Browse Dodecanese Section

1. Home >
2. Yacht Charter Locations >
3. Mediterranean Yacht Charter >
4. Greece >
5. Dodecanese

Dodecanese Yacht Charter Guide Greece

Contact us here if you are consideringing a Dodecanese yacht charter holiday in Greece. There is also more info on the Dodecanese Islands here. The Dodecanese is a worthy yachting destination when you are looking for a classically Greek holiday experience. This well-known Greece charter area is in the eastern region of the Mediterranean is composed of 12 large islands. These islands are great when you want to experience local traditions while enjoying an interesting blend of Greek Island cultures during your luxury yacht charter holiday.

The Dodecanese area in Greece is made up of 32 islands, and so a Dodecanese yacht charter is a wonderful way to see the full beauty and history of Greece the best way - by water. Many of these islands are near the Turkish coast where the ancient Ottoman influences can still be seen today. A popular destination for many European tourists is Rhodes, the largest of these islands. There are a number of local and visitor private charter yachts available in this part of Greece this season, both sailing and motor yachts. A list of yachts for rent and their costs can be viewed below.

The Greece Dodecanese Islands are an interesting Mediterranean yacht charter destination. The islands lie in a crescent chain along the Asian 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 represent a fantastic Greece yacht charter holiday destination

The Dodecanese Sailing Experience

The region includes wonderful places to visit on a luxurious superyacht charter and many are located near the Turkish coast where the ancient Ottoman influences can still be seen today. The Rhodes is the largest of these islands and a popular destination for many European tourists, consisting of several castles, temples the Acropolis of Lindos and The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many archaeological places of interest situated all over the island.

If you are planning to discover and experience the Greece Dodecanese on board your favorite yacht rental, this will include island destinations like Halki, Kassos, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Leros, Kos, Lipsi, Astipalea, Patmos, Nisyros, Tilos, and Symi.

Hugged by the south end regions of the Aegean Sea, the islands of Dodecanese are rock formations underneath the sea that have been gradually pushed by nature over hundreds of years until the highest peaks were eventually exposed and turned into islands of varying sizes and shapes. For a yacht charter sailor, the journey to this region means an abundance of islets, crevices, coves and underwater rock formations.

 

The prevailing climate on Dodecanese ranges from dry tropical to temperate. On the low end, yacht charterers will experience wet and moderate winter months, and on the high end, several months of warm and dry summer. That means luxuriant sunlight with steady or no winds at all. This makes it an ideal destination for those who want to spend their Greek holiday on board a superyacht for some relaxation and nice tan.

The lush greenery in most of the islands in Dodecanese consists of cedar, olive and cypress, and these are interspersed by aromatic plants like lavender, thyme and oregano. Majority of the islands and islets that are uninhabited have become sanctuaries of migratory birds as the region lies along the route taken by a diverse species of migrating birds.

One of the advantages of chartering a luxury yacht is the ability to find your own secluded beach free from the summertime crowds. Here, the group can swim, sunbathe and play with the water toys free from noise and pollution. If you remain close to the main islands, many day trippers will only visit from mid-morning until mid-afternoon, leaving you a beach all to yourself when they leave later in the day - perfect for a romantic candlelit dinner.

The picturesque island of Kos is one such destination that can only be accessed via air or sea. Tourism is the primary industry and the soft sand beaches are popular for their warm, crystal clear turquoise seas. For a truly authentic experience of island life, guests can sample the local produce which includes almonds, olives, tomatoes, grapes and figs, all of which can be used in your meals prepared by an expert chef.

A highlight of the Greek Islands is Nisyros, where volcanic slopes produce lush vegetation and the coast is a visual delight of rocky inlets and sandy beaches lined with almond and walnut trees. The friendly locals on this tiny island of Marathi welcome visitors with local wine and fresh seafood dishes. After a swim in a deserted bay there’s nothing better than trying the mouth-watering Greek cuisine. 

A Glimpse at the Glorious Old Greece

The islands of Dodecanese have a notable contribution to the rich history and diverse culture of Greece. Dodecanese is the acknowledged seat of the ancient Minoan civilization. Physical evidence of this glorious past still exists in surviving ancient structures and artifacts, which are found in the islands of Dodecanese, particularly in the Rhodes town. During the Roman times, the Rhodes Island emerged as the cradle of knowledge, and eventually was ceded as part of the territory of the Roman Empire, instead of just being a mere ally.

Approximately over 2000 years ago the Colossus of Rhodes fell, however the island still has lots for visitors to enjoy. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many archaeological places of interest situated all over the island. These include several castles, palaces, temples and the Acropolis of Lindos.

The beaches near the town get very busy in the peak season however you can find almost deserted smaller beaches elsewhere. These are ideal for swimmers, surfers and sunbathers.

The pretty island of Kos, one of the smaller islands, has an airport which you can fly to. Many of the locals earn a living by producing almonds, olives, tomatoes, grapes and figs although the main draw is tourism. Kos is very popular for its lovely beaches and warm blue waters.

A major advantage in chartering a luxury yacht to this region is the opportunity to visit the small islands that aren’t on the main tourist routes. With many day trippers arriving mid-morning until mid-afternoon, you might have a beach all to yourself when they leave later in the day.

A highlight of the Greek Islands is Nisyros. There’s lush vegetation here, volcanic slopes, sandy beaches, rocky inlets, almond and walnut trees. The friendly locals on this tiny island of Marathi welcome visitors with local wine and fresh seafood dishes. After a swim in a deserted bay there’s nothing better than trying the mouth-watering Greek cuisine.

Overall the Dodecanese Islands of Greece are a very interesting place to visit for your yacht charter holiday in the summer season and there are a range of boats available to rent, from the largest superyachts down to the smallest crewed charter yachts.

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

The name "Dodecanese" 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 Aegean 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 crusisng 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.

The Best Season To Visit

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.

A SNAP-SHOT OF SOME OF THE ISLANDS

Agathonisi
Agathonisi is the north-most islet of the Dodecanese island complex. 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
This island gave the world Hippocrates – the father of medicine. It looks like a huge floating garden and the city is built along a wide bay and catches the eye from the very first moment.

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.

Patmos
Called Jerusalem of the Aegean, Patmos is an island of ascetic austerity. It is made of rock and bays and surrounded by seagull islands.

Simi (Symi)
Is mainly a rocky island, except for its southern part which is covered with pines as well as mulberries and fruit-bearing trees.

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

The word “Dodecanese” literally means “the 12 Islands” (Halki, Kassos, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Leros, Kos, Lipsi, Astipalea, Patmos, Nisyros, Tilos, and Symi). Dodecanese is actually a group of islands composed of 12 larger islands and 150 islets. It lies in a region off the southwest coast of Turkey. Of these 162 islands of Dodecanese, only 26 are inhabited, and form the modern-day Greek prefecture.

Dodecanese is an ideal sailing destination for tourists and sailors who want to experience the glorious history of ancient Greece as well as the natural splendor of modern-day Greek holiday on board their favorite crewed Greece luxury yacht.

Below is a selection of luxury yachts available in this area. You can view additional Greece charter yachts here or contact us for additional information.