{"id":221147,"date":"2026-02-02T09:01:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T08:01:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/croisiere-en-catamaran.com\/\/?page_id=221147"},"modified":"2026-03-21T20:34:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T19:34:42","slug":"the-dodecanese-islands","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/croisiere-en-catamaran.com\/en\/les-iles-du-dodecanese\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dodecanese Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Explore the Dodecanese islands<\/h1>The Dodecanese islands on a private catamaran - 7 days on Greece's most easterly islands<\/span>
AVAILABILITY & RATES<\/a>NEW CATAMARAN LAUNCH SPECIAL OFFERS<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Overview<\/span><\/h2>\n

A chain of twelve Aegean pearls stretching along the Turkish coast, the Dodecanese islands have long been renowned for their cultural richness and proximity to Anatolia. From majestic Rhodes, magnificently preserved over the centuries, to picturesque Patmos, Symi, Leros and Kalymnos, this archipelago is an invitation to travel.<\/p>\n

Sailing these waters aboard our luxury catamaran<\/a> offers you complete freedom: stroll through the old town of Rhodes, visit the monastery of St John on Patmos or explore the ancient Agora on the island of Kos. Between two historic ports of call, Vogu\u00e9o<\/b><\/a> will drop you off in superb bays with turquoise waters for ultimate relaxation with family or friends. Don't miss the authentic stopovers on the small, unspoilt islands of Halki and Lipsi.<\/p>\n

To organise your tailor-made trip to this exceptional archipelago, you can contact us at request a quote<\/a> directly online.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Islands to Visit<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Patmos<\/span><\/h2>\n

Patmos belongs to the Dodecanese group and is also known as the Island of the Apocalypse!!!! The story goes that Saint John the Divine inspired the Book of Revelation in a cave on Patmos. Today, the monastery of Saint John can be found just above Chora (the island's capital). Patmos is a peaceful island with some incredible hotels by the sea. Strolling along the island's pleasant streets is a must! You can also enjoy delicious Greek mezze and tsipouro right next to the sea, with the waves just a few metres from your feet. The best beaches for swimming are Petra and Agrio Livadi, with their crystal-clear waters and small pebbles.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Leros<\/span><\/h2>\n

Leros is known in Greek mythology as the island of Artemis, the goddess of forests and hunting. The island stands out for its peaceful and relaxing character, as well as its beautiful scenery with hills, hidden bays, clean coastlines, pine forests and olive groves. Some of the best beaches are the popular Alinda beach and the azure waters of Agia Marina beach. Don't miss a visit to Pandeli, the fishing village with the ancient castle and windmills. You'll be fascinated by the many churches, many of which are built on rocks right next to the sea. From Leros, you can sail to the island of Archangelos with its beautiful sandy beaches.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Astypalea<\/span><\/h2>\n

Astypalea is a butterfly-shaped island where the Dodecanese meets the Cyclades. The Venetian castle at the top of the island sets Astypalea apart from the rest of the Dodecanese islands, reminding visitors of an island that might have belonged to the Cyclades complex. As you walk along the path leading to the castle, you will see windmills overlooking the deep blue Aegean Sea. Some of the island's best beaches are Livadia, Agios Konstantinos and Pera Gialos. Astypalea is a quiet island and most of the beaches are unspoilt! If you cross to the south side of the island, don't miss a stop at the Dragon's Cave, a beautiful natural attraction with stalactites and stalagmites of different colours, due to the mineral content of the water.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Symi<\/span><\/h2>\n

Symi is a small island with one of the most impressive harbours, as the island's houses are built amphitheatrically on a hill. These colourful mansions are sure to catch your eye and entice you to stroll through the narrow streets and alleys. It is famous for its sea sponge and shipbuilding industries. The island has clean beaches and is also famous for the monastery of Panormitis (on the south side), one of its most emblematic monuments! In fact, you can combine a visit to the monastery with a swim at Panormitis beach, a sandy coastline with turquoise waters. Symi is ideal for couples and families!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Rhodes<\/span><\/h2>\n

Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese, boasting a magnificent Venetian castle and incredible beaches for relaxation and water sports! Visitors should not miss a stroll around the island's old town and a visit to the marine aquarium! Some of the best beaches on the island are Faliraki, ideal for water sports, Kallithea with its medicinal springs and Prasonisi, a small peninsula, which creates two sandy beaches. Don't miss the chance to visit Lindos, a small village with the Acropolis at the top of a hill, ideal for stunning views and next to a magnificent swimming spot. From Rhodes, you can also sail to Halki, a small picturesque island with secluded bays.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Kos<\/span><\/h2>\n

Kos is the second largest island in the Dodecanese, renowned for its magnificent beaches and rich historical heritage. It is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, whose famous thousand-year-old plane tree still stands in the main square. The castle of the Knights of St John dominates the port, facing the Turkish coast. By bike or scooter, explore the ancient ruins of the town of Asclepion, the beaches of Tigaki and Marmari with their turquoise waters, and the picturesque inland villages such as Zia with its legendary sunset.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\"Kalimnos\"<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Kalimnos<\/span><\/h2>\n

Kalymnos is world-famous as the climbing capital of the world - its spectacular limestone cliffs attract climbers from all over the world. But the island has many other surprises in store for sailors: secluded coves accessible only by sea, exceptionally clear waters and a tradition of sponge fishing that has forged the identity of its inhabitants. The lively port of Pothia, the emerald waters of Vathys and the neighbouring island of Telendos, just a short sail away, are not to be missed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Itineraries<\/h2>\n

The great attraction of the Dodecanese is its international airports close to the Turkish coast, with its marinas and countless sheltered anchorages. Bear in mind, however, that under the Schengen Agreement, the Greek islands are an EU border with a non-member country, and zigzagging back and forth across this border without proper papers is hardly legally possible. In practice, if you charter a boat from one of the Greek bases, you stay in Greece, and if you charter a yacht from a Turkish base, you stay in Turkey. The only exceptions to the rule are Symi and Kastellorizon in Greece, and Datca in Turkey, where 2 nights \u2018in transit\u2019 are tolerated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wind & Sailing Conditions<\/h2>\n

The Meltem is blowing mainly from the NW, shifting westwards in the afternoon near Turkey. The trend reverses at night with a NE'ly shift. Overall, it is towards the Turkish coast that the thermal influence is strongest. Bear in mind that the Meltem is blowing very hard to the west of the large islands, particularly in the Rhodes-Karpathos and Samos-lkaria channels (to the north).\u00a0<\/span>
When cruising, the main difficulty lies in getting from Rhodes to Kos, as the route is downwind. The solution is to sail west in the morning, when the wind is northerly, and to favour a northerly tack in the afternoon, when the wind is more westerly.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Contact Us<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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