the islands of the dodekanes

Today Rhodes is the most popular greek destination for holidays. In the antiquity Rhodes was given many names (Rhodes, Stadia, Ophioussa, Makaria etc). The more than 70 km long east coast offers nearly everywhere beautiful sandy beaches and hidden scenic bays. More information on Rhodes you can find in the menu bar ‘Rhodes and surroundings’.

Kos is the birthplace of Hippocrates. In recent years, tourism has become increasingly important here. Kos has an airport and direct charter flights are open during the season. In the city of Kos, with its old fortress, you can find the remains of an ancient architecture, houses with elements of Italian style and a vibrant business and shopping center. Kos has one of the best Greek marinas. About ¾ nautical mile southeast of the old harbor of Kos locates a New Marina. The approach and entry to the Marina is simple. For yachts, registration takes place on channel 77.

These two islands are located in the rough waters between Rhodes and Crete. These are the southernmost islands of the Dodecanese. Both islands are hilly and in some parts (Karpathos only on the west coast) are rather barren. In Karpathos, on the east coast, there are beautiful, partially covered with forest bays for swimming. Olive trees, citrus fruits and other fruit trees grow on the south coast. The best starting point for a shore holiday on a yacht is the beautiful capital and port city of Pigadia. Karpathos also has an airport with direct connections. In the south of Karpathos you will find small hotels and beautiful beaches.

Patmos, the most northern and one of the most beautiful islands of the Dodecanese. Above the natural harbor of Skala, on the way to the picturesque Chora in Patmos, there is a monastery of the apocalypse with a small grotto, where St. John had his apocalyptic visions. The mighty monastic fortress of Agios Ioannis Theologos rises above the white houses of Chora. The beautiful city port Skala is the central starting point for many passenger cruisers intending to visit the monastery of St. John. On the embankment in Skala, you can moor a yacht either from the bow or from the aft side.

Arki, Lipso and Agatonisi are three small islands between the mainland of Turkey and Patmos. Ports - Porto Augusta (Arches), Ormos Socoro (Lipso) and Agiu Georgiou (Agatonisi) are quite small, but quite safe. There are taverns with seafood and fresh fish everywhere, as well as shops.

Leros is separated from the southern sister island of Kalymnos by a narrow strait. The island is mostly green and wooded. There are deep bays, beautiful beaches, fertile valleys and picturesque white villages. A place called Platanos is the charming capital of the island with fantastic views of the bays of Ormos Alintas and Pantelis. Lacchi's large natural harbor was the main base for the Italian fleet during the Italian occupation. There are moorings and anchorage in the bay. The small port near Pantelis is quite safe, but again overcrowded in the summer.

Kalymnos, the island of divers for sea sponges, since ancient times it has been the heart of greek sponge diving. There are many caves and some good beaches. Houses are often painted in various shades of blue. In 2002, the nearly completed New Marina Kalymnos was almost completely destroyed by an autumn storm. Now the New Marina is almost complete again and can be partially used. You will find more places for mooring and anchorage in Ormos Akti and Ormos Vati.

Pserimos is a favoured destination for day trippers from Kos. Among the pretty white houses of the village you can find some taverns. After the pleasure boats have gone you can moor your yacht along the quay until next morning.

Nisyros is a calm and interesting island. When passenger boats come from Kos, it becomes more noisy. The main attraction of the island is a volcano crater. The edge of the crater offers stunning views of the surrounding islands. It is worth visiting the small capital Mandraki with its narrow streets. A dock in Mandraki Harbor is not recommended. Port of Pali is safe. The village and the small harbor of Nisyros are really picturesque. The harbor has water and electricity, good pubs and other amenities.

Located between Nisyros and Halki, Tilos is also quiet and contemplative. Only the port city of Livadia and the villages of Megalo Chorio and Eristos are populated. You can hardly imagine that in ancient times about 10,000 people lived on Tilos. Today it is only a few hundred. Terraced hillsides were built by hard manual labor and are the remnants of better times.

Halki and meanwhile wild Alimia - not that other, as a mass of rocks in the Aegean sea. There are almost no vegetation on both islands. In winter, about 50 people live on Halki. In summer, the island thrives. Many daytrips from Rhodes visit the port village of Emborios. Many houses in a rather small village have been renovated in recent years. The four-story church "Bell Tower of St. Nicholas" rises between the facades of houses, as a landmark.

Symi has the most picturesque harbor. Here houses are painted in bright colors, which creates the impression of something fabulous and unreal. In the afternoon, the port of Symi is quite noisy, in the evening, when pleasure boats leave, it becomes quieter. Another great parking place is Ormos Panormitis in front of the Monastery of St.Michael. Also, the small calm village Pedi has secure anchors and two pillars.

Astypalia is located approximately 35 seas west of Nisyros. When you approach the island from the north or south, two mountain ranges connected by a long small isthmus give the impression of two islands. This rare island has its own charm. The bay with white houses down the slopes, the crooked streets of the old town, the windmills on the ridge and the old fort with two white churches in the center, majestically rising above the bay, dominate the first entrance to the harbor. The harbor is well protected, but offers only a few moorings and decent conditions for supplies. Along the harbor promenade you can find nice cafes with great views of the entire bay.