Explore the Beauty of Kos and the North Dodecanese
The Dodecanese Islands are a group of 12 islands located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea, Greece. Known for their rich history, stunning natural beauty, and picturesque towns, these islands are a sailor’s paradise. The Dodecanese Islands offer crystal-clear waters, beautiful beaches, and charming villages, making them a popular destination for sailing holidays. Kos, famously known as the island of Hippocrates, serves as an excellent starting point for exploring this enchanting archipelago. With its well-equipped marina and easy access to the surrounding islands, Kos is the perfect gateway to your Aegean adventure.
Getting to Kos Marina
Kos Marina is a well-equipped base, offering everything you need to prepare for your journey. Located just 22km from Kos International Airport, it’s easily accessible by taxi, public transport, or ferry from nearby islands and the mainland. Once at the marina, you’ll find a range of facilities, including restaurants, shops, and yacht charter services like Istion Yachting, ready to assist with your sailing needs. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or planning your first Kos yacht charter, the marina provides a seamless start to your Aegean adventure.
Sailing Routes and Points of Interest in the North Dodecanese
The Dodecanese Islands stretch from the stunning island of Samos in the north to the iconic Rhodes in the south. While southern routes are more spread out with longer distances, most first-time sailors choose to head north from Kos. The northern Dodecanese offers spectacular scenery, turquoise bays, and charming villages, making it one of the best areas for yacht charters in Greece.
The region features a rugged yet captivating landscape of rocky mountains plunging into deep blue waters. Beyond the natural beauty, you’ll find ancient ruins, vibrant culture, and opportunities for hiking and exploration. Sailing here combines the thrill of navigating challenging winds with the reward of visiting unique islands full of history and charm.
Wind and Sailing Conditions in the Dodecanese
The area is characterized by strong northerly winds, including the Meltemi, which can make sailing challenging, especially for novices. Expect wind speeds often exceeding 20 knots, requiring skilled handling when approaching or anchoring. For experienced sailors seeking adventure, the Dodecanese delivers exciting conditions and action-packed sailing. Most routes remain on the eastern side of the island chain, offering more protection from rough seas.
Best Time to Sail the Dodecanese
Planning your sailing itinerary for your vacation
For your convenience, to learn and plan your route, all the place names highlighted in yellow are links to the point itself on the NAVILY site map.
There are many considerations in building a sailing route, so we chose not to offer a specific route but rather a variety of points of interest. The best route is for you, but it may be unsuitable for another crew. Some love to sail long distances while others prefer shorter ones, some enjoy anchoring in bays, others look for a dock and a good tavern every night, and there are many other considerations when choosing the route and destinations. On top of these considerations, the actual weather is also on each sailing day. We believe that when sailing, it is better to make daily decisions according to the updated forecast and not stick to a pre-planned itinerary, which could mean fighting the sea against logic or sailing in weather conditions that exceed your desires or abilities as a crew.
A bareboat charter is an excellent option for those seeking flexibility and independence. It allows you to explore at your own pace, making it ideal for independent sailors looking for a relaxing holiday in destinations like The Mediterranean. With numerous yachts available for bareboat charter, you can navigate without a crew and tailor your journey to your preferences.
We wish you an enjoyable planning experience! It’s part of the fun and a successful and fantastic sailing trip!
The Dodecanese Islands Map
1. PSERIMOS ISLAND
A small, arid and almost uninhabited island. There isn’t much to do there besides natural sea beaches, and it has no marinas. However, there is a beautiful and recommended spot for dropping anchor and jumping into the water if it fits your route.
Reminder: The yellow titles are links to the location on the website NAVILY
PSERIMOS – VATHY
2. KALYMNOS ISLAND
A relatively large island, with an urban port and organized marina, amazing bays – among the most beautiful that Greece has to offer, and beautiful surrounding mountains. In recent years, the island has become a center for mountain climbers, but in the various yacht bays, you won’t notice that at all, except for the crazy mountain scenery around. The island is definitely worth a visit, spending a night in one of the amazing bays, and if you’re on a relaxed schedule, then even more, and you can combine it with a riding tour on the island. Additionally, there are popular sailing yachts available for charter on Kalymnos Island.
1. KALYMNOS MARINA
A large and well-organized urban marina within a large commercial port in the main city of the island. Not the most beautiful marina you’ll find in Greece, but it provides all services including restaurants, and everything you might want is available in the city. The location can serve as a base for renting cars for tours on the island, but in our opinion there are more beautiful places to spend the night on this enchanting island.
