Fair Havens

Illustration of Fair Havens

Fair Havens was a small, exposed harbor on the southern coast of Crete where the ship carrying Paul as a prisoner to Rome took refuge as sailing had already become dangerous with the approach of winter. Paul warned the ship's centurion and crew that continuing the voyage would end in disaster, loss of cargo, and lives, but the harbor's poor shelter and the majority opinion favored trying to reach the better harbor of Phenice instead. That decision led directly to the ship being caught by the violent northeaster wind called Euroclydon and eventually wrecked on Malta - making Fair Havens the last point at which the disaster Paul had prophesied could still have been avoided.

0:00

Details

Region
Crete
Modern Location
Near Kaloi Limenes, Crete, Greece
Strongest connections in Scripture
Acts 27

Nearby Places

(within ~40 km)

Key Passages

Paul Warns of Danger at Fair Havens

Acts 27:8-12

Paul's warning, ignored in favor of reaching a more comfortable harbor, sets in motion the shipwreck that Acts describes in such vivid detail.

A8nd, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

Explore Related

Characters

Paul Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted early Christiansโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

Fair Havens survives with the same name today - Kaloi Limenes in Greek - one of the few biblical places never renamed in two thousand years.

2

Paul's shipwreck warning at Fair Havens was ignored partly because the harbor was 'not commodious to winter in' - comfort outvoted the prophet.

3

Acts notes 'the fast was now already past' - the Day of Atonement, dating the voyage to dangerous October seas; Luke embeds the shipping calendar in one clause.

Key Chapters

Acts 27 Paul's Voyage to Rome 6 min read