is the 14th edition.

What type of navigation is the Imray Almanac suitable for?

It is particularly suitable for coastal navigation and cruising in the Mediterranean, especially when an itinerary involves several ports, islands and countries.