By Anaïs BEDE 
By Anaïs BEDE
November 23, 2021
Reading time: 6 minutes
IN BRIEF
Don't miss: Patmos and Rhodes
Special features: the Dodecanese are less subject to the Meltemi than the Cyclades.
The best anchorages: LivadiBay in the north-east of Patmos and Palionisos Bay in Kalymnos.
Contents
- Practical information for your yacht charter in the Dodecanese
- What are the main points of interest in the Dodecanese archipelago?
- The best anchorages in the Dodecanese
- What sailing itinerary should you follow?
- What are the weather conditions?
"The Dodecanese is an ideal destination for a family cruise. You can swim from anywhere, the waters are clear, warm and full of fish, and the sailing conditions are favorable." These are the words of Julien, a Filovent customer, who sailed with his family on board an Oceanis 51.1.
The Dodecanese archipelago, close-hauled to the Turkish coast, is the end of that eternal Greece where Byzantines, Ottomans and Venetians have succeeded one another. A crossroads of civilizations in Antiquity, this navigation area boasts a history ranging from the Colossus of Rhodes to Hippocrates' School of Medicine in Kos, via the sacred text of the Gospel of Saint Johnwritten on Patmos. Each island has its own charm, so an exceptional cruise awaits you!
1. Practical information for your yacht charter in the Dodecanese
Average rates according to the season and the size of the boat
The table below gives you an idea of the average prices for your yacht charter. These prices may vary depending on the season, availability, model, age of the boat, etc.
| Type of boat | High Season July and August | Mid-season May, June and September | Low Season April and October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monohull (35 feet / ≈2 cabins) | 2,800 USD | 2,000 USD | 1,600 USD |
| Monohull (40 feet/≈3 cabins) | 3,300 USD | 2,500 USD | 2,000 USD |
| Monohull (45 feet/≈4 cabins) | 4,000 USD | 3,200 USD | 2,800 USD |
| Catamaran (40 feet) | 8,000 USD | 7,000 USD | 5,500 USD |
| Catamaran (50 feet) | 12,000 USD | 9,000 USD | USD7,000 |
The different departure points
In the Dodecanese, you can choose to start your trip from one of two bases: Kos or Rhodes. Both bases are fully equipped with electricity on the pontoon, Wi-Fi, water, etc.
However, the advantage of setting off from Kos is its central position, which will allow you to adjust your course either to the north of the Dodecanese or to the south. Setting off from Rhodes is more suitable for a week's sailing in the south of the Dodecanese only.
Our main partners on site
Here is a list of our main partners who rent boats in the Dodecanese:
- Istion Yachting was founded in 1992. Its head office is located in Athens, but the company operates from several departure bases in Greece (Corfu, Kos, Paros, Mykonos…). This rental company is recognized for the quality of its service, both for pleasure and luxury sailboat charters. From Kos and Rhodes, Istion Yachting offers both boats with one hull (Oceanis 46.1, Sun Odyssey 410, Hanse 458, Dufour 430, etc.) and catamarans (Lagoon 46, Bali 4.1, Lagoon 380, etc.).
- Dream Yacht Charter was founded in 2000 in the Seychelles and offers more than 1,000 boats for charter from around 60 destinations. on Kos and Rhodes, this rental company has 115 boats, including both Monohulls (Dufour, Oceanis, Sun Loft, Sun Odyssey, Bavaria) and Catamarans (Bali, Lagoon, Lipari).
- Kiriacoulis was founded in 1986 and is based in Athens. With bases in Kos and Rhodes, this rental company offers catamarans (Lagoon, Elba, Bali, etc.) and monohulls (Dufour, Oceanis, Sun Loft, etc.). This rental company is competitive in terms of rental prices, allows you to start your charter on a Sunday and is flexible in terms of charter durations (possibility to charter for 10 days, for example);
What license is required?
To sail in Greece, it is imperative to have a boat license, whether to skipper a monohull or a motorboat. The European boat license is accepted if it is translated into English or Greek.
Of course, if you have opted for a sailboat charter with a skipper, there is no need to have a license.
2. What are the main points of interest in the Dodecanese archipelago?
The Dodecanese form an archipelago of 160 islands and islets. Its 12 main islands have given it its name: dodeka, twelve, and nesos, island in Greek. Less popular with yachtsmen than the Cyclades, this archipelago stretches as far as the coast of Turkey.
Leros
Deserted on the heights and green close-hauled to the coast, Leros offers a landscape of charming contrasts. On the spot, a few visits are worth the detour. The island's must-see attraction is undoubtedly the Castle of the Virgin Mary, built by the Byzantines in the 11th century to oversee a large part of the region. Dominating Platanos, the capital of Leros, you can see Patmos, Kalymnos and the coasts of Asia Minor at a glance. A visit to this castle lowers you to the level of Platanos. Along the crest, a series of mills follow one another and gaze out over the Aegean Sea.
Panagies, Krithoni, Panteli and Koulouki are all great beaches for you to lay down your towel or have your anchored boat enjoy the landscape thanks to your catamaran charter in Greece.
Kalymnos
A mountainous island in the archipelago, Kalymnos has many faces. A true paradise for climbing enthusiasts, the island is also home to a rich architectural and religious heritage.
The small authentic villages such as Pothia or Emporios, the castle of Chora built by the Byzantines in the 11th century or the monastery of Agios Savvas bear witness to the cultural richness of the island.
