Sailing in the Dodecanese, sailing the '12 islands'

The area is known as the Dodecanese - an abstraction from the Greek meaning 12 islands. Going from north to south, we have charter bases in Samos, Kos and Rhodes

Good choice of young boats

many possible itineraries

For the intermediate sailor

Nice little ports

Sailing in Samos

The well-wooded island of Samos is famous for its excellent wines, exemplified by the many vineyards that thrive on the fertile hills of the lush vegetation. Three mountain ranges dominate the western half of the island, with Mount Kertetevs (1437 meters) and Ampelos (1137 meters) towering above Iliad (748 meters).

It is geographically separated from Minor Asia by the Samos Strait that is just over one nautical mile wide. Samos belongs to the Eastern Sporades (sometimes referred to as the Southern Sporades) together with the equally beautiful islands of Chios, Lesvos, Limnos and Ikaria. The charter base of Samos - near the airport - on the southeast coast of Samos is the best starting point for the other Sporades and nearby Patmos, Kos, Nisyros, Leros, Kalymnos and Pserimos to visit. Samos is located on the site of the ancient port town of Samos. Proof of this can be found in example the walls of the fourth century BC. Other highlights include the underground aqueduct built by Eupalinos in the 6th century BC., The Temple of Hera and the Altar of Rhoikos.
The marina of Samos lies further east. There may be strong winds on the southern leeward coast. In the Strait of Samos you can expect a flow of 1 to 3 knots to the east-south-east.

Close to Turkey

Samos is undervalued as a charter area but we consider it highly attractive. The city Pythgorian where our base is located is charming, with nice and good priced restaurants, and everywhere easily accessible by charter flights. The sail area is excellent. Kusadasi and Ephesus, the imposing ruins are nearby, as well as visiting the many islands of the Dodecanese from here to Kos. These are Fournoi, Patmos with the magnificent Monastery of St John, charming Lipsos, Leros, Kalimnos with Nicola's tavern and Pserimos. The adventurous sailors can cross to Turkey and also visit Gumusluk.

Sailing in Kos

Kos is situated at the mouth of the Gulf of Turkish Kerme deep in the coast of Minor Asia. It was separated from the Bodrum peninsula by the collapse of a Rift Valley in the Pliocene period. This explains the range of limestone hills, rising to 846 m on Mount Dikaios, along almost the entire length of the island. It is the largest island in the Dodecanese after Rhodes. Unlike most other islands in the Aegean Sea, the population of Kos is growing. Many charter companies have a base on Kos with a large charter fleet and therefore there is much choice. There are also good charter flights available. Although not quite in the middle of the Dodecanese it offers the choice to go north to sail towards Samos, or south to Rhodes. Symi (en route to Rhodes) remains one of the most charming destinations you will ever visit.

Sailing in Rhodes

Rhodes, the largest island of the Dodecanese and the fourth largest Greek island (after Crete, Evia and Lesvos), is a favourite port for a visit in the southeast of Greece and a very good starting point - like Kos - for a sailing holiday in the Dodecanese. The island has roughly the shape of an ellipse or diamond and a mountainous area running from north to south with the highest peak Mt Ataviros (1205 m), is situated in the middle of the west coast. Unlike many of the other islands in this region Rhodes is extremely fertile, not only in the valleys, but also on the higher slopes. Pine forests, orange, olive, lemon, fig and pear trees grow well in these conditions.

The villages are lush and colourful hibiscus, jasmine and bougainvillea, and this explains the many butterflies. And that is why Rhodes is often called the butterfly Island. Rhodes is a base where we have charter yachts. Here are far more flights than anywhere else in the Dodecanese, it can be a determining factor. The city with its old town full of charm is therefore popular with many tourists. Every day there arrive cruise ships. Also there are regular ferries and flights to Marmaris, so it can be an option for coming to Rhodes by Turkey.

This is an area that we have cruised extensively and therefore know very well. All the photographs on this page are "in-house". If you want us to suggest your own personalised itinerary, all you have to do is ask. Choices range from the totally peaceful to the relatively crowdie!

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We have had the best winds in years! Fantastic Greek islands, we will be back soon.

Thomas