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Yacht & Catamaran Charter in Rhodes, Greece

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Chartering a yacht or catamaran from Rhodes

Sailing from Rhodes

If you haven't yet chartered from Rhodes, then you're missing out - the Dodecanese is choc-ful of interesting places to sail to, and Rhodes is perfectly located to explore them all: from the volcanic island of Nisyros, a nature reserve near Symi, tourist resorts on the South of Kos, fishing villages at Tilos, and plenty of other beaches, bays, cliffs and coves which can only be reached if you have your own boat.

Sunshine is practically guaranteed, there's brilliant and changing winds, and the locals are genuinely happy to see people arrive and to join them in their water-side tavernas and restaurants. The Dodecanese is a wonderful place for a sailing holiday! We can help you find and book your ideal yacht or catamaran, with one of our trusted Charter Partners - just get in touch or search in the pink box with live prices and availability!
 

Must See if you're Sailing from Rhodes

 SAILING RATING:  Beginner / Intermediate - With easy line-of-sight navigation, clear waters and light winds it's a great start point for novice sailors most of the year - though conditions can be more challenging in July & August when the Meltemi comes to play.  Peak season is July & August, but you can sail here from March to November.

 MUST-SEE:  Our full suggested itinerary is further down the page, but we'd highly recommend taking in the outstandingly beautiful Greek village of Symi, the unspoilt fishing village of Tilos, and the volcanic island of Nisyros.

 WHAT WE CAN OFFER:  We have a great range of yachts and catamarans available for charter from our trusted Charter Partners, all available bareboat or Skippered. We can also arrange a Hostess, Personal Chef and other crew.

 GETTING THERE:  The Marina is c. 35 minutes from Kos airport. We can organise transfers for you - a 4 person taxi is c. €50 - 60.

 WHY BOOK WITH US?  We only work with the very best professional charter operators, who we have met, know, and trust to give you the same outstanding customer service as you'll get from PlainSailing.com.
 

 WHAT NEXT?  Use the pink box to search for yachts or catamarans with LIVE pricing & availability - if you have any other questions or requests, get in touch via Live Chat, the Contact Form, or by phone.

We're yacht and catamaran charter experts, and can find you the best boats in Greece, Croatia and anywhere else in the Med or Caribbean - yacht, catamaran or superyacht-bareboat, skippered or crewed

We're UK based, only work with the best Charter Companies, offer exceptional customer service from start to finish and will match any price!
 
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6-day Sailing Itinerary from Rhodes

There are tens of islands in the Dodecanese, of varying degrees of development: from thriving tourist spots like Kos and medieval towns like Rhodes, to secluded bays that you can only access by boat and which, if you didn't know better, you could imagine you are the first person ever to have visited. If you're only chartering for one week, then the natural itinerary from Rhodes are the islands immediately north of it, with Symi and Nisyros obvious destinations. If you had longer, or like longer days on a boat, it’s certainly possible to head out to Karpathos or Astipalea, or even right across to Crete.

Rhodes - 6 day sailing itineraryThe suggested itinerary below is a six day itinerary which covers 148 nautical miles. Although you'll charter for seven days, this itinerary is only for six days because you'll usually struggle to do any meaningful sailing on the first day – you might not be able to check in until after 4pm, and you'll be busy getting supplies on board for the week – or the last day (you have to return to the home base on Friday night, and won't be sailing at all on the Saturday you check-out).

That means you'll be sailing on average about 25 nM a day, and, with an average speed of at least five knots, should mean only four or five hours of making way (but shorter if you kick out more knots). The pace of your holiday should be quite leisurely, and you'll have time to get to know each of the places you visit, or spend time playing at sea, or throwing in extra stops, as the mood takes you – after all, this is your holiday. Enjoy.
 

 Day 1. Rhodes to Halki – 33 nM Halki
Once you're certain you know which ropes are which, you've stowed all your kit, and you've checked that the crew are all on board, it's time to slip the lines and away. Gently bob your way out of the marina, point into the wind, and get the sails up! Then head North, taking the time to admire Rhodes from the sea – the medieval scene is a sight that has been like this for hundreds of years, so imagine leaving from here to go to war to fight for your religion!

