Acts 27:12

“And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, etc.] Which was called the “Fair Havens”, (<442708>Acts 27:8) which name it might have by an antiphrasis, it being just the reverse; it might be a good summer haven, but not be fit for winter: perhaps it might be an open road or bay, and having nothing to shelter from the boisterous waves, was a place very improper for a ship to be in, in stormy weather; for in open places, as bays and roads, the sea tumbles in very violently in bad weather: this was a haven fit for fair weather only, and therefore might be so called: the more part advised to depart thence also; the major part of the ship’s company were of the same opinion with the…”

“Phenice--"Phenix," now called Lutro. which lieth toward the southwest and northwest--If this means that it was open to the west, it would certainly not be good anchorage! It is thought therefore to mean that a wind from that quarter would lead into it, or that it lay in an easterly direction from such a wind [SMITH]. Act 27:13 seems to confirm this.”

“The haven - The fair havens, Acts 27:8. Was not commodious to winter in - Not safe or convenient to remain there. Probably it furnished rather a safe anchorage ground in time of a storm than a convenient place for a permanent harbor. The more part - The greater part of the crew. To Phenice - In the original this is Phoenix - Φοῖνιξ Foinix. So it is written by Strabo. The name was probably derived from the palmtrees which were common in Crete. This was a port or harbor on the south side of Crete, and west of the fair havens. It was a more convenient harbor, and was regarded as more safe. It appears, therefore, that the majority of persons on board concurred with Paul in the belief that it…”

“Which is a haven - Having a double opening, one to the southwest, the other to the northwest. Acts 27:14”

“27:12 The prevailing southeasterly winds made Fair Havens an unsafe place for ships to harbor in the winter, but Phoenix, a town farther up the coast of Crete, offered a better harbor.”

“the haven: Act 27:8; Psa 107:30 Phenice: Phenice, was a sea-port on the western side of Crete; probably defended from the fury of the winds by a high and winding shore, forming a semicircle, and perhaps by some small island in front; leaving two openings, one towards the south-west, and the other towards the north-west. Crete: Act 27:7 Acts 27:13”