You are sure to find something to your taste among the island's many beaches. You will appreciate Mirties beach in the west for the view it offers of the island of Telendos, or Akti beach in the east for its fine sand and tranquility.
Patmos
Patmos is better known for its historical past than for its beaches! A cultural center and place of pilgrimage in the north of the Dodecanese, this island was used as a place of deportation during the Roman Empire. The apostle Saint John, exiled by the Emperor Domitian, is said to have had a divine revelation there, prompting him to write the book of Revelation.
On the other hand, the capital of the island, Chora, concentrates most of the points of interest. In the hills, you can visit the 16th- and 17th-century windmills, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the monastery of St. John, built in the 11th century. In the village itself, you can admire the small, typically Greek white houses as you stroll through the streets.
Finally, the island is full of small coves and beaches with translucent waters surrounded by lush greenery. This is the case of the beach of Agriolivado, Kambos, Meloi, Vagia…
Rhodes
Cosmopolitan and traditional, timeless and modern, the island of Rhodes promises you a stopover like no other!
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this island is world-famous as the home of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Colossus of Rhodes. It was a gigantic statue in the image of the sun god Helios that was destroyed in an earthquake.
The island's beaches will also leave you breathless! With translucent waters, golden sand and rocky coves, Rhodes is home to some of the most beautiful anchorages in Greece! We recommend visiting the bay of Saint-Paul to the east, which is a true paradise for diving enthusiasts, or the pebble beach of Anthony Quinn to the northeast.
Kos
Kos is the third largest island in the Dodecanese archipelago in the open sea off the Turkish coast. This island invites you to experience a real historical interlude. Indeed, Kos, the island's capital, is home to remarkable remains from Antiquity: the ruins of the Agora with a statue of Hippocrates, the Roman baths and the sanctuary of the Asclepieion dedicated to the god of healing. The figureof Hippocrates, the father of medicine, is inseparable from the island of Kos. It was on this island that he founded the School of Medicine, which was highly renowned in Antiquity.
Kos will also delight hiking enthusiasts. The heart of the island is made up of numerous natural parks such as Zia in the eastern part. The island is not short of beaches either! They are all located in an idyllic setting in the middle of a calm sea. Although they are quite busy, we advise you to go and lay your towel on the beaches of Marmari and Mastihari in the north or, more difficult to access, on the beaches of Camel and Kardamena in the south.
3. The best anchorages in the Dodecanese
Anchorage at Agios Georgios on the island of Agathonisi
Julien, who skippered an Oceanis 51.1, suggested this "calm and wild" anchorage . Once ashore, a walk of more than an hour will take you to the heights from where we enjoyed a beautiful view.
Anchorage in Livadi Bay, northeast of Patmos
This anchorage was recommended to me by Alexandre, who sailed there with his family on a Lagoon 40: "it's a beautiful bay sheltered from the meltemi with clear turquoise water. At the far end of the bay, there is a pebble beach".
Anchorage in the bay of Palionisos on Kalymnos
This is Alexandre's second favorite spot: "this bay is well sheltered and there are buoys. The setting is magnificent and the water is translucent. This anchorage is free and the staff at the Palionissos Paradise Tavern restaurant will help you moor. A real gem! ".
4. What sailing itineraries should you follow?
Sailing itinerary 1 for one week: Discovering the North Dodecanese - Total distance covered: 167 nautical miles
This sailing itinerary was followed by Julien during his family trip on an Oceanis 5.1
- Day 1: Kos → Psérimos (12 nautical miles - 2 hours sailing)
- Day 2: Psérimos → Kalymnos (12 nautical miles - 2 hours sailing)
- Day 3: Kalymnos → Agathonisi (50 nautical miles - 8 hours sailing)
- Day 4: Agathonisi → Arkoi (18 nautical miles - 3 hours sailing)
- Day 5: Arkoi -> Patmos (20 nautical miles - 3 hours sailing)
- Day 6: Patmos → Leros (25 nautical miles - 4 hours sailing)
- Day 7: Leros → Kos (30 nautical miles - 5 hours sailing)
Sailing itinerary 2 (one week): Discovering the south of the Dodecanese - Total distance covered: 176 nautical miles
This sailing itinerary was recommended to me by Konstantinos, who works for our local partner, Istion Yachting.
- Day 1: Rhodes → Simi (25 nautical miles - 4 hours sailing)
- Day 2: Simi -> Nisyros (40 nautical miles - 6 and a half hours sailing)
- Day 3: Nisyros → Kos (30 nautical miles - 5 hours sailing)
- Day 4: Kos → Tilos (36 nautical miles - 6 hours sailing)
- Day 5: Tilos → Chalki (20 nautical miles - 3 hours sailing)
- Day 6: Chalki > Rhodes (25 nautical miles - 4 hours sailing)
5. What are the weather conditions?
The Dodecanese enjoy a Mediterranean climate. During the summer season, temperatures can exceed 30°C.
As for wind conditions, the Dodecanese are less subject to the Meltemi than the Cyclades. The Meltemi is a powerful north Mediterranean wind that can reach 35 knots.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Julien Boidard and Alexandre Lupo for their testimonies and photos, which perfectly illustrate this article.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 3 269 |
|---|---|
| Types of service | Skipper, Hostess, Sailor, Chef (meals not included), Mechanic, Engineer, Sailor/Chef (meals not included), Masseuse |
| Average price per week | $13,573 |
| Minimum weekly price | $716 |
| Maximum price per week | $3,370,411 |