Thankfully, we're not going to battle on this itinerary. After getting past Rhodes, we're heading South-west, following the northern coastline of Rhodes island (and past the airport) as we make our way to the small island of Halki. You'll likely be beating or close-hauled in the prevailing wind, so you should be seeing exactly what sort of crew you've assembled. But don't worry – you'll have a week to lick them into shape.

Halki is a tiny island with a population of fewer than 500 people at the last census, in one village. There used to be more people here, but the whole island was abandoned in the 1850s after people got so fed up of being ransacked by local pirates that they just left, with many emigrating to the USA. Of course, one of the things that made life difficult on the island is that there was no water source – until 2014, when they opened their first water desalination project, water had to be shipped in from nearby Rhodes. No, actually.

It's a sleepy island which is pretty much off the beaten track, and life moves at a different pace here. There are a number of tavernas or places to eat though, and you can be comfortable here. Outside of the village, there's still signs of derelict white-washed buildings ,and the beaches and nature are pretty much unspoilt.
 

 Day 2. Halki to Tilos – 19 nM Tilos
After a relaxing night in Halki, we’re heading north-west to the slightly bigger island of Tilos and the town of Lividia – it’s capital. From Halki, this could be reaching against a wind from the West or beating into a wind from the North-west, which are the two options for prevailing winds in summer in this part of the world. It’s only 19 nM, so there is even time to explore a few of the secluded bays on the South side of Tilos if you are inclined.

Tilos is about double the size of Halki, but given how small Halki is, that doesn't say too much! There are more facilities for tourists – including a hotel – but in general, this is a place which will feel a world away from all the passengers you shared an aeroplane with on the way to Greece.

This itinerary is honestly not just about abandoned former towns of Greece, but in Tilos there is the creepy ghost-town of Mikro Chorio, which was abandoned just after the second world war. The people left laden all their roofing tiles, but the stone walls are still standing and it’s a quirky place to wander around (and it’s only a short walk from the marina).

Tilos is also notable for being the first island in the world to run off green energy (wind and solar), and for the exceptional quality and privacy of its nudist beaches – so keep an eye out for those.
 

 Day 3. Tilos to Kardamena – 26 nM Kardamena
From quiet beaches and tavernas, our next destination offers long and lustrous sandy beaches, as well as a lively night-life with strips of bars and even a few nightclubs. Kardamena, on the island of Kos, is a popular tourist destination in its own right, and people flock here to spend beautiful holidays on the beach here, and bathing in the crystal-clear waters.

If you're getting good speed or would prefer a longer sail, then you could head to the historic old town of Kos instead of Kardamena (check out our destination guide for Kos if you want to find out more about it), but we didn’t want too many long legs on this itinerary, and the change of pace at Kardamena shows the other side of holidays in Greece - it might be just what your crew need before we head back out to remote islands. Plus it gets us in a good position for heading to the volcanic island of Nisyros tomorrow, and giving us plenty of time to explore there.

The prevailing wind beyond Tilos is likely to be North-westerly, which means you’ll likely be beating up the wind as you work your way to Kardamena. Close-hauled is actually the fastest of all sail trims, and it’s not impossible that you’ll be able to make the distance in a single tack if the wind is blowing from the right angle of the North-west. Enjoy the sunshine, the beach, and your evening of being a land-lubbing tourist.
 

 Day 4. Kardamena to Nisyros – 10 nM Nisyros
It's an easy sail from Kardamena to the volcano island of Nisyros, and it the shortest leg on this tinerary. That means you can spend more time on the beach in Kardamena, or, better, more time on land in Nisyros, where you probably have time to explore the youngest volcano in Greece, on one of the newest islands in the world (Nisyros is only 150,000 years old). It's possible to walk around in the 3km-wide caldera or crater of the volcano, or, if that’s not your idea of fun, to bathe in the naturally warmed 60 degree thermal waters.

The sail is pretty much due South, so you’ll likely be broad-reaching to run with the wind, but bonus points are available (and bonus street cred for the skipper) if you throw in a Goose-wing on your way down.

