Yacht charter in Kastelorizo, the easternmost island of Greece
A yacht charter in Kastelorizo takes you to the farthest edge of the Greek seas — a tiny, jewel-bright island tucked against the Turkish coast, far beyond the busier Dodecanese. Its horseshoe harbour is ringed by tall neoclassical houses painted in ochre, terracotta and deep blue, and the water beneath your keel is some of the clearest in the whole Aegean.
Also known as Megisti, Kastelorizo is the most remote inhabited island in Greece, yet it rewards the crews who make the passage with a rare sense of arrival — a harbour that feels like a stage set, waters that glow turquoise over white sand, and the famous Blue Grotto just around the headland.
Why sail to Kastelorizo
- The most easterly harbour in Greece, moored right below the pastel façades of the waterfront.
- The Blue Grotto (Parastá), one of the most spectacular sea caves in the Mediterranean, reached only by small boat.
- Crystal-clear, protected waters that stay calm even when the meltemi is blowing hard further west.
- An authentic, uncommercial island where evening life gathers around the harbour tavernas.
- A genuine "end of the map" destination that few charter crews ever reach.
Getting there and the harbour
Kastelorizo sits well east of Rhodes, so it is a passage rather than a day hop — most crews reach it as the far turning point of a Dodecanese cruise that begins at Rhodes. The run rewards a good weather window and a little planning, but the payoff is a harbour unlike any other in Greece.
The main harbour of Kastelorizo (Megisti) offers sheltered mooring right along the quay, directly beneath the coloured mansions that give the island its picture-postcard reputation. Because the bay faces east and is well protected, it stays comfortable in conditions that would have anchorages elsewhere rolling.
The Blue Grotto (Parastá)
The island's signature sight is the Blue Grotto, or Galázio Spíleo — a sea cave on the southeast coast where sunlight enters through a low mouth and turns the whole interior an electric blue. Access is by small local boat with a low entrance, best visited in the early morning when the sea is calm and the light at its most intense.
The painted harbour and old town
The waterfront of Kastelorizo is its masterpiece: two- and three-storey neoclassical houses in vivid colours, wooden balconies and grand doorways that recall the island's prosperous seafaring past. Above the harbour stand the red-stoned Castle of the Knights that gives the island its name, the Lycian rock-cut tomb, and a scatter of old churches worth the short climb for the view back down over the moored yachts.
Sail to Kastelorizo and the eastern Dodecanese
Tell us your dates, group size and the islands you'd love to see. Our team will match you with the right yacht or catamaran and a route to suit.
When to sail to Kastelorizo
The sailing season runs from April to October. In high summer the meltemi blows from the north across the Aegean, so a Dodecanese route is best planned north to south, with Kastelorizo as the sheltered eastern extremity of the trip. The shoulder months bring warm seas, gentler winds and an even quieter harbour.
Warm, lighter winds and calm passages east — ideal for the longer run out to Kastelorizo.
Hot and lively, with the strongest meltemi further west. Pick your weather window for the crossing.
Warm seas, easing winds and golden light over the painted harbour as the season winds down.
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Kastelorizo yacht charter FAQ
Where do charters to Kastelorizo start?
Most crews reach Kastelorizo as the eastern turning point of a Dodecanese cruise that begins at Rhodes, the group's largest island and main charter base. Rhodes has a well-equipped marina and an international airport, making it the natural starting point for the passage east.
How far is Kastelorizo from Rhodes?
Kastelorizo lies roughly 125 nautical miles east of Rhodes and only about 2 kilometres off the Turkish coast, making it the easternmost point of Greece. It is a passage rather than a day hop, so it suits crews who enjoy a longer run and plan for a good weather window.
What is the Blue Grotto at Kastelorizo?
The Blue Grotto, also called Parasta or Galazio Spileo, is a sea cave on the southeast coast where sunlight enters through a low opening and turns the interior a vivid blue. It is reached by small local boat with a low entrance and is best visited in the calm early morning.
Is Kastelorizo a good anchorage?
Yes. The main harbour faces east and is well sheltered, offering comfortable mooring along the quay directly beneath the island's colourful neoclassical houses. It often stays calm even when the meltemi is blowing strongly further west in the Aegean.
When is the best time to sail to Kastelorizo?
The season runs from April to October. July and August are hot and lively with the strongest meltemi across the Aegean, so many crews prefer the shoulder months of May to June and September to October, which bring warm seas, gentler winds and an even quieter harbour.
Can I sail to Kastelorizo bareboat or do I need a skipper?
Both options are available. Experienced crews can take a bareboat charter, while others prefer a skippered yacht or catamaran for the longer passage east. Tell us your experience and plans and we will match you with the right vessel and a route to suit.
