Wrong harbour?
Rouda Bay
Syvota Bay
Olive tree?
Cape Lougi
To see what the Phaeacians must've seen, I booked a day cruise on a ship that sailed part of the route the Phaeacaeans would have taken, coincidentally the same ship that visits Papanikolis Cave on the way back. From this picture I took it's not hard to understand how Syvota Bay, behind the headland of the 'big olive tree', could have been missed by the Phaeacaeans, if you don't know it's there, it's almost invisible coming from the east.
Now, if the 'big olive tree' is indeed a waypoint it's to be expected that the intended harbour was at or beyond this tree. This corresponds to the idea that Odysseus could have been dropped off at the wrong harbour.
Now, if the 'big olive tree' is indeed a waypoint it's to be expected that the intended harbour was at or beyond this tree. This corresponds to the idea that Odysseus could have been dropped off at the wrong harbour.