In Nisyros, you can choose to moor up in the picturesque village of Mandraki, which is the largest village on the island, and which has a brilliant monastery overlooking the village, or to berth at nearby Pali, which is even smaller, though there is still a bakery and a taverna there, and it’s only a few kilometres down the coast. If you opt for Mandraki, you might be surprised to find out it has its very own bar area – head to ‘Little Venice’ beneath the monastery, where you’ll find four or five lively bars. Oh, and you’ll need to buy a piece of local pumice for good luck when sailing away from the island.
 

 Day 5. Nisyros to Symi – 35 nM Symi
And now for something completely different. Whatever you're expecting from a sailing holiday in the Med, it’s almost certain that Symi will surprise you. It's stunning, and impossible to put into words, but I'll try: it's a picture-postcard town made up of a mass of bright and colourful elegant neo-classical buildings which surround the port, and which cover the surrounding hillsides. By day it's incredible, and by night, it's phenomenal (and the port is the best place to be to see it). Wow!

The town has a good mix of shops (leather goods are the local product), and there’s plenty of tavernas and restaurants to sit and enjoy the evening with. You could also join the locals with a stroll along the promenade in the town. Aside from the beautiful town, Symi is a haven for wildlife, and everywhere on the island you’ll find tranquillity and unspoilt beauty. You can hike around the walking trails in the countryside and really feel like you are on another planet to your desk or computer.

Sailing-wise, you’re heading due East, so you should be reaching or broad reaching against the prevailing North-westerly wind, as you make your way below the Turkish coastline, and across to Symi. You’ll spot a few idyllic beaches on the Turkish coast - technically you’ll need to get the right paperwork in place before you’re allowed to visit – before nosing between Symi and the island of Nimos and heading South to the well-protected bay and Symi.
 

 Day 6. Symi to Rhodes – 25 nM Rhodes
Oh no! How is it already time for the final leg of the voyage? This trip has gone so quickly, but it’s already time to head back to Rhodes, I’m afraid. From Symi, it’s a case of going North out of the bay, then following the coastline of Symi South. If you have time to pop back up and round the other side of Symi, the monastery of Panormitis is a very grand and impressive building which seems out of place with the small bay and remote island it occupies.

Heading further South (and in this direction, you should be running or broad reaching with the prevailing winds) the island on the nose of your boat will be Rhodes, so set your sails for the furthest land you can see on the port side, as Rhodes town is just around that headland. Arriving back to your marina in Rhodes, head to the fuel berth to fill up on diesel, before returning to the vague area you picked up the yacht or catamaran from. Someone will be along to inspect the boat tonight, but you'll still be able to sleep on her, before checking out in the morning.

Hopefully you've had a brilliant week of sailing, and have enjoyed island-hopping. The views are tremendous, the Greek weather makes it super-relaxing, and I'm sure everyone onboard has had a big smile on their face. If you haven't already got one, don't forget to get a team photo of the crew on deck! If you haven't had chance to visit Rhodes, then now is a great time to see what it is all about, and it should be lively in town tonight (particularly near the marina) as all the sailors return from a week at sea and exchange all their tales and blow off steam!
 


Sailing Conditions

 WHAT ARE THE WINDS LIKE? 
Greece Sailing - Wind ConditionsIn summer, the winds in the Med tend to sweep across and down to exit the Med on its Eastern side somewhere around Turkey and Lebanon. Rhodes, and the Dodecanese islands of which it is a part, gets some interesting winds as a result: the prevailing winds race from the North-west, but it's possible that you'll also get winds arriving from the West or North which you'll need to consider, particularly in July and August, when the strong Meltimi winds blow.

The winds in the Dodecanese are the best and most reliable winds in Greece – if you're sailing in June to August you can expect Force 4 or 5 winds (11-22 knots) throughout the day, which is absolutely perfect sailing conditions - though be sure to check the weather forecasts as at the height of summer, winds have reached Force 8 before.

At night, the winds usually reduce considerably to a light breeze, but you'll want to keep your lines nice and tight as they can pick up again in the early hours, and there's nothing worse than a clanking rope to wake you up!

 HOW HOT WILL IT BE? 
Rhodes - Average Temperature Rhodes has beautiful weather practically all year round, with temperatures very rarely getting down to single digits.  From March onwards, the weather is above 15 degrees, which is t-shirt weather, and from May to September, it's usually above 20 degrees. It peaks in July and August with average temperatures in the high 20s, but there will almost certainly be days where the mercury pushes past 30 degrees – which is hot enough to get you sweating in the shade!

