Dodecanese Sailing Itinerary
Discover Greece's Dodecanese Islands In The Southeastern Aegean Sea
Dodecanese Sailing Itinerary
Enjoy The Greek Dodecanese Islands
Our Dodecanese sailing itinerary is ideal for families and friends to enjoy together, while also discovering what the Dodecanese islands have to offer.
We have prepared our Dodecanese sailing itinerary to showcase the best islands, nicest beaches, and the most interesting sites.
Our Guide To A Dodecanese Sailing Itinerary
The Dodecanese islands consist of 15 larger islands and over 150 smaller islands, located in the Southeastern Aegean Sea. Within this collection of islands, only 26 are inhabited. The Dodecanese islands cover an area of 1,048 square miles.
During our Dodecanese sailing itinerary, you will discover why these islands are often referred to as the 'sunniest corner of Greece', thanks to their crystal clear turquoise waters, sandy and stone beaches, stunning archaeological landmarks, and traditional settlements. There are also unique Byzantine and medieval monuments which cover a large number of the islands.
Our Dodecanese sailing itinerary offers two unique and wonderful routes, one starting from Rhodes and the other starting from Kos. Both itineraries cover a number of the same islands as well as different ones. The Dodecanese sailing itinerary that begins from Kos offers a journey around the quieter more peaceful islands, while the Dodecanese sailing itinerary beginning in Rhodes showcases the well known established islands.
- Getting There Depending on which Dodecanese sailing itinerary you choose there are different airports you should fly into. For the itinerary beginning in Kos, Kos Island International airport should be where you arrive into. This airport has a large number of daily flights from all around Europe including Greece, UK and Germany. The airport is a short 15 miles or 30-minute transfer to Kos Marina which is the beginning of our Dodecanese sailing itinerary for the Kos route. Rhodes International airport also has daily flights arriving from all over Europe and is the best place to fly into for our itinerary beginning in Rhodes. The airport is a 14 mile or 25-minute drive from Rhodes Marina and the start of our Rhodes Itinerary.
- Weather Τhe Dodecanese sailing itinerary is the perfect itinerary for the summer months. The islands have a predominately Mediterranean climate, which consists of mild and rainy winters where the temperate averages between 7 and 15 degrees celsius, and hot and sunny summers where the temperates averaged between 22 and 30 degrees celsius. In the summer the winds arrive predominately from the north, making the Dodecanese sailing itinerary the perfect itinerary for everyone.
- Mooring Our Dodecanese sailing itinerary has a variety of mooring and anchorage options available, in either marinas, harbors or in well protected anchorages.
Quick Navigation
Day by day
- Day 1
Day 1
Rhodes
The Dodecanese Sailing Itinerary begins on the Dodecanese's largest island of Rhodes. Rhodes is often referred to as a treasure in the Mediterranean with its beaches, valleys, history, thriving nightlife, along with the contrast of the 'Old City' and the new modern cosmopolitan city.
Overnight Anchorage: Moorings at the Rhodes Marina are recommended. Where there are around 382 berths for boats up to 120 meters, located within an elegant community. - Day 2
Day 2
Rhodes → Ano Symi (Symi Island) 15NM
Day 2 brings our Dodecanese Sailing Itinerary to the quiet island of Symi. This wonderful island provides adventurers with beautiful natural areas and luscious landscapes to admire. The island has a small number of bars and taverns which serve traditional food and wine within a cosmopolitan atmosphere with music, dancing and arts.
Overnight Anchorage: Overnight anchorage is available in the Gialos on the south side of the bay, next to the cove and the southern facing clock tower, which also provides protection from the winds.
Recommended Activities: Hiking, Swimming, Visiting Restaurants, Bars, and Dancing.
- Day 3
Day 3
Ano Symi (Symi Island) → Mandraki (Nisiros Island) 21NM
The journey from Symi Island to Nisiros Island is a beautiful one, moving from one beautiful island to another. Nisiros Island is a contrast to Symi with whitewashed houses and historic sites such as Paleokastro, an old fortress, and the remains of a 4th-century ancient city, perfect places for learning about history and discovering the island's beauty. The island is traditionally Greek with whitewashed and colourful houses, taverns, bars and it even has a volcano museum.
Overnight Anchorages: Anchorages are available Mandraki harbour on the south-east corner of the island, with a sand and clay sea bed.
Recommended Activities: Volcano Museum, Historic Sites, Bars, Taverns, Walking, and Admiring the Houses.
- Day 4
Day 4
Mandraki Island (Nisiros Island) → Kos 43NM
Kos is the third largest island in the Dodecanese and the most popular island in our Dodecanese Sailing Itinerary. The island is full of white sandy beaches, turquoise water, lush vegetation as well as ancient Mediterranean monuments. Kos has a large number of places to explore and sites to see, as well as simply swimming or sailing around the island.
Recommended Activities: Beaches, Swimming, Exploring, History, Discovering Neratzia Castle, Platanou Square, Eleftheria Square, Zia Scenic Village, and Cedar Forest.
Book in Advance: Kos Marina, Georgi Avenue, Papandreou, Kos, 85300, Greece, VHF 77, +30 22420 44150
- Day 5
Day 5
Kos → Livadia (Tilos Island) 38NM
Livadia is located on the 300 people inhabited island of Tilos and the island's main income is received from agriculture and tourism. The island's capital Megalo Chorio is located 7 km southeast of the port and has churches and castle ruins dotted around. The island is also home to rare birds, an ecological park, mountainous forests and over 4,000 species of flowers and fauna.Overnight Anchorage: Mooring is available in the bay on the east side of the South Marina, where the water depth is 5 -10 meters with a sand sea bed.
