Why KosYacht charter in Kos, the northern gateway to the Dodecanese
A yacht charter in Kos hands you one of the best-placed bases in the eastern Aegean: a big, well-serviced marina, a busy airport with direct summer flights, and a chain of islands scattered within an easy day's sail. Kos itself is a rare mix — an ancient jewel of the Aegean where Hippocrates taught, and a cosmopolitan, contemporary island of long sandy beaches and lively squares. Cast off here and the northern Dodecanese opens up in every direction.
Most crews use Kos as a launch point for a one-way or round trip through the northern islands — Kalymnos, Leros, Lipsi, Patmos and the quiet islets between them — before the coast climbs south towards Rhodes.
Why sail from Kos
- A large, full-service marina with fuel, water, provisioning and repair facilities right in Kos Town.
- An international airport with frequent summer connections, so crew changes are simple.
- Short, sheltered hops to Kalymnos, Pserimos, Leros, Lipsi and Patmos — ideal for mixed-experience crews.
- A northern base that sets you up to run downwind through the Dodecanese in the summer meltemi.
- Ancient sites, sandy beaches and a walkable town on your doorstep before you even leave the dock.
On the islandAncient Kos, from Hippocrates to the Asklepieion
Kos wears its history openly. This is the island where you can still sit beneath the plane tree under which Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, is said to have taught his students and examined patients. It is a living connection to one of the most significant figures of ancient Greece.
Landmarks worth your time ashore
Visit the 4th-century Asklepieion, the sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, god of medicine, and a genuine touchstone for the roots of Western medicine. Don't miss the medieval Castle of Nerantzia guarding the harbour entrance, or the ancient city of Kos with its agora, Roman odeon and mosaics. Back in town, the palm-lined avenues and the network of bicycle routes make Kos Town easy to explore on foot or two wheels.
Beaches and clear water
If monuments aren't your thing, Kos delivers on beaches: long stretches of sand fronting clear blue and turquoise water, with room to swim, relax or try the water sports the south coast is known for. From the deck of your yacht, the same coastline reveals hidden coves and quiet anchorages you simply can't reach by road.
Sail the northern Dodecanese from Kos
Tell us your dates, crew size and the islands you'd like to reach. Our team will match you with the right yacht and a route that fits.
BoatsBoat and yacht rental in Kos: bareboat or crewed
Kos is one of the strongest charter fleets in the Dodecanese, with a deep line-up of bareboat monohulls and catamarans as well as crewed yachts. If you hold the right licence and want full freedom, a bareboat charter lets you set your own pace between the islands. Prefer to sit back? A crewed yacht comes with a skipper who knows these waters and, if you like, a hostess to handle the galley.
- BareboatSail yourself between the northern Dodecanese islands, with a skipper available on request.
- CatamaranSpace and stability for families and larger groups, with shallow draft for the quieter bays.
- CrewedA professional skipper and optional hostess, so you simply enjoy the sailing.
Dodecanese sailing itineraries
When to sailThe best time to charter a yacht in Kos
The Kos sailing season runs from late April to October, with warm, settled weather building through the summer. July and August bring the strongest of the northerly meltemi — a good reason to plan a north-to-south route so the wind works in your favour, starting near Patmos or Leros and running down towards Kos and Rhodes. Late spring and September offer lighter winds, warm seas and fewer crowds.
Warm days, light to moderate winds and quiet anchorages before the summer peak.
Hot and lively, with the strongest meltemi — plan downwind, north to south.
Warm seas, easing winds and a relaxed end to the season.
NearbyIslands to explore from Kos
Kos sits at the heart of the northern Dodecanese, with some of the group's most rewarding stops within a short sail. Browse neighbouring islands below and read the Dodecanese yacht charter guide for the full region.
Agathonissi Island, Greece
Yacht charter in Agathonisi, the northern outpost of the Dodecanese A yacht charter in Agathonisi…
Arki & Marathi Islands, Greece
A yacht charter to Arki and Marathi takes you to the quietest corner of the Dodecanese — two tiny…
Astypalaia Island, Greece
A yacht charter in Astypalaia takes you to the butterfly-shaped island where the Dodecanese meet…
Halki Island, Greece
Yacht charter in Halki puts you on the doorstep of the smallest inhabited island in the Dodecanese…
Kalymnos Island, Greece
A yacht charter near Kalymnos puts you within reach of one of the most dramatic islands in the…
Karpathos Island, Greece
A yacht charter in Karpathos reaches one of the wildest and most traditional corners of the Aegean…
Kassos Island, Greece
Yacht charter in Kassos, the Dodecanese A yacht charter in Kassos takes you to one of the most…
Kastelorizo Island, Greece
Yacht charter in Kastelorizo, the easternmost island of Greece A yacht charter in Kastelorizo takes…
Leros Island, Greece
Yacht charter in Leros, a green and quiet corner of the Dodecanese A yacht charter in Leros takes…
Lipsi Island, Greece
A yacht charter in Lipsi trades the crowds of the bigger Dodecanese islands for something rarer: a…
Nisyros (Nissiros) Island, Greece
Yacht charter in Nisyros, the volcanic island of the Dodecanese A yacht charter to Nisyros…
Patmos Island, Greece
Yacht charter in Patmos brings you to the spiritual heart of the Dodecanese, the island where Saint…
Pserimos Island, Greece
Yacht charter in Pserimos lands you on one of the smallest and most peaceful islands in the…
Symi Island, Greece
Yacht charter around Symi puts one of the most photogenic harbours in Greece at the start of your…
Yacht charter Rhodes
Yacht charter in Rhodes puts you at the southern gateway of the Dodecanese, where a medieval walled…
FAQKos yacht charter: frequently asked questions
Where is the charter base in Kos?
Charters start from Kos Marina, on the east side of Kos Town. It's a large, full-service marina with fuel, water, provisioning and repair facilities, a short walk from the castle, the old harbour and the town centre.
Do I need a licence to charter a yacht in Kos?
For a bareboat charter you'll need a valid sailing licence and some logged experience. If you don't hold a licence or prefer not to skipper, we can arrange a professional skipper, and a hostess too if you'd like help on board.
Which islands can I reach on a week from Kos?
In a week you can comfortably link Kos with Kalymnos, Pserimos, Leros, Lipsi and Patmos in the north, with quieter islets like Arki and Marathi in between. Longer charters can push south towards Symi and Rhodes.
When is the best time to sail from Kos?
The season runs from late April to October. July and August are hottest and busiest, with the strongest meltemi winds. Late spring and September offer warm seas, lighter winds and fewer crowds, which many crews prefer.
How does the meltemi affect a Kos itinerary?
The Dodecanese sees moderate to strong winds in summer, dominated by the northerly meltemi. Planning a route from north to south — for example Patmos down towards Kos and Rhodes — often lets you sail with the wind rather than against it.
Can I charter a catamaran or a crewed yacht in Kos?
Yes. Kos has a strong fleet of bareboat monohulls and catamarans as well as crewed yachts. Tell us your crew size and preferences and we'll match you with the right boat and, if you wish, a skipper and hostess.
