The Dodecanese offer some of the most rewarding sailing in the Greek islands, with the meltemi filling long inter-island passages and a coastline of extraordinary variety. The northern islands around Patmos and Lipsi are sheltered and green; the central chain through Kos and Nisyros is more exposed to the open Aegean; the southern tip at Rhodes and Karpathos faces the full force of summer northerlies, creating fast and demanding passages for sailing yachts that are fully prepared for open-water conditions. A crewed sailing charter in the Dodecanese moves with the rhythm of the wind. Mornings begin with a swim in a sheltered bay before the meltemi fills in, and afternoon passages of 20 to 40 nautical miles carry the yacht to the next island on a broad reach sustaining 8 to 12 knots. The fleet of sailing yachts available in the Greek islands ranges from 30-metre performance sloops to 50-metre traditional schooners, each suited to a different aspect of the Dodecanese sailing experience. Weekly charter rates run from around 49,000 to 245,000 euros, plus an advance provisioning allowance of roughly 30 percent covering food, fuel, and marina fees at Rhodes and Kos. June and September are the best months for Dodecanese sailing, with the meltemi more moderate and the anchorages at Patmos, Symi, and Lipsi less crowded than in the peak weeks of July and August when the islands are at their busiest.
