Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 27:8

"and with difficulty coasting along it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea." — Acts 27:8 (ASV)

And, hardly passing it. Scarcely being able to pass by it without being wrecked. Being almost driven on it. They passed around the east end of the island, because they had been unable to sail directly forward between the island and the mainland.

The fair havens. This was on the south-eastern part of the island of Crete. It was probably not so much a harbor as an open kind of road, which afforded good anchorage for a time. It is called by Stephen, the geographer, "the fair shore."