The Aegean’s persistent summer winds, the meltemi, blow reliably through the Kos Strait from June through September, making the waters around Kos among the most consistent sailing grounds in all of Greece. A sailing yacht charter here is a different proposition from the motor fleet: quieter, more intimate, and shaped by wind and tide rather than diesel consumption. The eight sailing yachts available in Greek waters range from classic wooden ketches to modern performance sloops, most carrying four to eight guests.
Sailing out of Kos rewards patience and seamanship in equal measure. The straits between Kos and Kalymnos funnel the meltemi into something swift and exhilarating; the lee of the Turkish coast offers calmer reaches for less experienced sailors. Most captains plan itineraries that use the prevailing northerlies to run south in the morning and beat back in the evenings, or island-hop toward Symi and Rhodes over the course of a week.
Weekly charter rates for sailing yachts in this part of the Aegean start from around 8,000 euros and rise to roughly 60,000 euros for the largest crewed monohulls. Provisioning costs are lower than for motor yachts, typically running 20 to 25 percent of the base charter fee. Bareboat rates are sometimes available through partner operators for qualified sailors.
Anchorages around Kos are varied and reliable. Kefalos Bay on the southwestern tip is sheltered from the north and ideal for a midday stop, while Agios Stefanos near the ruins of two early Christian basilicas is particularly memorable at anchor.
