Sailing in Dodecanese
With near-perfect sailing conditions and a real taste of the Orient, a week or two on a yacht charter will give you wonderful memories of some of the most beautiful and diverse islands in the Greek Aegean.
The name Dodecanese literally means Twelve (12) islands (islands).
Being a remote outpost of Greece, they have their own cultures that are often very different from that of mainland Greece. You will find life to be relaxed and the locals very welcoming to visitors.
While there are nightlife hotspots like Rhodes and Kos that are heavily focused on partying, most of the Dodecanese are quiet outposts of the Greek nation.
Bring your young sailing family here to enjoy the laid-back charm of islands like Patmos, Kalymnos and Tilos without being kept up all night by the nightlife!
The islands are often large enough that you can rent a car from a reputable car rental company (check Trip Advisor for the best - don't just go anywhere) to explore the islands and find your own piece of paradise!
Boarding a Kavas Greek yacht charter involves a direct flight to Kos or Rhodes airport, although if there are no direct flights from your country, you can fly to Athens and take the ferry to Kos to pick up your boat.
Climate
As a sailor you will always have an eye on the weather. Average temperatures can drop to a chilly 12 degrees in February, but can reach 35 degrees or more at the height of summer. In the winter months you will often find the sea warmer than the air, with water temperatures rarely dropping below 17 degrees even in the cold of winter.
It is warm and dry in the summer months, with much-welcomed rain falling in the Autumn, although don’t expect British levels of rainfall at any time of year!
The winds.
Sailing is all about the wind. The strong Aegean meltemi does come as part of the sailing package in this area, but it doesn’t blow as fiercely in this part of the world as it does further south and west. Expect to see Force 3-4 winds all year round, which is almost perfect if you’re bringing your young family!
Cultivation
The Dodecanese are located at the crossroads of civilizations – to the east, you have Africa, Asia and the Orient, while to the west, you have Europe and the Americas.
This has made the islands wealthy, due to the trade that has passed along the Silk Road from China.
Religious festivals, local customs and cuisine are often unique if not to the chain of islands but to individual locations.
The islands themselves are products of intense geological activity due to tectonic plates grinding together beneath the surface.
Expect to see towering mountains rising from the sea or even a live volcano surrounded by lush vegetation in the case of Nisyros.
Some islands, such as Kasos, Symi and Kastellorizo, have become very wealthy due to the abundant fishing around the islands. Sponge fishing is an ancient but still valuable trade in this area as well.
Cost of living
This can vary from island to island. In the busy ports of Kos and the Old Town of Rhodes, expect to pay more than you would in a quiet fishing village like Nisyros or Tilos.
Generally speaking, the quieter the life, the less you will have to pay.
For a family sailing holiday, swimming in the sea or enjoying a good meal, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on your holiday.
Local grocery stores focus on regional trade, so you can get your Greek boat chartered very cheaply for the next few days.
On a sailing holiday in Greece, the choice is yours!
Check out Tripadvisor to find out more about your planned destinations.
The Islands
Here is a taste of the islands you will be able to visit during your stay in the Dodecanese. It is worth doing your research to get the right mix of high-octane partying and laid-back bliss in other locations, but this should be a major highlight.
Rhodes
started out as a thriving trading and fishing port, but has turned its attention to tourism in recent years. With its bustling Old Town and fantastic beaches, you will not be disappointed with the opportunities to have fun and enjoy Greek tourism at its best. Be aware that nightclubs sometimes close after dawn, so you may not want to stay there for a quiet night in...
Kos
hometown of the physician and philosopher Hippocrates, like Rhodes, made its wealth from foreign trade and