Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, hoping that somehow they could reach Phoenix to winter there. Phoenix was a harbor in Crete facing both southwest and northwest.
In these verses we have, I. The ship putting to sea again, and pursuing her voyage at first with a promising gale. Observe, 1. What induced them to leave the fair havens: it was because they thought the harbour not commodious to winter in; it was pleasant enough in summer but in the winter they lay bleak.
Commenting on Acts 27:12-20
And because the haven was not commodious to winter in,.... Which was called the "Fair Havens", Act 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...
Verse 12. The haven. The fair havens, . 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 harbour. The more part. The greater part of the crew. To Phenice. This was a port or harbour on the south side of Crete, and west of the fair havens.