Greek Islands Yacht Charter

The Greece Dodecanese Islands are an interesting Mediterranean yacht charter destination. The islands lie in a crescent chain along the Turkish coast curving west towards Crete and are suited to both motor and sailing yacht charters. A Dodecanese yacht charter vacation offers quite a variety so they are difficult to sumarise, except to say that they have rustic and rugged landscapes, clear blue ocean stretches and they could be considered generally to be less touristy than the Cyclades and other parts of Greek Islands. Dodecanes Islands are beautiful Greece yacht charter holiday destination!

Dodecanese islands are fairly bare of vegetation - although not to such an extent as the Cycladic Islands - in fact several islands are abundant with natural springs, especially Kos and Rhodes (Rodos), which are also relatively green and wooded. Their inhabitants live by farming, sponge-fishing (the Dodecanese forms the base of the Greek sponge-fishing fleet), but increasingly, the tourist trade and visiting charter boats.

DODECANESE ISLANDS HISTORY

 "Dodecanese" name came into use in 1908 when twelve islands of this group excluding Lipsi, Kos and Rhodes but including an outsider, Ikaria, protested about their deprivation of the special privileges and tax exemptions they had been granted in the 16th century by the Turks. Like most of the Greek Islands, the Dodecanese are the tops of mountains that stood on the plain of the Turkish/Greek Islands Yacht Charter before they were flooded. They are situated between the islands of Crete, the Cyclades, lkarias, Samos and the Asia Minor seaboard an other very interesting yacht charter crusing grounds for sailing and motor yachts.

The Dodecanese (twelve islands or Dodekanes - Rhodes, Astypalia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kos, Leros, Nysiros, Patmos, Symi, Tilos. Halki) are the most southerly group of islands in the Southern Sporades, lying off the south-west coast of Asia Minor. The Island group includes the larger islands of Kos, Lipsi, Patmos, Leros, Symi, Kalymnos, Astypalea, Nisyros, Tilos, Rhodes, Khalki, Karpathos and Kasos, together with some 40 smaller islets and rocks. Apart from the twelve main islands, which gave the name to the island complex the islets of Lipsi, Pserimos, Agathonisi, Sari, Kastellorizo, Levitha, Giali, Kinaros amongst other islets, barren islets and rock peaks, all constitute the group of islands known as the Dodecanese.

Often charter yachts have their bases in either Kos or Rhodes. Keep in mind that the northerly winds do influence any itinerary and that a down wind one-way charter from Kos to Rhodes is popular. Other charter bases in the area are Samos (Pythagorion port) to the north and Paros (Paroikia port) to the west.

Neither in Greek or in Roman times was the Dodecanese a separate political entity. Rather, they were an administrative region of the Byzantine Empire. Only when the islands came under Turkish rule in the 16th century were they given extensive rights of self-government in domestic affairs and gained a common political status.

There are forests and bush lands of pine, cypress, wild olive, cedar, mastic, arbutus bush and holly. There is also a variety of annual and long lasting turf, aromatic plants (oregano, thyme, lavender), carob and olive trees. This all makes for a rich mosaic of plant varieties. Often on the islets unique plant and animal species have been observed (especially reptiles and invertebrate), remnants of an isolated evolution and adaptation to the unique conditions, which were created when these islets were cut off from the larger islands.

Rare species of birds such as birds of prey small hawks, wild pigeons, herons and cormorants find refuge in the many caves, crevices in the rocks, high rocky formations and dangerous dins.

The well-known "Meltemi" is blows during summer from the NW-W beginning in mid June and continuing till mid October. It often blows strongly in the months of July, August and September reaching a wind force of 7 and this should be considered on your yacht charter planning. In spring time the prevailing wind is mainly SE and not very strong. During the winter it usually blows SE and sometimes N or S.

During the "Meltemi" time, especially in July and August, the gusts of the lee of the islands of Patmos, Kalymnos, Kos, Nissiros, Tilos, Karpathos and Astypalaia can be very strong, even if the wind in the open sea is not strong. The temperature in the summer may reach 35° C, although the average temperature is less.

DODECANESE  ISLANDS INFORMATION

Agathonisi

Agathonisi island is the north-most islet of the Dodecanese island area. It has an impressive coastal configuration and many beautiful windless bays.

Astipalea (Astypalia)

Astypalea, called Ichthyoessa (Island of the Fish) by the ancients for its rich fisheries. It resembles two islands linked by a natural bridge.

Halki

Halki looks like a part of Rhodes but without the great current of tourism. It is a mountainous island and ideal for those who wish for peaceful holidays.

Kalimnos

An island of barren rock, golden beaches and tiny green valleys. It owes its fame to its celebrated sponge fishers.

Karpathos

An oblong island and the third largest in the Dodecanese. Boasts incomparable natural beauties and traditions jealously guarded by its inhabitants.

Kassos

This is land is at the southern end of the Dodecanese towards Crete via the Carpathian Sea.

Kastelorizo (Megisti)

A small but heroic island to the east end of the Aegean. An outer link of the wondrous Dodecanese chain it used to be called since Antiquity, Megisti mean ‘maxima’.

Kos

Kos or Cos is a Greek island of the group of the Dodecanese, next to the Gulf of Gökova/Cos.

The ancient physician Hippocrates is thought to have been born on Kos, and in the center of the town is the Plane Tree of Hippocrates, a dream temple where the physician is traditionally supposed to have taught. Tourism is the primary industry. Some are attracted to the beaches. The main port and population centre on the island, also called Kos, is also the tourist and cultural centre, with whitewashed buildings including many hotels, restaurants and a small number of nightclubs forming the Kos town "barstreet". 

Leros

A generally mountainous island with deep bays often full of green vegetation. Also picturesque valleys and dented coasts.

Lipsi

A small charming island with magnificent beaches. You will also find picturesque charming tavernas which serving fresh fish and local wine.

Nisyros

Approaching Nisyros by boat you cannot fail to be deeply impressed by the visual image. It has perfectly white houses, dense greenery, and the colors of the volcanic soil. Visiting the live volcano in Nysiros can be good alternative for the Blue Cruise lovers.

Patmos

Patmos is situated off the west-coast of Turkey and the continent of Asia. It is one of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex. It is further west than its nearby neighboring islands. Patmos is mentioned in the Christian scriptural Book of Revelation. The book's introduction states that its author, John, was on Patmos when he was given (and recorded) a vision from Jesus. Early Christian tradition identified this writer John of Patmos as John the Apostle.[

Simi (Symi)

It is one of the best island of the south Dodecanese. it is part of the Dodecanese island chain, located about north-northwest of Rhodes . Its nearest land neighbors are the Datça and Bozburun peninsulas of Muğla Province in Turkey. Its interior is dotted with small valleys, and its coastline alternates between rocky cliffs and beaches, and isolated coves. Its main town, located on the northeast coast, is also named Symi and consists of the lower town around the harbour, typically referred to as Yialos, and the upper town is called Horio or Ano Symi. Symi is one of the main point of the Luxury gulet charter and Motor yacht charter holiday to anchor.

Tilos

An island with iconic sandy beaches, full of springs and streams and Genoan towers. It is uncrowded and there are few tourists.

This article was published on January 16, 2025.