2. VATHY
One of the most beautiful and unique places, and our favorite spot for a night in the area. A small pier located inside a long bay, really a fjord between high mountains with a small, charming village situated below a green valley between the mountains. An amazing view! A quiet and peaceful place with a few taverns, grocery stores, and souvenir shops for tourists. In the morning, fishermen sell their fresh catch on the pier, so if you’re interested in cooking and fish, it’s worth going to them.
Keep in mind that there are few mooring spots on the pier, so if you’re in season, you need to arrive early.
Note that the bay is open to the east and northeast, and you are exposed even when tied to the pier. If an easterly or northeasterly wind picks up at night, waves can enter the bay.
3. PEZONTA BAY
A pristine and charming bay, just amazing nature for those who love it, for a midday stop or an overnight stay. Note that it is open to the north.
4.OROMOS PALIONISOS BAY
Another amazing and beautiful place. A bay between arid mountains with a gorgeous beach and a few taverns around… and that’s it. Perfect for a midday stop and also for an overnight stay for those seeking a quiet, beautiful location with a tavern on the beach. There are scattered mooring spots in the bay.
5. EMBORIOS BAY
If you do end up on the western side of the island, there are a number of very beautiful beaches in the area. Some have mooring spots, organized swimming beaches and beachside taverns, while others are simply natural, beautiful beaches. An extremely beautiful area overall.
3. LEROS ISLAND
An island with a very relaxed atmosphere. The main marina and port are located on its western side. This is actually a very large, organized and urban port area. It’s the less beautiful side of the island, but if it’s important for you to moor at an organized pier, this is probably the place to do it.
On the eastern and more beautiful side 🙂 you can find tiny marinas where you’ll hardly find a mooring spot for a yacht, especially in season. Therefore, the goal is mainly beautiful bays for dropping anchor, with surrounding taverns and lovely beaches. If you’ve already made it here, then it’s a must to wander around and explore the island on foot or by vehicle. Additionally, there is a variety of sailing boats available for charter, including both monohull and catamaran styles, catering to different group needs.
Pendeli Area:
Pendeli is a very beautiful village, with an ancient fortress overlooking it from a hill above, and a row of wind turbines on the horizon. It’s very nice to rent a car and tour the village and surrounding mountains, which overlook amazing sea views all around.
In the area there are several small marinas and anchorage areas:
1. PANTELAIOU MARINA
A small urban marina, without much space, relatively shallow and lacking many services. It’s difficult to find an available spot here. The surrounding area is very beautiful and full of tavernas and beaches
2. PANTELAIOU MOORING
A Mediterranean-style anchorage area outside of the marina
3. AGIA MARINA
A tiny marina on the other side of the village. A very beautiful area. Very few mooring spots! Take into account during the season, chances are you will anchor near the shore outside the marina, and it will be in this area.
The rest of the island: beautiful beaches
4.BLEFOUTI BAY
A small and charming bay with an amazing beach. Suitable for overnight if the weather permits. Completely open to the west
LAKKI AREA
The main harbor area. Located in a huge and very protected bay from all directions except the southwest. Very suitable for spending a night or two in a storm if necessary. There is a large private marina and a municipal marina here. Both are organized with facilities. The bay area around is very beautiful, but the marinas themselves are very large and urban, and the city is not particularly beautiful. This is not the picturesque fishing village we love in Greece, but if you ended up here due to route considerations, weather, or simply decided it suits you, take a car and in a few minutes’ drive, you reach beautiful and magical places in the surroundings.
5. LEROS MARINA EVROS S.A
A private marina, large and very organized, service-oriented and modern, similar to a number of private marinas that have developed in recent years in Greece and are very atypical for the region :). The marina has a large shipyard, and many yachts arrive for work. It is possible and advisable to reserve a mooring spot in advance if you are interested in coming here, and in any case, you should contact the marina before entering, as with any private marina.
6. LAKKI MARINA
Organized urban marina. (Without showers and toilets)
Anchorage area outside of the marinas
7. PARALIA KOKKINA
Nice beach for anchoring and swimming stop.
Before we continue north to Lipsi, we will note the recommendation of skipper Uri Lev, who recommended a bay with a wonderful restaurant on the island just north of Leros. An enchanting place to spend a night. Archangelos Lerou is a tiny island, north of Partheni on Leros, and there the taverna in the bay is Stigma Archangelos – Agouros Anastasios. Thanks to Uri 🙂
4. LIPSI ISLAND
If you are looking for a quiet, undeveloped area, nature and peaceful beaches, located off the main tourist trail – this is the place for you. Keep in mind that there are no exciting mountains, villages or antiquities here. Just peace and beaches.
1. ORMOS LIPSO MARINA
A beautiful marina located in a small and charming Greek village. Perfect for a night for those seeking the tranquility of the island and wanting a marina base to explore the lovely beaches in the area.