- Day 6
Day 6
Livadia (Tilos Island) → Chalki (Halki Island) 18NM
Chalki, unlike the other islands in our Dodecanese Sailing Itinerary, has hugely avoided development, which makes it the perfect place for quiet. It is secluded with fantastic beaches, a town next to the port, and a beach promenade with cafes and taverns. The island has kept its traditional island feel and is a great place to explore.Overnight Anchorage: The small town of Emborio provides overnight shelter on a T- shaped pontoon with a sea depth of between 12 and 15 meters.
- Day 7
Day 7
Chalki (Halki Island) → Rhodes 35NM
Our Dodecanese Sailing Itinerary to and from Rhodes heads back to Rhodes Town on day 7, exploring inlets and coves while sailing from Halki Island to Rhodes. Your final day in Rhodes is a great time to explore the 'Old City' of Rhodes discovering its beautiful architecture.
Overnight Anchorage: Moorings at the Rhodes Marina are recommended. Where there is around 382 berths for boats up to 120 meters, located within an elegant community.
Got A Burning Question About Dodecanese Sailing Itinerary?
Where Charters Went in the Dodecanese
Charter TripsKos and North Dodecanese Departures
Top Stop: Leros, 57% of tripsShow Trip DetailsHide Trip Details© OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap
Leros appeared on 57% of trips, Kalymnos on 50% and Lipsi on 48%. Kalymnos was the most common first night at 26% and last night at 28%. The furthest straight-line point from base was 40 to 60 nm on 55% of trips.
Past trips from Kos and the north Dodecanese can help you weigh up where to sail.
Where trips from Kos and the north Dodecanese went
- 1 Leros 57
- 2 Kalymnos 50
- 3 Lipsi 48
- 4 Patmos 40
- 5 Symi 30
- 6 Arki 30
- 7 Pserimos 26
- 8 Nisyros 23
- 9 Tilos* 15
- 10 Gyali* 13
* Marked places have limited evidence. Their figures may change as more trips are recorded.
2026 season to 8 October (not finished).
Destination Groups
Furthest From Base
The furthest point reached on each trip, measured in a straight line from base in nautical miles. This is not the distance sailed.
First Night Stops
- Kalymnos
- Pserimos
- Leros
Last Night Stops
- Kalymnos
- Nisyros
- Leros
Boats at sea broadcast their position through AIS, a ship-tracking system. We combine the overnight stops of many charter boats based in Kos and the north Dodecanese, so the figures describe the whole area and never one boat. Distances are measured in a straight line from base.
Aggregated AIS ship-tracking data for the sailing area. No individual boat is shown, and these patterns do not predict future routes.
Charter TripsRound Trips From Rhodes
Top Stop: Symi, 93% of tripsShow Trip DetailsHide Trip Details© OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap
Symi appeared on 93% of trips, Chalki on 48% and Tilos on 40%. Symi also led first nights at 70% and last nights at 52%. The furthest straight-line point from base was 20 to 40 nm on 45% of trips and 40 to 60 nm on 41%.
Past trips from Rhodes can help you weigh up where to sail.
Where trips from Rhodes went
- 1 Symi 93
- 2 Chalki 48
- 3 Tilos 40
- 4 Alimia* 23
- 5 Nisyros 22
- 6 Lindos 21
- 7 Kos 17
- 8 Leros* 6
- 9 Seskli* 6
- 10 Kamari* 5
* Marked places have limited evidence. Their figures may change as more trips are recorded.
2026 season to 8 October (not finished).
Destination Groups
Furthest From Base
The furthest point reached on each trip, measured in a straight line from base in nautical miles. This is not the distance sailed.
First Night Stops
- Symi
- Lindos
- Faliraki
Last Night Stops
- Symi
- Lindos
- Alimia
Boats at sea broadcast their position through AIS, a ship-tracking system. We combine the overnight stops of many charter boats based in Rhodes, so the figures describe the whole area and never one boat. Distances are measured in a straight line from base.
Aggregated AIS ship-tracking data for the sailing area. No individual boat is shown, and these patterns do not predict future routes.
Kos and Rhodes give you separate starting areas to consider for a Dodecanese yacht charter. Here, the maps show where charter yachts transmitting AIS recorded overnight stays on round trips from those areas, including the north Dodecanese. These are past trips from the summer season so far, still running, to help you compare possible stops with the sailing itinerary above.
Decide which departure area makes sense for your preferred Dodecanese stops, then look at how much sailing the plan involves. There is no need to follow the busiest pattern throughout. Compare the quieter places too, and we can help turn your route ideas into a charter with a suitable boat.
26 charter yachts tracked by AIS made more than 250 round trips in the unfinished 2026 season to 8 October, with departures from Kos and Rhodes shown separately. These are past trips, not a forecast, and the records cover only yachts transmitting AIS.
Other Turkey routes
Turkey Bodrum
The Aegean's busiest charter port — gateway to the Greek Dodecanese and the empty bays of Gökova.
Turkey Göcek & Fethiye
The Twelve Islands of Göcek bay — the most sheltered sailing ground in the Mediterranean. Perfect first-charter waters.
Turkey/Greece Marmaris & the Dodecanese
Cross the border into Rhodes and Symi, then back to Turkey's quiet southern bays. Two countries, one charter.
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