Bareboat Sailing Vacations in Kos, Greece

Day 1, Nisyros Island

Kos Island to Nisyros Island – 25 nm. Your Kos itinerary typically began the previous day, on Saturday afternoon, when you arrived at the Moorings base in Kos to check in, provision the boat (if you hadn’t elected to have us do it for you), and receive your pre-cruise chart briefing. Now that you’ve enjoyed a restful night aboard, it’s time to head out onto the shimmering Aegean Sea to sail among the breathtaking Dodecanese Islands. Your first stop is the impressive volcanic island of Nisyros after an off the wind passage heading nearly due south. Nisyros is a wonderful place. Small villages perch at the edge of the volcanic craters, hot springs bubble and are said to contain healing properties, and the beaches on the island and surrounding islets are pleasant day anchorages. There are also castles and other historic sites to explore.

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Day 2, Tilos Island

Nisyros Island to Tilos Island – 18 nm. From Nisyros plot a course to the southeast, taking you farther down the chain of the Dodecanese Islands to remote Tilos. Off the beaten tourist track, this island is a splendid stop. There are good anchorages, picturesque villages, an abundance of historic sites including fortresses and monasteries, beautiful beaches, and several excellent restaurants.

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Day 3, Khalkis Island

Tilos Island to Khalkis Island – 20 nm. Your Kos Itinerary takes you farther to the southeast, giving you yet more relaxing off the wind sailing between the islands. The small isle of Khalkis lies just a few miles west of the big island of Rhodes, which dominates the horizon from a great distance. Quiet, serene, and breathtakingly beautiful, rural Khalkis is a jewel of the Dodecanese Islands. Sailing into the tiny port of Emborios, once a major sponge fishing center, is like stepping back in time. On a ridge are a series of old windmills, and beyond Horio, now abandoned, is a fortified castle dating back to the Middle Ages. Several tavernas are in the village of Emborios. Going ashore to explore is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon and early evening.

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Day 4, Rhodes Island

Khalkis Island to Rhodes Island – 36 nm. Sailing along the west coast of Rhodes gives you a feel for the grand scale of this mountainous island, the largest in the Dodecanese. The tallest peak, Mt. Ataviros, rises 3,953 feet, and is forested in pine trees. Groves of olive, orange, fig, and lemon trees occupy the lower slopes. Butterflies abound, drawn by the proliferation of jasmine, hibiscus, and bougainvillea, giving Rhodes the nickname Island of the Butterflies. As you reach the northwest end of the coast, you’ll be treated with the sight of picturesque and ancient Rhodes Town, parts of which date back to 400 B.C. Docking in the harbor of Mandraki at Rhodes is ideal because it puts you in a great place to fully explore the island, to sample the excellent cuisine, and to enjoy the lively nightlife of the city.

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Day 5, Symi Island

Rhodes Island to Symi Island – 23 nm. Your Kos sailing itinerary takes you northwest from Rhodes to the incredibly scenic island of Symi, long a favorite vacation destination in the Aegean. Indented with numerous secluded coves and bays with superb beaches, Symi is a sailor’s paradise. Heading north to the end of the island brings you to the picturesque port of town of Gialos, with its lively harbor, opulent mansions, sundry boutiques, and a wonderful selection of excellent waterfront restaurants and cafés. There are two museums to explore. Just waking through the town is delightful.

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Day 6, Kos Island

Symi Island to Kos Island – 60 nm. The final day of your Kos itinerary takes you northwest, leaving beautiful Symi behind as you trim the sails for a windward crossing. The scene inspires the imagination as you consider all the history of this part of the Mediterranean. As the balmy wind fills the sails of your yacht, you will find yourself reveling in the special charm that can only be found in Greece. Arriving back at the Moorings base in Kos by 5:00 P.M., you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a sumptuous dinner at one of the restaurants near the marina, a fitting end to a leisurely foray into one of the best cruising grounds on Earth.

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