2.ORMOS MOSCHATO BAY
An enchanting bay for a swimming stop, or for a night for those who love nature, tranquility, and charming beaches.
3. MAKRONISI
A must-stop anchorage for anyone in the area looking for a midday swimming spot! A gorgeous place, with cliffs descending into turquoise waters and a cave you can enter by dinghy/swimming and exit on the other side. Plenty of stunning meeting points between the cliff and sea. The perfect spot for a midday stop when the weather permits
5.PATMOS ISLAND
An enchanting and beautiful island with amazing scenery all around. An ancient city that is definitely worth a visit, filled with stunning beaches scattered around the island. If you are a hiking enthusiast, the island has some amazing hiking trails! One of the places you must not miss if you are in the area! If it fits your schedule, this island is worth at least a half day tour and if you are fans of a relaxed hiking vibe then even two nights combining land hikes, mountains and stunning beaches
1. MARINA DE PATMOS
The central marina, large and urban. Situated inside a gorgeous bay with stunning scenery all around, and below the ancient and charming city of Patmos. The perfect place to rent a vehicle and go on excursions around the island.
A must of course is to visit the touristy old town and the monastery above the marina.
Scattered around the island are beautiful beaches where you can easily drop anchor for a swimming stop when the weather is suitable. There is one relatively protected bay that in our opinion is the most beautiful – a cove that if you are considering spending a night at anchor in a bay, this is definitely the place! Charming scenery, quiet and serene
2.KALIKATSOU NORD
An amazing bay. Full of beaches, some simply natural and others organized swimming beaches, tavernas and houses around. A charming place.
6. FOURNOI ISLAND
If you feel like visiting a place that is completely off the beaten tourist path and truly undeveloped, then this is the place. An island full of tranquility, serenity and bays. One village, a small marina and plenty of antiquities on the surrounding hills. Without anything particularly developed. This is the spot for those seeking peace and serenity in a bay that has only nature and history…
1. FOURNOI MARINA
A tiny urban marina (they are building a larger marina here but it has been dragging on in a typical fashion for a few years now). A small and quiet place, with restaurants around. The view beyond the marina is very beautiful, but the marina itself is not particularly exciting
Based on your setup, it seems you are about to list some amazing bays or coves on an island that offer tranquility and natural beauty. I’m ready to receive the descriptions of these special spots in the original language, which I can then translate to English for you.
2. ELIDAKI BEACH
3. ORMOS PETROKOPIO
Please note – there is a mistake in the name on NAVILY and it is listed as FOURNOI but this is the bay.
4. UNAMED BAYS
An enchanting, unnamed bay, with two more adjacent to it. All three are charming.
7. SAMOS ISLAND
A famous large, charming island in the Greek islands. It is actually located outside the chain of islands defined as the Dodecanese islands, but it borders them to the north and is definitely worth a visit if it fits your sailing distances and schedule. Of course, it’s only worth coming here if you’re planning to spend at least one day touring the island, as this charming island has a lot to offer. Mountains, villages, antiquities, beaches, tavernas and more….
On the southern side, relevant to those arriving from the Kos area, you can find two large, central marinas:
1. ORMOS MARTHOKAMPO MARINA
A well-organized and beautiful modern private marina inside a very nice and relatively quiet village. Outside of it there is a municipal quay where you can also moor. This is the place for those who love being in quieter spots, but still organized and urban
2. PYTHAGORION PORT
A classic and beautiful Greek port, the entire quay lined with tavernas that come alive in the evening as a lively center for sailors and tourists. A highly recommended experience for a classic Mediterranean night.
If there is no room in the old port, there is a new, well-organized private marina over the “hill” within a nice walking distance from the port. The marina itself is large and unimpressive, but in the evening you go to the port, and it serves as a good base for renting a car and touring this large, beautiful island.
3. SAMOS MARINA
4. SAMIOPOULA BEACH
An enchanting bay located on a tiny island just south of Samos. If the weather permits (open to the west), it’s perfect for a swimming stop, and also for a Mediterranean overnight anchored off the beach. Highly recommended – spend time on the amazing beach + short hike around the island. Keep in mind that during the season, starting around 10am, tourists arrive here on day tour boats from Samos…
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kos is an ideal destination for a sailing holiday in Greece. With its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and well-equipped marina, Kos offers everything you need for an unforgettable sailing experience. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing cruise around the Dodecanese Islands or an action-packed adventure, Kos has something for everyone. Our team at Istion Yachting is dedicated to providing you with the best possible service and support to make your sailing holiday in Kos truly unforgettable.
