Note 1 at Ac 27:12: Phenice was a city on the southern coast of Crete (see note 10 at Ac 27:7). It had an excellent harbor that was divided by a small island into two entrances to the sea (see note 2 at this verse). This was the only port on the southern side of Crete that was safe during every season of the year.

Phenice was located less than fifty miles from Fair Havens (see note 12 at Ac 27:8), thus the sailors of Paul's ship thought they could surely make this port even though the storm season was upon them.

Phenice was also known by the name of Phoenix and is today called Loutro. However, it is not to be confused with the Phenice (Phenicia) of Ac 11:19, 15:3, and 21:2 (see note 1 at Ac 11:19).

Note 2 at Ac 27:12: This mention of the port of Phenice (see note 1 at this verse) lying toward the southwest and northwest is interesting. The harbor entrance was divided by a small island into two openings to the sea: one facing northeast and the other toward the southeast. These are exactly opposite the directions given in this verse.

The apparent harmony is that this verse is speaking of the winds when it mentions southwest and northwest. The southwest winds would facilitate a ship leaving through the northeast opening, and likewise, a northwest wind would aid a ship to sail through the southeast opening to the sea.