 HOW WARM IS THE SEA? Rhodes - Sea Temperature
Even in winter, the sea here doesn't get below 15 degrees (which will feel a bit fresh). For the sailing season, it's around 20 degrees, which whilst being plenty cold enough to be refreshing, is also bearably warm. And by August, the sea will hit 25 degrees, which is similar to the temperature you'll find at a swimming pool!


Marina Details

We operate out of two marinas in Rhodes: Mandraki Marina, and the new Rhodes Marina. Both are superbly located for exploring Rhodes town, and about the same distance from the airport, and offer superb access to the other Dodecanese islands.

Typically, charters run from Saturday to Saturday, so if that doesn’t quite match the available flights from near where you live, you might need a place to stay for the night – we can recommend the following places in the area: Moschos Hotel, Congo Hotel or Bellevue Suites.


Mandraki Marina, Rhodes

The historic Mandraki Marina was once the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It's just a short walk from the old town of Rhodes, where there are a mix of castles, museums, shops, bars, restaurants, and ice-cream parlours. Ships have been sheltering in Mandraki for literally centuries.

Mandraki Marina, Rhodes
 WEBSITE:  www.rodosmarina.com | ADDRESS: Mandraki Marina, , Rhodes, 41206
 GETTING THERE:  By far the easiest way to get to Rhodes is by air, but it is also possible to arrive there by ferry from Kos or from Marmaris in Turkey. Rhodes airport is the fourth busiest airport in Greece, and receives flights directly from most of Europe. The airport is a 20 minute taxi ride from the marina (Our team can help organise a transfer direct to the marina). Mandraki Marina is within easy walking distance of the old town, so you could also get a public bus to Rhodes town and work your way to the marina from there - the frequency of services varies during the year, but they tend to be every 30 minutes or so during the summer, and the journey takes about 35 minutes.
 PROVISIONING:  There’s a number of mini-markets throughout Rhodes town. Whilst not massive, the biggest supermarket in a walkable distance (with heavy bags) to Mandraki marina is the Tanagra supermarket on Ionis Dragoumi.
 FUELLING AT END:  There is a fuelling berth in the Marina - head there before you head back to your home berth (there might be a queue...)
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Rhodes Marina

Rhodes Marina is a tiny bit further down the coast from Mandraki Marina, and was only built in 2016 after things started to get a bit too busy in Mandraki marina. It is beautiful in its own right and boasts 600 berths and all the mod-cons, including free public wifi, multiple shops, bars and restaurants, and even a heliport!

Rhodes Marina
 WEBSITE:  www.rhodesmarinas.com | ADDRESS: Rhodes Marina, Afstralias 124, Rhodes, 85100
 GETTING THERE:  By far the easiest way to get to Rhodes is by air, but it is also possible to arrive there by ferry from Kos or from Marmaris in Turkey. Rhodes airport is the fourth busiest airport in Greece, and receives flights directly from most of Europe. The airport is a 20 minute taxi ride from the marina (Our team can help organise a transfer direct to the marina). Mandraki Marina is within easy walking distance of the old town, so you could also get a public bus to Rhodes town and work your way to the marina from there - the frequency of services varies during the year, but they tend to be every 30 minutes or so during the summer, and the journey takes about 35 minutes.
 PROVISIONING:  There’s plenty of small supermarkets and minimarts around Rhodes, but if you’re preparing for a week away from land, you’re better off heading to one a bigger supermarkets for a better range of products and better prices - from Rhodes Marina, the nearest decent-sized supermarket is the AB Vassilopoulos about 200m due west of the marina, at 117 Kanada, Rhodes.
 FUELLING AT END:  There is a fuelling berth in the Marina - head there before you head back to your home berth (there might be a queue...)
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 WHAT NEXT?  Use the pink box to search for yachts or catamarans with LIVE pricing & availability - if you have any other questions or requests, get in touch via Live Chat, the Contact Form, or by phone.

5/5
Independent Service Rating based on 439 verified reviews.